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

Wyatt is a ten year old Washington County native, who has Dyslexia and Amblyopia recently borrowed an iPad through the Oklahoma Assistive Technology Center (OATC). During an AT
consultation, OATC suggested several technologies that could help Wyatt enjoy to read, among these suggestions was the iPad. For the first time in his life Wyatt enjoys reading, and now can be fully engrossed in a story. Through the use of the iPad, he can kick back and experience the pleasure of the story, without the struggler, concurrent behaviors, or feelings of failure he generally experienced when he was expected to read. The iPad allows him to change the overlay settings, and through the use of iPad Apps such as Webster’ Dictionary, he has access to words he cannot spell. He uses Dragon Dictation to produce sentences that he needs to write down, and he is able to recognize when the App does not exactly produce what he says. As a result of his consultation, Wyatt also was recently granted a membership with Bookshare. Bookshare is a program that provides free digital books for students who have qualifying print disabilities. Wyatt can now access this online library to download books with the iPad App Read 2 Go. Read 2 Go is the most accessible e-book reader and can be used with the iPad, iPod Touch, or the iPhone. For individuals interested in obtaining more information on the ABLE Tech short-term loan program or looking to find more information to help a student with a print disability, contact us today! Our dedicated loan support staff can provide an AT consultation and additional resources to help you get started! 

Visual Services Assistive Technology Lab for Blindness and Low Vision (AT Lab)

This Tulsa County resident recently visited the Visual Services Assistive Technology Lab for Blindness and Low Vision in Oklahoma City. During her AT consult, she was able to demo several different types of equipment including a laptop computer, ZoomText and the ZoomText Large Print Keyboard. The client's VS counselor made the purchase of a new laptop computer with the adaptive software recommended based on the outcome of this demo. This equipment will allow the client to do her homework from home instead of having to have someone take her to the computer lab at the college where the computer are not accessible to her. 

Obtaining these services gave this client product awareness, helped her acquire the equipment she needed, and most of all gave her greater independence in regards to completing her college coursework. The client no longer has to depend on someone else to drive her to the college computer lab and sit with her while she does her homework. 

Hearing Loss Association of Oklahoma City

An 88 year old Oklahoma County resident went to HLA to borrow a Bell Tone Amplification Machine to help her hear her phone ring. She says "I could not hear my phone ring. I wear hearing aids, but they did not help.  I would miss calls from my children, and they would drive over to see if I was okay." After using the phone for one week she ordered her own. Of the phone she says, "I am much more confident. I can be anywhere in my house, and not miss a call. My children are very happy, and they don't worry quite as much." 

Total Source for Hearing Loss and Access

A 53 year old Tulsa County resident visited TSHA for help with a hearing impairment. The individual need help to find a device to assist her with hearing conversations. Through her AT consult she decided to use the Pocket Talker, a device which amplifies sound. Of the device the woman says, "It was very helpful when I couldn't hear someone on the phone and very helpful to communicate in the car." 

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 

Dusty, blind since age 10, came to NewView Oklahoma to learn to read. He did learn basic Braille in school. Dusty is employed and with the help of his job coach answers the phone for his company where he has been employed for eight years. After a year of learning phonics, Dusty is now reading basic books and will start learning Contracted Braille when he reaches a second grade reading level. He has also learned to spell 220 words. Dusty has used the Talking Tactile Tablet some in conjunction with his lessons to help increase his Braille reading skills. Dusty has also had some Orientation & Mobility training with NewView Oklahoma learning to better use his long cane and be more independent in his work and “school” setting. In his free time Dusty likes to listen to his radio, especially Country and Western music. He likes going to the store to shop, attending social activities at the Oklahoma Foundation for the Disabled, working, hanging out at home, and attending “school” at NewView Oklahoma.

The Childrens Center

This two year old Oklahoma County resident recently visited The Childrens Center. She was able to borrow the Ultra-Sensitive Touch Switch. The loan provided her with the opportunity to trial switch during functional daily activities to ensure she could successfully utilize the switch for increased independence in play, school and other daily activities.