Oklahoma ABLE Tech Assistive Technology Small Changes...Big Differences Newsletter
Volume 10, Issue 1 Winter 2010
Oklahoma’s Assistive Technology Act Program 1-800-257-1705 V/TDD. Oklahoma ABLE Tech is a federal grant program located at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater.
Inside This Issue:
Highlights of 2009,
ABLE Tech Advisory Council
Oklahoma AT Center Locations
Oklahoma AT Center Spotlights
New Partner
Special Education Resolution Center
Success Story
Equipment Exchange
Resources and Events
2009 Our Year in Review
We are pleased to share Oklahoma ABLE Tech’s highlights and key activities reported in our 2009 annual report to be distributed to Oklahoma’s legislators. ABLE Tech serves individuals of all ages and all disabilities in Oklahoma.
• 484 assistive technology (AT) devices loaned to Oklahomans in “try before you buy”short-term loan program
• 1058 AT demonstrations to Oklahomans
• The Alternative Financing Program provided $378,032 in AT device low interest bank loans assisting 73 Oklahomans with disabilities
• 232 AT devices exchanged from sellers to buyers for a savings of $313,943
• 470 computers recycled and donated to Oklahomans with disabilities for a savings of $235,000
• SoonerStart personnel demonstrated 540 AT devices to children 0-3 years old
• 541 individuals received information and referral on AT devices and services
• AT training events served over 1,522 people
• ABLE Tech and its partners provide 9 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 739 state agencies and postsecondary personnel.
• ABLE Tech provided training on AT devices and services to individuals, disability related organizations, and state agencies.
• “Fire Safety for Oklahomans with Disabilities” professionally installed 148 specialized smoke alarms in 105 households statewide.
• ABLE Tech’s partner, Sooner AMBUCS Share4Life Komputers, donated recycled computers to individuals to improve independent living and vocational skills.
• All 30 Special Education Due Process hearings were resolved – keeping state dollars in the classroom educating students. The cost of a due process hearing can be $300,000; therefore, resolved hearing requests saved Oklahoma as much as $9,000.000.
• 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 24 farmers or their family member and closed 9 cases successfully while providing continued case management until the others complete services.
AT Category for Demonstration and Loans
Hearing - 24%
Vision - 20%
Mobility, Seating and Positioning - 18%
Speech Communication - 14%
Computer Related - 9%
Other - 8%
Environmental - 7%
Type of Individuals served for demonstrations and loans
Individual with disability - 56%
Family Member of Individual - 33%
Educator of Individual - 7%
Health & Rehab - 2%
Other - 2%
Meet ABLE Tech’s Advisory Council
Oklahoma ABLE Tech works with a consumer-majority advisory council that provides consumer-responsive, consumer-driven advice to the state for planning of, implementation of, and evaluation of the activities carried out through ABLE Tech.
The advisory council is geographically representative of the State and reflects the diversity of the State with respect to race, ethnicity, types of disabilities across the age span, and users of types of services that an individual with a disability may receive. The Advisory Council assists in setting measurable goals and meets quarterly.
The membership includes representatives from the Department of Rehabilitation Services, a Center for Independent Living, the State Workforce Investment Board, the State Department of Education, Department of Human Services, Department of Health, and from community based organizations. The majority of the council members use assistive technology personally or have experience working with assistive technology.
(Pictured back row left) Jean Jones, Deborah Pinnell, Phyllis Taylor, Jenny Giles, Michael O’Brien, John Gajda, (middle row) Nancy Garner, Theresa Hamrick, (front left) Charlie Jones, Charles Israel, Vicki Haws; (not pictured) Larry Bishop and Sue Keller.
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/loan Over 1400 Devices!
