Meet Gretchen Cole-Lade, Ph.D.
ABLE Tech has had the privilege of partnering with Gretchen Cole-Lade, Ph.D., for various training pieces as a part of the contracted services provided on behalf of the Oklahoma State Department of Education. These training opportunities include Assistive Technology (AT) Assessment and Implementation Workshop (3-part series), AT Funding Workshops, and Oklahoma State Department of Education Special Education Bootcamps on AT.
Gretchen is a retired special education teacher, having spent her career teaching students with severe disabilities with complex communication needs. She is currently a Teaching Assistant Professor at Oklahoma State University, preparing early childhood education pre-service teachers to meet their future students’ needs in inclusive classroom settings.
Gretchen’s presentations bring personal and professional perspectives to each training and always receive raving reviews from the attendees.
Register now for the 2021 Workshop as slots are filling up fast!
Session 1 - January 14, 2021
Session 2 - February 11, 2021
Session 3 - March 11, 2021
Registration links can be found on the ABLE Tech AT Support Team Workshop webpage.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Accessibility Update
For the past few years, Oklahoma ABLE Tech has worked closely with the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services (OKDRS) and the Oklahoma Office of Workforce Development (OOWD) to create a framework for evaluating accessibility and inclusion in Oklahoma's Workforce Development System. In November, the Governor's Council on Workforce and Economic Development (GCWED) approved a policy issued by OKDRS and OOWD that puts this framework into action!
The joint policy takes measurable steps toward creating more accessible and inclusive services for Job Seekers with disabilities in Oklahoma. It provides an assessment rubric that local Workforce Development Boards will use to identify successes and challenges in meeting this goal. The rubric includes three areas of operation: Training, Outreach, and Physical Accessibility. Wrapped up in the Training and Outreach areas are checks that ensure accessibility in web-based and digital tools and information. The policy and rubric are significant steps forward in making sure that Job Seekers with disabilities face less discrimination within the Workforce Development System in Oklahoma.
Contact Rob Carr at rgcarr@okstate.edu for assistance.
SoonerStart & ABLE Tech Collaboration - Success Stories
Payne County - SoonerStart Success Story
Henry is a spunky one-year-old boy with Cerebral Palsy seen by Payne County SoonerStart, a collaborative partner of ABLE Tech. Henry is working on gross motor development and sensory aversions. Henry and his mother are engaging creatively with an occupational therapist using low-tech assistive technology (AT) found around the home to promote Henry’s development. Henry has been busy developing skills for crawling and is making great strides!
Tulsa County - SoonerStart Success Story
Kinsley is a sweet, one-year-old girl with Prader-Willi Syndrome living in Tulsa County. Kinsley is participating in the SoonerStart Early Intervention Program to gain more independence in daily living activities. One of the focus areas in therapy is using assistive technology (AT) to improve Kinsley’s endurance and strength when sucking/swallowing nutrients from a bottle. SoonerStart collaborated with ABLE Tech to provide an AT demonstration of the ARK's Z-Vibe. This device can be used to increase circulation and stimulation to the mouth for awareness before feeding. Since using the ARK’s Z-Vibe, Kinsley has begun to finish bottles and has progressed to eating table foods!
2nd Quarter Team Winners:
The Payne County and Tulsa County SoonerStart teams have both earned the 2nd Quarter Recognition Award! Each team will receive $500 in new assistive technology (AT) to add to the demonstration kits!
Reutilization Program News
For the second year in a row, ABLE Tech’s Device Reutilization Program partnered with Telligen to collect durable medical equipment (DME) for Oklahomans in need. Telligen helps millions of people live their healthiest lives by improving health outcomes nationwide through proven health solutions and healthcare expertise. From the end of November through the middle of December, Telligen employees collected 1 manual blood pressure cuff, 6 automatic upper arm blood pressure monitors, and 36 wrist blood pressure monitors to donate to ABLE Tech’s Device Reutilization Program.
ABLE Tech is thankful for the collaboration with Telligen as it serves to match individuals with disabilities in Oklahoma with needed DME and assistive technology (AT).
Financial Loan Success Story
Margaret and Mike, from Tulsa, reached out to ABLE Tech for a financial loan to improve home accessibility for their daughter, Torie, who has cerebral palsy (CP). The home modifications have improved Torie's independence. The remodel included a beautiful en suite bathroom including a walk-in tub, the addition of a large walk-in closet accessible from the bathroom, and a laundry room.
According to Margaret, "Torie absolutely loves it! It is already making her life and independence so much better. Thank you to you [ABLE Tech] and everyone who helped make this dream come true for our CP Hero!"
To apply for a loan for a home remodel for accessibility go to the ABLE Tech Financial Loan page or visit OkAT's website.
Partner Highlight: NewView Success Story
Gianna is an 18-year-old from Oklahoma City who was diagnosed with Peter’s Anomaly early in life. She has an only light perception in her right eye and profound vision loss in her left eye. She recently graduated from high school and attended NewView Oklahoma’s Keys to Work Program to learn life skills. Last year during the Keys to Work Program, Gianna made hotdogs and tacos, but this year she wanted to learn more in-depth skills. Therefore, she decided to make a chocolate cake and chocolate frosting from scratch.
Using a variety of assistive technology equipment from NewViews’s loan program provided by ABLE Tech, such as a Topaz CCTV, VoiceOver on the iPhone, measuring cups and spoons with large high contrast labels, and bump dots, Gianna was able to bake her cake to perfection. She was so excited about her cake that she shared it with the employees at NewView’s Oklahoma City clinic and even took some home for her family to enjoy!
AT Device Feature
CookStop Automatic Oven Control
The CookStop Automatic Oven Control can be used to limit the times when the oven is operable or to turn off the stove when there is no one in the kitchen. Program the counter-top motion detector to turn off the stove 5, 10, or 15 minutes after the room is empty. To restart the stove or oven, just push “Start”.
This programmable stove control has two components: one plugs into the wall behind your electric stove, and the other fits beneath an adjacent cabinet or on the counter backsplash, continuously monitoring activity in the kitchen. When no activity is detected, the CookStop senior safety device begins the timer and then turns off the stove and the oven.
You can borrow this device and others on ABLE Tech's Device Loan Program website.
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 Oklahoma Chapter
Oklahoma City, 405.717.9820 - 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 - 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
- Jo Anne Blades, SERC Program Manager
- Rob Carr, ICT Accessibility Program Manager
- Shelley Cagle, Assistive Technology Teacher
- Lisa Croston, Grants-Contracts Fiscal Officer
- Matt Dalthorp, Site Coordinator Assistant
- Shannon Esmeyer, SERC Administrative Assistant
- Shelley Gladden, Loan Program Manager
- Tammie Hale, Sponsored Programs Administrative Associate
- Rob Keiter, Coordinator Special Education Resolution Center (SERC)
- Kelli Jones, Business and Administrative Operations Specialist
- Kim O’Meilia, Marketing & Communications, Accessibility Coordinator
- Clara Orr, Business and Administrative Operations 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.