Oklahoma ABLE Tech Success Stories

Oklahoma ABLE Tech Device Demo and Short-term Loan Program

Oklahoma State University, Seretean Wellness Center
1514 W. Hall of Fame, Stillwater, OK
Phone: 405-744-9748 or 1-888-885-5588 toll free V/TDD

Because of ABLE Tech, (our son) was able to try out the smart nav to see if he could benefit from it.  They are the only ones that could lend it to us before purchasing.”

ABLE Tech recently assisted a family from Tulsa County.  The parents of a two and half year old son with spinal muscular atrophy requested a short term loan of the SmartNav3 hands free mouse for computer access. The SmartNav hands-free mouse enabled him to control the computer by moving only his finger.  He has no other way to control cursor movement. SmartNav can also be used by moving your head less than an inch. It comes with a dwell clicking feature and a Click-N-Type virtual keyboard. By using the SmartNav, he is able to fully navigate a computer by himself instead of having others set up games for him. ABLE Tech was the only program that could loan the device to the family so that they could be assured he could benefit from its uses before buying it.  His mother commented,  "By using the SmartNav, he is able to fully navigate a computer by himself.  Without it, he relies on others to get him set up for games.  He has no other way to control cursor movement." ABLE Tech's demo and loan inventory is available online at http://oec.okstate.edu/loan. 

"We are so grateful for the opportunity..."

Oklahoma ABLE Tech recently assisted a mother from Oklahoma County who called the assistive technology program to inquire of communication devices for her thirteen year old son with autism.  ABLE Tech shipped a Mighty Mo communication device to the family for a short-term loan.  She commented, "We would have been unable to obtain and try out a device of that sort without this program. We weren’t even sure if our son would be able to operate a device of that sort, but now we see he caught on relatively quickly. We are so grateful for the opportunity to use Mighty Mo even if on a trial basis. I see so many possibilities that could come from having one permanently now that I didn’t see before. While using it, he said two new words he’d never used before – and said them in the right context. And I believe that was from the increased opportunities and his exposure to definite and specific items accompanied by hearing the name of that thing or action. It took a while for us to figure out – but once we got it – we took off. We’d like to try a newer version next. Thank you!"

Hearing Loss Association of Oklahoma City

Hearing Loss Association of Oklahoma City,  INTEGRIS Third Age Life, 5100 N. Brookline, Suite 100, Oklahoma City, OK 73112, Phone: 405-717-9820 

A 78 year old woman in Oklahoma County visited the Hearing Loss Association of OKC's Faye Donaldson Hearing Helpers Room at Integris Third Age Life Center in Oklahoma City to learn more about the assistive technology available to help with hearing loss.  She borrowed an alarm clock called the Shake Awake that vibrates the bed or underneath a pillow for those who are unable to hear a regular alarm clock.  Through the free short-term loan program she was able to try it for up to six weeks.  She said the alarm clock "gave me the security of knowing I would be awakened when necessary." HLA's demo and loan inventory is available online at http://oec.okstate.edu/loan. 

Visual Services

Assistive Technology Lab for Blindness and Low Vision (AT Lab), Visual Services Center, VS #90 Department of Rehabilitation Services 2401 NW 23^rd Street, Shepherd Mall, Suite 91, Oklahoma City, OK  73107, Commercial: 405-522-3442 or Toll Free: 1-800-845-8476 

ABLE Tech partners with Visual Services at the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) by providing a variety of assistive technology for low vision and blindness needs to the .  Assistive Technology Lab for Blindness and Low Vision located at Shepherd Mall in Oklahoma City.  A 74 year Oklahoman from Love County recently visited the AT Lab for a demonstration of any technology that would help him read his mail, newspapers, and other printed materials at home.  He was able to compare a variety of desktop CCTVs to enlarge printed materials and found that the Magnisight Explorer with a 20 inch monitor would work well for him.  He said, " the device that was recommended is going to make it possible for me to be more independent because I won't have to have someone else always there to read things for me." Individuals can request a demonstration appointment with the Assistive Technology Lab for Blindness and Low Vision as well as borrow the AT for a six week period of time.  The AT lab inventory is available online at http://oec.okstate.edu/loan. 