CareerTech in Stillwater 405-743-5162
Mary K. Chapman Center for Communicative Disorders 918-631-2913
Total Health Stillwater 405-624-6592
Hearing Loss Association of OKC 405-717-9820
Developmental Disabilities Services Division, Tulsa, OK 918-794-7632
DRS Visual Services Low Vision Clinic Oklahoma City 405-522-3442
ABLE Tech in Stillwater, OK 800-257-1705
Total Source for Hearing Loss & Access, Tulsa 918-832-8742
New View (previously Oklahoma League for the Blind), Oklahoma City 405-232-4644
Focus on ABLE Tech Partners and AT Centers
Department of Rehabilitation and Visual Services AT Lab for Blindness and Low Vision
The AT Lab is located at Shepherd Mall in Oklahoma City and offers assistive technology evaluations, demonstrations and access to the Lending Library. Individuals may borrow AT devices for a six-week period which is helpful for individuals to try out the technology at no cost and allows an opportunity to determine if the product fits their needs. Equipment available includes: computers, magnification software, screen readers, portable magnifiers, CCTVs, and Pacmates with Braille output. The Pacmate (pictured) QX440 is an accessible Pocket PC device with JAWS screen reader and Braille. It is a personal data assistant with a QWERTY keyboard. Evaluations and demonstrations are available by appointment. Please call 405-522-3442.
Hearing Loss Association of OKC - Faye Donalson Hearing Helpers Demonstration Room
Part of the Integris Third Age Life Center, the demo center is a place where people can go to learn about devices made to help compensate for a hearing loss. The demonstration room is staffed by volunteers, many of whom are hearing impaired and can understand the unique hearing patterns of different listeners. The demo room has a variety of phones and accessories, cell phone add-ons, cochlear products, alert products, amplifiers, and personal listening systems. TV Ears and the Sennheiser Direct Ear Set (pictured) are available to help you hear crisp, clear sounds while
watching TV. Please call 405-717-9820.
Total Source for Hearing Loss and Access, Tulsa
TSHA provides comprehensive services to those with hearing loss. The AT Center has: amplified phones, text phones, alert systems, personal amplification systems, clocks made especially for individuals with hearing loss, and more . The A55 amplified phone system is a cordless phone with a backlit caller ID screen & keypad. It has an amplification of up to 90dB, a large clear ID display, tone control, and vibrating ring signaler on handset. Please call 918-832-8742.
Developmental Disabilities Services Division, Tulsa
ABLE Tech’s newest partner is DDSD in Tulsa. Available for loan are four AmTrykes which are therapeutic tricycles that promote gross motor skill development, endurance and strength needed for independent upright mobility. Regular AmTrykes with a saddle seat for ages 3-8 and helmets and toddler AmTrykes with a bucket seat for ages 2-4. Please call 918-794-7632.
New Assistive Technology Partnership with DDSD
ABLE Tech is excited to announce a new collaboration with the Developmental Disabilities Services Division of the Department of Human Services in Tulsa to offer AmTryke demonstrations and short-term loans. AmTrykes are unique and therapeutic tricycles, which can be hand and/or foot operated and are designed to accommodate riders of all ages, sizes, and varying degrees of physical limitations. AmTrykes promote gross motor skill development, endurance, and strength needed for independent upright mobility. The DDSD office has available two regular AmTrykes with a saddle seat for ages 3-8 and two toddler AmTrykes with a bucket seat for ages 2-4. The AmTrykes can be borrowed up to six weeks. Deborah Pinnell, a physical therapist, is the coordinator of the loan program. The AmTrykes can be borrowed for as long as six weeks. Please call 918-794-7632 for more information.
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 an 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.
Assistive Technology Success Story
Through the partnership program with the Mary K. Chapman Center at the University of Tulsa, Oklahoma, a 28-year-old gentleman with cerebral palsy and developmental disabilities from Tulsa County was able to try the DynaVox V. This is a high level, picture based, dynamic alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) device. He had been an AAC user for ten years, but his device became damaged beyond repair. The Mary K. Chapman Center provided an AAC assessment to discuss a variety of new communication options with him. Through this assessment he borrowed the DynaVox V and was very excited because he was able to participate in a wide variety of daily communication situations with the dynamic features of the device. Having the ability to communicate through AAC is extremely important to him. He runs his own business and needs to interact with a wide variety of people daily. After his trial period, Medicaid purchased a new device. The ability to “try before you buy” is a core goal of the ABLE Tech Demo and Loan Program.
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.
