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July 2024
We publish our Constellations newsletter to share ways that Assistive Technology can be life-changing for people with disabilities and raise awareness of the services offered through the STAR Program and our partners.
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From the Director
Ah, summer! Being outside on a nice day is good for our health. In this issue, we are featuring a few opportunities for you when you are heading outdoors, including the All-Terrain Track Chair, pictured here, that is available in a number of Minnesota State Parks.
DNR'S All-Terrain Track Chair
You can also read about our open-ended loans, which may be an economical option for borrowing a device for an unlimited time period. We highlight The Lighthouse Center in Duluth, Minnesota, another of our Contract Partners, who help us broaden our reach across this state.
We're featuring John Bredehoft, one of our dedicated Advisory Council members. We share a success story found in a thank you letter that we received from a person who used the Loan Library to try the WatchMinder3 before she purchased it.
Finally, check our calendar of upcoming events and webinars, and helpful links. We hope you enjoy this issue and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an issue!
Amy Perron, Program Director
Do you like the Constellations Newsletter? Don’t miss an issue!
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The November presidential election is fast approaching. Tuesday, November 5th, 2024 is the date. To help you prepare, these resources are especially helpful for persons with disabilities:
REV UP is a voting campaign of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). It builds the power of the disability vote through a national network of coalitions and organizations. Also available is REV Up’s local branch.
Hennepin County Elections has information for Hennepin County residents about preparing to vote.
The Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State maintains a comprehensive Elections and Voting web page. Resources especially helpful for Minnesota voters with disabilities include:
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Assistive technology (AT) is something that can help you do things that might otherwise be difficult or impossible to do on your own. It is an item or device that can help you speak, walk, talk, remember, see, hear, learn and more.
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Did you know? There is no cost to borrow equipment from the STAR Program or our partners! You can schedule a time to pick up the equipment or we can ship the device at no cost to the borrower. The borrower is responsible for returning the item back to the program they borrowed it from at the end of the six-week period by scheduling an appointment to return the device or by paying to ship the equipment back to the program. |
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Open-Ended Loans
The Minnesota STAR Program has a limited number of previously used devices that are available as open-ended loans. In contrast to our short-term (45-day) loans, devices offered through an open-ended loan have no set return date. They can be borrowed long-term by Minnesotans who otherwise would not have access to assistive technology. Open-ended loan devices have saved a client money by eliminating the need to purchase a new device or when the borrower needs a device for longer than the short-term 45-day loan allows. If the device is no longer needed, breaks, or malfunctions, the device needs to be returned to STAR at that time.
Devices available as open-ended loans often have defects such as wear and tear, are discontinued, or have battery issues but still function when plugged in, for example.
We have a very limited number of open-ended devices available. Please check with us to see if we have something that will meet your needs.
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Our Partners Help Broaden Our Reach State-wide
The federal 21st Century Assistive Technology Act, requires programs like STAR to provide the following services: assistive technology demonstrations, loans, and reutilization services. In order to support the entire state with a small team, STAR has broadened their ability to meet people where they are, closer to their communities where possible.
Featured STAR Contract Partner: The Lighthouse Center for Vital Living
Our STAR partner in Duluth is The Lighthouse Center for Vital Living. The Lighthouse is committed to helping individuals of all ages in northern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin who are facing challenges related to disability or aging. The organization provides services to empower people to lead confident, independent and fulfilling lives.
We recently caught up with the Lighthouse’s Mary Junnila, MPP, Executive Director and Sheri Cooke, ATP, Assistive Technology Division Director, about being a STAR Partner.
When a customer contacts the STAR Program about borrowing a device or seeing a demonstration, STAR can make referrals to STAR Partners that may be located closer to the individual. Those who are referred can receive a demo at their home or virtually. As a STAR Contract Partner, the Lighthouse lists their program’s inventory on STAR's lending library website MN.AT4ALL, allowing all Minnesotans the ability to borrow directly from them.
When asked about being a STAR Contract Partner, Mary Junnila said, “We’re proud to be a STAR Partner. It’s helpful to be part of a larger assistive technology community and to receive financial support for each device loan or demonstration we do.”
Mary shared, “The STAR Program gives our clients access to a much broader range of devices than we could offer alone.” Sheri Cooke agrees. She related how a device was needed that was not available from the Lighthouse independently: “One success story involves the Obi robotic dining companion device — something that we and many others do not have access to. We were able to bring this device here and demo it for people in their own homes.” As a result, 2 case managers approved the device for the people who received a demonstration.