Total Source for Hearing Loss and Access

Total Source for Hearing-loss and Access
8740 East 11th St. Suite A, Tulsa, OK 74112 
918-832-8742 Sorenson: 918-823-8742 or D-Link: 918-832-8782

I wanted to write and tell you how much the Williams Sound Hearing Helper actually has benefited me.  I take classes at a university and had decided I could no longer attend, due to my loss of hearing.  I wear hearing aids that I purchased from cleartone. My loss is not only in volume, but also in comprehension of the spoken word. The Williams Sound device literally saved my college program (and my future). By wearing the receiver and the instructor wearing the transmitter, I hear everything she says.  The microphone picks up the other students in the class and I am able to be a part of the classroom discussion, which is a major portion of our grade. I would most definitely have had to withdraw had it not been for this device. Though I had the device on loan for six weeks from your firm, approximately four weeks after borrowing it, I purchased one for myself through one of your catalogues. It is as much a benefit for me in normal, everyday life as it is in the classroom. I wear it at work, play and school The sound I get from this device through the transmitter is far greater than the $3200 hearing aids I purchased a few years ago, yet I only paid $800.  Had it not been for your office, I would not have discovered this awesome invention for hearing impaired people.  I am already searching through the catalog to see what will improve the quality of my life next.  Thank you so much; I will never forget this experience and the kindness you showed me by allowing me to borrow this awesome device. My life has changed! 

Mary K. Chapman Center for Communicative Disorders

Mary K. Chapman Center for Communicative Disorders
University of Tulsa mailing address: 600 S. College, Tulsa, OK  74104-3189
Physical location: 2820 E. 5^th Street, Tulsa, OK  74104
Phone: 918-631-2913 

A twenty-eight year old man from Tulsa County visited the Mary K. Chapman Center for an appointment to look at new types and varieties of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). This young man has been relying assistive technology and AAC for ten years due to communication limitations from a developmental disability and cerebral palsy.  He had used the same device for those ten years until the device became broken.  It was determined that the device was no longer able to be repaired as well.  He participated in an AAC assessment at the Mary K. Chapman Center at the University of Tulsa and was able to look at different options. He borrowed a DynaVox V and is very excited to be able to participate in a wide variety of daily communication situations because he has had an AAC device to use.  This has been extremely important because he has his own business , and interacts with a wide variety of people daily.

Total Health at Stillwater Medical Center

Total Health, AmTryke Loan Program, Stillwater
1810 N. Perkins Rd., Stillwater, OK  74075
405-624-6592 Contact: Cadance Lynch

A four year old girl from Payne County visited Total Health to try out an AmTryke, a specialized tricycle, through the assistive technology demo and loan program.  A physical therapist evaluates the features for each individual. The AmTryke taught her to ride and gave her the strength to now be able to ride a "typical" bike. She now rides with her sister and has gained strength in her legs to enable her to walk. 

Oklahoma League for the Blind

Oklahoma League for the Blind
501 N Douglas Ave Oklahoma City, OK 73106
Phone: 405.232.4644 x 236

A single mother from Oklahoma City has visited the Oklahoma League for the Blind to learn more about their services and the technology that would assist her to live more independently.  She is unable to work due to to eight strokes within 2 years and a diagnosis of diabetes. The diabetes has taken most of her eyesight, except minimal functional use of the right eye. She is a motivated woman who finds much strength in her faith. One of OLB's first interventions was to offer her the Bible on tape and access to other Christian audio- books. Oklahoma ABLE Tech was able to provide her a demonstration and then loan of a CCTV that helped her to read her Bible in a more usable format  Another intervention through OLB was to show her how to administer insulin more efficiently and consistently with the insulin pen by counting the clicks to be accurate of dosage. The other three devices that she has found helpful are the talking body weight scale, glucometer, and the blood pressure cuff. She really likes the talking devices. 

She has developed the courage and strength to leave home meet staff  at the Oklahoma League for the Blind in OKC . She always thanks the Lord and trusts that her faith in God will see her through the days ahead. 

Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education

Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education
AT Center at Information Commons
1500 West 7th Avenue, Stillwater, Oklahoma 74074
Phone: 405-743-5162

A Payne county resident visited the Assistive Technology Center at CareerTech to try out many of the devices to determine how they could help her live and work more independently. She enjoys gardening but had been limited in her abilities due to progression of multiple sclerosis.  The CareerTech AT Center has a large variety of assistive technology devices and software from computer access to technology that addresses varying career fields to garden tools.  Exposure to the wide variety of technology help educate this individual on product knowledge.  She borrowed ergonomic and assistive gardening tools that allowed her work in her garden and yard.  The adaptive tools have a longer reach and are built to work more ergonomically with the body and grip.