Oklahoma ABLE Tech Assistive Technology Small Changes…Big Differences Newsletter Summer 2009 Volume 9, Issue 3
Oklahoma’s Assistive Technology Act Program - Oklahoma ABLE Tech is a federal grant program located at Oklahoma State University at the Seretean Wellness Center, 1514 W. Hall of Fame Stillwater, OK 74078 Phone: 800-257-1705 VTDD 405-744-9748 VTDD
Inside This Issue:
Increasing Employment
Oklahoma AT Center Locations
College Students Learn about AT
Special Education Resolution Center
Spotlight on Demo and Loan Programs
AgrAbility
What’s New
Oklahoma Equipment Exchange
Resources and Events
Oklahoma ABLE Tech Staff
Increasing Employment
Despite the Americans with Disabilities Act and other federal legislation and initiatives, high unemployment among people with disabilities remains a huge problem. Current statistics indicate that only 37.7 percent, of working-age Oklahomans with disabilities are employed compared with 80.4 percent of non-disabled Oklahomans. One possible solution may be the Telework Program, a federally funded initiative, administered by Oklahoma ABLE Tech, which increases access to technology for individuals with disabilities who wish to telework.
What is telework? Telework is defined as work (as an employee or contractor or to become self-employed on a full or part-time basis) which can be performed from home or from designated sites away from the office, such as work on the road or at a telework center. ABLE Tech has partnered with both BancFirst of Stillwater and the Oklahoma Assistive Technology Foundation (OkAT) to establish policies and procedures which allows them to determine the appropriateness of low interest bank loan requests for computers and other equipment on a case-by-case basis. Are you interested to know how the program works? If so, read on for more information and learn how to apply.
The first step is to determine eligibility. ABLE Tech does this through verification of an individual experiencing a disability which poses a barrier to employment. Once determined, the individual is referred to BancFirst of Stillwater to apply for a low interest bank loan for needed computers, equipment or tools of the trade, which help the individual to overcome work related barriers. Should the individual be denied by BancFirst, they may seek a guaranty of the loan through OkAT, who must determine if the individual borrower has the financial means to make the monthly loan payments.
Are you a person with a disability? Do you need equipment or a computer to be able to telework? If so, contact Lindsey Davis at ABLE Tech to learn more about how this program works, she may assist you at 800-257-1705 or by e-mail at lindsey.a.davis@okstate.edu.
Oklahoma AT Equipment Center Locations
Search the inventory: http://oec.okstate.edu/loan
ABLE Tech Stillwater, OK
Phone: 800-257-1705
CareerTech Stillwater, OK
Phone:405-743-5162
Hearing Loss Association - Oklahoma City, OK
Phone: 405-717-9820
Mary K. Chapman Center for Communicative Disorders - Tulsa, OK
Phone: 918-631-2913
Oklahoma League for the Blind - Oklahoma City, OK
Phone: 405-232-4644
Total Health - Stillwater, OK
Phone: 405-624-6592
Total Source for Hearing - Tulsa, OK
918-832-8742
Visual Services Center & Low Vision Clinic - Oklahoma City, OK
405-522-3442
College Students Learn about AT
Oklahoma State University students in Educating Exceptional Learners (SPED 3202) recently learned more about assistive technology and its benefits during the spring semester. Milissa Gofourth, Program Manager for Oklahoma ABLE Tech, was invited to provide an overview of assistive technology (AT) to students who will be serving as teachers in mainstream classrooms. In addition, Milissa explained how the Individuals with Disability Education Act (IDEA) provides Special Education students access to both assistive technology devices and services. During the lecture the students also had the opportunity to view and handle various types of AT devices from simple low tech items to complex AT speech communication devices. The students also learned about the various services ABLE Tech offers to anyone with disabilities statewide. One of the college students was even able to apply her new knowledge by identifying assistive technology that would help her sister with reading and writing needs as she attends college. ABLE Tech extends an invitation to groups big and small to arrange a tour of our demo center. Please call 1-800-257-1705 or email us at abletech@okstate.edu.
Special Education Resolution Center (SERC)
The Special Education Resolution Center (SERC) works collaboratively with the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) to help parents and school districts resolve disputes regarding the special education of students. Through free, innovative programs, SERC assists parties to resolve their differences at the earliest stage possible. If you need help in resolving a dispute regarding the special education of a student, please contact SERC for more information at (888) 267-0028 or (918) 712-9632. Jo Anne Pool-Blades, Program Manager of SERC, has been selected to represent Oklahoma’s program and will serve on a national panel of experts to assist with Alternate Dispute Resolution development throughout the United States. SERC activities are funded by the Oklahoma State Department of Education.
