Business Leadership NetworkTuesday Talk 1-1-12

Off the shelf solutionsLow-tech options for the workplace!

"For people

without

disabilities,

technology

makes

things

easier.

For people

with

disabilities,

technology

makes

things

possible.”

A program of the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University

FOR INFORMATION contact:

PIAT - Pennsylvania’s Initiative on Assistive Technology

411 S Student Center

1755 N 13th StreetPhiladelphia, PA 19122

Tel: 800-204-7428 (voice)

866-268-0579 (TTY)

Fax: 215-204-6336

Email: ATinfo@temple.edu

Web: www.disabilities.temple.edu/piat

Your presenter today is…

Ann Dolloff, CTRS, M.Ed.Assistant Directoradolloff@temple.edu215-204-0452

Betty & Lucille

And your other presenter is:

Jamie A. Prioli, RESNA ATPAT SpecialistJamie.Prioli@temple.edu215-204-5974

Savanna, Chip, Maddy and Toby

WHAT IS ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY?

Assistive Technology

• Device– “any item, piece of equipment, or product system,

whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities” (AT Act of 1998, as amended).

• Service – "any service that directly assists an individual with a

disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device" (AT Act of 1998, as amended).

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Assistive Technology - aka:

• Adaptive equipment• Adapted devices• Accommodations• Modifications

Range of AT Devices

• Low Tech: Inexpensive, easy to learn, easier to get, make and replace

• Mid-Tech: May cost more, have special design, need batteries or electricity, may take time to learn

• High-Tech: Costs a lot, takes longer time to learn how to use, and will need someone else’s help to learn and use

The Scope of Assistive Technology• Communication• Seating and Positioning• Power Mobility• Manual Mobility• Mobility Aids• Assistive Listening• Vehicle Modification

• Leisure/Recreation/Play• Worksite Modification• Home Modification• Learning Aids• Environmental Controls• Vision Aids• Self Care/Activities of Daily

Living

DOOHICKIES, THINGAMABOBS AND WHATCHAMACALLITS

What is this? How can it help you do something?

What’s this?

A. Dog toyB. Sock dressing aidC. Gardening toolD. I have no idea

Sock Dressing Aid

http://www.activemotionhealth.com $12.00

What’s this?

A. Ball with screw & holeB. Child’s toyC. Not something to use as a dog toyD. Writing Aid

Arthwriter

http://www.allegromedical.com $10.00

Tennis ball

Arthwriter as pencil grip

Arthwriter as a spoon grip

What are these?

A. Tools to help my dog eatB. Tools to help me eat

Nosey Cup & Plate Guard

http://www.rehabmart.com $10-20.00

What’s this?

A. MatsB. DycemC. PaperD. Dog hair

picker-upper

Dycem…or use shelf liner!

http://www.dycem-ns.com/ $25.00+Favorite Discount Store…..$1-5.00!

What are these?

A. Pipe insulation and wash clothsB. Wash cloths and pipe insulationC. Stuff my dog chews when home alone

Pipe Insulation & Washcloths

Make great grip build-up on devices used dailyPurchase a home supply or discount store

What’s this?

A. Hair curlersB. More stuff my dog chews

Foam Hair Curlers

take out the plastic insert, and use the foam as a grip build-up!Purchase a discount or drug store.

What’s this?

A. ContraptionB. Something I trip on when left on the floorC. Seat lifterD. Something that scares my dog

Uplift Seat Assist

http://upliftproducts.com/$100-150.00

What’s this?

A. Soft frisbeeB. Flat pillowC. Swivel seatD. Another dog chew toy

Swivel Seat for cars and chairs

http://www.maxiaids.com $25-30.00

What’s this?

a. Dog food scoopb. Cat food scoopc. People food scoopd. Milk carton holder

Milk or Juice Carton Holder

http://www.independentliving.com/prodinfo.asp?number=318301$5.95

What’s this?

A. Foot massagerB. One more thing my dog can chewC. Computer mouseD. Remote control

Kensington Trackball Mouse

http://www.kensington.com/kensington/us/us/p/1444/K64327F/orbit%E2%84%A2-optical-trackball.aspx

$29.99

What’s this?

A. Plastic ringB. Shower curtain ringC. Dog tag holder

Zipper Pull or Key Turner

Insert shower curtain ring into zipper pull or key opening for better leverage and manipulation! Dollar or discount store!

What’s this?

1. Broken keyboard2. One more thing to learn how to use3. Ergonomic keyboard

Goldtouch Ergonomic Keyboard

http://www.goldtouch.com/p-65-goldtouch-adjustable-keyboard-putty.aspx

$99.00

What’s this?

A. NotebookB. Picture of a notebookC. Notebook full of pictures

Communication Notebook!Notebooks can be found at office supply or discount stores, and symbols can come from software such as Boardmaker, or you can make your own with real pictures or other symbols!

How do I decide what assistive technology is needed?

Requires consideration of the:

PERSON + ENVIRONMENT + TASKWhat activity does the person want to do?What skills are needed to do the activity?What skills does the person have to do activity?What supports exist to help learn a new way?

Where is this activity done and under what conditions?

How do I decide what assistive technology is needed?

Need to know:1. Activities – FUNCTION!2. Assistive Technology Devices and

Services3. Environments

4. The person’s abilities

Important Activities in the Workplace

• Computer access• Telecommunications• Organization• Task completion• Interaction with colleagues• What tasks are challenging? Is there a tool to help do the

activity better, safer, more independently, and/or efficiently?

