Exploring Assistive Technology

Services in Georgia

Liz Persaud and Ben Jacobs with contributions by Daphne Brookins, Carolyn Phillips, Martha Rust, and Rachel Wilson

Tools for Life

VNHS December 2014

www.gatfl.gatech.edu

Hope

Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if

you just show up and try to do the right thing, the

dawn will come.

Anne Lamott

AMAC

AMAC Accessibility is a social

change organization on a

mission to create affordable

services for governmental,

private and non-profits

organization working with

individuals with disabilities.

Services include e-text, braille,

captioning, assistive technology,

office management software and

consulting.

Accessibility Made Smart

AMAC creates practical solutions that work, with a focus on utility, ease of use, and high

quality.

• Accessibility Consulting focuses on organizational accessibility needs with

evaluation, technical assistance, customer support, and website accessibility solutions.

• Braille Services produces customized projects from both print materials and electronic

text including partial books and chapters or graphics only using cutting-edge

technology.

• Captioning Services makes classrooms, meetings, labs and other audio

environments fully accessible for deaf or hard-of-hearing.

• Professional E-Text Producers provide high-quality e-text in many formats such as

PDF, DOC, DAISY, and HTML.

• Certified Assistive Technology team provides on-site and remote assessments,

demonstrations, training and technical assistance for education, work, and daily living

environments.

• For more information, please visit our website at www.amacusg.org

Tools for Life Mission

We’re here to help Georgians

with disabilities gain access to

and acquisition of assistive

technology devices and assistive

technology services so they can

live, learn, work, and play

independently in the

communities of their choice.

• TFL developed Georgia’s Plan for AT • We serve individuals of all ages & all disabilities in Georgia

• Over 50,000 thru various activities throughout the year

• TFL Network • Assistive Technology Resource Centers

• Lending Libraries

• Training and Demonstrations

• AT Reuse

• AT Funding Education/Assistance and Resources

• Online Resources • www.gatfl.gatech.edu - 5,000 unique visitors a month

Tools for Life

Georgia’s Federal AT Act Program

Join us for Upcoming Webinars

and Visit our Archives!

Tools for Life Online Professional Development

• Tools for Life offers online professional development to help you learn

more about assistive technology strategies and solutions as well as the

most recent information on AT devices and disability related issues and

trends.

• Webinar content and materials are developed and presented by one of

the Tools for Life team members along with other regional and national

leaders in the assistive technology community.

• TFL presents live webinars on the last Wednesday of every month from

2:00 PM to 3:30 PM EST, unless otherwise noted.

To sign up for the TFL mailing list visit www.gatfl.gatech.edu

TFL Network

Come Visit Us

Tools for Life AT Demo Lab

• Tablets

• Vision Items

• DME

• Communication

• Games

• Software

• Switches

• Keyboards

Assistive Technology

Services

• Any service that directly assists an individual with a

disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive

technology device.

• Includes: – Evaluating

– Providing devices

– Selecting, Designing, Customizing

– Maintaining, Repairing

– Coordinating

– Training/Technical Assistance –student, family and school service providers

• Public Law 105-394 [29 USC 2201]

Staying off the FAST Track!

Frustration

Anxiety

Stress

Tension

Multidisciplinary Evaluation

HATT/SETT Framework

• Identify human/student

needs

• Determine

activity/environmental

demands and resources

• Define the tasks that the

student must perform

• Recommend tools,

technology, or techniques

that will address needs SETT – Joy Zabala

QIAT/HATT – Cook & Hussey

Exploring AT Solutions

Assistive Technology Device

...any item, piece of equipment or product that is used to increase,

maintain or improve functional capabilities of individuals with

disabilities. - Public Law 105-394 [29 USC 2201]

Low/No-tech

• pencil grip

• adapted books

• slant board

• highlighters, tape

• magnifiers

• color coding

• read to out loud

• picture schedule

• strategies for memory

• colored transparencies

• Proof readers

• note taker

Mid-Tech

• word prediction

• text to speech

• speech to text

• spell checkers

• talking calculators

• digital recorders

• organizers

• e-books

• adapted keyboard

• adapted mouse

• adapted toys

• CCTV

• apps under $100

High-Tech

• computer/laptops

• tablets/phablets

• smartphones,

• smart pens

• OCR scanner/software

• magnification software

• speech output devices

• switch, joystick access

• scanning access

• voice recognition

• environmental

control devices

• apps over $100

What is Assistive Technology?

