Oklahoma ABLE TechAssistive Technology Act Program

Dina Anderson, MOT, OTR/L, ATP

Assistive Technology

• AT is a device or piece of equipment

• that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of people with disabilities

• AT is also a service

• that directly assists persons with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an AT device

Oklahoma ABLE TechThe Assistive Technology Act state program

• Governor Appointed Lead Agency: Oklahoma State University• 4 State Level Activities• 3 State Leadership Activities

All Ages…All Disabilities…Statewide

Mission

To help people in Oklahoma access and acquire assistive

technology (AT)

State Level Activities

• Device Demonstration

• Device Short Term Loan

• Device Reutilization

• State Financing Activities

Device Demonstration

• Individual or small group exploration

• Guided experience

• Specific device or a group of devices

• Promotes effective usage and

• Informed decision-making

Device Short Term Loan

• For individuals or organizations for the purpose of:• “Try before they buy”- assessment

• While waiting on equipment that has been purchased

• Loaner while a device is being repaired

• Personnel development activities

• Devices are provided at no-cost

• Loan period 2-6 weeks

ABLE Tech Partners• Department of Rehabilitation Services, Visual

Services Division – Oklahoma City & Tulsa• Hearing Loss Association of Oklahoma City• New View – Oklahoma City & Tulsa• OSU Dept. of Communication Sciences and

Disorders - Stillwater• Total Source for Hearing Loss and Access

(TSHA) – Tulsa • The Children's Center Rehabilitation Hospital –

Oklahoma City • Pathways Therapy Center – Tulsa• John W. Keys Speech & Hearing Center - OU

Device Reutilization

• Device Exchange• Items transfer ownership through a

“want ads”Oklahoma Equipment Exchangehttp://oec.okstate.edu888-885-5588

• Device Reuse – Oklahoma Durable Medical Equipment Reuse Program “OKDMERP”• Donated DME is reassigned to

Oklahomans http://okabletech.okstate.edu405-523-4810

Device Reuse

• Retrieve valuable DME that is no longer needed from donations

• Only certain category of devices are accepted

• Refurbish – sometimes Repair

• Reassign – matched equipment

• SoonerCare members have priority for 60 days

• Application must accompany a request

• Some items require a Doctor’s prescription

• Pickup & delivery available

ABLE Tech Financial Loan• Partners

• BancFirst of Stillwater• Oklahoma Assistive

Technology Foundation• 6% fixed interest rate loan

to buy AT• 5% fixed interest rate for

collateralized loans • Guaranty loans for

applicants that do not qualify for a unsecured bank loan

• Direct loans for amounts up to $1,500

State Leadership Activities

• Training & Technical Assistance

• Public Awareness & Statewide Information and Referral

• Coordination & Collaboration

Other Support Programs

• Accessible Educational Materials (AEM)• Special Education Resolution Center• SoonerStart Collaboration• SoonerCare Provider of Speech Generating

Devices – iPad, Case, Apps

ABLE Tech Activities• Accessible Information Communication

Technology • Higher education• State Agencies• Career Technology Schools• Employers

• Workforce Accessibility• Physical Systems• Programmatic Systems

What is Assistive Technology?

Anything that helps a person with a disability do a task easier, better, faster,

more efficiently that might otherwise be difficult or impossible to do without it.

Assistive Technology is a continuum of

tools, strategies, and services that match

a person’s needs, abilities and tasks.

Assistive Technology Continuum

Low Tech ToolsPencil grips

Color coding

Highlighters

Slanted surfaces

Reading and writing

guides

Enlarged worksheets

Mid Tech ToolsBooks on tape

Talking spell checker/dictionary

Word processor

Tape recorder

Adaptive eating utensils

Switch controlled

toy/light/blender

High Tech ToolsText readers

Voice recognition

Environmental control devices

Augmentative communication device

Software for manipulation of objects

Electronic books

AT Solutions

Individuals - regardless of the severity of their disability - may need and use the entire spectrum of low tech to high tech devices

Technology by Need

1. Listening Devices

2. Vision Aids

3. Learning, Memory, Organizing

4. Computer Access/Ergonomic Equipment

5. Environmental Adaptations

Hearing

• Clear visual display

• Volume control

• Vibration alert

• Visual signal

Vision

• Increase lighting/higher contrast

• Enlarge/magnify

• Add sound or speech

• Use tactile labels/output

Cognitive/Behavioral

Personal Features

• Speed of information processing

• Diminished ability to learn new skills

• Lack of sleep or depression affects recall

• Memory loss

AT Options

• Tablet and Smart Phone apps

• Alarm clocks, reminders, timers

• White Noise Machine

• Medication trackers

• Meditation Bracelets

• Weighted blankets

• Journaling

Physical Barriers

• Affect strength, dexterity, flexibility, endurance, balance

• Functional limitations in areas of walking, reaching, bending, grasping

• Larger grips/buttons

• Padded grips

• Leverage

• Holders/stabilizers

• Mechanical aids

Computer Access

• Accessibility options–operating system

• Keyboard typing aids and supports

• Alternative input devices

• Typing aids

• Voice recognition software

• Alternative mouse devices

Activities of Daily Living

• Eating, drinking, cooking

• Personal hygiene

• Getting dressed

• Reading, writing

• Leisure

Computer Screen Magnifiers

Tablets & Phones as AT

• Productivity

• Organization

• Education/Literacy

• Speech

• Sensory

There’s an App For

That!!

Built-in Accessibility Features

Accessibility Shortcut

• Triple-click Home

Vision VoiceOver

Zoom

Large Text

Invert Colors

Speak Selection

Dictation

Increase Contrast

Hearing

• Subtitles/Captioning

• Mono Audio

• Hearing Aids (iPhone)

Learning Guided Access

Dictionary

Physical Motor

• Switch Control

• Assistive Touch

• Home-click Speed

Apple

http://www.apple.com/accessibility

Built-in • VoiceOver• Screen Reader • Full-screen magnification • Siri (speech to text)• FaceTime video

Built-in • Closed Caption• Screen Flash• Full-screen magnification • Mono Audio• Slow/Sticky Keys

• Speech Recognition• Narrator - Text to Speech• Screen Magnifier• On-Screen Keyboard

Ease of Access Centerwww.microsoft.com/enable

Voice Recognition Software (Speech to Text)

Screen Reading Software(Text To Speech)

Universal ReaderJAWS, Window EyesRead Write & Gold

Solo 6 Read/Write: OutLoud

Literacy Software

Acquiring AT –Funding Manual

• SoonerCare

• IDEA – local school district

• Public Education – 504 Plan

• Supplemental Security Income Work Incentives (SSA)

• OK Department Vocational Rehabilitation

Oklahoma ABLE TechAssistive Technology Act Program

1514 W. Hall of Fame

Stillwater, OK 74078

800-257-1705

www.okabletech.okstate.edu