Sheri explained, “The Obi robotic dining companion can support a person’s ability to eat independently and gain more confidence, and if an organization is experiencing staff shortages, this device ensures a person need not ‘wait’ for a staff person so that they can eat.”
“I’m extremely proud to be a STAR partner and thankful for the STAR Lending Library.... We have access to more knowledge and advocacy when we need it.”
STAR Partners are listed on our Device Loan page. Individuals can search for a device by product type and location by accessing the MN AT4ALL online lending library. If there are questions, we encourage people to check with STAR first.
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Note: The Minnesota STAR Program is federally funded by the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living in accordance with This law requires that the STAR Program have an Advisory Council. The purpose of the Minnesota Technology Advisory Council is to provide consumer-responsive, consumer-driven advice to STAR.
Getting to Know Council Member: John Bredehoft, MS, CRC, ATP
John Bredehoft is the Rehabilitation Program Specialist for Assistive Technology with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, Vocational Rehabilitation Services and has been serving on the Advisory Council for nearly 15 years. The role he fills is a mandated, permanent position on the Council.
He brings his focus on assistive technology for employment, including how to obtain reasonable accommodations for ADA (ergonomics, computer needs, adaptive technology, etc.) to the Council. A large part of his job is traveling the state and conducting assessments. He works with adults as well as with students on anticipated and current needs in the workforce.
During John time on the Council, he has seen technology evolve to now apply universal design principles to make a device easier to use. He shared, “I like working with everyone. It’s good to connect with department representatives and users of assistive technology. It all ties together.” He feels those on the Council from the community who are serving a two-year term provide valuable perspectives and suggestions. “Being able to have visibility to how those with disabilities are accommodating themselves in a work setting/meeting is so helpful on the Council and a benefit in my role with Vocational Rehabilitation Services.”
As he travels the state working with people, John raises awareness of and promotes STAR when making assistive technology recommendations. He understands how students and adults want technology that doesn’t call undue attention to a disability. STAR helps by doing device demonstrations, answering questions, and having an easy process to borrow and test out a device. John’s goal is that individuals are well-equipped with the right assistive technology for their vocation in a job they like. “It’s a good feeling when we can help make that happen.”
To learn more about the Minnesota Technology Advisory Council and the work they do, email STAR: star.program@state.mn.us.
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Note to readers: in each issue, we feature a device from our lending library. There are many devices that can be demonstrated or trialed through our loan program at no charge to you. Check out our inventory of devices at the MN AT4ALL website. |
Featured Device: Talking Pedometer
Need a little motivation to get moving outdoors? Consider the Talking Pedometer. It is suitable for those with low vision who want to know the total distance they have traveled. It has a slim profile with a belt clip.
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With a touch of a button, the talking pedometer:
- measures and announces the total distance traveled in steps (up to 99,999) and in miles,
- announces the current time, and
- has an audible alarm function to help track and regulate your work-out times.
For more accurate measurement, stride length can be adjusted for a more accurate measurement and the pedometer plays musical melodies that change according to your speed. The unit is available in metallic silver with black trim and operates with a one button cell battery (CR2025).
Note: pedometers measure levels of physical activity and are not always 100 percent accurate. There is a plus-minus 10 percent deviation inaccuracy on devices of this type. Measurements will be influenced by the sensitivity settings, placement on the body, and overall stride of the wearer. To work properly, the pedometer must be placed on the waistband, not the pocket.
Product measurements: length: 2.5 inches; width: 1 inch; height: 2 inches; Weight: 2 ounces.
Find the Talking Pedometer on our Lending Library website.
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Get Outside! Minnesota DNR’s All-Terrain Track Chair Program
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With summer in full swing, it’s a perfect time to visit our state parks. 13 Minnesota state parks now have a battery-powered All-Terrain Track Chair that can be reserved. It enables visitors with disabilities or other conditions that limit mobility to explore trails and other areas within state parks that can’t be accessed using a regular wheelchair. |
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State Park and Recreation Area Program Consultant Jamie McBride is responsible for oversight and operation of state parks and recreation areas. He was tasked with implementing the track chair program in Minnesota state parks.
