FFY2019 ABLE Tech Annual Report

About Oklahoma ABLE Tech

Oklahoma ABLE Tech is the statewide Assistive Technology Act Program located at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma. ABLE Tech is funded through the Administration for Community Living of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which is made possible through the Assistive Technology Act of 1998 as amended in 2004 (ATA 2004).

Our Mission: To improve access to and acquisition of assistive technology (AT) for individuals with disabilities of all ages.

ABLE Tech provides AT through comprehensive statewide programs and services:
Device Demonstrations, Device Short-Term Loans, Device Reutilization, and State Financing Activities.

FFY 2019 Federal Investment: $456,538

Savings & Benefits for Oklahomans: $3,732,349

FFY 2019 Key Initiatives

Device Demonstrations

result in informed decision-making about which AT will and will not meet an individual’s disability needs and prevents wasted expenditures on ‘mismatched’ AT.  For example, if an agency/individual explores two electronic magnification devices and decides that one costing $2,000 is perfect – they have potentially saved another $2,000 by knowing the other device they explored would not meet their needs (avoided purchasing to only find the device was not a good match.)

14,094 individuals participated in 6,807 device demonstrations conducted by Oklahoma ABLE Tech in FFY 19.  Projecting a modest $100 savings realized by just half of the total demonstrations conducted results in a statewide saving of $340,350.

Device Short-Term Loans

result in informed and accurate AT purchasing decisions especially in unique contexts like a classroom or workplace.  When a school or employer can borrow a device and make sure it will allow the individual with a disability to be successful, they save money by avoiding ‘incorrect’ purchases.  Device short-term loans also allow individuals to remain functional while a device is being repaired, preventing costly loss of wages, lost school days, or the need for increased community living supports.

2,719 device short-term loans were made to individuals or agencies with 2,726 devices borrowed from Oklahoma ABLE Tech in FFY 19. 

2,397 loans were made for the purpose of helping individuals make a decision about AT. Using an average savings of $1,000 per loan with more than one device associated (at least one device was rejected as being a match and a second on was borrowed) results in statewide savings of over $1,198,500.

322 loans were made for the purpose of serving as a repair or while waiting for funding, to provide a short-term accommodation, and/or to conduct training, self-education or other professional development activity.

Device Reutilization

programs support the reuse and exchange of Durable Medical Equipment (DME) and AT that is no longer needed or used by its original owner. Recipients usually obtain equipment at a significantly lower cost or no cost. 

Reuse efforts include retrieval, refurbishment, repair, and the reassignment of DME. 1,383 individuals received 1,419 reused devices for total savings to Oklahomans of $488,028.

Exchange efforts include the transfer of AT devices from person to person. 1,151 individuals received 2,656 exchanged devices for total savings to Oklahomans of $304,476.

2,534 Oklahomans acquired 4,075 reutilized devices through Oklahoma ABLE Tech in FFY 19 for a total of $792,504. 

State Financing Activities

programs help individuals purchase/obtain AT through a variety of initiatives.

Financial loan programs provide Oklahomans with affordable, flexible borrowing options statewide. Through ABLE Tech’s alternative financing program in FFY 19, 273 borrowers obtained financial loans funding 273 devices totaling $1,281,304.

Other programs provide AT directly to individuals at no cost using dollars from non-AT Act sources or saved consumers money when purchasing AT. Through a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funded smoke alarm project, ABLE Tech partnered with the Oklahoma Assistive Technology Foundation (OkAT) and Fire Protection Publications to professionally install smoke alarms and specialized alert devices in 433 households of Oklahomans who are deaf or hard of hearing, blind or visually impaired, or mobility impaired totaling 2,245 devices installed at a cost savings of $119,691.

706 Oklahomans acquired 2,518 devices through Oklahoma ABLE Tech state financing programs in FFY 19 for a total of $1,400,995.