Low Tech AT Devices

Low Tech Solutions

• Built up grips

– Variety

– Create your own using tennis balls

• Larger / thicker pencils

• Electronic Spellers

– Franklin Spellers

Low Tech Solutions for

Writing

Writing Solutions: – “The Penagain takes a novel ergonomic approach to ink

pen design. The body of the pen is shaped like a "Y"

creating a cradle for the index finger to rest in.”

http://ergonomics.about.com/od/buyingguide/fr/frpenagai

n.htm

– Wide barrel pens can make it easier for some people to

write due to their contoured shape. With a Fat Ergonomic

Pen there’s more surface area to grip which makes it

easier to write.

AnyBook Anywhere

• Use to record your voice reading

the story

• 200 hours of recording

• Works with any book

• Store recordings on a virtual library

• Share collections with friends

• $79.99

• www.franklin.com

Meal Solutions

Bendable Utensils

• easier to put food on

• easier to put food into

mouth

• do not have to twist

wrist

• build up eating area

Liftware Spoon

• Calibrates to tremors

from ataxia or other

neurological disabilities

• Machine washable

Poor Sitting Posture

• Inhibits blood flow

• Creates muscle shortening

• Stresses back muscles and compresses spine

• Can inhibit learning

• Compresses diaphragm

– Affects breathing

– Voice quality

Tilt Tables/Desks

• Positioning materials

improve visual access

• Promote upright trunk

posture

• Improve head posture

Desktopdesk.com; $375

Positioning Matters

Heated Mouse

• Warms hands

• Good for someone with

arthritis or MS

• High/ low/ off for heat

• Low voltage; safe for

computer use

LED Handheld Magnifier

• Handheld

• LED light provides

natural bright lights

• Easy storage

• Reading

• Sewing

Magnifiers

Switch Access

Logitech Wireless Touch Keyboard

• Wireless control

• Low-profile keys

• Range of up to 33 ft

• 3.5 inch multi-touch/gesture

touchpad

Dragon NaturallySpeaking

• Speech recognition

software

• Control your computer

with your voice

• Works fast, 99%

accuracy

• Dictate documents

• Search the web

• Precise and quick

training

Automatic Feeder

• Mealtime Partner

• Different mounts

• Battery operated

• Bowl tops controls amount

of food

• Control Pause time

between spoonful

• Adjustability of the spoon

TOBII Eye Mobile

• Hands free access to

Windows 8 Tablets

• Navigate, communicate,

play using your eyes

• Supports Switch and

Touch Inputs

• Small and Lightweight

Tracking Trends

Human Factors & Aging

Lab

More on Human Factors &

Aging Lab

Robotics

VGo Telepresence Robot

• Enables a person to

replicate themself in a

distant location and

have the freedom to

move around as if

they were physically

there.

• Reduces travel costs

• School

• Hospital

• Work Remotely

Vgo Website

Kubi

• Dock your tablet for

remote pan and tilt

controls

• See and interact with

people during a

conference call

• Use any Video Client:

Skype, FaceTime,

Google Hangout, etc.

• Cloud Control

Environmental Controls

http://getvera.com/controllers/veralite/

User Interfaces

Vera gateways can be controlled with a number of

different interfaces.

• First Party Software

– PC

– MAC

– Smartphone App

• Third Party Software

– Smartphone Apps

– TASKER! (Android only)

Tasker

Tasker is a phone automation application that allows you to

really unleash your android device’s capabilities.

Tasker in a nutshell is a program that tells your device “When

this happens, do this!”

• “When something is plugged into the headphone jack, open

my music app”

• “When I open the navigation app, turn GPS on”

• “When my phone is connected to this cell tower, turn on wifi

and connect to my home wifi”

More on Tasker

Plugins for Tasker allow you to access other

features of your phone and interface with other

internet connected devices.

• Autovoice – Allows you to set up custom voice

commands and turn always listening on

• Autocast – Enables you to control a Chromecast

device on your TV

• Autovera – Interfaces with your Vera gateway

Google Glass

• Wearable Technology

• Bluetooth Connection

• Navigate

• Make a Call

• Send a Message

• Take a Picture or Video

• Get the News

• Search

• Google Play Music

• Google Now

• Be Social

• Internal Compass

• $1500

The Future of this OS is

Limitless

• Google has the futuristic ambition and the funds

to take Android to unprecedented heights. In

many areas, such as predicting what users will

do next.

• Google Now knows that in the morning you’re

getting ready for work and will tell you about the

traffic.

