Virginia Easy Access is an online resource for seniors, adults with disabilities, and their providers. It provides information on topics like community supports, financial help, emergency preparedness, rights, transportation, and housing. The website is designed to be accessible to different user groups. It uses a "quick topics" format, first person language, and defines difficult terminology. Features include direct links to major websites and an online Medicaid application. The goal is to provide a "no wrong door" approach to accessing information and services.
1. Virginia EASY ACCESS An on-line resource for seniors and adults with disabilities and the providers that support them. www.easyaccess.virginia.gov Presentation by Debbie Burcham Chief Deputy Commissioner Virginia Department for the Aging Moderator: Dr. Ayn Welleford Chair, Education Core, AlzPossible Chair, Dept of Gerontology, VCU
4. FEATURES Accessible to all target populations On-line Medicaid Application Direct links to all major websites Written in first person “ Quick Topics” design Definitions imbedded for “difficult to understand” terminology Easy Access Features
5. FEATURES: Written in First-Person Easy Access Features Accessible to all target populations On-line Medicaid Application Direct links to all major websites Written in first person “ Quick Topics” design Definitions embedded for “difficult to understand” terminology
6. FEATURES: Direct links to all major websites Easy Access Features Accessible to all target populations On-line Medicaid Application Direct links to all major websites Written in first person “ Quick Topics” design Definitions embedded for “difficult to understand” terminology
7. FEATURES: “Quick Topics” design Easy Access Features Accessible to all target populations On-line Medicaid Application Direct links to all major websites Written in first person “ Quick Topics” design Definitions embedded for “difficult to understand” terminology
8. FEATURES: Definitions embedded for “difficult to understand” terminology Easy Access Features Accessible to all target populations On-line Medicaid Application Direct links to all major websites Written in first person “ Quick Topics” design Definitions embedded for “difficult to understand” terminology
9. FEATURES: On-line Medicaid Application Easy Access Features Accessible to all target populations On-line Medicaid Application Direct links to all major websites Written in first person “ Quick Topics” design Definitions embedded for “difficult to understand” terminology
10. TOPICS COMMUNITY SUPPORT EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FINANCIAL HELP MY RIGHTS: WHO CAN HELP? TRANSPORTATION RELATED LINKS ABOUT EASY ACCESS HOUSING
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Hinweis der Redaktion
Virginia Easy Access is being created as part of the No Wrong Door initiative. It has been directed by the No Wrong Door Resource Team of the Systems Transformation Grant made up of state agency staff, local public and private providers, citizens and family members.
There is so much cross over between services and supports that seniors use and that people with disabilities use that the authors made every effort to merge the two when that made sense. However, when it made sense to list resources and to provide information for separate populations, that was done too. For the public and private providers that will be using the No Wrong Door tools (I & R, UAI, Case Management & Reporting) their access will be through the portal. It will be password protected. Here they will enter consumer data and will be able to share consumer information electronically.
Contributors went to the authoritative sources (websites, printed materials) and borrowed liberally. The wording was then simplified to improve readability, even though the subject matter remained very complicated in some cases. Over 21,000 (and growing) services and supports, as well as informative topical articles, are available through SN’s provider database. SN is in the process of integrating other state department databases of providers and integrating them into their database to provide the most comprehensive database in the state (and probably nationally) for seniors and adults with disabilities. 2-1-1 will provide on-line e-mail support if a user has a question 7 days a week for 16 hours a day. Soon it will be increased to 24 hours a day.
Language is simplified, icons are used to assist those with cognitive impairments, will fully meet Section 508 compliance Written so that questions are phrased “Where Can I find out more?” for example. And answered “You can find….” The on-line electronic Medicaid application will be ready to pilot in 9/08. There will be drop down menus, help windows, and skip question functionality. It will also have electronic signature capability and can be submitted to a specific local DSS office.