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October 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
Welcome fall! It’s a busy time of year as the seasons change and fall routines begin. Top of mind is the election. In STARS Across the State, we provide insight from the Secretary of State’s office and resources available to help you prepare for the election and vote.
photo by Marco Verch
This issue highlights a service our STAR Program team provides: Assistance Information. Read about how we work with you to offer solutions in the Assistive Technology area.
So important to our work are our STAR partners who help us broaden our reach across the state. In this issue, read about the Regional Assistive Technology Center (RATC) in Moorhead. And we are pleased to welcome Saint Cloud State University as our newest partner! We will share more information in our next issue about our new partner.
We also introduce you to one of our dedicated Advisory Council members, Kay Kammen.
A popular Assistive Technology device, the Obi feeding station is featured and we share a success story from one of our STAR Partners who assisted an individual with a verbal communication device.
Finally, check our calendar of upcoming events and webinars, and take note of helpful links. We hope you enjoy this issue of Constellations and be sure to subscribe for next time!
Amy Perron, Program Director
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Do you like the Constellations Newsletter? Don’t miss an issue!
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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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Information Assistance
If you have questions about Assistive Technology (AT), a good place to begin is the STAR Program’s Information Assistance webpage, which contains helpful AT resources and information. The STAR Program team is also just an email or phone call away and can address general and specific questions about AT. For example, someone with diabetes and neuropathy recently reached out to STAR and wanted to know if there was any AT that could be used to reach things that fall on the floor. AT Specialist Jamis Wehrenberg shared, “We took the time to ask the appropriate questions and were able to connect them with a reacher device to be able to pick the items up. Our conversation also led to other adaptive devices to assist with daily living tasks that the person hadn’t even thought of.”
“Let’s Solve this Thing”
Wehrenberg explained, “We are a great resource for answering questions about anything AT-related that could help a person with disabilities and aging adults. We take calls, respond to emails, and schedule appointments for in-person meetings if requested.” Jamis sums up the Information Assistance service in a few words: “We give priority to ‘let's solve this thing’. We always try to keep a person-centered focus when meeting with people because we are all different, and each person’s needs are unique.”
How the STAR Program Assists
Many organizations who help people get connected to resources routinely make AT referrals to the STAR Program. The STAR team addresses any AT related questions from anyone and any organization. “We like a team approach and often work with individuals and their support team to brainstorm different ideas with a goal to help,” said Wehrenberg.
When someone contacts STAR, Jamis said, “We do everything in our power to try to answer their questions or get them connected to resources and to offer solutions to consider.” The team asks questions to understand the situation. If the individual isn’t aware of services available to them, STAR can provide information on organizations that may be able to help. Jamis said, “We may suggest that the person reach out to their case manager if they have one, to ask if there is a waiver that could pay for the AT device. We help them navigate through the process and identify questions to ask their support team.” Others who contact STAR may ask for help in overcoming challenges, and STAR can connect a person with specific organizations that could possibly do so. Sometimes it is just a matter of helping an individual find the cheapest option on a reputable website so they can move forward with purchasing the equipment on their own.
If you have questions, we encourage you to check out to the STAR Program:
Information Assistance webpage
OR
Contact Us
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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.
Regional Assistive Technology Center (RATC)
“Everyone Deserves a Voice”
STAR partner RATC (Regional Assistive Technology Center) is located on the Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM) campus. We recently talked with RATC Director Jennie Wolan about RATC and her work supervising MSUM graduate students completing speech language pathology degrees. A speech language pathologist herself, Jennie is focused on assistive technology for augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). She said, “Assistive technology for AAC is exciting. It's gratifying to provide technology that gives a voice to a person who hasn't been able to communicate verbally.”
