Oklahoma AgrAbility Newsletter
Winter 2006 • Volume 5 • Issue 1
Oklahoma Assistive Technology Resources
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NOTE: Mention or display of a trademark, proprietary product or firm in text or figures does not constitute an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Oklahoma State University, Langston University or the National AgrAbility Project and does not imply approval to the exclusion of other suitable products or firms.
In This Issue
Oklahoma's Assistive Technology Resources
Assistive Technology Available for Demonstration
The Trading Post - Used Equipment for Sale
Not Sure What Device You Need...
Oklahoma's Assistive Technology Resources
Farmers and ranchers with disabilities often need specialized assistive technologies (AT) to help them return to farm work and/or completing tasks inside the home. AT may include tractor lifts, automatic hitches, hand controls, and lever door knobs. In Oklahoma, one of the main resources to locate the right AT for the farm/ranch is AgrAbility. Being aware of other AT devices and resources may be helpful for people with disabilities of all ages and impairments. The correct AT will help people keep active at work, school, church, community, or home. This newsletter focuses on the various resources available to Oklahoma consumers.
Rachael Kircher, AgrAbility Project Coordinator
Carla Wilhite, OT/L, AgrAbility Program Specialist
What is ABLE Tech?
Oklahoma ABLE Tech is part of the national effort for Assistive Technology Programs funded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration to help individuals with disabilities gain access to assistive technology (AT). The goal is for people to achieve their greatest potential with the aid of AT. “Millions of Americans with disabilities depend on assistive technology like wheelchairs, communication devices, lifts, modified vans and other technologies that help accommodate the challenges of living with a disability” says Linda Jaco, Project Director of ABLE Tech.
Housed at Oklahoma State University-Seretean Wellness Center, ABLE Tech provides four core programs:
- AT device demonstrations
- Device re-utilization
- Short-term equipment loans
- State financing activities
ABLE Tech also provides information and referral services on assistive technology for people of all ages. They maintain the statewide Oklahoma Equipment Connection, have an in-house collection of catalogs, publications, product literature, a “how-to” manual on finding funding for AT, and house an AT demonstration center. Any questions call: 888-885-5588 (voice/tty).
Assistive Technology (AT)
AT is a device or an item, product, or piece of equipment used to maintain or improve the functional capabilities of a person with a disability. Devices may be acquired commercially, modified or custom-made. A garage door opener may not be an assistive device for one person but it could be the missing link for someone else.
For more history and information on federally funded Assistive Technology Projects go to: http://www.ataporg.org
Assistive Technology Available for Demonstration
“Oklahoma is fortunate to have five regional centers where a selection of assistive technology (AT) devices for hearing, seeing, or communication can be demonstrated to members of the community,” according to Linda Jaco. “Some of the centers even have adapted toys for children with disabilities”.
Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped and the Oklahoma School for the Blind have items such as magnifiers, talking clocks and calculators, large print keyboards, and computer software for reading. Both locations also have closed-circuit televisions for demonstration that can enlarge the text or photographs from newspapers, magazines, or even livestock journals. Farm family members who have blindness, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, glaucoma, or other visual impairment may find benefit in similar devices.
Most farmers have some hearing loss, but many have serious hearing loss from working around loud machinery for years. Devices like FM sound amplifiers, door alerts, or vibrating alarms may be useful for people with severe hearing loss. Devices aid in awareness and personal safety. One example is a strobe light door bell, for one who may not hear an audible bell. Oklahoma School for the Deaf has a number of hearing loss related devices available for demonstration.
Communication is important in all aspects of life; people who have difficulty speaking may use a device called an augmentative communication device. The Mary K. Chapman Center at the University of Tulsa has a demonstration center for communication devices. An example of someone using this type of device might be a school age child with cerebral palsy who has difficulty making their speech understood. The child might be able to use the technology to speak to classmates or teachers, give a school presentation, or simply hang out and talk to friends. Augmentative communication devices may be useful to some people who have difficulty speaking after a stroke, multiple sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease.
After seeing a demonstration of an augmentative communication device, “getting a referral to a speech language pathologist with experience in augmentative communication device selection and assessment would be a good next step” says Carla Wilhite, AgrAbility Program Specialist, “the therapist will help ensure the device is a good fit for the person as well as for training”. A doctor should be able to make a referral to the right therapist.
Try Before You Buy
Just like test driving a car, it is important to try assistive devices before you make a purchase. A device that is not tested first often gathers dust in a corner or closet because it did not work for the person’s particular life situation. ABLE Tech allows consumers the opportunity for a short-term loan of devices. The borrower can then try out a device before making a purchase. The device may also be borrowed by professionals; such as, occupational, physical, and speech-language therapists for assessment, or when a person’s own device needs repair.
