On November 10, 2021, the Biden-Harris Administration announced that the Administration for Community Living (ACL) would receive $150 million to expand the public health workforce within the aging and disability networks. The ACL has recently distributed $80,000 of those funds to Oklahoma ABLE Tech! 

Public health promotes and protects the health of people and the communities where they live, learn, work, and play. The aging and disability networks, including Assistive Technology (AT) Act Programs, play a significant role in expanding the capacity and capability of the public health workforce to meet the unique needs of older adults and people with disabilities. 

The funding, which will be available until September 30, 2024, is intended to help cover the costs of staff to conduct these and other crucial public health activities and alleviate some of the strain our networks have experienced during the pandemic. ABLE Tech looks forward to expanding its services with additional staff to continue our mission to meet the unique AT needs of older adults and people with disabilities in Oklahoma.

Not all Assistive Technology Looks the Same!

Austin was on a search to find funding for assistive technology (AT) for her son to assist in developmental needs. Through ABLE Tech’s agency collaborations, she was referred to ABLE Tech to seek information and assistance for AT funding and acquisition solutions. It was through ABLE Tech’s funding page that she found information on the Alternative Financial Loan Program, along with another private grant source to purchase several pieces of AT for her son.

Austin used ABLE Tech’s low-interest alternative financial loan program to purchase several pieces of therapeutic equipment for her son, including a special seating area, called the Nugget couch.

Austin expressed, “The program made it so easy to process my request. The Nugget couches I purchased have provided so many benefits for my son including executive functioning, motor skill development, sensory stimulation, but best of all – fun!  He and his sisters build giant forts and tunnels with the mats and have endless hours of play.” Through the resources found in the funding guide, Austin was able to purchase modified gymnastics equipment as well.

All loans are a 5% interest rate. To learn more about these products or to apply for a loan go to the ABLE Tech Financial Loan page or visit OkAT's website.

Cherokee County - SoonerStart Success Story

Tali is a happy two-year-old little girl with Sporadic Aniridia. She is determined to be socially adventurous. Sporadic Aniridia makes environmental exploring exceedingly difficult due to the absence of the iris. The absence of the iris results in legal blindness and extreme light sensitivity. Tali must rely on a companion to walk beside her for verbal guidance or hold someone’s hand for physical guidance to explore her surrounding environment.

Recently, Tali and her family have worked closely on white cane orientation and mobility with ABLE Tech AT Demonstration partner, SoonerStart. Kimberly Ford, Regional Vision Specialist, has taught Tali how to navigate and locate steps, curbs, and other obstacles with a mobility cane. Now, Tali can bravely walk down sidewalks, readily explore splash pads, and maneuver playgrounds without needing a parent by her side. Tali’s mobility cane has given her the confidence and ability to navigate the world around safely and independently.

Craig County - SoonerStart Success Story

Castiel is a 14-month-old toddler from Ottawa County who has been working with Craig County SoonerStart Providers. At nine months old, Castiel's family noticed he had trouble reaching and grasping items, and his hands were tightly fisted. At ten months old, Castiel and his family discovered he was blind while at a doctor's visit; the family quickly began early intervention services.

SoonerStart providers dove into treatment ideas and considered using the ABLE Tech assistive technology (AT) assessment kit. During his first SoonerStart visit, a low-tech sensory stimulation box was introduced to explore the world around him. At first, toys were hung extremely low from the sensory box by plastic rings and elastic pieces so Castiel could touch them with the slightest movement. Through this adapted play area, he is learning to grasp toys and explore the unique shapes and textures. Castiel shows joy when practicing his reaching and grasping skills. His family has proudly watched him progress every day.

ABLE Tech continues to provide the bi-annual training for AT Consideration, AT Assessment and AT in the IEP, and AT Implementation for Special Education Professionals serving students with disabilities for the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) in record numbers.

Spring 2022 workshops are being offered virtually and include free CEUs for Speech and Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, and Physical Therapists.

Comments from participants: "I appreciated the case study opportunities for us to review during the Consideration process, real situations guide learning!"

"Great information! I was so unfamiliar with AT as a whole. This was a great stepping stone and I look forward to the next sessions."

CPAP Shortage Due to Recall:

In 2021, a major CPAP supplier, Phillips Respironics, announced a voluntary recall of CPAP machines for the United States for specifically affected ventilation and sleep apnea devices. The notification informed patients, users, and customers of potential impacts on patient health and clinical use related to this issue.

The largest and most well-known CPAP manufacturers on the market have done a truly commendable job of trying to fill this huge gap left by the Philips recall. Unfortunately, they have reached their capacity and have announced a nationwide shortage of CPAP machines.

How can you help? It is even more important for the Reutilization Program to aid in filling this gap by requesting individuals who have CPAP machines not currently being used to consider donating them to help other Oklahomans in need.

Through the Reutilization Program, ABLE Tech can receive any gently-used CPAP machine, and repair/refurbish it for another individual’s use. Please share this message in your communities. All gently used durable medical equipment donations are received through the Oklahoma City office, located at 3325 North Lincoln Blvd., Suite B, Oklahoma City, OK 73105 with additional volunteer donation sites across the state. How to donate to ABLE Tech weblink.

Save the date for TechAccess Oklahoma 2022, which will be held virtually on Zoom on the mornings of April 19, 20, and 21.

We'll have an exciting keynote on Inclusive Design from Nicolas Steenhout, speaker, trainer, consultant, and host of the fantastic A11y Rules podcast. We're also planning sessions on inclusive design through documents, social media, and meetings.