2018 National Rankings
Oklahoma ABLE Tech is proud to report these national rankings for the 2018 fiscal year as compared to other Assistive Technology State Act Programs.
State Level Programs
- Device Demonstration: #1 out of 55 programs participating with 5,410 events reported
- Device Short-Term Loan: #2 out of 56 programs participating
- Financial Loans: #3 out of 34 programs participating (in the number of financial loans)
- Device Exchange: #1 out of 37 programs participating (in number of devices exchanged)
- Device Reuse: #18 out of 52 programs participating (in number of devices reassigned)
State Leadership Programs
- Training: #9 out of 56 in the number of people trained
Financial Loan Success Story
"It’s not often we get to meet our financial loan participants."
In January, we had the pleasure of welcoming Jeff Penick and Bob Massengale to the ABLE Tech Advisory Council Meeting. Jeff recently participated in a financial loan to purchase a recumbent trike for him and his wife to enjoy outdoor biking. Jeff has a visual impairment and was looking for a way to stay active with his wife, Shelley, following his back surgery. Both enjoy being outdoors, so they looked into tandem biking. This allows one person to steer while they both pedal allowing Jeff the freedom to be active but with the safety of two people together.
They bought a bike from Bob’s Bike shop that was modified for Jeff and Shelley. The front tires can be removed so that one bike can be hooked onto the back of the other to join them as a tandem or be left on if anyone else would like to ride separately. Bob has been modifying these bikes for 12 years and has adapted one for a rider who has limitations using the upper trunk to steer and feet for both pedaling and braking.
It was inspiring to hear Jeff’s story and passion for biking along with Bob being able to build a trike to accommodate his needs. Bikes were there for display and exploring in the lobby of Library for the Blind. It was a great learning opportunity for everyone in attendance.
DEMO Center Renovation Complete
ABLE Tech is excited to announce the renovation of the demonstration center (located on the OSU Stillwater Campus in the Seretean Wellness Center) has concluded. The center has two sections geared for birth to twelve years old with the other focused on teen through adult ages. Each section has categories of Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), Learning, Cognition & Development, Recreation, Hearing, Vision, Speech Communication and Environmental Adaptation assistive technology. This room is now spacious, colorful and well equipped for consultations of all ages.
To schedule a time within our Stillwater facility -
Call Shelby: 405-744-7606
E-mail: shelby.sanders@okstate.edu
SoonerStart & ABLE Tech Success Story
Camden is a 2-year-old boy from Pawnee County with minimal to no speech communication. Camden recently demonstrated the use of a picture/object communication board in order to request his needs and wants. The communication board was developed by Camden’s mother and the SoonerStart therapist. They chose highly motivating pictures/objects to begin: such as drink, banana, and his favorite TV show. Within the first session of using the communication board, Camden was able to purposefully express his needs and wants by his own request!
3rd Quarter Team Winner
The Payne County SoonerStart team won this quarter’s $500 in new assistive technology (AT) to include in their county kit. Congratulations!
Oklahoma County, Tulsa County, Creek County, and Kingfisher County teams were in close running with each county having 4/5 criteria. Payne County SoonerStart team will be rewarded with $500 worth of AT equipment.
UPCOMING ABLE Tech Events
TECHACCESSOK 2019 Conference
June 6-7, 2019
Sheraton Downtown Oklahoma City
TechAccessOK brings together national and local speakers that focus on web and technology accessibility.
This year’s topics include web accessibility testing, accessible open educational resources and half-day, deep dive sessions focusing on color contrast and explaining the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines basics.
Registration is open and details are at techaccessok.org.
AAC: An Ethical Perspective Workshop
May 18, 2019
The Children’s Center Rehabilitation Hospital
6800 NW 39th Expy, Bethany, OK 73008
This workshop will teach best practices in considering, assessing and implementing augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).
Learning Objectives:
- Associate the ASHA Code of Ethics with assessments for augmentative and alternative communication.
- Predict ethical violations related to cases that included a consideration, evaluation, and implementation of AAC.
- Tell common errors that could result in an ethical complaint during AAC assessments.
Registration is open at okabletech.org/aac
AT Team Training Workshops for Educators are a Hit!
Educators who attended ABLE Tech's AT Team Training Workshops learned valuable skills to better provide tools for their students with disabilities. Three lucky participants left with a speech generating device (SGD) to use in their district. The devices, which were worn or outdated, but still operable, were donated free of charge through the ABLE Tech Device Exchange Program. We regularly assess the device loan inventory and remove devices which are outdated or too worn to be loaned. These items which were originally purchased using Oklahoma State Department of Education funds are then given to educators so they will continue to benefit PK-12 students.