The Center has RATC-owned devices and access to STAR-owned devices, and clients can try a device for no cost before making a purchase decision. Jennie explains, “Because the RATC is in a speech-language hearing clinic, we tend to specialize in helping individuals obtain a communications device. But as a STAR partner, we can provide assistive technology to support vision, hearing and mobility needs, and offer loans at no cost for up to 45 days to anyone who resides in Minnesota.”
RATC is very active regionally, serving individuals, schools, and many AAC technology referrals from the hospital system, providing services like consultations, demonstrations, and evaluations.
RATC provides MSUM grad students exceptional hands-on experience with assistive technology devices. Jennie shared, “It's a big selling point for our program, and my hope is that our grad students will go to their new place of employment and be the assistive technology specialist and champion.”
Jennie offered, “We’ve seen great progress in making the technology available. Devices have become a lot more portable and accessible. For example, there are several different communication devices at the RATC that can be controlled by eye gaze, which has created opportunities for individuals with access difficulties.
As a STAR Contract Partner, RATC lists their program’s inventory on the STAR lending library’s website MN AT4ALL, allowing all Minnesotans the ability to view the inventory and request devices directly from the RATC online. Jennie is encouraged by the increased response and hopeful that people are more aware of the no-cost loan for a device. She works closely with individuals to help obtain funding for communication devices.
Jennie is motivated by the successes they’ve had. She explained, “I've encountered too many individuals who should have had an advocate sooner to help them have a voice. I want to be that person and educate other professionals in best practices for supporting clients.
“We need to presume potential for all individuals and provide them with opportunities. Everyone deserves a voice.”
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.
 St. Cloud State University is joining our ranks as a STAR Partner. You can find their inventory listed in MN AT4All lending library site. Stay tuned for more about our newest partner in the next issue of Constellations.
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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: Kay Kammen
Kay Kammen joined the Advisory Council in 2024. She is the Senior Policy Analyst on the Governor's Workforce Development Board (GWDB) Staff. The GWDB provides oversight to the state’s workforce development system and brings together leaders from across the entire state of Minnesota to address the talent and skill needs for all Minnesotans and our businesses.
The GWDB includes private sector leaders from demand industry sectors, leadership from post-secondary, Career Technical Education (CTE), Adult Education, Labor, Local Government, the State Legislature, and Community-Based Organizations. Members are appointed by the governor. The priority is to continue to make Minnesota’s workforce the best in the nation.
Every 4 years, the GWDB submits the state’s workforce development plan. The 2024 - 2027 plan was approved in June by the federal departments of Labor and Education. The Plan’s strategic vision is a healthy economy, where all Minnesotans have equitable access to a workforce development system in which partners across the state are working toward a collective goal of providing workforce development programs that are responsive to employer needs in-demand occupations and lead to good jobs with family-sustaining wages.
The GWDB staff works closely with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), the state's principal economic and workforce development agency, and supports vocational rehabilitation services and state services for the blind. Kay said, “We understand the importance of materials produced by the state be accessible to all.”
In a previous role, Kay worked for a nonprofit serving adults with disabilities and other barriers to employment and saw how technology aided adults with disabilities. That experience and her role in understanding trends and special challenges job seekers and employers have in workforce development provides perspective to the Advisory Council.
Kay said, “The Advisory Council is so informative, I come away with knowledge I can share with my colleagues on technologies that help people in life and on the job.” Kay shared, “I greatly admire the work that the Advisory Council does. It’s a way for me to stay connected to the disability community, and I'm ready to help with the Council's work as we go forward.”
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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.
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Obi Robotic Dining Companion
A popular device in the STAR program’s inventory is the Obi robotic dining companion. It is meant to help those who have troubles with eating.
With the momentary touch of a customizable switch, Obi allows users to select between four compartments of food and command when the food is captured and delivered to the mouth. Obi is controlled by any part of the body that can activate a switch. The simple and intuitive operation allows the users to be in control.
