Oklahoma ABLE Tech
Volume 11, Issue 1 · Winter 2011 PDF
Assistive Technology
Small Changes...Big Differences
Oklahoma ABLE Tech is a federal grant program located at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater.
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Inside This Issue:
Highlights of 2010 : A Year in Review
National Rankings
Oklahoma AT Center Locations
Focus on Assistive Technology
Web Accessibility: Law and Classes
Special Education Resolution Center
Success Story
Equipment Exchange
Resources and Events
2010 Our Year in Review
We are pleased to share Oklahoma ABLE Tech’s highlights and key activities reported in our 2010 annual report to be distributed to Oklahoma’s legislators.
ABLE Tech serves Oklahomans of all ages and all disabilities.
• 601 assistive technology (AT) devices loaned to Oklahomans in our “try before you buy” short-term loan program.
• 1246 AT demonstrations to Oklahomans; 393 AT demonstrations by SoonerStart personnel for children 0-3 years old.
• The Alternative Financing Program provided $506,203 in AT device low interest bank loans assisting 86 Oklahomans with disabilities.
• 177 AT devices exchanged from sellers to buyers for a savings of $345,211.
• Sooner AMBUCS Share4Life Komputers, donated 517 recycled computers to individuals to improve independent living and vocational skills.
• 318 individuals received information and referral on AT devices and services.
• AT training events served over 1,300 people.
• ABLE Tech and its partners provided 8 AT loan and demonstration sites to give Oklahomans an opportunity to touch, try, and take home AT devices and improve independence in the community, schools, and workplace.
• ABLE Tech provided training on accessible information technology including web access, telecommunications, software accessibility, and procurement to 337 state agency and postsecondary personnel.
• ABLE Tech provided training on AT devices and services to individuals, disability related organizations, state agencies, and higher education students.
• “Fire Safety for Oklahomans with Disabilities” professionally installed 206 specialized smoke alarms in 111 households statewide.
• 37 Special Education Due Process hearings were resolved by the Special Education Resolution Center - keeping state dollars in the classroom educating students. Due Process proceedings cost the state an average of $300,000; therefore, resolved hearing requests saved Oklahomans approximately $11,100,000.
• The Oklahoma AgrAbility Project provides education, assistance and support to farmers, ranchers and their family members with disabilities or debilitating injuries that limit their abilities to perform farm tasks. ABLE Tech, through its partnership with Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Services, Langston University and the Oklahoma Assistive Technology Foundation provided direct services to 52 farmers or their family members and completed 29 on-farm site visits.
AT Category
Speech Communication - 11%
Other - 7%
Vision - 20%
Computer & Related - 9%
Hearing - 20%
Mobility, Seating, & Positioning - 10%
Environmental - 23%
Type of Individual
Health & Rehab - 3%
Other - 3%
Education - 14%
Family Member - 30%
Individual with Disability - 50%
Oklahoma’s National Ranking
- ABLE Tech ranks 3rd in the nation for number of loans made out of the 26 financial loan programs
- ABLE Tech ranks 1st in the nation for number of recycled devices out of 36 reutilization programs
- ABLE Tech ranks 8th in the nation for number of device demonstrations out of 55 AT demonstration programs
- ABLE Tech ranks 17th in the nation for number of device loans out of 54 loan programs
Coordination and Collaboration
Oklahoma ABLE Tech maintains coordination and collaboration efforts among partners that provide funding that will enhance the opportunities for individuals to access and acquire assistive technology.
Oklahoma AT Center Locations
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.
Search the inventory: http://oec.okstate.edu/loanTotal Source for Hearing Loss
Over 1400 Devices!
Hearing Loss Association, Oklahoma City
405-717-9820
Total Source for Hearing Loss & Access, Tulsa
918-832-8742
Oklahoma ABLE Tech, Stillwater, OK
800-257-1705
Mary K. Chapman Center for Communicative Disorders, Tulsa
918-631-2913
Visual Services Center and Low Vision Clinic, Oklahoma City
405-522-3442
Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education, Stillwater
405-743-5162
Developmental Disabilities Services Division, Tulsa
918-794-7632
NewView, Oklahoma City
405-232-4644
Focus on ABLE Tech Partners and AT Centers
Total Source for Hearing Loss and Access (TSHA), Tulsa
The ClearSounds A55 amplified cordless phone system has a backlit Caller ID screen and keypad. It has an amplification of up to 90dB on base and 80dB on handset, a large clear ID display, tone control, and vibrating ring signaler on handset. Expandable up to 2 additional phones.
