October 2024 Newsletter

Assistive Technology (AT) Highlights

November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month. The goal of palliative care is to alleviate symptoms and provide the best possible quality of life for patients.

• Vibrating Stuffed Sloth – This switch-adapted sloth provides soothing tactile input. 
• OBUS Seat Pad – The OBUS Seat Pad helps cushion the body, relieving pain from pressure points.
• Cozy Canoe – This is comfortable to lay in and provides soothing pressure. 
• Automatic Pill Dispenser – This pill dispenser is easy to use to help manage medication schedules.

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Implementing Digital Accessibility in Your Organizations

This new roadmap resource gives you a step-by-step plan to get your organization ready for compliance with the new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II digital accessibility requirements. But these are just our recommendations. The new rule does not provide instructions on how to meet the requirements, only that you must. Feel free to change things to fit your situation and organizational needs. Visit the Digital Accessibility Roadmap page to learn more about the new regulations and how to implement the guidelines in your organization.

For more information about creating accessible digital content, visit our Digital Accessibility Program page, or contact us at abt.a11y@okstate.edu.

Table of Contents

• Assistive Technology (AT) Highlights
• Digital Accessibility Roadmap
• AT Workshop Part 2 Recap
• Meet Our Newest Program Manager!
• Additional Funding Opportunities for Durable Medical Equipment
• Device Reutilizaiton Success Story – Lisa
• Oklahoma Family Caregiver Conference
• Thanks to Our MOA Partners!
• Financial Loan Success Story – Connie
• SERC – Discipline Guidance
• ORC – Register Now for the 2024 Oklahoma Transition Institute!
• Oklahoma AT Center Locations and Partners
• OSU Department of Wellness – Accessibility Programs Staff

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AT Workshops

On October 10, we hosted an incredible group for Part 2 of our Assistive Technology (AT) workshop series. Both in-person and virtual participants joined us for the morning session, with the virtual attendees joining via Zoom, followed by an afternoon of hands-on AT exploration for those attending in person. 

During the workshop, attendees achieved three key learning objectives: 

• Explain the steps to conduct an AT Assessment. 
• Describe how to borrow AT for a trial.
• Apply the steps of an AT Assessment with a student.

Don’t Miss Out on Part 3! 

We invite you to take advantage of these free learning opportunities! Sign up and join us virtually for Part 3: AT in the Individualized Education Program & Implementation on November 14. This free session will be held virtually. 

Sign up for Part 3 on the AT Support Team Workshops webpage.

Meet Our Newest Program Manager!

Megan McElroy-Griffith joined the Oklahoma ABLE Tech team as a Program Manager in September 2024. She oversees activities that help PK-12 teachers and Oklahoma schools access assistive technology (AT) and accessible educational materials (AEM). 

Megan worked at the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) for 7 years, in both the Office of Special Education and the Office of School Support and Improvement. Megan supported educators and schools in her previous roles as Instructional Coach and School Support Specialist. Additionally, she has 11 years of experience as an elementary and middle school teacher. Her commitment to helping students drives her passion for her role at Oklahoma ABLE Tech.

Megan lives in Oklahoma City with her husband, Clint, their children Sunny, Myles, and Mack, and their dog, Gus. Their eldest child, Connor, lives in Alabama. As a military family, they navigate the unique challenges of a dynamic lifestyle. Megan serves as a youth minister at Spring Creek Baptist Church, leading student programs for grades 6-12.

Additional Funding Opportunities for Durable Medical Equipment

*subject to funding availability

We have additional funding opportunities to help people acquire DME thanks to grant funds through several collaborations. 

Area Agencies on Aging

Kiamichi Economic Development District of Oklahoma (KEDDO), Indian Nations Council of Governments (INCOG), and Central Oklahoma Economic Development District (COEDD) AAAs have partnered with ABLE Tech to assist with using Masonic Grant funds for residents who reside in their respective counties. Through this partnership, ABLE Tech’s Device Reutilization Program is assisting qualified recipients in the purchase of needed AT and DME.

To qualify for the Masonic Grant funds, individuals must live in one of these specific counties, be 55 years of age or older, be of low to moderate income, and have a need for AT and DME to maintain an independent lifestyle. Once the individuals no longer need the purchased equipment, it is intended for those items to be donated back to the Device Reutilization Program for use by another individual who needs such items.