Barriers to Participation

• Attitudes – I am too “whatever” to work– I can’t do it

• Hard to learn how to use – I couldn’t learn the skills or how to use the devices

• Costs too much money– I can’t afford the devices

• Don’t know what’s out there – I never knew that existed!

HOW AT CAN HELPThe obvious, not-so-obvious and the downright creative use of devices!

Telephones

CapTel Phone

Large button phone with visual signaler

TTY

Picture Phone with large buttons

Telephone Headsets

Cordless Amplifier with Headset

Amplified headsets

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Assistive Listening

Pocket Talker

Personal FM system

Alerts & Signalers

Strobe Signaler

Combo Super Loud Phone Ringerand Strobe Signaler

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iPad

• Easy to use – immediate feedback when touched, engaging

• Lots of apps – 500,000+• Simple to use but requires

training!

Magnifiers

Bar MagnifierDome Magnifier

Hand & Stand Magnifier

Illuminated Magnifier

Magnified Lamp

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Lighting with Magnification

Floor lamp with magnifier attached

Magnifying lamp

Video Magnifiers

ONCE PVO handheld magnifier Desktop full screen magnifier

Communication Tools

Talking picture frame

Picture album

Talking photo album

Daily Assistance / Household

Jar opener with handle

Extender for easier use of a key

ReacherRocking knife with grip handle

Cooking ActivitiesOXO Products with built-up grips

Gardening

Pistol grip gardening tools

Gripping cuff to hold tool

Talking Products

Talking Tape Measure Talking Calculator

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Built-In Accessibility Features

• Both Microsoft and Macintosh have built-in accessibility features to address many disabilities, such as screen reading, magnification, color contrast.

• Go to http://www.microsoft.com/enable/ or http://www.apple.com/accessibility/ for more information.

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Keyboards

Big Keys Keyboard

Keys-U-See Keyboard

Flexible & Waterproof Keyboards

Alternative Pointing Devices

Kessington Expert MouseOff-table track finger mouse

AirMouse Finger Glove

RESOURCES FOR LEARNING ABOUT ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY DEVICES

PA’s Initiative on Assistive Technology (PIAT)

• AT device demonstrations – Learn about how AT device or group of devices can help at

home or in the community. Demos provide an overview to help older adults make informed decisions about what AT devices they may want or need

• AT device short-term loan– Short-term loan of AT devices – “try-before-you-buy”, and

allows older adult to use the device at home or in their community

www.disabilities.temple.edu/piat

Catalogue Resources • Dynamic Living Aids: www.dynamic-living.com • MaxiAids: www.maxiaids.com • Independent Living Aids:

www.independentliving.com• Active Forever: www.activeforever.com

Catalogue Resources

• Lillian Vernon: www.lillianvernon.com • Harriet Carter: www.harrietcarter.com • Sky Mall: www.skymall.com • Dr. Leonard’s: www.drleonards.com

RESOURCES FOR OBTAINING ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY DEVICES

Funding by the Employer

• First option that should be considered ids the employer.

• Employers are required to pay for assistive technology, equipment and other accommodations , if the request meets the criteria for a reasonable accommodation under the ADA.

• Costs can be offset!

ADA Small Business Tax Credit

• Applies to businesses with 30 or fewer employees or $1,00,000 or less per year in total revenue.

• Tax credit for the cost of accommodations provided to an employee with a disability.

• Tax credit covers 50% of eligible expenditures up to $10,000 (max. credit $5,000 per year)

• www.irs.ustreas.gov

Work Opportunity Tax Credit

• Work Opportunity Tax Credit - WOTC is available to employers for hiring individuals from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

• Employers can receive a tax credit of up to $2,400 per individual hired.

• Many people with disabilities meet the criteria for WOTC, including all recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and all clients of state Vocational Rehabilitation agencies.

Vocational Rehabilitation Services• The state Vocational Rehabilitation agency (VR) may

pay for assistive technology, equipment, or other accommodations for individuals who qualify for VR services.

• Contact regional VR office to determine if VR can pay or identify other funding options.

• For more information visit http://www.portal.state.pa.us and click on Department of Labor & Industry / Office of Vocational Rehabilitation

Veterans Affairs• If the individual with a disability is a veteran, or a

dependent of a veteran, they may be eligible for funding from the Veterans Administration (VA).

• The VA is specifically authorized by law to pay for devices and assistive technology for people with disabilities.

• Contact your local Veterans Affairs Office, listed in the government pages of the phone directory, or the national office at (800) 827-1000

Telecommunication Device Distribution Program – TDDP

• Purchases adapted telephones at no cost to eligible Pennsylvanians

• Telephones for hearing loss, vision loss, memory challenges, and lack of ability to dial

• FREE Phones for land lines!!!• For an application, call 1-800-204-7428 or go

to http://www.disabilities.temple.edu/tddp/

PA’s Reused & Exchanged Equipment Program (REEP)

• Used (sometimes new!) devices for reuse• Often free, but maybe for sale • May be directly exchanged between individuals

through a classified listing service or website• For more info on PA’s REEP activities, go to:

http://disabilities.temple.edu/reep/

PA Assistive Technology Foundation – PATF

• PATF provides low-interest loans, at a reduced interest rate, specifically for the purchase of AT devices and services

• Priority is to make obtaining AT affordable• Device under $1,000 – interest-free loan• Home & vehicle modification, hearing aids• Contact: www.patf.us

Questions?

Thank you foryour attention

and participation!