Oklahoma ABLE Tech and Partnering AT Centers Share Oklahoma Success Stories
Interested in sharing your success story too? Online Success Story Form and Photo Release Form. The photo release must be printed, signed, and sent to ABLE Tech either by scanning and emailing to abletech@okstate.edu or fax to 405-744-2487.
Oklahoma ABLE Tech Device Demo and Short-term Loan Program
Oklahoma ABLE Tech is helping Oklahomans find assistive technology (AT) solutions through its demonstration program. Austin from Guymon currently is in need of Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM) at his school. Austin and his family came to the OSU Seretean Wellness Center to receive demonstrations of available AT that could assist him in accessing his classroom textbooks as well as complete his in-class and homework assignments. ABLE Tech staff demonstrated many pieces of equipment, but Austin chose the SOLO 6 by Don Johnston. This software can be loaded onto Austin’s laptop to help him read digital textbooks, organize and write papers, and complete worksheets and tests electronically. Now this fun, energetic young man has a tool available to him that can grow with him as he continues his studies
Visual Services Assistive Technology Lab for Blindness and Low Vision (AT Lab)
Richard is a minister in the Sapulpa area – has a beautiful church and a thriving congregation. He received his equipment in July and had discussions on how he planned to use it and he was very excited and thankful for all of the equipment. He is using the Acrobat in his office and even by the pulpit and uses the handheld (Ruby) during graveside services, during meetings, and at bedsides. He also received a Laptop computer which he uses in his office and at home to work on his sermon’s and lesson plans, and to keep in contact with others via e-mail.
Developmental Disabilities Services Division
David is a 53 year old man who lives in his own home with staff who assist with his care. His diagnoses include a visual and hearing impairment and seizures. David can transfer with moderate assistance and uses a wheelchair for ambulation. David requires assistance with bathing transfers and has a history of falls. The physical therapist demonstrated the Nuprodx bathing chair. This chair has the ability to slide over the tub which does not require a transfer thus eliminating the risk of falls. After a successful demonstration, a new Nuprodx bath chair was obtained for David’s use in the bathroom. The demonstration provided the needed justification for the approval process and the need for costly home modifications was eliminated.
Hearing Loss Association of Oklahoma City
Louise, an 88 year old resident of Enid, Oklahoma, recently visited the Hearing Loss Association of Oklahoma City. She suffers from hearing loss and she was interested in finding an assistive device to try and accommodate her hearing impairment. While at HLA, they recommended the PocketTalker, which amplifies sound closest to the listener to dulls background noise. "I like the PocketTaler because it helps me to understand each word being said. It gives me a feeling of confidence and security." said Louise.
Total Source for Hearing Loss and Access
William is an 88 year old Tulsa native with hearing loss. Total Source for Hearing Loss and Access located in Tulsa, an ABLE Tech device demo and loan program, helped William select AT including the PocketTalker and XL50.
The PocketTalker amplifies sounds closest to the listener while reducing background noise, while the XL50 is an amplified phone. William said he was very satisfed with the products he tried, “I could talk on the phone and increase the volume, and the phone did everything but tell the time in Hong Kong!” William said. “The PocketTalker worked really well, and I was able to connect the cord with the TV and could watch television without turning
up the volume. It allowed me to talk with my family and friends again.”
Mary K. Chapman Center for Communicative Disorders
Isaac is a ten year old Creek county native who recently came to the Mary K. Chapman Center for Communicative Disorders to find a speech generating device. Isaac has Down Syndrome and was unable to communicate his wants and needs and demonstrate his level of knowledge. By coming to the Mary K. Chapman Center, Isaac was able to try out many devices and find the best fit for him. He chose a Vantage Light, and has had remarkable results. His frustration level has drastically reduced, and he is now able to communicate effectively. "He thinks in complete sentences!" his mother said. "By being able to try multiple devices we found the best fit for Isaac, which we otherwise would not have been able to do."
NewView Oklahoma
Sean was referred to NewView Oklahoma by the Department of Rehabilitation Services for Computer Assistive Technology training. He started with the Talking Typing Tutor. The Talking Typing Tutor is designed to teach typing skills to people with disabilities by helping them practice typing skills through specially designed lessons. Sean said when he started he only knew about six keys on the keyboard. Now he knows the entire keyboard and is working on keystroke commands for JAWS screen reader software. He can now learn how to surf the internet and send email. Sean is very excited to continue this learning so he will be qualified to get a job. In his spare time he enjoys talking to friends on the phone, watching TV, and hanging out with friends and family.
The Childrens Center
The Childrens Center partners with Oklahoma ABLE Tech to provide assistive technology (AT) to Oklahoma children with disabilities. This Bethany resident, K, uses a Jelly Bean switch attached to a Gooseneck mount to activate different devices. The Jelly Bean Switch is a button or touch switch designed to control a wide range of electrically operated toys for children with upper extremity disabilities. This provides K with opportunities to develop and strengthen her cause/effect association through the activation of a variety of different toys and computer programs. Activating a speech generating device allows her to participate in social greetings or phrase fill-in
activities. This has provided her with increased independence in the classroom and therapy sessions, as well as increased enjoyment through play with cause/effect toys.