November 2024 Newsletter

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Introducing AT Respite Kit Loans

Respite Kits Overview:

Respite gives primary caregivers a break, so they can rest, travel, or spend time with family and friends. The break can last from a few hours to several weeks. A primary caregiver is someone who takes care of another person every day, like a parent caring for a child or an adult caring for an elderly family member.

Our Respite Kits provide assistive technology (AT) to help people with disabilities or limited mobility do tasks on their own. This makes it easier for caregivers to take breaks because their loved ones need less help. The kits are loaned out for a short time after talking with Oklahoma ABLE Tech staff. The kits focus on three main areas: Sensory, Daily Living, and Safety.

Requirements for Borrowing a Kit:

• Anyone who provides care can apply, whether it’s for a family member or a friend.
• Caregivers need to fill out a consultation form, and ABLE Tech staff will schedule a meeting to talk about what they need and teach them how to use the assistive technology.
• Caregivers can borrow the kit for up to 8 weeks.

Learn More About Respite Kit Loans & Complete the Consultation Form

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Check Your Loan Due Dates

The Device Loan team is preparing for winter break. Please double-check the due dates for any items you have out on loan. Returning these items on time will allow us to prepare our inventory for the new year!

If you have questions regarding your device loan, please contact us at abt.deviceloan@okstate.edu or 405-744-8342.

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ABLE Tech Hosts NSSLHA Meeting

Oklahoma ABLE Tech’s Device Loan team recently welcomed Oklahoma State University (OSU) National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NSSLHA) club members for an interactive meeting. Students participated in a hands-on assistive technology (AT) lab and toured ABLE Tech’s Stillwater office.

The visit gave NSSLHA members valuable insights into how ABLE Tech’s programs help people with disabilities—people they will work with in the future as speech-language pathologists, speech-language pathology assistants, audiologists, and audiology assistants. Attendees explored different AT, like communication devices, adaptive feeding tools, and switch-adapted toys. After the lab, Louise Ruleford, ABLE Tech’s Device Loan Program Specialist, led a tour of the Stillwater Smart-Home Demonstration Site.

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ABLE Tech Staff Attend Oklahoma Transition Institute

Dr. Joshua Hawkins spoke at the Oklahoma Transition Institute (OTI) in early November, leading two sessions to share support strategies for students with disabilities during transitions.

The first session, “Assistive Technology (AT) and Transition: Considerations and Best Practices,” focused on using AT to help students succeed in school and at work. The second session, “Disability Services in Higher Education: Recommendations for Improved Transition,” shared tips to improve college support for students with disabilities.

Additionally, ABLE Tech hosted a booth at OTI to showcase AT devices and services for parents, students and educators. 

Oklahoma ABLE Tech has representatives on the Oklahoma Transition Council, which runs the OTI. For more information about using AT for transition activities like jobs, independent living, or continuing education, contact Bethany Potts.

AT Workshop Part 3 and AT Funding Workshop

Oklahoma ABLE Tech hosted Part 3 of the Fall 2024 AT Workshop series virtually on November 14. Amy Woods and Dr. Joshua Hawkins shared tips on adding Assistive Technology (AT) to Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). The session offered practical advice on how including AT use in the IEP can help students reach their goals in the classroom. Teachers and service providers from across Oklahoma joined the session.

Sign up for the upcoming Funding Workshop on December 12, where you’ll learn about resources and tips for writing grants to get funding for assistive technology (AT) and Accessible Educational Materials (AEM). You’ll also practice matching students to funding options and writing grants.

Save the Date for the Spring 2025 AT Workshop Series

Save the date for the upcoming Spring 2025 AT Workshop Series. The dates are set for:

• Part 1: January 16, 2025
• Part 2: February 20, 2025
• Part 3: March 27, 2025

Look for more details in upcoming newsletters, on our social media, or visit the AT Support Team Workshops webpage.

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Financial Loan Success Story

Zahraa contacted one of Oklahoma ABLE Tech’s demonstration partners, United Access, during her search for a new vehicle, and was referred to the ABLE Tech Financial Loan Program.  She needed to purchase an affordable wheelchair-accessible van to provide transportation for her daughter to get to appointments and enjoy the outdoors.  

Zahraa wrote “Having the wheelchair-accessible van changes my daughter’s and my life. Now I can take her to events, parks, malls, and movies like a typical teenager. I would like to thank ABLE Tech so much, you were our blessing!”

Are you looking for ways to find funding to purchase assistive technology? Reach out to Natalie and her team to find out more about ABLE Tech’s low-interest financial loans.  

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Device Exchange Program Reminder

Do you know about our Device Exchange Program? Device Exchange items are those listed by independent organizations and individuals. The program is meant to connect Oklahomans to one another for a direct exchange.

Listing Equipment

The Exchange program functions like a free, classified, online marketplace. List your gently-used wheelchairs, modified vehicles, lift chairs, and other devices/supplies for a reasonable price.

To list equipment in the exchange portal, you must first create a secured account in NATADS.

Once you create an account, log in, then click the “Add Classified Item Listing” button at the bottom of the page. Complete the Classified Item Entry form. Make sure to add a detailed description and pictures.

Once you click “Save,” your listing will go to our Device Reutilization Program staff for approval.

Finding Equipment

If you’re searching for equipment in the portal, you can search by device type or device category (speech, hearing, vehicle modification, mobility, etc.), or use a keyword search for the item you are looking for. For example, say you’re looking for a modified vehicle. Navigate to the Reutilization inventory search and enter “van” in the Search Parameters field.

This will pull up any available matching items. Then, contact the person or organization in the “Listed By” section to ask more questions or schedule the purchase! Check back often, as the Exchange list changes frequently!

P.S. There is currently a 2012 Chrysler Town and Country Conversion Van for sale in the Exchange portal.

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Accessibility Programs Updates

Special Education Resolution Center

Spring Training Opportunities

Subscribe to the SERC Scoop today to stay informed! We share quarterly updates on our website, and subscribers receive newsletters straight to their inbox. The next issue will be published in early December.

Please note, the SERC office will be closed December 23 through January 1. While we’re out, you can visit our website for valuable resources, including updated spring training dates and locations for Crucial Conversations training. Don’t wait—register now for our regional trainings in OKC or Tulsa on the Stakeholder Training page!

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Oklahoma Rehabilitation Council

DRS Transition Newsletter

The Oklahoma Rehabilitation Council’s (ORC) Transition Committee is excited to share the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) Transition Unit newsletter. The newsletter is a helpful resource that is released at the beginning of each month. It features upcoming events, student success stories, grant opportunities, information about transition partners and resources, and introduces key transition professionals.

To subscribe, go to the DRS website and fill out the form. If you have additional questions, please get in touch with Chris Compton at ccompton@okdrs.gov.

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Oklahoma AT Center Locations and Partners

Oklahoma ABLE Tech and its partners operate device demonstration and loan programs to increase statewide access to AT.

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OSU Department of Wellness – Accessibility Programs Staff

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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.