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Oklahoma ABLE Tech
AT News You Can Use
April, 2018
April 2018 Edition Online Now!
In this issue:
- AT Online Curriculum: Available Now!
- AT Support Team Training: Spring Sessions Complete
- Success Story: DIY Slant Board with Rails
- Case Study: Seating Options for Student with ADD
- Device Feature: Modular Hose Two-Arm Tablet/iPad Holder
- Transition: OTC Webinar Series
- TechAccess OK 2018: Save the Dates!
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AT Online Curriculum: Available Now!
ABLE Tech has launched a new Assistive Technology (AT) Online Curriculum for educators to learn at their own pace from their home or school. The online curriculum may be used in place of, or in addition to, in-person workshops.
The curriculum features 7 courses:
- Overview
- Assistive Technology and the Law
- Introduction to Assistive Technology
- What is QIAT (Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology)
- Assistive Technology Consideration
- Assistive Technology Assessment and
- AT in the IEP.
Educators will receive certificates upon completion of each course.
http://okabletech-atcurriculum.org/
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Spring Sessions Complete
Congratulations to the Beggs and Latta AT Support Teams for being chosen to receive an AT Awards of $250 worth of assistive technology for students in their district. The teams qualified by completing all assignments related to their participation in the AT Assessment Part 2 and AT Implementation workshop, held Feb. 15. (See the Success Story the Beggs Team submitted below.)
Participating teams have one more chance to win! The final drawing will be held April 19 for teams who attended the March 29 AT Feature Matching and AT Funding workshop. To qualify for the random drawing, teams must complete all assignments by April 17, including a success story which will be used in an upcoming edition of AT News You Can Use.
If you missed this year’s workshops, no worries! We are now developing plans for next year’s training lineup, which will include repeat performances as well as new topics. We invite you to sign up for our waitlist to be notified when the training schedule is announced. Click here to be added to the waitlist.
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DIY Slant Board with Rails
 Our Guy “K” is a walking miracle. We did not expect him to walk, much less communicate in the timeframe that he has. K has the gift of stubbornness that has served him so well to this point, which brings us to where we are now: participating in the general education classroom, learning kindergarten-level concepts, but not able to control a writing utensil of any type.
We have attempted using text to speech with an iPad app, but believe there is a vision issue that has yet to be addressed (probable Cortical Visual Impairment), and word boards may be too busy for him at this time. K wants to write like his classmates, so white boards and dry-erase markers seem to provide the bulk he needs for his hand. When working hand-over-hand with K, one can feel that he knows his letters and numbers; he just does not have the muscle control as he uses his shoulder to write, not his hand/wrist.
 Using K's insistence on working like his peers, we are supporting him in his handwriting using low tech, while he is building English Language Arts skills and until he is able to use a synthesized speech program. We started with a white board and dry-erase markers, fashioning wooden rails to control his vertical strokes of the marker. We still support his hand at the wrist or lightly over the top of his hand. Doing this is how we discovered K could spell and make sentences!
We have since attached rails to a slant board and slipped his classroom papers under the rails so he can complete teacher's handouts, as well as write messages to communicate to those he cares about. (See the photo of K telling his para that he loves her for the first time.)
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 “This young man is now writing (with moderate hand support) to his family, telling them he loves them. At school, he tells his para that he loves her and even brought her flowers for Valentine's Day (see photos and try not to cry; we did). This AT, though low tech, lets him participate in classwork with his peers in the Gen Ed classroom. He does not want to stick out and be different at this time, and is happy with what we have provided. Happy Mama, Happy Teachers. Happy, Happy, Happy!”
- Kellie Mount, Beggs Public Schools
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This Trial Loan Success Story was submitted by the Beggs AT Support Team. They received an AT Award of $250 in assistive technology to benefit students in their district. Congratulations Beggs Team!
Has assistive technology helped someone you know? Share your story! Submit our Online Success Story and Photo Consent Form.
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Seating Options for Student with ADD
 This student has ADD without the hyperactivity component. He has an average IQ but has difficulty performing to that level due to difficulty staying focused on teacher lectures and taking notes. Because of these difficulties he performs poorly on assignments and tests. He loves animals and would like to be a veterinarian but knows he won’t be accepted to vet school if his grades don’t improve.
