October is National Physical Therapy Month! Check out these AT highlights from our Device Demonstration and Loan inventory that can be used in physical therapy settings and more.
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2 in 1 Textured Foam Roller – You can use this device on sore muscles after a physical therapy session. For tight muscles, slowly lower your body (like your leg) onto the textured foam and roll back and forth. A few minutes of rolling helps calm tension and relax your body. You might feel some discomfort as the foam stimulates your muscles and fascia, but it shouldn’t be painful.
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Sit N Gym Plus – You can use this therapeutic ball for physical therapy exercises that target core muscles. The ball’s unstable surface makes your body use more muscles to stay balanced. The small legs help keep the ball from rolling away, but you still need to keep your feet on the ground for stability. This ball can hold up to 270 pounds.
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Spin Disc – This device builds trunk muscles and improves postural stability. You can use it in a clinic or at home. The Spin Disc also helps with gross motor skills and balance because it spins with upper body movement. It can hold up to 125 pounds.
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Sensory Rumble Roller – This device improves gross motor skills, balance, fine motor coordination, and strength. Younger users can get an upper body workout by lying on their stomach and rolling back and forth. It’s great for physical therapy to warm up muscles and help those who need extra stimulation. The device can hold up to 120 pounds.
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At Oklahoma ABLE Tech, we’re thankful for those in the community who choose to donate their no-longer-used durable medical equipment to our Device Reutilization Program. As we strive to be community-responsive, we have identified the need to update the criteria for acceptable device donations.
Our goal is to ensure the equipment donations we receive are equivalent to the quality of equipment we would want ourselves or our own family members to use. Going forward, we plan to accept only gently used DME that meet higher quality standards.
We will no longer accept the following donations:
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DME that is torn, unrepairable, outdated, rusty, torn, or in otherwise poor condition
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Liquids of any kind – including dialysis solution and feeding supplements
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Syringes or needles
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Medications
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Opened and/or partly used supplies
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Mattresses or non-therapeutic pillows/bedding
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Oxygen concentrators, tanks, or tubing
If individuals have items in poor condition or from the above “unacceptable” categories, we recommend they consider donating to:
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Medical Supplies Network, Inc., in Tulsa, which provides medical supplies to underdeveloped countries
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Local scrap yards for unrepairable metal equipment
If there is an item you’re not sure about, we encourage donors to call our office at 405-967-6010 for clarification. You can also text images of DME in question to 833-751-9128.
Our Device Reutilization program is unique and managed by just a few great people. This change in standard will allow the team to focus more time on getting quality DME into the hands of people who need it. Ultimately, we believe this will allow us to serve more Oklahomans at a higher level of service. For a list of commonly requested DME, visit our website.
You should review your credit report for mistakes at least once a year. Federal law lets you get a free copy of your credit report every 12 months from each credit reporting company. Right now, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion are also offering free weekly online credit reports. Checking your credit report helps ensure the information is correct and up to date. By reviewing it regularly, you can catch identity theft early. Visit the Annual Credit Report website to pull your free credit report today.
d/Deaf and hard-of-hearing consumers can call 7-1-1 and have the Relay Operator dial 1-800-821-7232 for TDD service. To get your credit report in Braille, Large Print, or Audio Formats, visit the Annual Credit Report Accessibility page or call 1-877-322-8228.
If you find a mistake on your credit report, start by disputing it with the credit reporting company (Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion). Contact them to ask what information you need to provide for them to review the claim:
• Equifax, 1-800-685-1111 or www.equifax.com
• Experian, 1-888-397-3742 or www.experian.com
• TransUnion, 1-800-916-8800 or www.transunion.com
For more information on credit scores, managing debt, saving money, and identity theft, visit ABLE Tech’s Financial Loan Program page.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal law that protects people with disabilities from discrimination, just like other civil rights laws that protect people based on their race, sex, age, and religion. The ADA says that people with disabilities should have the same opportunities in everyday activities as everyone else.
On April 24, 2024, the Department of Justice (DOJ) updated the ADA Title II regulations. The update added specific requirements for state and local governments to make all their web content and mobile apps meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Version 2.1 Level AA. The update also set deadlines for these entities to reach compliance.
To read more about the new ADA Title II regulations, as well as what this means for state and local governments, check out our Digital Accessibility blog post, Understanding the New ADA Title II Rule, by Adam Thiel, our Digital Accessibility Coordinator and Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC).
For more information about creating accessible digital content, visit our Digital Accessibility Program page, or contact us at abt.a11y@okstate.edu.
