2020 Winter Newsletter – 2nd Quarter –
ABLE Tech Receives Grant to Support New #Oklahoma4Ramps Project
ABLE Tech’s Device Reutilization Program is busier than ever! The program receives, on average, 60 new applications per week with over 1,000 calls and email inquiries a month! The program expects to see some exciting changes in the future including the inclusion of a $75,000 #Oklahoma4Ramps project awarded by the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation! ABLE Tech is one of only 4 Assistive Technology Act Programs to receive these High Impact Innovative Assistive Technology (HIIAT) Quality of Life Grant funds this year.
The Device Reutilization Program will be able to purchase 35 portable/temporary ramps, 12 threshold ramps, and 12 accessible walkways to temporarily provide to Oklahomans living with paralysis across the state. The program will connect Oklahomans with permanent ramp solutions as warranted. What a great way to start out the new year!
Learn more about this new project
To apply online visit https://www.okabletech.org/core-programs/device-reutilization/apply-for-dme/
ABLE Tech Micro-loan Project
In conjunction with our partner, the Oklahoma Assistive Technology Foundation (OkAT), ABLE Tech is excited to announce a new micro-loan project for the purchase of assistive technology less than $400 or foundation/application fees to apply for reduced cost/free hearing aids.
This new financial product was made possible through a grant provided by the Credit Builders Alliance and will be available while the funds last. This is a 5% interest rate loan with flexible lending criteria that can be repaid over 24 months.
To apply online visit the ABLE Tech website financial services page by following this link.
SoonerStart & ABLE Tech Collaboration – 2 Success Stories
Cleveland County Success Story
Meet Luke, a two-year-old active boy who was born prematurely with Spina Bifida. Luke’s Cleveland County SoonerStart Team recommended the Bumba as an assistive technology (AT) tool to help Luke with his mobility and cognitive skills. The Bumba was the first tool trialed to help with his mobility as it offered a tremendous amount of independence. Before using this mobility device, Luke’s movement consisted of army crawling throughout the house. The Bumba, however, allows Luke to freely explore the house. Currently, Luke is using several mobility-related AT devices such as a walker, the Bumba, and a wheelchair. Luke now has the opportunity to go to a Mother’s Day Out program and be around kids his own age. Luke’s family is incredibly thankful for this great opportunity.
Comanche County Success Story
Meet Caroline, a two-year-old girl from Comanche County. Caroline is learning the directional commands of stop and wait. Caroline’s family, the SoonerStart team, and daycare have implemented colored visual cue cards in all environments for Caroline to perform the actions of STOP and WAIT. Through running concrete exercises, Caroline was able to process the action word STOP receptively. Caroline successfully stops, stands still, and looks to an adult when the red card appears. Now, Caroline’s parents can say the word stop without the red visual tag, and Caroline stops! Caroline is currently learning the yellow wait card. Caroline is required to pull back her hands into her lap and look at an adult for instruction. Caroline is well on her way to following directional safety commands!
2nd Quarter Team Winners
Cleveland & Comanche SoonerStart teams have each won $500 in new assistive technology (AT) to add to their county kit.
Congratulations!
TechAccess Oklahoma Returns in 2020
TechAccess Oklahoma will take place on June 4-5, 2020, at the Sheraton Downtown Oklahoma City Hotel and Conference Center. This event is Oklahoma’s premier technology accessibility conference for people who build, buy, and influence the web.
Registration opens early in 2020 and will be promoted throughout the year. It will again be FREE to all participants! Don’t miss the opportunity to join colleagues from around the state to learn from national experts in web accessibility.
For more information or to learn about available sponsorships, email Rob Carr at rgcarr@okstate.edu.
Partner’s Success Story
Rochelle is a fun-loving and independent lady from Oklahoma City. When cooking became too difficult for her to perform safely due to her low vision, she started eating out which created issues with safely controlling her diabetes. Through demonstrations with NewView, an ABLE Tech partner, Rochelle was shown several devices to help her stay safe in the kitchen with cutting and being able to set her stove and oven properly. Rochelle was able to trial equipment through ABLE Tech’s Short-Term Loan Program in partnership with NewView.
She also attended classes provided by NewView to assist with education on diabetes and is now well on her way to eating healthier. Due to Rochelle’s low income, NewView was also able to assist her through a grant with some of the equipment that allowed her to get the cooking and reading equipment she would not otherwise be able to afford. Rochelle was so excited about the options to assist her with making her own meals and being able to take cooking back into her own hands.