Spotlight on Demo and Loan Programs - AT Centers
Oklahoma ABLE Tech and partners operate assistive technology (AT) device demonstration and short-term loan programs to increase accessibility to AT. The assistive technology inventory is available and searchable online at http://oec.okstate.edu/loan/. Oklahoma ABLE Tech allows individuals to borrow devices for six weeks at no cost.
Oklahoma ABLE Tech, Stillwater
The Hearit SE is a portable classroom amplification system, a tool for speech therapy for Special Education groups, and useful for integrating LD students into the mainstream classroom. Components include: 2 speakers, cordless headset microphone, transmitter for instructor, transmitter, multi-channel receiver, AC power adapter, and a carrying case. Speech Banana Therapies, $1500
Hearing Loss Association of Oklahoma City, Integris Third Age Life Center
Ubi Duo is a type-to-text communication device that allows deaf/hard of hearing people and those with communication barriers to communicate. Text appears simultaneously on each Ubi Duo, in “real time.” Its “instant on” button makes the Ubi Duo effortless to use. Scomm, $1995
Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education, Stillwater
Magic Touch is anexternal add-on touchscreen kit is for a 15” laptop. It is the perfect solution for home, office, school, business and government. It can be easily mounted on ANY monitor and used for ANY mouse driven application. It is used by everyone from children with trouble controlling the mouse, to NASA personnel working on classified military applications. Keytec Inc., $194
Visual Services of the Department of Rehabilitation Services, Oklahoma City
Trekker Pro is a GPS system for the blind and visually impaired. It fits in the palm of the hand, and offers more freedom. It has a Bluetooth GPS receiver, stand-alone speaker and handheld computer equipped with an electronic map and a tactile keyboard. It provides access to anything a PDA can do as well as a DAISY reader(Victor Reader Pocker). NanoPac, $1995
Oklahoma League for the Blind, Oklahoma City
The TVi Color magnifies text onto a TV monitor. It has a small, hand held mouse camera with a zoom function. You can change the level of magnification without re-focusing. The mobility of the mouse camera facilitates difficult-to-read items and its rollers make it easier to scan text. All of these features are combined to make the TVi Color an easy to use magnifier and because its display is a standard TV monitor you can use it any where there is a TV. OkVision, $595
Mary K. Chapman Center for Communicative Disorders, University of Tulsa
The Alphatalker II uses an introductory vocabulary program. It combines icons that extend the vocabulary beyond 32 locations on the board. It offers: icon prediction, auditory scanning cues so that persons with visual impairments can know what location is being activated, and environmental control commands. It allows the user to record anyone’s voice. Prentke Romich Co. $1945
Total Source for Hearing Loss and Access, Tulsa
500 Guest Room ADA Kit - This kit includes devices to meet ADA requirements of the hospitality industry. It includes: TTY, door knock sensor, telephone handset amplifier, telephone signaler, alarm clock, smoke detector, ADA compliance sign and carrying case. Harris Communication, $549
ASK - AMBUCS Share 4 Life Computers, Norman
The ASK program donates computers to people with disabilities. Almost 4,500 computers have been provided to individuals with disabilities since 1994. Individuals may apply by writing to: Sooner AMBUCS, P. O. Box 118, Norman, OK 73070, calling 405-360-1521, or printing the application from http://www.soonerambucs.org.
Total Health, Stillwater
Total Health and ABLE Tech partner to provide Am Trykes, which are therapeutic tricycles suitable for children approximately three to nine years of age. Three trykes are available with either a bucket or a saddle seat and come with an appropriate helmet.
A Unique Opportunity Produces A Unique Accommodation
When farmer, Ed Bennett from Depew, Oklahoma, requested assistance from the Oklahoma AgrAbility Project, he never dreamed the end result would be so magnificent! The Oklahoma AgrAbility Project, Oklahoma State University, School of Architecture’s student organization, Freedom by Design, were able to partner to create and produce the needed assistive technology that would enable Ed to get on and off his horse easier and in a safer manner. Although Ed’s recovery from his stroke in 2008 is remarkable, he continues to experience numbness on his right side that makes it difficult for him to mount his horse.
AgrAbility staff and architecture students Aaron Douglas and Sonoka Iwama traveled to Ed’s farm in Creek County to view the challenges he was experiencing. The team discussed difficulties and barriers to his continuing employment in agriculture. Equally important, the team identified accommodations that would alleviate pain and promote safety in Mr. Bennett’s efforts to continue activities in the agriculture arena.