Jamie shared that parks selected for track chairs have suitable trails; storage space and charging outlets near a trailhead; and are located broadly across the state. Jamie explained, “It is important that we choose parks that allow visitors to get all the way to some of the main park attractions, like a waterfall or a scenic overlook.”
Track chair locations in Minnesota State Parks from the DNR website
McBride added, “It’s an exciting time for the track chair program. “We recently received $1,000,000 from a legislatively funded initiative called ‘Get Out More.’ Our focus with this funding is on acquiring more track chairs and other adaptive devices like beach chairs, Mobi-Mat® beach access matting, all-terrain wheelchairs and access to services.” Some funds will be used for infrastructure improvements, such as ensuring bathrooms out on the trails are accessible, eliminating steps to the facilities, and widening doorways.
Emily Kunesh, who works in customer service at Fort Snelling State Park, offered this about the track chair: “Visitors who see it in use or in our lobby are happy that we have it available for anyone with a mobility disability or challenge.” The DNR is dedicated to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion, and the track chair is one way this is done. Some visitors are regulars. Emily shared, “We’ve been able to watch how the chair helps with healing journeys, mental health and independence. One regular visitor deeply enjoys photography and birding. Recently, he shared a photo with Kunesh of an indigo bunting. Kunesh said, “I’d never seen this bird! I learned something new that day.”
Jamie stated, “Track chairs don’t really have limitations. They are easy to use, move at walking speed and aren’t considered to be motorized vehicles. The trails selected are wide enough and have a grade that the chair can handle. Kunesh said, “It’s really a gift – our staff feels fortunate to help facilitate exploring in our park.”
McBride concurred. “If there’s a theme, it’s that the track chair is life-changing for people - they are able to get out into the parks in ways that they’ve never been able to do, or that they are now able to get out in Nature again after changes to their mobility.”
To reserve a chair, call the park you plan to visit. To learn more, visit the DNR website.
All-Terrain Track Chairs are low impact on the trails with their wide treads
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A Note of Thanks
A person from an outdoor recreation organization uses the Watchminder 3 to help her with work tasks. She wrote, “I’d like to thank STAR for your help in facilitating my obtaining the Watchminder 3.”
She struggled for years with Bipolar Disorder and ADHD, sharing, “My day-to-day life is significantly impacted by these disorders. I struggle to read, listen, think, get out of bed, and focus. I take pride in my career. Because I worry about people’s opinions of me, I didn’t search or reach out for any type of accommodations until recently.
“I’ve worked for my current employer since 2022, and I feel that people who function differently are more accepted here, so I reached out for accommodations with attentiveness/concentration, time management, and organizing, planning and prioritizing. Our ADA coordinator referred me to STAR to see if assistive technologies could help me manage these issues.
“The STAR lending program is a blessing. It was so helpful to borrow the Watchminder3 before I went through the official ADA process for accommodations and the fiscal process to obtain the product through my employer.
“The time between sending the watch back to STAR to receiving mine illustrated how much the watch helped. With it, I stayed on task and remembered important things. Without it, I was much more forgetful, inattentive, and disorganized.
“I really like the preprogrammed messages and how simple it is to set up reminders. I set the watch to vibrate to remind me to take my medication, get up from my desk and remind staff to take breaks. I set hourly alerts to remind me to pay attention. While I can write myself all the notes in the world and set calendar reminders, nothing really gets me to stop and focus like a vibrating watch. I also like that it looks like a watch. It’s discrete and effective.
“I greatly appreciated your time and effort to help me obtain the Watchminder 3.”
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Calendar of Events and Learning Opportunities
There are a number of events and learning opportunities that may be of interest about assistive technology. More information about upcoming events is available from the links. All events are in Central Time unless otherwise indicated. If you want to hear more about future events, subscribe to our Upcoming Events list!
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July 24
7:30AM – 5PM
Mystic Lake Conference Center
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The ARRM Forward Annual Conference is the largest educational event focused on front-line support staff and middle management development in Minnesota for DSPs, site supervisors, program managers, program directors, executives and more. Includes over five hours of training and development programming, alternative learning and development options, networking and connection opportunities and exhibitors, including STAR. |
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July 30 – Aug. 1
Duluth Entertainment Convention Center
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We have many device and educational videos. STAR posts videos often, so consider subscribing to our channel! There are also two playlists on the channel:
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