Visual Services Center, the Department of Rehabilitation Services, Oklahoma City
The Intel Reader is an exciting new product that transforms printed material into audio and large print. This device is for people with vision or reading-related difficulties, blindness, or low vision. Portable and unobtrusive, the Intel Reader takes pictures of printed material, then converts it to digital form and allows magnification and/or audio playback. The Intel Reader is available at two locations: ABLE Tech in Stillwater and Visual Services in Oklahoma City.
Career Tech, Stillwater
Dragon Naturally Speaking provides access to the computer by voice recognition. Individuals with disabilities who have difficulty using a standard keyboard or those who need to reduce stress to their hands and arms will greatly benefit by controlling the computer by voice and built-in macros that take the place of keyboard commands. Dragon Naturally Speaking Professional and Preferred versions are available both at ABLE Tech and Career Tech.
Oklahoma ABLE Tech, Stillwater
The Smart/128 is a new communication device available to ship for a six week loan. The multi message level device is versatile with a removable grid. The grid provides a standard static 128 location AAC device. Without the grid it can be used as a pictorial communication device. Features: Smart Overlay Designer Pro utility software; Interchangeable FLASH card.
State Agencies and Businesses Need to Provide Accessible Websites
ABLE Tech Offers Classes and Weekly Tips
Oklahoma passed the electronic and information technology accessibility law in 2004 requiring state agencies to buy & develop accessible IT including websites, computers, telephones, & software. To help agencies understand how to comply with this law, ABLE Tech offers classes approximately three times a year at Metro Tech in Oklahoma City. The next event is February 3-4. Classes offered are: Web Standards 101, Evaluating Web Accessibility with Screen Readers, Adobe Acrobat PDF Accessibility, Accessible InDesign Documents, and an overview class to explain Oklahoma’s law and standards.
To register: www.accessibility.ok.gov.
Sign up for Weekly Web Accessibility Tips
New in 2011! ABLE Tech will send you weekly web accessibility tips developed by WebAIM, well-known- web experts. Keep accessibility in mind each week and share with your colleagues.
Sign up at: www.ok.gov/abletech/IT_Accessibility/webtips.html
Special Education and Resolution Center
The Oklahoma State Profile has been released!
SERC and the Oklahoma State Department of Education were honored as an Exemplary Program of Alternative Dispute Resolution in Special Education. Only four states, out of all states and territories, were chosen to be profiled by the Consortium of Appropriate Dispute Resolution (CADRE) and the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). As a profiled exemplary state, Oklahoma will be assisting other states in improvement activities related to the formal complaint system, mediation and the due process hearing system. CADRE plans a presentation of the Oklahoma system at a national conference in the fall. Copies of the CADRE press release and the Oklahoma profile can be found at http//serc.okstate.edu. Additional information about the CADRE Exemplar Project is continually updated at www.directionservice.org. Visit this site for video clips, resource materials, and state profiles.
Assistive Technology Success Story
The ABLE Tech assistive technology device loan program located at Total Source for Hearing-Loss and Access in Tulsa was helpful to a gentleman with hearing loss. The ABLE Tech assistive technology program offers demonstration by appointment so individuals can try out a number of devices. His hearing loss was severe enough that he learned that even varying levels of amplification on a variety of phones was still not adequate for his hearing. The assistive technology program also had available a CapTel phone, which provides not only audio but text on a screen to display the caller’s words. The added text feature was exactly what he needed. Even though he can’t hear their voices, he is still able to converse with family, friends, and former co-workers. Fortunately, he was able to try out a variety of phones for free before purchasing the one that he truly needed. He indicated he doesn’t feel isolated from his former work friends any longer.
Oklahoma Equipment Exchange
The Oklahoma Equipment Exchange is a free program to help Oklahomans with disabilities acquire affordable equipment. Log onto the Equipment Exchange website, http://oec.okstate.edu, or call ABLE Tech to list your devices or inquire about products at 888-885-5588. Below is a list of items currently for sale or FREE.