Google Now

Know Your

Tablets & Apps

Apple iPad/ mini iPad

Multi- touch screen

New iOS 7

Millions of apps

Surf web

iTunes

Videos

Organization

Accessibility

Books

Photos

Speakers

New iPad had 5.0 megapixel camera

Starts at $499/$399 and mini $329

iOS 8 - Fall 2014

Samsung Galaxy Tab 3

• Android System

• 7, 8, or 10 in screen

• Camera

• Micro card

• Wi-Fi

• USB for computer

• Some built-in

accessibility app

– Download others

• Starts at $199.99

Surface Pro 3

• Pro

– 30 day trial of MS

Office

– Ability to download

software

• Open 3 Windows

• Tiles

– Start screen

TFL AppFinder

Search by:

App Name

Categories – Book

– Education

– Environmental Adaptations

– Hearing

– Cognition, Learning,

Developmental

– Navigation

– Personal Care and Safety

– Productivity

– Communication

– Therapeutic Aids

– Vision

Umano

• News read to you by

real people

• Make a playlist of

articles

• Download to listen to

offline

• Upgrade to premium

for $3.99/ month

• Free

BARD Mobile

• Access directly to the National

Library Service for the Blind

and Physically Handicapped

(NLS)

• Must be registered

• Can use with braille display

• http://www.loc.gov/nls/find.html

• Free

USA Today

• Current Events in order

• Breaking News Alerts

• Videos

• Photos and Text

• Pick Favorite Interests

• Free

SkyGrid

• Personalize news

events by categories

• Simple interface

• Free

• www.skygrid.com

Cozi

• Free

• You can access from a computer, smartphone or tablet

• Manage a family calendar and set reminders. – Add an appointment and it uploads to your Cozi account so everyone can see it.

• Get your grocery shopping lists when you're at the store, even when offline.

• Add a to do list item right when you think of it and have it right there in your

pocket to remind yourself.

• Jot down a memory as it happens in the journal. – Add a photo from your library to capture the moment.

• Add and edit non-repeating calendar appointments, shopping lists, and to

do lists while offline.

Grocery IQ

• Pictorial shopping list

• Customize different lists for

different users using pictures

on camera roll

• Add your own items and

categories

• Assign item prices

• Assign item locations (for

example, aisle numbers)

• Several accessibility options

– text-to-speech

– uses large easy-to-see images

– item prices automatically totaled

• $4.99

Picture Scheduler

• Create visual tasks with

attached audio, video or

picture

• Tasks can have alarms

• Alarms can be repeated

daily, weekly, monthly or

you can select specific

weekdays

• Tasks can be organized

into categories with a

picture

• Can hide task and reveal

later

MyMedSchedule

• Keep track of medication

• Reminders

• Refill Reminders

• Healthcare Provider

Profiles

• Insurance Information

• Allergies

• Works across Platforms

• Free

• www.mymedschedule.com

Key Ring

• One Place to store all

reward cards

• Organized

• Android & Apple version

• www.keyringapp.com

• Free!

Sleep Cycle

• Tracks your sleep patterns

• Uses iPhone

accelerometer to track

how often you move at

night

• Set an alarm range

• Woken up gradually when

you are in like sleep

• Feel refreshed and

energized

• $2.99

Speak it!

• Copy emails,

documents, web

pages, PDF files, and

more; paste them into

Speak it!, and have the

text spoken back to

you.

• Email text to speech

files

• Endless phrases and

possible uses

• $1.99

http://www.proloquo2go.com/resources/article/introductory-videos

Proloquo2go

TouchChat

• Designed for individuals with

Autism, Down Syndrome, ALS,

apraxia, stroke, or other

conditions that affect a

person's ability to use natural

speech

• Able to import your own

pictures or take pictures

• Works on Apple and Android

systems

• Over 10,000 symbols included

• Create videos

• $149

Dragon Dictation

Voice Recognition

Free

Dictate notes, emails,

Twitter, and Facebook

Supports many

languages

Cut, Copy, Paste

Android

Dragon Go!

Dragon Hands Free

Assistant

EyeNote

• Uses built in camera

to scan dollar bills

• Speaks out loud

– Distinguished btw front

and back of bill

• Free

• Supports English and

Spanish

• Privacy mode

– Pulses or beeps

BrailleTouch

• Prototype app for touchscreen mobile devices

• FREE Open Source app

• 32 words per minute with 92% accuracy with the prototype app for the iPhone

• Use of the six-key configuration so that the keyboard fits on the screen and users keep their fingers in a relatively fixed position while texting