• COEDD – Hughes, Lincoln, Okfuskee, Pawnee, Payne, Pottawatomie, and Seminole Counties
• INCOG – Tulsa, Creek, and Osage Counties
• KEDDO – Choctaw, Haskell, Latimer, LeFLore, McCuratin, Pittsburg, and Pushmataha Counties

OkAT + Oklahoma City Community Foundation Funding

The Oklahoma Assistive Technology Foundation (OkAT) received a $20,000 grant from the Oklahoma City Community Foundation (OCCF) and its Access to Health Care Community grant program in March 2024. The grant has been used to assist in funding the Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Access project. In partnership with the Oklahoma ABLE Tech Device Reutilization Program, this project helps serve individuals within Oklahoma, Cleveland, and Canadian Counties who need DME. This project provides equipment that promotes independence and ensures safety.

Funds are currently available in all collaborations!

Check out these additional funding opportunities to see if you qualify to receive DME through these grants! To learn more about the grant funds, please contact the ABLE Tech Device Reutilization Office at 405-967-6010 or email atreuse@okstate.edu.

 Device Reutilization Success Story – Lisa

Lisa is a longtime supporter of Oklahoma ABLE Tech. When she needed durable medical equipment (DME) for mobility issues, Lisa knew exactly where to look for assistance.  

Lisa received a gently used 4-wheeled upright walker from the Device Reutilization Program. The walker helped relieve Lisa’s pain, giving her back her independence and allowing her to be more active. She can participate in more professional and personal activities, including taking pain-free walks around her neighborhood.  The upright walker also helps Lisa stand up straighter, which helps her breathe easier. 

Lisa said, “Austin and Meg responded [to my request] immediately. This upright walker is absolutely what I needed. Thank you!” 

The Oklahoma ABLE Tech Device Reutilization Program provides free DME to Oklahomans in need, regardless of income. The program is 100% donation-based and relies on help from community donations to provide DME devices like walkers, blood pressure monitors, shower chairs, and more. To learn more about the Device Reutilization Program or to donate a device today, visit the Device Reutilization webpage.  

Oklahoma Family Caregiver Conference

The Oklahoma Caregiver Coalition is set to host the Oklahoma Family Caregiver Conference on November 7, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Conference sessions will focus on respite, ways to recharge, stress management, and support across the lifespan. You can attend at any of the various locations: Tulsa, OKC, Ardmore, McAlester, Enid, and online. Learn more about the conference and register on OKCares website.

Thanks to Our MOA Partners!

Oklahoma ABLE Tech works closely with organizations across the state who share our mission to enhance the lives of all Oklahomans by offering assistive technology (AT) devices and services, financing opportunities, digital accessibility services, advocacy, and education. Representatives from our Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) partner organizations and ABLE Tech staff met virtually for our annual fall meeting.

Oklahoma ABLE Tech extends sincere gratitude to all our MOA partners for the invaluable services they offer to Oklahomans statewide. For more details about our partners and the services they provide, visit ABLE Tech’s Core Program Partnerships webpage.

Financial Loan Success Story – Connie

Connie of Broken Arrow had hearing loss and used Oklahoma ABLE Tech’s Financial Loan Program to purchase hearing aids.

Connie wrote “[My hearing aids] has opened a world of difference, I did not know how much I was missing.  I can join conversations now. I plan to keep working and see more of my family and friends… these new hearing aids have made such a difference for me.”

Do you need help purchasing assistive technology? Reach out to Natalie and her team to find out more about the Financial Loan Program and if you qualify.

Accessibility Programs Updates

Special Education Resolution Center

Discipline Guidance

As part of SERC’s mission to resolve and prevent disputes as early as possible, we receive many calls from both schools and parents about a variety of needs. One issue stands out among the rest—behavior and discipline! Now that we’re past the first quarter of the school year, it’s a great time to review the latest discipline guidelines from the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS). Read the article from the U.S. Department of Education and check out four resources to help support students with disabilities and prevent discriminatory discipline under Section 504 or IDEA. As always, feel free to reach out to SERC for support, guidance, or any services we offer!

SERC’s mission is to help school districts and parents resolve disputes at the earliest stage possible through conflict resolution and creative problem-solving. Learn more on the SERC website. 

Oklahoma Rehabilitation Council

Register Now for the 2024 Oklahoma Transition Institute!

The Oklahoma Rehabilitation Council invites you to the 2024 Oklahoma Transition Institute (OTI). OTI is set for November 6 and 7 in Oklahoma City at the Embassy Suites on NW Expressway.

This year’s theme is Navigating New Horizons: A Journey of Innovation and Impact. For more information, visit the online agenda to see the presentation details and presenter bios. The registration link will be available until November 5, so please register as soon as possible.

If you have any questions, you can email us at ORC@okstate.edu for more information.

ORC’s mission is to facilitate consumer education and empowerment, to assure services are of high quality and lead to the employment of individuals with disabilities within Oklahoma. To learn more about ORC, visit their website. 

Oklahoma AT Center Locations and Partners

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

OSU Department of Wellness – Accessibility Programs Staff