TAPPING TECHNOLOGY
"A quarterly publication of the Maryland Technology Assistance Program"
March 2009
Martin O’Malley, Governor - Anthony G. Brown, Lt. Governor
Catherine Raggio, Secretary - George P. Failla, Jr., Deputy Secretary
To build a better life, you need the right tools
PROVIDING INDEPENDENCE AND OPPORTUNITY THROUGH ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY
In This Issue:
Director’s Message - Why Not A Super Giga Multi Nano Accessibility Gismo?
At MD TAP we are often asked two questions about what type of technology people should have or should buy. But, before I go further, I should say that I love technology andwould like to have one of everything thank you. In fact, were it not for the realities of finances, I'd have at least one and perhaps more of each new device that comes on the market. But, back to the real world…The two big technology questions weare asked are "What kind of computer should I buy?" and "Should I buy the new (fill inthe blank)?"
It seems to me that these two questions miss an important point. Almost every computer or piece of assistive technology is useful to someone. The more important question is, "Is it useful to me?" So, before evaluating any particular assistive technology or computer, you should step back and say "What do I want to do?" If, for example, you decide that you want a computer to read email and surf the web, you canprobably get by with something very inexpensive (under $300 new). On the other hand,if you need that computer to run Windows Vista, manage speech to text applications,and have a wide screen for enlarged print, you are now probably closer to the $1,000 price. In other words, once you know what you want to do, the answer to what type of equipment you should have is much easier to figure out.
First, begin by carefully listing the tasks that will help you identify the technology you have to choose from and eliminate products that provide things you do not need. For instance, many people use less than 5 percent of their computer’s true capacity. Once you have your list, you will be armed against the sales person with the newest Super Giga Multi Nano Accessibility Gismo. And although the newest Super Giga MultiNano Accessibility Gismo may be great, it may do far more than you actually need. So,in these economically difficult times, don't give up your technology, just figure out the basics first.Michael Bullis
Executive Director, MD TAP.
MD TAP Recycles Grant Funds While Providing Free Communication Devices
After suffering a traumatic brain injury in June 2003, nursing home resident IanHodges was unable to speak or communicate any of his needs. However, through the coordinated efforts of nursing home staff and various organizations and agencies throughout the state, including the Voice for Freedom Project, Ian is now living onhis own and communicating his needs with his family, friends, and caretakers.
Run jointly by the Maryland Technology Assistance Program and The Freedom Center, theVoice for Freedom Project provides augmentative communication devices to individualswith disabilities who cannot communicate using traditional speech, are living nnursing homes but want to re-enter the community. The program also allows individuals to receive communication devices much earlier in the transition and rehabilitationprocess than what would be allowed through Medicaid. Voice for Freedom allows individuals with disabilities to communicate preferences, coordinate services, andultimately plan the transition into the community. For Ian Hodges, receiving his communication device from The Freedom Project made itpossible for him to express his desire to leave the nursing home, coordinate his services and make his transition a reality.
In order to receive his Dynavox, Ian was evaluated by a speech-language pathologist(SLP) who made a recommendation to the Voice for Freedom Project. The Project then coordinated with another organization, the Assistive Technology Cooperative, to get adiscount on the purchase price of the Dynavox. Once it was purchased, the SLP programmed the device, trained Ian on its use and had it mounted to his wheelchair foreasy and convenient access. Working with a service coordinator thru the Coordinating Center, Ian was able to utilize the Living at Home (LAH) Waiver to identify accessible housing and nursing services. And with the ever-present guidance of his father, John Hodges, Ian was able to pursue the transition with a renewed sense of vigor.
In November 2008, Ian’s transition was complete when he moved from the nursing home to a fully accessible apartment in Montgomery County.With his hopeful and optimistic enthusiasm, Ian has seen this transition as the first step to greater opportunities. If you ask Ian what the process has been like using adevice that requires him to identify symbols to represent what he needs to express, he exclaims “Very easy!” And now that he is living on his own, with daily assistance from his father and nursing staff, Ian has revealed that his next big goal in life is to“go back to school.”
About the Voice for Freedom Project
The Voice for Freedom Project is a joint partnership project run by the Maryland Technology Assistance Program and the Freedom Center. The goal of the project is toprovide augmentative communication devices to individuals with disabilities so theycan communicate preferences, coordinate services, and eventually move into the community. Through an arrangement to provide the augmentative communication devices asan AT Provider, The Freedom Center and MD TAP can receive reimbursement for device purchases, thus allowing the program to recycle funds to purchase additional devicesand create a sustainable, long-term integral program for Marylanders with communication disorders. For more information on this program, please call theMaryland Technology Assistance Program at 1-800-832-4827 or the Freedom Center at 301-846-7811.