The three recipients were chosen randomly from a list of Speech-Language Pathologists who submitted a narrative describing how they would use a device to improve the educational opportunities for a student or students in their district. (Below is one of the recipient's narratives.)
"I have several students that could benefit from direct exposure to a high tech speech generating device. I work at the primary level with 3-1st-grade students; However, I plan on exposing/assessing several students at various levels of their educational careers with this SGD. I plan on using SGDs to educate parents and provide in-services. Our district and SLP department is forever grateful for your donation!"
– Kara Anderson, M.A., CCC-SLP
Speech-Language Pathologist
Cache Public School
"New” Pediatric Walkers Now Available
Help Oklahoma ABLE Tech and SoonerStart find recipients for the 16 pediatric walkers, purchased new, and donated from a very special family this year. These Nimbo walkers are lightweight, height adjustable, and fold easily for transport.
2 sizes (X-small, small) 3 colors (purple, red, & blue)
X-small - Handle Height: 15.5”– 19.5” Weight Cap: 75 lbs
small - Handle Height: 19”– 25” Weight Cap: 85 lbs
Priority will be given to non-SoonerCare members who are receiving SoonerStart services.
Questions? Contact Amy Woods – 405.744.7734 – amy.l.woods@okstate.edu
Device Reutilization Program Success Story
Pat Ponder is a long-time customer to ABLE Tech’s Reutilization Program. This past November, her power scooter became inoperable. Due to critical medical issues, she was unable to get around any other way. Pat became homebound, and essentially, bed bound, due to her inability to get her scooter repaired or purchase a new one.
Recently she was given a gently used scooter through ABLE Tech’s Reutilization Programs. She was so happy that she cried! When asked how she felt, she stated, “This is going to give me my life back!”.
Partnership Success Story
Reed is a 3-year-old from Tulsa County and working on his speech at Pathways Therapy Center. He has been using the Kaufman Cards in speech therapy at the center and at home. He has been having great success. His family is thrilled with his progress and looking forward to more!
AT Device Feature
This multi-purpose toy, Tactivity Center, provides exercise, therapy, and amusement for those with limited mobility. Equipped with two textured balls and one large ring, it encourages reaching and grasping and improves eye-hand coordination and strength. Sturdily constructed of lightweight PVC tubing, the center comes with two c-clamps for secure table or wheel-chair tray mounting. at.okstate.edu
Oklahoma AT Center Locations and Partners
Oklahoma ABLE Tech and their partners operate device demonstration and loan programs to increase access to AT.
- OSU – Department of Communication Sciences & Disorder
Stillwater, 405.744.6021 - Hearing Loss Association of America, Central Okla Chapter
Oklahoma City, 405.717.9820 - Moore Autism Center
Moore, 405.735.8478 - NewView Oklahoma
Oklahoma City, 405.521.4880
Tulsa, 855.811.9699 - Oklahoma Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association
Oklahoma City, 405.319.0780 - Pathways Therapy Center
Tulsa, 918.712.7868 - The Children’s Center Rehabilitation Hospital
Bethany, 405.789.6711 - SoonerStart Intervention Program
Oklahoma City, 405.271.8333 - United Access (Mobility)
Oklahoma City, 888.939.1010 - Handicapped Vehicle Services
AT Inventory website www.okabletech-abc.org
OSU Department of Wellness
- Todd Misener, Chief Wellness Officer, OSU Department of Wellness
Oklahoma ABLE Tech Staff
- Linda Jaco, Associate Director, Sponsored Programs
- Allyson Robinson, CCC-SLP, Assistant Director
- Melisa Cranfield, Reutilization Program Manager
- Sandra Wright-Hackler, CCC-SLP, Program Manager
- Katie Woodward, Program Manager
- Dawn Aaron, Administrative Assistant
- Dina Anderson, Occupational Therapist Specialist
- Kimberly Berry, Assistive Technology Teacher
- Kelli McDoulett, Reutilization Grant Coordinator
- Shelley Gladden, Loan Program Manager
- Tammie Honeyman, Grant Coordinator
- Kimberly O’Meilia, Marketing Manager, Accessibility Specialist
- Rob Carr, ICT Accessibility Program Manager
- Lyssa Prince, ICT Accessibility Coordinator
- Shelby Sanders, Assistive Technology Specialist
- Brian Sargent, Reutilization Site Coordinator
- Amy Woods, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Lisa Croston, Grants-Contracts Fiscal Officer
- Jo Anne Pool Blades, SERC Program Manager
- Shannon Esmeyer, SERC Administrative Assistant
This publication is available in alternative formats; please call 800.257.1705 for more information. The Oklahoma State University Department of Wellness is the lead agency for Oklahoma ABLE Tech. ABLE Tech is funded through the Administration for Community Living of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and maintains coordination and collaboration efforts with partners throughout the state of Oklahoma.