Oklahoma ABLE Tech
Small Changes...Big Differences
Fall 2010 Assistive Technology Volume 10, Issue 4 PDF
Past Newsletters
Inside This Issue:
Expanded Service
OATC AT Expo
Partner of the Year
Oklahoma AT Center Locations
Oklahoma AT Center Spotlights
New Partner
Resolution Center
Equipment Exchange
Resources and Events
Expanded Services to Students with Print Disabilities
ABLE Tech announces a new service to help Oklahoma students access instructional materials and assistive technology. Oklahoma ABLE Tech is partnering with the State Department of Education to provide new services for K-12 students with print disabilities. Students with print disabilities may have a visual or mobility impairment or a reading disability that qualifies them to receive alternate curriculum content to better support learning and access to school materials. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA, 2004) requires states and school districts to provide accessible versions of instructional materials to students with disabilities in a timely manner.
Accessible Instructional Materials (AIM)
Include specialized formats of curricular content that can be used by and with print-disabled learners:
• braille
• audio
• large print
• electronic text
How Do Oklahoma Schools Provide AIM?
When schools order textbooks in April, they also should order materials in the appropriate accessible format for students who they know will attend the following year. To expedite the acquisition of alternate formats, the school may directly contact one of Oklahoma’s authorized users (AUs) to specify what is needed.
Assistive Technology and AIM
Students may need the additional support of an assistive technology (AT) device in order to access their instructional materials. Examples include, refreshable Braille display devices, a computer with screen reading software or literacy software to read text aloud, a book holder, an MP3 player with audio files, a portable reading device, or screen magnification software. ABLE Tech has a loan library of AIM related assistive technology. Loans are for 4-6 weeks.
FREE Webinar Topics & Times
Topic: “Oklahoma ABLE Tech presents Accessible Instructional Materials, NIMAS, and Assistive Technology”
Date: Thursday, November 4, 2010
Time: 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Topic: “ABLE Tech Assistive Technology Topic: Services for Students”
Date: Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Time: 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Topic: “Oklahoma ABLE Tech presents Accessible Instructional Materials, NIMAS, and Assistive Technology” Date: Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Time: 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Topic: “ABLE Tech Assistive Technology Services for Students”
Date: Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Time: 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Hands-On Assistive Technology Equipment Exposition
From communication devices to motorized wheelchairs and beyond, the latest information about devices designed to help people with disabilities will be available during the 2010 Oklahoma Assistive Technology Equipment Exposition on Tuesday, Dec. 7 at Northeastern State University in Broken Arrow, OK. Two pre-conference sessions will be held on December 6th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on assistive reading tools and power mobility to support children
The exposition will feature a variety of assistive technology products, including new products for communication, mobility, computer access, positioning, adaptive play for children, daily living tasks, transportation, literacy and learning, and more. Continuing Education contact hours are available for Speech, Occupational, and Physical Therapists.
The exposition is from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Northeastern State University, 3100 E. New Orleans, Broken Arrow, OK 74014. Although free to participants, attendees must pre-register by contacting Chuck Roberts at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City by email at chuck-roberts@ouhsc.edu or by calling 405-271-8001, extension 47104.
The event is co-sponsored by the Oklahoma Assistive Technology Center located at the OUHSC, the Lee Mitchner Tolbert Center for Developmental Disabilities, and the Oklahoma State Department of Education, Special Education Services.
Partner of the Year
Oklahoma ABLE Tech recently named Sooner AMBUCS Share4Life Komputers (ASK) partner of the year. For the past 13 years the ASK program recycled and gave away over 6000 computers to adults and children with disabilities. Although the recycling program was discontinued at the end of this summer, ABLE Tech wanted to recognize all of their efforts in assisting Oklahomans with disabilities that received computers and often specialized software to meet their needs. In addition to working with individuals directly, many organizations, schools and learning disability labs have used the ASK donated computers to expand their programs.
Adri-Anne Trammell managed the computer recycling program with the assistance of many volunteers of the Norman Sooner AMBUCS chapter. Adri-Anne coordinated applications and distribution by matching the right system to best meet the needs of each individual or teacher. Additional recognition must go to Linda Durbin who worked tirelessly to test donated computers, made minor repairs if necessary, loaded computers with free-ware, stripped unusable computers to use the parts in repair of other computers and maintained lists of computers that were complete and ready to distribute. Ms. Trammell knew Sooner AMBUCS could not afford to buy parts or software, “so basically we made do with whatever was donated. But these systems were gold to many.”