In early August, Dr. Joshua Hawkins presented with Dr. Elizabeth Barker from the Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST) and Emily Rang from Accessible Education Materials (AEM) Education Services at the Office of Special Education Programs conference in Arlington, Virginia. Their presentation, “Improving Data Collection and Quality for Students with Disabilities,” introduced a project that worked with several states and agencies to improve how data on AEM is collected.
Over the past year, the Oklahoma State Department of Education and other agencies helped develop five new data standards. When fully in place, these will help Oklahoma collect important information about how AEM is used in schools, leading to better decisions and use of resources. Oklahoma ABLE Tech continues to find ways to better support teachers and districts in Oklahoma. For more information, visit the AEM webpage or check out the AEM Technical Assistance document.
More than 60 teachers, administrators, and service providers virtually attended Part 1 of our four-part assistive technology (AT) workshop series on September 12! They completed three learning objectives:
- Describe the consideration of AT for all students with disabilities
- Summarize what the law says about AT Consideration
- List potential solutions available to help meet students’ IEP goals
Take advantage of these free learning opportunities! Register for part two on October 10 (either in person or virtually) at https://bit.ly/3pLlK51 to get hands-on AT experience. There is only space for 75 in-person attendees, so sign up now!
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Oklahoma ABLE Tech aims to promote the awareness of, access to, and acquisition of assistive technology (AT) devices and services for Oklahomans with disabilities. We collaborate with organizations across the state that have similar missions. NewView Oklahoma is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping individuals who are blind or have low vision. They are also an Oklahoma ABLE Tech Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) partner for the Device Demonstration program. MOA partners help us expand our AT services on a more statewide level. |
Clay participated in a device demonstration with NewView Oklahoma and discovered equipment to use at home! Because of his low vision, Clay needed equipment to assist with daily tasks, such as reading and cooking. He found success trialing several devices to increase his independence with these activities.
For reading, Clay tried The EZRED Rechargeable Necklight. It is a U-shaped device that sits around the user’s neck to provide hands-free lighting.
For cooking, Clay tried several devices! The pull string chopper cuts, dices, and minces food. Users add food inside the container, put the lid on with the attached screen, and pull the string to chop. He also tried an onion slicer, large print measuring cups and spoons, and cut-proof gloves.
Clay is discovering innovative ways to repurpose technology, adapting it to his unique needs. This has enabled him to safely engage in his favorite activities. Clay’s family says he is much happier now and is especially happy about his ability to read again.
To submit an AT Success Story, complete our Success Story Microsoft Form.
The Oklahoma Transition Institute (OTI), hosted by the Oklahoma Transition Council (OTC), is set for November 6 and 7 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. OTI covers many topics to help youth with disabilities successfully transition from school to adulthood.
This year, Dr. Joshua Hawkins, department head of Oklahoma State University’s Student Accessibility Services, will present about the laws and steps for receiving accommodations in college for students with disabilities. He will also share advice for parents and teachers to help students prepare for this change. Attendees will learn about the laws, how to request accommodations, and helpful resources for the transition. The goal is to support parents and teachers in helping students succeed in college. Register to attend OTI on Whova.
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Student Accessibility Services is committed to fostering a university community that promotes equitable participation for students. Learn more on the SAS website. |
As we welcome a new school year, SERC also welcomes back our Wisdom Wednesday Webinar series! Join us for this free 1.5-hour webinar series every month from 12 pm to 1:30 pm CST.
This year, learn useful information, tips, and techniques on different topics, like IEP facilitation, transition plans, and discipline. If you are unable to join the live webinars, each session is recorded and archived on our website, so you can watch them later, too!
Take a look at the 2024-2025 schedule and sign up for the sessions that interest you on our Wisdom Wednesday Webinars page.
P.S. SERC is now hiring a Program Manager for the Special Education Resolution Center (SERC). The Program Manager will lead public awareness events, conduct trainings, collaborate with stakeholders, and more. To read the entire job posting and view the position requirements, visit the Oklahoma State University careers site.
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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.
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The ORC has finalized the FFY 2025 Quarterly Meeting schedule.
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Thursday, November 14, 2024, 9:30 am
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Thursday, February 13, 2025, 9:30 am
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Thursday, May 15, 2025, 9:30 am
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Thursday, August 21, 2025, 9:30 am
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Strategic Planning Meeting: Thursday, September 4, 2025, 9:30 am
All meetings will take place at the Francis Tuttle Technology Center – Rockwell Center located at 12777 N Rockwell Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73142. The ORC quarterly meetings are open to the public.
If you need more information or have any questions, please contact us at ORC@okstate.edu or by phone at 405-200-7947.
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 ABLE Tech
Oklahoma State University
1514 W. Hall of Fame
Stillwater, OK 74078
Phone: 800.257.1705
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