Daily Living
Blood Pressure Monitor, Omron Mod
Devilbiss 9000 CPAP
Zevex EnteraLite Infinity feeding pump
Full Body Large Mesh Sling Invacare
Hospital Bed – Electric
Hospital Bed - Electric-Price Reduced
Hospital Bed - for youth – FREE
Hydraulic In-home lift system-Price Reduced
Dermafloat Low Air Loss Bed mattress
Offset Trapeze Bar-Octagon Tube
Oxygen Concentrator
Patient Lift
Portable Commode Chair – FREE
Portable Vacu Aide Suction Machine
ResMed VPAP III
Sock N Stocking Aid FREE
Swivel Clamp & Bracket to offset trapeze bar
Environmental Adaptations
Automatic Door Opener Power Access 4300
Portable ramp “Suitcase” Wheelchair Ramp for Van
Ramps - Portable 8 foot aluminum ramps
Learning, Cognitive, & Developmental
The Margi Presenter-to-Go – FREE
Mobility, Seating & Positioning
KidWalk Gait Trainer/Stander
Pedal Wheelchair EZ chair
Pediatric Power Wheelchair Alante
Power Wheelchair/Scooter – New
Rascal Power Chair
Rabbit Pediatric Mobile Stander
Rifton Stander for a Child
Scooter - Go-Go Elite Traveler
Scooter - Golden Companion 3 wheeled
Stander - Prime SuperStand Youth
Standing Frame - Easy Stand (Adult)
Standing Power Chair – Levo
Vertical Wheelchair Lift (Elevator)
Wheelchair - Elec. Hoveround Price Reduced
Wheelchair Power Guardian-Aspire FREE
Wheelchair - Power Jazzy Select
Wheelchair - Power Pronto
Wheelchair - Power Pronto
Wheelchair - Power Z11
Wheelchair - Quickie IRIS
Wheelchair - Quickie Q7
Wheelchair Power Permobil Corpus C300-New
Wheelchair Recliner - Tracer Price-Price Reduced
Wheelchair- Power Pride Jazzy Select
Wheelchair-Tilt Recline (Power)-Price Reduced
Speech Communication
ZAM Communicator - FREE
Vehicle Modification and Transportation
Bruno turny with carony seat conversion for van
Lockdown System for wheelchair in van
2006 Town & Country Van with turney and carony
1997 Ford Crown and Bruno Turnout wheelchair
Vision
CCTV MagniSight 20”Color
Items Needed:
Lift chair recliners
Kidwalk gait trainer
Walker for child
Swingframe
Hand controls for a vehicle
Recumbant children’s bike
CCTV Smartview 3000
7 level communicator, or higher
KidWalk Gait Trainer
Power Permobil Wheelchair
Calendar of Events
February 3-4, 8:30 - 4:00 - IT Accessibility Conference sponsored by ABLE Tech and Metro Tech in Oklahoma City. To learn more and to register visit http://www.ok.gov/accessibility/Training/index.html.
February 9, 3:30 - 4:30 - FREE Webinar, ABLE Tech presents Accessible Instructional Materials, NIMAS and Assistive Technology for Students with Print Disabilities. Visit http://www.ok.gov/abletech/AIM.html.
March 1 - “On the Road Family Perspective Workshop” at Canadian County Technology Center, Chickasha, OK.
March 9, 2011 - Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day at the Capitol, Oklahoma City, OK.
March 21-22 - Annual Governor’s Conference on Development Disabilities, Embassy Suites, Norman, OK. Visit http:// www.okgovconfdd.com.
March 28 - AgrAbility Day at the Capitol http://agrability.okstate.edu.
March 29 - “On the Road Family Perspective Workshop” at OSU Okmulgee.
April 5 - Disability Awareness Day at the Capitol sponsored by the Department of Rehabilitation Services.
April 5, 3:30 - 4:30 - FREE Webinar, ABLE Tech Assistive Technology Services for Students http://www.ok.gov/abletech/AIM.html.
Oklahoma ABLE Tech
Seretean Wellness Center
Oklahoma State University
1514 W. Hall of Fame
Stillwater, OK 74078
Phone: 800-257-1705 V/TDD
405-744-9748 V/TDD
Fax: 405-744-2487
INFO-Line: 888-885-5588
We’re On The Web!
http://okabletech.okstate.edu
Staff
Robin Purdie, Director of OSU Seretean Wellness Center
Oklahoma ABLE Tech
Linda Jaco, Director of Sponsored Programs OSU Seretean Wellness Center
Milissa Gofourth, Program Manager
Brenda Dawes, AT Program Specialist & Marketing/Web Coordinator
Diana Sargent, Senior Administration Support Specialist
Shelby Sanders, AT Project Specialist
Tessa Stinnett, AT Project Specialist
Lindsey Davis, AFP Loan Coordinator & Marketing Coordinator
Sandra Stevenson, AgrAbility Program Specialist
Stacy Bauter, AgrAbility Assistant
Jo Anne Pool-Blades, SERC Program Manager
Shannon Esmeyer, SERC Administrative Assistant
This publication is available in alternative formats; please call 1-800-257-1705 V/TTY for more info. The Oklahoma State University Seretean Wellness Center is the lead agency for Oklahoma ABLE Tech. The program is funded by the Rehabilitation Services 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.