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Your Questions & Your Answers
Assistive technology questions come into the MD TAP office on a daily basis. Here are some answers to the most commonly asked questions.
Q: I’ve been trying to locate a recycled stair lift for my mother’s house. After hip surgery, she uses a wheelchair and needs a way to get from the first floor to her bedroom on the second floor. She’s on a fixed income and can’t pay full cost for alift. What resources are available to help her get a free or low-cost lift?
A: Finding donated stair lifts can be difficult for a number of reasons. First, theyare typically custom cut to the individual number of steps, height of steps, and slope of stairway. Stair lifts also can be bulky and difficult to donate because many organizations don’t have the space to store them. This can make it difficult to identify organizations that can receive and/or donate these lifts. However, there are still a few resources that may be helpful in locating a stair lift.MD TAP runs a FREE online classified ad website specifically for assistive technology called the Equipment Link - www.equipmentlink.org. This website allows people to post assistive devices including stair lifts, scooters and a range of other items that theyare selling. This is a great resource to identify low-cost, recycled assistive technology.
Additionally, MD TAP runs the AT low-interest loan program, a financial loan program making it possible to purchase AT at a discounted interest rate, typically one pointor more below prime rate. Lastly, we recommend that consumers call local churches to see if anyone has donated equipment to them. And depending on the nature of the disability, many national organizations (such as the MS Society or Muscular Dystrophy Association) can provide small grants to individuals for needed equipment & services if the person fits the scope of the grant parameters.
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AT Spotlight – Aids for Daily Living
With Spring just around the corner, many national organizations are launching their monthly awareness campaigns, including national arthritis month, international MS month, and many more. In honor of these awareness campaigns, MD TAP would like to focus on a variety of assistive aids for daily living. Aids for daily living (ADL’s) are low-tech, and often lower cost, devices that make it possible for someone to complete daily tasks, such as showering, cooking, getting out of bed, and more. Anyone can benefit from these and almost anyone can use aids for daily living.
- What are some examples of ADL’s?
- Reacher
- Large remote control
- Weighted utensils
- Large-key telephone
- One-handed rolling scissors
- Long-handled hair brush
Aids for daily living can be purchased through a variety of catalogs and companies.But they can also be easily made at home. For example, adding some rubber tubing to aspoon handle can make it easier for someone with limited hand grip to more easily hold and use the spoon. The possibilities for ADL’s are endless and the solutions are oftenfound through necessity and creativity.
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Other Maryland News… Military Reservist And Service-Disabled Veteran No-Interest LoanProgram
The Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED) in consultationwith the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) are currently accepting applications for a no-interest loan via the Military Reservist and Service-RelatedNo-Interest Loan Program for the following categories:
- A business owned by a military reservist or a National Guard member called to Active Duty.
- A Small Business that employs a military reservist or National Guard member called to Active Duty.
- A Service-Disabled Veteran.
- A business that employs a Service-Disabled Veteran.
The purpose of the program is to provide financial assistance to disabled veterans and activated members of the armed forces reserves and Maryland National Guard and tosmall businesses that employ members of the armed forces reserves or Maryland National Guard members that are called to active duty. For more information, eligibility details about the program and to obtain anapplication, please visit www.mdva.state.md.us/state/employment.html or contact:
Robert C. Sharps (Bob)
Director, Outreach and Advocacy
Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs
(410) 260-3842, bsharps@mdva.state.md.us
www.mdva.state.md.us
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Upcoming Events
You can find MD TAP staff out in the community this Spring. Look for our booth and AT at the following events:
- Cecil County Resource Conference - March 7
- Howard County Veterans Muster - March 14, Howard Community College
- ARC of MD Annual Convention - April 17-18, Hunt Valley
- Frederick County Veterans Muster - April 25, American Legion Post #11
- World of Possibilities Expo - May 6-7, Timonium
MD TAP’s New Email Newsletter- Better Than Ever! - MD TAP is now offering Tapping Technology in a new email format that is both accessible and easy to access. If you’d like to “go-paperless” and receive TappingTechnology electronically, please send an email to lmarkland@mdtap.org with the message “Email newsletter” in the subject line. Please provide your name and email address in the body of the email. You may also call MD TAP at 1-800-832-4827.
Alternate formats are available upon request
(disk, Braille, audio cassette, email,large print).
Contact Lori Markland at lmarkland@mdtap.org for additional requests or information.
MARYLAND TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
2301 ARGONNE DRIVE, ROOM T-17, BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 21218
VOICE 1-800-832-4827 TTY 1-866-881-7488 FAX 410-554-9237 WEBSITE www.mdtap.org
Visit us online for up-to-date information on trainings, events, and newly posted publications www.mdtap.org
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