“We came back and hit the drawing boards. We met as a group, brainstormed as many different ideas we could generate and came up with the best solution for our client”, said Aaron Douglas. “The portable set of steps we created is larger than a normal mounting block as his horse is almost 16 hands tall. We worked closely with the Architecture Mentor Mohammed Bilbeise, RA and the Engineering Mentor Carisa Ramming, PE to ensure we used the most appropriate and safest types of materials," Douglas said.
OkAT (Oklahoma Assistive Technology Foundation) was able to provide the funding needed to purchase the materials for the project. “This was a very unique opportunity for Oklahoma AgrAbility, OkAT and Freedom by Design to coordinate efforts on behalf of this client. We are looking forward to working with future students in designing assistive technology for our farmers and ranchers with disabilities”, said Sandra Stevenson, Oklahoma AgrAbility Program Manager.
Freedom by Design (FBD) is an American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) program that utilizes the talents of architecture students for service in their communities by helping individuals with physical challenges. For further information about FBD, visit their web-site at www.aias.org/freedom.
What's New?
Did you know that the ABLE Tech Oklahoma Equipment Exchange has saved Oklahoman’s over $500,000 by reutilizing assistive technology in 2008. It is a FREE service and items are added continously to the list. ABLE Tech assists by providing information on the benefits and features of the various items and will help to answer any questions you may have. The newest assistive technology category is the “Ag Equipment Exchange.” It is just one of our efforts to support Oklahoma farmers, ranchers and their families and to allow ag operations to connect with adapted farm equipment and assistive technology. Anyone with an interest in agriculture should visit this listing to discover currently posted equipment or call and we can assist you!
How It Works!
This is a free service andall you have to do is go to the website and set up your account at http://oec.okstate.edu or call (888) 885-5588 and the staff can assist you. Individuals may post information about adapted equipment they need or want to sell or donate. Buyer and seller make arrangements for the exchange of the adapted equipment.
Oklahoma Equipment Exchange
The Oklahoma Equipment Exchange is a free program to help Oklahomans with disabilities acquire affordable,
used equipment. Log onto the Equipment Exchange website, http://oec.okstate.edu, or call ABLE Tech to list
your devices or inquire about a product at 1-888-885-5588. Below is a list of items currently for sale or FREE.
Daily Living:
Computers and related
Slip-On Typing Aid FREE
Aerosol Spray Can Handle FREE
All-In-One Commode
Bath chair & shower stand, Rifton
Bathtub Grab Bar
CPAP - Continuous Positive Airway Pressure machine
Deluxe Hand Held Shower
Emergency Lifter Cushion, Mangar, 2007
Electric Stair Lift
Feeder Tray - Electric Self-Feeder, Sammons Preston
Full Body Large Mesh Sling #1, Invacare
Half Gallon Cart'n Grip Handle – FREE
Hospital Bed, Volker, Solid wood
Hospital Bed - Electric-Includes 2 side rails
Hydraulic Lift - In-home lifting system
Ice chest w/elec pump for pain control, Polar Care
Key Holder for 2 keys –Never Used FREE
Lifter, Invacare, Wt. cap. 450 lb. Free standing
Liquid Level Indicator (3) – Never Used FREE
Mattress-Demafloat Low Air Loss Bed Cushion
Offset Trapeze Bar-Octagon Tube, Invacare
Padded Bed Boards, Custom Made, Never Used
Pill Box Timer - FREE
Shower Chair, Excellent condition
Shower set-up – portable
Fork - Never used FREE
Specialized Offset contoured Spoon - Never Used FREE
Self-Handle Utensil Holder - Never Used FREE
Sure Grip Knife-lightweight handle - FREE
Stimulator for pain control, Ortho Care/ Surgi Stim
Suction cup brush (3) - Never Used FREE
Swivel Clamp & Bracket, Invacare
TURNSOFT Mattress –Automatically turns patient
Toilet Safety Rail, Attaches over the toilet for stability
Trixie Lift w/extra large sling, Arjo, New Battery Scale
Uni-Turner - Never Used FREE
Utensil Hand Clip - FREE
Voice Recording Photo Frames (8) - Never Used FREE