In 2006, Sooner AMBUCS was awarded a three year grant from the Rehabilitation Services Administration, U.S. Department of Education to expand the program. The grant allowed Sooner AMBUCS to rent a warehouse, purchase limited software licenses, and other needed equipment. When Milissa Gofourth, ABLE Tech Program Manager, presented the award to Adri-Anne Trammell and Linda Durbin she said, “Thousands of Oklahomans with disabilities counted on the program over the years. ASK will be missed.”
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
New View Oklahoma, Oklahoma City
The myReader2 is a new device that NewView is offering for loan. It is the new, improved auto-reader for low vision from HumanWare. It quickly takes images of books or magazine pages and myReader2 rearranges the text onscreen. You choose how you prefer the text to appear, making reading easy again. Zoom out to find where you are on the page, then zoom in to read. Contact NewView at 405-232-4644 for more information on this device.
Mary K. Chapman Center for Communicative Disorders, Tulsa
SpringBoard Plus is an augmented communication device with five integrated versions of pre-stored vocabulary with a special emphasis on those core words that power most speech. There are pre-stored activity row categories and vocabulary plus pages with expanded word sets, and display configurations from a simple 4-key option to 32 keys. Please contact Mary K. Chapman for information about borrowing this device at 918-631-2913.
Hearing Loss Association of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City
HLA has an amplified neckloop headset that is designed to be used with a variety of connectivity cords allowing you to use it as an amplified audio neckloop with a variety of devices including cell phones, cordless telephones, corded telephones w/jacks, iPods, personal listening devices, radios and other sound generating devices. For more information about these devices contact HLA at 405-717-9820.
Oklahoma ABLE Tech, Stillwater
The iPad is a tablet computer designed and developed by Apple. It is particularly marketed as a platform for audio and visual media such as books, periodicals, movies, music, and games, as well as web content. ABLE Tech has installed Proloquo2Go software, which is a solution for people who have difficulty speaking. It brings natural sounding text-to-speech voice and has extreme ease of use. Contact ABLE Tech at 800-257-1705 for more information on borrowing this device.
New Assistive Technology Partnership with TCC
ABLE Tech is pleased to introduce our newest partner, The Children’s Center (TCC) in Bethany, Oklahoma. TCC is a state-of-the-art facility for children from birth to age eighteen who have severe disabilities with related health and medical needs. TCC offers short-term inpatient rehabilitation services for children who have had accidents, injuries, or illness and also provides long-term residential care for children who have chronic disabilities. Additionally, TCC provides outpatient therapy services for children who have developmental disabilities and live in the community. ABLE Tech provided TCC with a number of AT devices to address areas such as environmental control, switch mounting, cognition, and software for language development and early reading. TCC’s partnership with ABLE Tech is unique because these devices are used by TCC staff for in-house demonstration with the children they directly serve. They do not loan AT devices through their ABLE Tech program. If you have questions about TCC’s partnership or need assistance with an AT demonstration or loan, please contact ABLE Tech at 800 257-1705.
Special Education Resolution Center
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 innovative programs, SERC assists parties to resolve their differences at the earliest stage possible. SERC provides highly trained mediators to assist the parties in coming to agreement. In those instances where the parties are unable to resolve their dispute, SERC provides a fair and impartial hearing system. Fair, impartial and knowledgeable hearing officers conduct administrative hearings to settle the differences of the parties in a timely manner. These processes are in place so that Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment will be available to Oklahoma children.
Be sure and register for the State Superintendents Conference on Special Education in Oklahoma City! Art Cernosia, the special education GURU – will be making a day long presentation on the IDEA, Friday, December 3, 2010. Register by contacting the Oklahoma State Department of Education – Special Education Services at 405 521-4871.
Assistive Technology Success Story
Kevin Janecke is a 59 year old who lost his sight in 1976 due to a gun shot. He lives with Alvin, his fourth guide dog from Leader Dog and Zoe. Kevin likes to come for Computer Assistive Technology (CAT) training at NewView in Oklahoma City so Alvin gets out and gets some exercise.
Kevin is learning to use Window Eyes, an audible screen reader software that allows him to check his email. Also, Kevin uses Microsoft Word to type documents and attach them to emails. He is hoping with his CAT training to take classes at Rose State College in grant writing.
Kevin states that the training he is receiving has helped to increase his self-esteem and decrease his blood pressure. With his increased ability to use assistive technology he is excited about pursuing the grant writing classes. Some ABLE Tech equipment he has tried includes, the Note Teller, a voice recorder, Olympus Digital recorders, Window Eyes, Microsoft Outlook, and Microsoft Word.