Obi Robotic dining companion benefits users from adults to children. As stated on the Obi website, “Eating should be independent, relaxing, social, fun, exciting, personal, leisurely… and so much more! … We’ve seen first-hand how Obi transforms the lives of our users and their families in so many ways,” for example, choosing what to eat and when and dining with friends.
The product includes a reusable plate and spoons that are food safe, dishwasher safe, BPA-free, and magnetically attached. Obi is smaller than a placemat and won’t take up more than standard personal space. The latex-free elastic coated surface on the bottom of the base enhances the product’s grip and helps keep Obi stationary during meals. It’s portable. Obi weighs 7 pounds, about the weight of a laptop and has a rechargeable Li-Ion battery, giving 3-4 hours of use per charge. It’s also water resistant: wipe down or disinfect the device after a meal.
Find the Obi Robotic dining companion on our Lending Library website.
Learn more about the Obi from the manufacturer.
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Minnesota Secretary of State Office
The Clock is Ticking: Get Ready to Vote!
Tuesday, November 5th, 2024, is the date of the election. With the date fast approaching, we are highlighting the importance that Minnesota places on having accessible voting. The state is committed to protecting and strengthening the security and fairness of the election process for all Minnesotans.
We asked Melanie Hazelip, Voter Outreach Director for the Office of Minnesota Secretary of State (SOS) for her perspective on what is done in Minnesota to make voting accessible for people with disabilities.
Melanie explained, "As we approach the election, we are again partnering with Minnesota’s ASL call center so that we have more staff available for answering questions.” The office also has a Disability Advisory Council (STAR Program is a member) which meets quarterly to share what is happening with upcoming elections and hear from Council members and advocates. Melanie shared, “We want to learn about what is working and what we could improve about voting. This has been very helpful in making improvements in the voting process for people with disabilities.”
Helpful Resources
These resources are especially helpful for persons with disabilities:
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 Forbes Proslate 10D with Predictable software
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A person recently contacted one of the STAR Program partners with his situation. Our partner shared the following success story: |
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“An individual who had recently lost his ability to use verbal speech came into our clinic. He described how his life has been significantly impacted by his loss of verbal speech, and that it feels his life has “slowed to a crawl.”
“We were able to demonstrate a variety of speech-generating devices and eventually loan the Forbes Proslate 10D device with Predictable software to the individual to try. He was able to immediately use the device to communicate at a doctor’s appointment to express his medical concerns along with being able to interact with friends and family in person and over the phone.
He and his family expressed immense gratitude and are now in the process of getting funding for his own personal device.”
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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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Oct. 9
Gerald W. Heaney Federal Building
Duluth, MN
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Oct. 9-10
Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC)
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Oct. 22-25
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Bloomington
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Conference: Closing the Gap is hosting their annual Assistive Technology in Special Education, Rehabilitation and Everyday Living
Preconference workshops on Oct 20 and 21. Note their new location.
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Now through January 5 Mill City Museum, Minneapolis |
Exhibit: The Art of Disability Justice Now is a disability community-centered exhibition that is curated, organized, and supported by artists, activists, and community organizers to serve as a snapshot of what disability justice is now in the Twin Cities and why it’s important. Refer to the website for hours and admission. |
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Oct. 28
Lighthouse Center for Vital Living
309 West First Street
Duluth
(218) 624-4828
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Open house: Lighthouse Center for Vital Living New Assistive Technology Center
Come tour the new Lighthouse assistive technology center and training facility in downtown Duluth! See how Lighthouse services can empower older adults and people with ANY disability to live their best lives.
- 3:00 – 6:30pm
- Ribbon-cutting festivities at 4:30pm
- Valet parking and other assistance at First Street entrance
- Freshly made waffles for first 150 visitors!
RSVPs are appreciated to info@LCFVL.org
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Various dates; refer to website |
Resource: Minnesota Department of Education has ongoing FREE information sessions about assistive technology (AT) products, services, resources and processes to support the selection, acquisition and use of AT for individuals. |
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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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