2019 Summer Newsletter – 4th Quarter –
2019 TechAccessOK Conference Review
Oklahoma ABLE Tech presented TechAccessOK 2019, Oklahoma’s premier web accessibility conference, in downtown Oklahoma City this past June. This 4th annual, 2-day event was free of charge, thanks to our generous sponsors.
The first day of TechAccessOK presented Deep Dive sessions. These were 2, half-day workshops that gave participants a chance to get into a lot more detail about specific accessibility topics from 2 accessibility experts. The sessions focused on color contrast and the latest update to the international Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.
TechAccessOK added the second batch of speakers to day 2, offering 2 concurrent sessions throughout the day. This gave participants a choice between more and less technical topics. Speakers came from around the United States and Canada. As in years past, speakers from Oklahoma presented alongside their international peers.
Participants in day 2 of TechAccessOK could pick and choose between different topics throughout the five-session times. Each of the sessions focused on slightly different subjects. Session 1 focused more on design and accessibility. Session 2 focused on web accessibility program building and management, document accessibility, open educational resources, and more broad topics. Approximately 150 people attended each day, showing the health of Oklahoma’s accessibility community. Stay tuned for next year’s conference!
State Financing Updates
ABLE Tech is excited to announce that we have two new ways to apply for a financial loan to purchase assistive technology. We have developed an online application as well as a Spanish version of our application. Both the online application and the Spanish version of the application can be found on ABLE Tech’s website and the OkAT Foundation website.
We are always looking for ways to make the application process easier and more accessible to the individuals we serve.
SoonerStart & ABLE Tech Success Story
Hunter is a 15-month-old boy from Custer County with a diagnosis of cerebral palsy. Hunter loves books but due to his fine motor limitations, he can only passively engage by looking at the pictures as he is unable to independently turn the pages of the book.
His SoonerStart therapist and mom worked together to create an adapted book allowing for increased engagement for Hunter. The pair worked as a team to adapt the book using sticky-back foam in the corners to bulk up the pages so that Hunter can access all pages of the book more independently. Hunter is now turning pages of his books and interacting during reading activities with a large smile on his face.
4th Quarter Team Winner
The Custer County SoonerStart team won this quarter’s $500 in new assistive technology (AT) to include in their county kit.
Congratulations!
ABLE Tech Loves the Special Olympics
May 5 & 6, 2019
Special Olympics Oklahoma celebrated its 50th year with more than 5,500 participants this past May, with Stillwater hosting the Summer Games for the 36th year.
ABLE Tech was in the middle of the fun with a demonstration booth in the Olympic Village. Visitors to our booth learned through play that assistive technology isn’t only for academics but can also be for recreation. Large Colored Dominos allowed those with visual and fine motor impairments to join in the fun, and athletes and volunteers enjoyed gaming with the Xbox Adaptive Controller.
Reutilization Program Update
Thank you ABLE Tech Advisory Council for participating in a behind the scenes tour at our OKC facility on April 23rd. All present learned about the process for making sure all donated items are retrieved, refurbished, repaired, and reassigned for FREE to Oklahomans in need.
The ABLE Tech Reutilization Programs have certainly been busy. Thanks to a new 3D printer, staff were able to provide CREOKS with 30 in-house printed medication planners, as well as 30 blood pressure monitors.
Here are a few of the medication planners that have been made with the 3D printer so far. On the left is a daily pill box and on the right is a monthly pill box.
AT Device Feature
This device is a neat, portable model with a low-vision adapted 13.3″ monitor and an HD reading/distance camera. It’s very easy to fold and unfold the system to carry between different locations. A battery with up to 5 hours operation time is available as an accessory for maximized freedom and convenient use. Operation time depends on the light intensity chosen for the screen and lamp. MagniLink Zip HD 13 is an ideal choice for users who often need to transport their system.
Pediatric Walkers Available
Help Oklahoma ABLE Tech and SoonerStart find recipients for the remaining 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
AT Success Story
Emma is a 13-year-old not able to attend her local public school and interact with her peers. Bartlesville Public Schools (BPS) borrowed the Double Robot from Oklahoma ABLE Tech to allow Emma to have access to the classroom and her peers while at home.
The Double Robot enabled her to attend and participate fully in her core classes and receive live instruction. It has been so well received that BPS Foundation submitted a grant proposal to pilot a Robot for the next school year.
Upcoming Events
OAER Annual Conference
August 5-6
Tulsa, OK
1st AT Team Training – OSDE
September 12
Enid, OK
OSHA Conference
October 4-5
OKC, OK
14th Annual OTI
October 7
Owasso, OK
2nd AT Team Training – OSDE
October 24
Enid, OK
3rd AT Team Training – OSDE
November 14
Enid, OK
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 - 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/Director, OSU Department of Wellness
Oklahoma ABLE Tech Staff
Linda Jaco, Associate Director, Sponsored Programs
Dawn Aaron, Administrative Assistant
Kimberly Berry, Assistive Technology Teacher
Rob Carr, ICT Accessibility Program Manager
Melisa Cranfield, Reutilization Program Manager
Lisa Croston, Grants-Contracts Fiscal Officer
Matt Dalthorp, Site Coordinator Assistant
Shannon Esmeyer, SERC Administrative Assistant
Shelley Gladden, Loan Program Manager
Tammie Honeyman, Sponsored Programs Administrative Associate
Kelli McDoulett, Reutilization Grant Coordinator
Kimberly O’Meilia, Marketing Manager, Accessibility Specialist
Jo Anne Pool Blades, SERC Program Manager
Lyssa Prince, ICT Accessibility Coordinator
J. Tyler Provence, Graphic Designer
Allyson Robinson, SLP, Assistant Director
Shelby Sanders, Assistive Technology Specialist
Brian Sargent, Reutilization Site Coordinator
Amy Woods, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
Sandra Wright-Hackler, Program Manager, CCC-SLP
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.