Possible Recommendations:
Students with difficulty focusing can benefit from a seating and positioning strategy that encourages alertness. Adding a Disc-0-Sit to his chair may help. If that doesn’t help, the student may need a completely different type of chair such as a Zuma Rocking Chair, Wobble Chair, T-Stool, or Sit-N-Gym ball. Another option to help him be more alert is a variable-height desk, which would allow the student to alternate between standing and sitting.
Sample solutions available in the ABLE Tech Short-Term Loan Inventory:
ABLE Tech provides case studies as examples for educators considering assistive technology (AT) for students with disabilities to help them reach their educational goals. Visit AT Discovery for feature matching solutions based on the Student, Environment, Task and Tools (SETT) framework developed by Dr. Joy Zabala.
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Modular Hose Two-Arm Tablet/iPad Holder
 The Modular Hose Two-Arm Tablet/iPad Holder is great for use with wheelchairs, tables, and other locations where a tablet may need to be moved into multiple positions. This tool is a flexible solution featuring dual spring clamps with 2" opening and adjustable tablet holder for tablet computers measuring diagonally between 7.5" and 12.75".
Works with Apple iPad, Microsoft Surface, Samsung Galaxy, Amazon Kindle, Sony Xperia, and tablets from Dell, Barnes & Noble, Lenovo, Asus, and more!
Designed for tablets weighing 2 lbs. or less.
Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price: $109
Purchased from: Modular Hose
Click to see Modular Hose Two-Arm Tablet/iPad Holder in ABLE Tech Device Loan Inventory
Each week ABLE Tech features one of the many assistive technology devices available for trial through our short-term loan program. Our inventory offers a wide range of AT for communication, computer access, hearing, vision, daily living, environmental adaptations, learning/development, health, safety, and recreation.
Search our Device Loan Inventory!
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Transition: OTC Webinar Series
 The Oklahoma Transition Council (OTC) is offering a series of webinars to help educators prepare students for the transition from high school to community living, employment and post-secondary education. The webinars are free, but registration is required.
Click here to register for OTC Transition Webinar Series
OTC Webinar Schedule
Ed Plan and Transition
March 29
9-10 a.m.
Presented by: Lori Chesnut, Oklahoma State Department of Education
Community Resources
May 8
9-10 a.m.
Presented by: Joni Bruce & Angela Donley, Oklahoma Family Network
LifeCourse Tools
July 18
9-10 a.m.
Presented by: Wanda Felty, University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities & Heather Pike, Oklahoma Family Network
If you have questions, please call Jenifer Randle, Youth Advocacy & Training Coordinator, at 405.521.4964 or email Jenifer.Randle@okdhs.org.
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TechAccess OK 2018: Save the Date!
Oklahoma ABLE Tech is thrilled to announce TechAccessOK 2018 at the Skirvin Hotel in OKC. For the third year, TechAccessOK will bring in some of the best accessibility experts from across the United States. The 2-day workshop/conference, to be held June 28 and 29, is a great opportunity for our strong technology accessibility community to network.
The format for 2018 is similar to 2017. On June 28th we will have a PDF Accessibility workshop, once again with Bevi Chagnon from PubCom. This will be a full day event with limited seats available.
On June 29th we will have a more traditional conference format with sessions running throughout the day. In fact, our "Call for Proposals" is still open – enlighten the crowd with your experience and knowledge!
We've listened to your feedback and more sessions are planned that focus on the how-to's of web accessibility. Our full program announcement is coming soon!
More information is available on the TechAccessOK 2018 website!
**Attention Educators! To learn more about how you can take advantage of mileage reimbursement, click here.
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Need funding to assist in the purchase of assistive devices? Oklahoma ABLE Tech offers a comprehensive online guide for Oklahoma Funding for AT. Additionally, ABLE Tech, in partnership with Oklahoma Assistive Technology Foundation (OkAT) and BancFirst of Stillwater, offers Financial Loans to purchase assistive technology. Several programs of funding are available, all with LOW interest rate and flexible repayment terms, as well as special qualification opportunities for applicants who might not qualify for a traditional bank loan. For questions on the Financial Loan opportunities, call Shelley Gladden for more information at 800-257-1705.
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| Linda Jaco, Director
Oklahoma ABLE Tech
Oklahoma State University
1514 W. Hall of Fame
Stillwater, OK 74078
Phone: 800.257.1705
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Kimberly Berry, Assistive Technology Teacher
Oklahoma ABLE Tech
Oklahoma State University
1514 W. Hall of Fame
Stillwater, OK 74078
Phone: 800.257.1705
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