New Collaboration on OSU Campus
With ABLE Tech strategically located on the campus of Oklahoma State University (OSU), there are multiple, ongoing opportunities to positively support students, faculty, and staff who could benefit from assistive technology (AT) devices and services. One new way this will happen is through a partnership with Student Disability Services (now referred to as Student Accessibility Services, SAS).
With SAS’s mission to offer academic support services to students with disabilities taking courses through the OSU and Northern Oklahoma College-Stillwater campus, a partnership with ABLE Tech will help expand SAS offerings.
While SAS will provide student accommodations, referrals to ABLE Tech will provide AT device demonstrations, training, and short-term loans, predominantly, to support student achievement in and out of the classroom. ABLE Tech absolutely values improved relationships with departments on OSU’s campus and is excited to have SAS moving to University Health Services placing it in closer proximity to ABLE Tech and other campus partners.
AT Device Feature
GoTo Vinyl – Adjustable Floorsitter Seat
This postural support seat for children with special needs is available for loan. The Size 1 GoTo seat is suitable for children aged 1-3 with a max user weight of 33 lbs. The height-adjustable headrest and laterals allow you to reposition your GoTo as your child grows. The new and improved Floorsitter has 26 recline positions. It’s ideal for finding the exact level of support your little one needs for playtime or a power nap.
Promoting inclusion and participation in everyday life, this lightweight, portable seat is perfect for taking children out and about. It folds completely flat, making it suitable for traveling and can be easily stored for its next use.
Interested? View in the ABLE Tech inventory.
Welcome Tabatha
ABLE Tech is excited to have Tabatha Scott join the ABLE Tech team. Tabatha joined ABLE Tech in November 2019 as a Speech Pathology Specialist. She attended OSU from 1990 to 1993 and transferred to the University of Central Oklahoma to complete her Bachelor of Science in Education in Speech Pathology. She received her Masters in Education in Speech Pathology from Northeastern State University in 1995.
Tabatha has gained experience in a multitude of settings to include skilled nursing, hospital, home health, outpatient, and working with those with developmental disabilities.
Upcoming Events and Training
Feb 11: DRS Career Opportunity Expo – Oklahoma City, OK
Feb 20: AT Team Training Part 2 – OSDE – Shawnee, OK
March 6 – ABLE Tech Equipment Drive – 631 E. Hill St. – Oklahoma City, OK
Mar 26: AT Team Training Part 3 – OSDE – Shawnee, OK
April 22 – ABLE Tech Equipment Drive – OSU Stillwater campus
Oklahoma AT Center Locations and Partners
Oklahoma ABLE Tech and its partners operate device demonstration and loan programs to increase access to AT.
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
Hearing Loss Association
of America, Central Ok Chapter
Oklahoma City, 405.717.9820
Indian Nations Council
of Governments
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
Miami, 918.238.7302
NewView Oklahoma
Oklahoma City, 405.521.4880
Tulsa, 855.811.9699
OSU – Dept of Communication Sciences & Disorder
Stillwater, 405.744.6021
Pathways Therapy Center
Tulsa, 918.712.7868
Stillwater Eye Care
Stillwater, 405.743.4212
The Scholl Center
Tulsa, 918.508.7601
United Access (Mobility)
Oklahoma City, 888.939.1010
OSU Department of Wellness – Oklahoma ABLE Tech Staff
- Todd Misener, Chief Wellness Officer/Director, OSU Department of Wellness
- Linda Jaco, Associate Director, Sponsored Program
- Kimberly Berry, Assistive Technology Teacher
- Jo Anne Blades, SERC Program Manager
- 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
- Rob Keiter, Coordinator Special Education Resolution Center (SERC)
- Kelli McDoulett, Reutilization Grant Coordinator
- Kimberly O’Meilia, Marketing Manager, Accessibility Specialist
- Lyssa Prince, ICT Accessibility Coordinator
- Allyson Robinson, SLP, Assistant Director
- Natalie Rohwer, Financial Loan Coordinator
- Shelby Sanders, Assistive Technology Specialist
- Brian Sargent, Reutilization Site Coordinator
- Tabatha Scott, Speech Pathologist Specialist
- Amy Woods, Certified Occupational Therapy 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.