Wanchik Writer - Never Used (2) FREE
Environmental Adaptations:
Auto Door Opener, Power Access 4300 Commercial
Mobility, Seating & Positioning:
Power Chair - Premobil C300, for small adult or teen
Battery Power Standup Lift w/ power opening base
Cane - 4 Prong Quad, Guardian - FREE
Folding Chair -Lightweight-supports 250 lbs., Ti Lite XC
Goose Neck Mount for wheelchair - (2) FREE
Panda Stroller FREE
Pediatric Manual Wheelchair – (2) FREE
Permobil Playman Robo Pediatric Power Wheelchair
Power Chair, Jazzy Select
Power Chair - Invacare Arrow Storm, Invacare
Power Chair - Reclines & Tilts, Permobil C300-PS2
Trapeze, Invacare, Metal, free standing
Trixie Lift w/slings, Arjo, extra battery and charger
Vertical Wheelchair Lift, Mac's Liftgate, Model PL-45,
Walker, Rifton, Medium, beige and hunter green
Walker/Stander, Mulholland
Wheelchair - Elec.Pronto M71 w/ SureStep
Wheelchair - Electric Jet III Ultra, Joystick
Wheelchair - Power, Wt cap. 450 lb., w/ battery charger
Wheelchair - Power Tiger Pediatric, Invacare FREE
Wheelchair - 2004 Power Ultra, Pride Jet3
Wheelchair - Recliner-Tracer Invacare IVC Tracer SX4
Wheelchair - Invacare HVR tilt/recline
Wheelchair - Tilt Recliner (Power) Invacare, Formula TRE
Vehicle Modification and Transportation:
4 Q-Straint Vehicle Tie-Downs, Tie Downs ONLY
Car-Top Wheelchair Carrier
Hand & Foot Controls for vehicle-for a quad - FREE
Scooter Lift for pickup, drivers side lift
Turney Seat for mini/full size van or truck
Van - 1998 Ford E-150 w/lift, 103,000 miles, full size
Vision:
Braille - Duxbury Translator Win 10.3 - FREE
Braille Embossing Replacement Dial (2) - FREE
Book Port (Portable Electronic Reading Device) - FREE
Labeler with Braille Dial - FREE
Portable Handheld Electronic Magnifier - FREE
Spectrum SVGA Video Magnification # 1 System - FREE
Portable PDA Screen Magnifier - FREE
Resources and Events
Oklahoma ABLE Tech AT Demo and Loan Program, http://okabletech.okstate.edu
AT Equipment Exchange Program, http://oec.okstate.edu
July is Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month www.arthritis.org
Did you know ABLE Tech has daily living devices to help individuals be more independent?
Resource Guide for Oklahoma Children, Youth and Their Families
For more information, contact OASIS at 1-800-426-2747, OKC Metro (405) 271-6302 or http://oasis.ouhsc.edu/
July 23-24: IT Accessibility Training at MetroTech
Sessions include: Creating Accessible PDFs, Creating Forms Using Adobe Acrobat 9 Livecycle Designer, Web Accessibility 101, Using CSS for Accessibility, XHTML and Accessibility, Creating Accessible Word 2007 documents, and Is your Moodle compliant? For more information about this event, contact Oklahoma ABLE Tech at 1-800-257-1705.
July 29-30 4H Round up with AgrAbility
August 4-6, 2009 CareerTech
Visit the ABLE Tech booth and learn more about our assistive technology demo and loan program.
National Conference on AT Reuse – Sept 15-17 Atlanta, Georgia
ABLE Tech participating at the Pass IT On Center and NATTAP Conference.
Oklahoma ABLE Tech Staff
Robin Purdie, Director OSU Seretean Wellness Center
Linda Jaco, Director of Sponsored Programs, OSU Seretean Wellness Center
Milissa Gofourth, Program Manager
Brenda Dawes, AT Program Specialist and Web Coordinator
Shelby Sanders, AFP Loan Coordinator & AT Specialist
Diana Sargent, Senior Administration Support Specialist
Melinda Tebow, Graduate Assistant
Sandra Stevenson, AgrAbility Program Manager
Jo Anne Pool, SERC Program Manager
Shannon Esmeyer, SERC Administrative Assistant
Seretean Wellness Center Oklahoma State University 1514 W. Hall of Fame Stillwater, OK 74078 Phone: 800-257-1705 VTDD 405-744-9748 VTDD Fax: 405-744-2487
We’re On the Web! http://okabletech.okstate.edu
This publication is available in alternative formats; please call 1-800-257-1705 V/TTY for more information.
The Oklahoma State University Seretean Wellness Center is the lead agency for Oklahoma ABLE Tech. The program is funded by the Rehabilitation Service Administration (RSA) of the U.S. Department of Education. Grant #H224A050036. This publication does not necessarily reflect the position of the policy of RSA/ED, and no official endorsement of the material should be inferred.