Items available for loan include: portable ramps, magnifiers, augmentative communication devices, adaptive computer keyboards, laptop computers with special software for disability, talking dictionaries, and more. (See sidebar for contact information on the regional centers)
Are You Ready to Buy?
Finding funding to purchase assistive technologies can be a daunting task. Some items that are medically necessary may be purchased by Medicare, Medicaid, or private health insurance. The Department of Rehabilitation Services-Vocational and Visual Services will often purchase devices that are needed to reach a goal for work. Even public schools purchase assistive technologies in some circumstances to help children in the classroom and at home. Still, many people who would benefit from assistive technology do not have an agency or institution to purchase devices they might need. Yet, they do have the option of purchasing the item for themselves.
Oklahoma ABLE Tech has partnered with BancFirst and the Oklahoma Assistive Technology Foundation (OkAT) to offer an Alternative Financing Program (AFP) which can be used to buy assistive technology devices. The terms for the loans are a low 5% interest. Secured loans are usually paid back over 5 years while unsecured loans are paid back over 3 years. Farmers have used the low-interest loan program to adapt farm vehicles with technologies like wheelchair lifts and hand controls, hearing aids and home modifications.
Farmers and ranchers with disabilities may also be interested in low-interest loans that help them work from the farm. The Access to Telework Loan (ATF) can help increase access to funding of computers, equipment, and adaptive equipment needed to work. These loans have been used to buy computers, phones, faxes, printers, scanners, software, seating and positioning equipment, as well as environmental control devices. The loan could even be used to make home and bathroom modifications needed for disability access.
Interested parties in the AFP loan program can call Teresa Webb at BancFirst of Stillwater to apply (Toll-free: 800-446-9401). Or for the ATF loan, contact ABLE Tech at 888-885-5588 (toll-free).
Demonstration Sites
ABLE Tech
Stillwater, OK
Contact: Sherril York
1-800-257-1705 (toll-free)
Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
Oklahoma City, OK
Contact: Bob Utley
1-800-523-0288 (toll-free)
Oklahoma School for the Blind
Muskogee, OK
Contact: Karen Kizzia
1-877-229-7136 (toll-free)
Oklahoma School for the Deaf
Sulphur, OK
1-866-309-1717 (toll-free)
University of Tulsa-Mary K. Chapman Center
Tulsa, OK
Contact: Ronda Marfechuk
918-631-2913
The Trading Post - Used Equipment for Sale
Another option for people seeking equipment is the Oklahoma Equipment Connection (OEC). The OEC is a free service to help Oklahomans find affordable used adaptive equipment. The OEC lists pre-owned assistive technology devices in a “want-ad” posting where consumers can contact and arrange purchase of the item directly from the owner. The list has included handicap accessible vans, specialized medical equipment, and even hospital beds. “I’ve used the OEC list more than once to help farm families locate equipment at a much more affordable price,” says Carla Wilhite, AgrAbility Specialist, “it’s a great resource”.
To buy, donate, or sell used AT visit the web at: http://oec.okstate.edu or call: 888-885-5588 (toll-free).
Not Sure What Device You Need...
Farmers, ranchers, or their family members can contact the Oklahoma AgrAbility Project to get on-farm assistance in locating the services, resources, and assistive technologies needed to work or live on the farm. Carla Wilhite, a licensed and registered occupational therapist, serves as the AgrAbility Project Specialist. She can be reached at: 888-885-5588 voice/tty.
The Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) has three assistive technologists available to help assess, recommend, and select assistive technology needed for work. To find the nearest DRS office, call: 1-800-487-4042, or 1-800-845-8476 (TTY/TDD).
Farmers Needed
A training workshop for peer advocates has been tentitively scheduled for April 18-19, 2006.
What is a peer advocate? He/She is a farmer, rancher, or a spouse who has experienced a disability and feel they have adapted well and continue to enjoy life. Trained peer advocates will have the opportunity to volunteer with Oklahoma AgrAbility to provide support and share their ingenuity in adapting farm activities to accommodate disability with farmers or ranchers who have a newly acquired disability.
The trainer will be Bob Fetsch, an Extension Educator at Colorado State University. Bob has worked with farm families for over 20 years and comes from a farming background. Topics covered in the workshop include: What is peer support? How can I be better at listening and speaking effectively? How do I make a good referral?
If you are interested in learning more about the program, call Carla Wilhite at: 405-744-5182 or toll-free: 888-885-5588.
AgrAbility will pay travel, lodging, meals, and educational materials for the training participants through a supplemental grant from the United States Department of Agriculture-CSREES.
This newsletter was supported in part by USDA-CSREES grant award number 2002-41590-01370.