Save the Date! Assistive Technology (A.T.) Support Team
- Fall 2021 Workshop Series -
Registration is open for the Fall Assistive Technology (A.T.) Support Team Workshop Series that will be presented virtually as Zoom webinars. ABLE Tech workshops are designed for educators, related service providers, and administrators needing a wide range of A.T. knowledge, providing standards-based training and dynamic coaching for the novice up to the expert educator.
These FREE sessions will take participants from theory to practice learning the steps for providing needed A.T. to students. The lineup will include a 3-part series of training all offered in a virtual, Zoom format this fall school semester.
September 16th: Workshop Part 1 - In this session participants will learn the process for consideration of A.T. for all students with disabilities, including legal requirements related to A.T. Consideration and how to help educators, related service providers, and administrators discover potential solutions available to help meet students’ Individualized Education Program (I.E.P.) goals. Participants will be provided the opportunity to make low-tech A.T. to help students with curricular/daily living tasks.
October 21st: Workshop Part 2 - In this session participants will learn the steps involved in conducting an A.T. Assessment and the procedure for borrowing A.T. to trial with students.
November 18th: Workshop Part 3 - In this session participants will learn how to write A.T. in the I.E.P., summarize the A.T. Implementation process, compare A.T. across categories, and identify A.T. funding resources. The session will offer participants opportunities to virtually learn more about devices in each A.T. category.
Emergency Broadband Benefit
The Emergency Broadband Benefit, a new Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program will offer a temporary benefit to help to lower the cost of broadband service for eligible households during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The $3.2B Emergency Broadband Benefit program provides a discount of up to $50 per month toward broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for qualifying households on qualifying Tribal lands. The benefit also provides up to a $100 per household discount toward a one-time purchase of a computer, laptop, or tablet if the household contributes more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase through a participating broadband provider.
A household is eligible if one member of the household meets at least one of the criteria below:
- Has an income that is at or below 135% of the Poverty Guidelines or participates in specific assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, or the FCC’s Lifeline program;
- Approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision, in the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 school year;
- Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;
- Experienced a substantial loss of income through job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020 and the household had a total income in 2020, at or below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers; or
- Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program.
Emergency Broadband Benefit enrollment will begin (opened) on May 12, 2021. Eligible households can enroll through a participating broadband provider or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) using an online or mail-in application. Additional information about the Emergency Broadband Benefit is available at www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit, or by calling 833-511-0311 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. any day of the week.
Dyslexia Handbook Bill Signed into Law
OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation allowing for easier updating of the Oklahoma Dyslexia Handbook has been approved by Governor Kevin Stitt.
In 2019, the Dyslexia and Education Task Force, appointed by the Legislature, created the Oklahoma Dyslexia Handbook for schools in Oklahoma. House Bill 2223, authored by Rep. Randy Randleman, R-Eufaula, assigns that handbook to the State Dept. of Education so it can be updated as needed to establish appropriate assessment and interventions for children with dyslexia, dysgraphia, and processing delays.
“After working for decades with students experiencing a variety of learning disabilities, I know firsthand the significant role the Oklahoma Dyslexia Handbook will play in the education of thousands of children,” Randleman said. “It’s critical that these issues are identified and addressed as early as possible, and I look forward to seeing the difference it makes in these students’ lives as they are able to enjoy learning again.”
Randleman is a licensed psychologist and has worked with school-age children for over 20 years. Rep. Mike Dobrinski, R-Okeene, was a co-author of the bill.
“The Oklahoma Dyslexia Handbook was something of extreme importance to my predecessor Mike Sanders, and something I vowed to see over the finish line for him,” Dobrinski said. “I’m glad to see this mission accomplished and the good it will do for countless children in our public schools.”
HB2223 was authored in the Senate by Sen. Dewayne Pemberton. It goes into effect on Nov. 1, 2021.
Oklahoma State Department of Education Services - Dyslexia Resources
A.T. and Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Available through ABLE Tech
ABLE Tech offers an opportunity for gently-used equipment to find new users! As A.T. is removed from ABLE Tech Demonstration and Short-Term Loan Program inventory, or items have been donated, they are placed on the ABLE Tech Device Exchange Program website. Items that have been purchased by the State Department of Education for use by students will be specifically donated back to educators, related service providers, and parents for continued use by students.
As you are considering students’ A.T. needs, feel free to browse this section of the website. To explore the available D.M.E. and A.T., first, go to the Device Reutilization Portal found on the ABLE Tech Website. Follow the link to “View Reutilization Items”. There are two categories or keywords to use when searching for available devices specific to youth.
Durable Medical Equipment: when searching for specific pediatric items, such as wheelchairs, walkers, standers, or other specific medical supplies, search with the keyword “PEDIATRIC”. These items are gently used and have been donated to the program. Once donated, they are repaired and refurbished as needed, and then reassigned at no cost to the individual.
Assistive Technology (A.T.): When searching for specific pieces of A.T. for the classroom, or the individual student, such as hearing amplification devices, magnifiers, or speech communication devices, search with the keyword “OSDE”. These items have been either donated to the program or at one point were included in ABLE Tech’s Demonstration and Short-Term Loan Program, still function properly but have been updated or replaced.
Once you find the item of interest, you will be prompted to create an account, and additional questions will be asked. You will need to verify the equipment will be used by a student and, in some instances, will need to provide specific measurements to assist with proper matching of equipment (Ex. mobility devices).
Device Loan Program Feature
The Mifold Car Seat Booster is designed for kids aged 4 and up, 40 to 100 lbs., and 40 to 57 inches tall. Mifold is a compact, safe, and portable car seat that is perfect for carpooling, traveling, taxis, car sharing, and car rentals. Mifold meets regulatory standards for booster seats and regulations around the world. It is recommended that all children continue to use a child restraint with a 5-point harness for as the law states.
Check it out in ABLE Tech's inventory weblink
Oklahoma A.T. Center Locations and Partners
ABLE Tech and its partners operate device demonstration and loan programs to increase access to A.T.
- Alzheimer’s Association, Oklahoma Chapter
Oklahoma City, 405.319.0780 - The Children’s Center Rehabilitation Hospital
Bethany, 405.789.6711 - Handicapped Vehicle Services Unlimited
Tulsa, 918.622.8400 - Indian Nations Council of Governments,
Area Agency on Aging
Tulsa, 918.579.9477 - Kiamichi Economic Development District
Wilburton, 918.465.2367 - Moore Autism Center
Moore, 405.735.8478 - Newby-Vance Mobility
Guthrie, 405.518.0167
- NewView Oklahoma
Oklahoma City, 405.521.4880
Tulsa, 855.811.9699 - OSU – Dept of Communication
Sciences & Disorders
Stillwater, 405.744.6021 - SoonerStart
Oklahoma City, 405.271.8333 - Stillwater Eye Care
Stillwater, 405.743.4212 - United Access (Mobility)
Oklahoma City, 888.939.1010
Oklahoma State University
1514 W. Hall of Fame
Stillwater, OK 74078
Phone: 800.257.1705
Email: abletech@okstate.edu