Oklahoma Equipment Exchange (OEE)
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.
Computers and related
Mouthstick for keyboard - Bendable - FREE
Daily Living
Blood Pressure Monitor, Omron Mod
CPAP, Devilbiss 9000 CPAP Features
Car Door Opener - FREE
Commode - portable bedside
EnteraLite feeding pump, Zevex
Feeding Tube Bags - FREE
Full Body Large Mesh Sling, Never Used
Hospital Bed – Electric
Hydraulic Lift - In-home lifting system
Lift Chair
Mattress
Offset Trapeze Bar-Octagon Tube
Offset contoured spoon LH – FREE
Offset contoured spoon RH – FREE
Oxygen Concentrator - Everflo Q
Patient Lift - Electric
Portable Commode Chair – FREE
Portable Vacu Aide Suction Machine
ResMed VPAP III
Shower Chair w/wheels
Shower Stool
Shower set-up - portable
Snap & Roll Toilet Paper Holder – FREE
Swivel Clamp & Bracket
Shower Bench
Environmental Adaptations
Automatic Door Opener
Portable Ramps, 8 foot aluminum ramps
Hearing
Neckloop Telecoil Coupler for Hearing Aid Users - FREE
Learning, Cognitive, & Developmental
The Margi Presenter-to-Go - FREE
Mobility, Seating & Positioning
Commode - Bedside - FREE
Gait Trainer - Rifton (Adult)
KidWalk Gait Trainer/Stander
Pedal Wheelchair, EZ chair
Pediatric Power WC
Power Chair
Rabbit Pediatric Mobile Stander
Rifton Stander for a Child
Scooter - Go-Go Elite Traveler
Scooter - Golden Companion 3 wheeled
Stander - Youth SuperStand
Standing Frame – Adult
Standing Frame - Easy Stand
Standing Power Chair – Levo
Super Pole w/Trapeze
Superglide StairLift
Vertical Wheelchair Lift
Walker
Walker - Extra Large w/seat
Wheelchair - Elec. Hoveround
Wheelchair - Power – FREE
Wheelchair - Power Jazzy Select
Wheelchair - Power Pronto
Wheelchair - Power
Wheelchair - Quickie IRIS
Wheelchair - Quickie Q7
Wheelchair Power Permobil Brand
Wheelchair Ramp for Home - 9 ft.
Wheelchair Recliner
Wheelchair-Tilt Recline (Power)
Speech Communication
Sock N Stocking Aid – FREE
ZAM Communicator - FREE
Vehicle Modification and Transportation
Bruno Turny w/Carony seat conversion for van
Lockdown System for wc in van
1997 w/lift GMC Savana Conversion
1995 Chevy Hi-Top Conversion w/ lift, Chevrolet
Vision
CCTV MagniSight
20”Color
We’re On The Web! http://okabletech.okstate.edu
Resources and Events
Oklahoma ABLE Tech AT Demo and Loan Program, http://okabletech.okstate.edu AT Equipment Exchange Program, http://oec.okstate.edu
Did you know...
30% of Oklahomans with disabilities are employed, compared to 70% without disabilities?
October is Disability Employment Awareness Month. Oklahoma ABLE Tech can provide ideas and assistive technology to help individuals with disabilities find the necessary support to stay employed or to gain employment. Please contact us at 800-257-1705 for more information.
Nov. 4, 2010, 3:30 - 4:30 - FREE Webinar, ABLE Tech presents Accessible Instructional Materials, NIMAS and Assistive Technology. http://www.ok.gov/abletech/AIM.html
Nov. 9, 2010 - ABLE Tech presenting at the Learning Disabilities Association of Oklahoma Conference, Norman
Nov. 17, 2010, 3:30 - 4:30 - FREE Webinar, ABLE Tech presents AT Services for Students. http://www.ok.gov/abletech/AIM.html
Dec. 7, 2010 - OATC AT Expo, Broken Arrow. More information on pg. 2
Coming Soon!! ABLE Tech Information Technology Accessibility Training in Oklahoma City, February 2011. For more information call ABLE Tech or check our online calendar at http://www.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 and Web/Marketing Coordinator
Diana Sargent, Senior Administration Support Specialist
Shelby Sanders, AT Specialist
Tessa Stinnett, AT Specialist
Lindsey Davis, AFP Loan Coordinator & Marketing Coordinator
Sandra Stevenson, AgrAbility Program Manager
Stacy Bauter, AgrAbility Assistant
Jo Anne Pool-Blades, SERC Program Manager
Shannon Esmeyer, SERC Administrative Assistant
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
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.