FIRST ANNUAL BORROWER SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS
Spring 2006

The Washington Assistive Technology Foundation’s AT loan program has had a strong positive impact, surpassing several national benchmarks after only 3 years of service.  This program improved the quality of life for people with disabilities and helped them achieve greater self reliance. WATF clients were better able to communicate with loved ones, play important life roles, succeed at work, pursue higher education, expand their small businesses, and join new activities.  WATF also obtained very high scores in all aspects of customer service.  

“The service has been great. All my questions have been answered quickly. If I ever am in need again, I'll come back to WATF.”

WATF’s First Annual Borrower Survey of 27 present and former borrowers was completed online and by phone in April and May of 2006.   Respondents confirmed that access to assistive technology made a significant difference in all walks of life – including education, employment, community participation and financial success:

Community Participation
93% of all respondents reported strong or very strong improvement in the ability to play important life roles.  Respondents also reported improved ability to participate in community activities (85%), and greater enjoyment of these activities (86%).  Eighty-eight percent reported strong or very strong impact on their ability to interact with friends and loved ones.

“I have a website…I have a blog page and listen to internet radio, all because of my Jaws program, and I'm very grateful.  I need Jaws to do all these things, because that's how I read the screen. It's crucial to my everyday life…”

Academic Success
100% of those who obtained AT to further their education reported improvements in their ability to participate in learning activities. WATF’s program also enhanced borrowers’ ability to improve their grades (75%), and to complete higher education (75%).

“Your funding assisted me in purchasing a computer which has enabled me to pursue "Simply Music" teacher training.  I started teaching in January and am now in the process of building my studio … I currently have 9 students and several more planning to start in April...”

Employment
WATF’s borrowers reported strong/very strong improvement in production and performance in the workplace (70%), and greater job satisfaction (60%). 

“My hearing aids have made a huge difference! Particularly with work, meetings, and talking with people… it's changed my life”

Self Employment
100% of respondents engaged in self employment reported improved sales or ability to expand business; 83% reported strong or very strong improvements in productivity.

“The vehicle is giving me the opportunity to get to places I could not get to before, and to do my job at the highest level. …I was Mr. June in the 2005 DVR annual report, I was selected as a representation of how I could set up a business with my disability… WATF’s loan helped me to do that.”

Financial Success
56% of all respondents reported improvements in personal income and 26% of all respondents reported strong or very strong improvement.  Overall, 67% of all respondents reported some degree of improvement in their net worth and 43% reported strong or very strong improvement in their net worth.  70% reported improved abilities to manage debt.

“As a Quality Assurance supervisor, I depend on my hearing aid for the purpose of communication.  Before I got some help from WATF, my wife and I were not sure where to get a loan with lowest interest rate; however, my wife found out about WATF…Without its help, we [would] have financial problems.”

Self Reliance
97% of respondents reported an improved ability to undertake daily tasks.  Significant improvements were also reported in the ability to manage health and personal safety (74%) and to stay in their current living situation (63%).  96% reported increased self confidence. 

“I use my computer daily to keep in contact with friends and love using the internet to learn…I use my computer many hours each day and I don't know what I'd do without it”

Why choose WATF?

• 70% of borrowers surveyed chose WATF because it accommodates income and/or credit history
• 52% reported that WATF’s loan was their last or only option for financing 
• 93% chose WATF because of their speed and responsiveness
• 89% chose WATF because they had a better interest rate
• 89% say that availability of flexible payment plans was a factor in chosing WATF 

“You all are wonderful…when I thought I might have to do this again using a variety of vendors to build a new computer and peripherals to spec for adaptive needs, WATF indicated an open willingness to work with me again in this fashion…keep up the good work…”

WATF’s performance and customer service also received high marks with nearly 90 % reporting that they would definitely recommend WATF’s program to others. 

Many thanks to Anee Brar & Gayle Kahled for all of their work on WATF’s First Annual Borrower Survey.