Automatic Door Opener-Power Access 4300 Commercial
Bath chair/ shower stand
Braille keytop labels - FREE
Commode -(2) portable bedside, with bucket
Commode rails
CPAP - price reduced (2 available)
Electric Stair Lift - battery power
EnteraLite feeding pump
Feeder Tray - electric self-feeder, Sammons Preston
Full body large mesh sling - Invacare, never used
Gait Trainer Walker Rifton Pacer - size: medium
Hospital Bed – electric
Hydraulic Lift in-home lifting system
Key Holder for 2 keys - Maddak, never used, FREE
Large print keyboard labels - FREE
Liquid Level Indicator - never used, FREE
Magnifying sheet - FREE
Margi Presenter-to-Go - FREE
Mattress - Demafloat low air loss bed cushion
Neckloop Telecoil Coupler for hearing aid - FREE
Offset Trapeze Bar - octagon tube, Invacare
Padded Bed Boards - custom, never used
Patient Lift - electric, for large person, Invacare
Portable VacuAide suction machine
Quad cane
Recliner Powerlift - LaZboy Windham
ResMed VPAP III
Switches - FREE (converter switch, photocell, switch latch timer, eyebrow, adapted light beeper switch, sip and puff switch, tactile touchpad switch)
Shower bench with wheels (2 available)
Shower chair
Shower set-up - never used
Silverware - fork, never used, FREE
Silverware - offset contoured spoon, never used
Suction cup brush (2) – never used, FREE
Swivel clamp & bracket - Invacare
Trixie lift w/extra large sling - Arjo
Utensil hand clip - (discontinued) FREE
Wanchik Writer - (discontinued) FREE
Writing guides - FREE
ZAM Communicators – never used, FREE
Wheelchairs
Pediatric manual wheelchair - FREE
Pedal wheelchair - EZ chair
Pediatric Power wheelchair - Permobil Playman Robo
Power chair - Jazzy Select
Power chair - Permobil C300-PS2, Reclines & Tilts
Power chair - Alante, Golden Technologies
Power chair - Jazzy 600 Series
Scooter - Pride 2006 Model, Pride Mobility Products
Vertical wheelchair lift (elevator) - for wc or scooter
Walker - brakes, seat, and basket
Wheelchair – electric, FREE
Wheelchair – electric Shoprider Streamer Sport,
Wheelchair - electric Jet III Ultra
Wheelchair - Permobil Power Corpus C300
Wheelchair - tilt recline (power)
Wheelchair - Quickie IRIS
Wheelchair - manual (brand new 18”)
Wheelchair - manual
Wheelchair - manual tilt/recline
Wheelchair - Quickie Q7, manual
Wheelchair recliner - Invacare IVC Tracer
Wheelchair ramp for home - 9 ft, custom made
Vehicle Modification and Transportation
Hand & foot controls for vehicle - FREE
Van - with lift 2008 Saturn Relay Conversion
Van - with lift, Hi Top 1995 Chevy
Items People Need:
Agricultural Equipment
Front end loaded tractor w/bucket
Large tiller
Daily Living
Upright stander needed for 10 year old
Cough assist machine
Large lift chair
AlphaSmart
Color cards of nouns and/or verbs for therapy use
Beach wheelchair, lightweight
KidWalk - kidwalk gait trainer
KidWalk 2
Kidwalk
Powerchair (adult) small
Wheelchair - power (large)
Bath sling, medium size child
Swing frame
7 level communicator, or higher
Vehicle Modifications
Lift for a vehicle
Van w/wheelchair lift & a sit to stand electric lift
Hand controls for vehicle
Portable wheelchair ramp for van
Wheelchair lift
Wheelchair lift or ramp for minivan
CCTV Smartview 3000
Resources and Events
Oklahoma ABLE Tech AT Demo and Loan Program, http://okabletech.okstate.edu
AT Equipment Exchange Program, http://oec.okstate.edu
January 28 - Assisistive Technology Industry Association National Conference, Florida. ABLE Tech presenting. www.atia.org
February 8, 9, 10 - The Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services and the Oklahoma Rehabilitation Council will hold public hearings on policy
changes for the department. www.okrehab.org
March 2 - On the Road Family Perspectives Conference, Norman and in Idabel on March 23. For more information contact sally-selvidge@ouhsc.edu.
March 5-6 - Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma is sponsoring the 2010 Couples Conference at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference
Center in Norman. Call 405-428-0900 for more information.
March 8-9 - Oklahoma Governor’s Conference on Developmental Disabilities, Embassy Suites, 2501 Conference Drive, Norman, OK.
April 5-6 - Section 508 Information Technology Accessibility Conference Metro Tech Springlake Campus, Oklahoma City. For more information call ABLE Tech at 800-257-1705.
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
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
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 info.
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.