• GA Tech Researchers

• Type with screen facing away

• Braille like typing

ZoomReader

• OCR app

• Ai Squared

• Read back in a

natural voice

• Customizable

highlight colors,

synthesizer, text size

and speech rate

• Low vision users

• $19.99

• ZoomReader

Favorite Navigation Apps

Around Me

Identifies where you

are

Lists what is around

you

View route to place

from where you are

Add information to

contact list

Talk and Drive Waze

Operate your map

applications simply by

talking

Launch the application,

say your destination

Breathe2Relax

• Portable stress

management tool

• Detailed information on

the effects of stress on

the body

• Instructions and practice

exercises to learn the

stress management skill

called diaphragmatic

breathing

Pandora

• Internet radio

• Create custom

stations based on

genre

• Free

iZen Garden

• Choose from 100s of

objects, plants and

creatures to place in your

garden

• Rake the sand and share

your creations

• Helps you to center your

mind, relax your psyche

and relieve your stress

The Need for Alternative Funding

• Funding is the greatest barrier for individuals with disabilities to acquire assistive technology

• Third party funding sources are not increasing and their eligibility criteria are narrowing

• Traditional credit financing for assistive technology has not been available for individuals with disabilities

What to do when someone needs AT?

• Many agencies are “payers of last resort”

• Develop an AT Funding Plan

• Determine which equipment is needed as a

medical necessity, which is needed for

educational purposes, which is needed to reach

vocational goals, etc.

• There is no agency that can pay for all AT.

• Leverage and toggle all resources!

Get AT

TFL Network and AT Funding

Opportunities

Friends of Disabled Adults and Children

FODAC

• With a strong network of volunteers and partners, FODAC

provides refurbished equipment and services for disabled adults and children to improve their overall quality of life.

• FODAC provide free or low-cost wheelchairs and other durable medical equipment, vehicle and home adaptations and more.

• FODAC’s programs include:

• Durable Medical Equipment – wheelchairs and mobility aids

• Ramps for Champs – home access ramps and modifications

• ReMount – wheelchair and scooter lifts for vehicles

• Disposable medical equipment – catheters, braces, liquid nutrition, etc.

• www.fodac.org

Dollars & Sense

• Web-based Funding Guide

• A resource for locating funding sources for AT devices

and services.

• This guide was developed to make the funding process

easier and to assist consumers in getting the assistive

technology they need.

• New resources added frequently!

Dollars & Sense Funding Guide

Dollars & Sense: Getting Started

Dollars & Sense: Search

Dollars & Sense: AT Terms

We Need Your Feedback!

• We are actively working on updating Dollars &

Sense

• What would you like to see in this funding guide?

• What can we do to improve this important tool?

gTRADE

• FREE resource for finding and exchanging assistive technology (AT) devices online

• Place an ad requesting items for sale, donation, or needed

• gTRADE encourages members to offer AT devices and information for sale or by donation to others who may benefit from using technology and equipment no longer in need by others

• www.gtradeonline.org

gTRADE

Georgia’s Alternative Financing

Program for Assistive Technology

Credit Able

Financial Partner

Credit-Able Program Criteria

To receive a Credit-Able Loan you must be:

• A resident of Georgia

AND

• An individual with a disability OR

• A family member or legal guardian of an individual with a disability

OR

• An employer of an individual with a disability

• Able to pay back the loan

• Using the loan to buy assistive technology equipment and services

Range of Loans, Terms, and

Interest Rates

• Range of Loans Approved: $250 to $55,000

• Length of Loans Approved: 6 months to 8 Yrs

• Interest Rates: 5.0 % - 9 %

The Bottom Line: YOU Save Money!

Traditional Financing

• $2,000

• 22% (rate of average credit

card)

• 3 year term

• Monthly payment = $76.38

• Total interest paid = $749.71

Credit-Able Financing • $2,000

• 5.4%

• 3 year term

• Monthly payment = $60.30

• Total interest paid = $170.86

Total interest saved: $578.85

Medicaid and AT Funding

Resources

Naomi Walker, J.D.

Special Counsel for Assistive Technology

Georgia Advocacy Office

150 E. Ponce de Leon Ave., Suite 430

Decatur, GA 30030

(404) 885-1234

(800) 537-2329

www.thegao.org

Telecommunications Equipment

Distribution Program

Provides a variety of specialized telecommunications equipment

to qualified applicants who have difficulty using a standard

phone for FREE.

Eligibility:

• Meet income eligibility requirements for your household size

• Be certified by a healthcare professional as deaf, hard of

hearing, deaf-blind or speech disabled.

• Have phone service in your home.

• Be a resident of that state and at least five years old.

• www.tedp.org

GACHI

GATEDP operated by GACHI

4151 Memorial Drive #121-C

Decatur, Georgia 30032

404-297-9461 V/TTY

888-297-9461 V/TTY

www.gachi.org/gatedp

Georgia Lions Lighthouse:

Eyeglasses and Exams

• The Lions Lighthouse has a mobile clinic that visits 23

sites throughout Georgia. At each clinic, qualifying

individuals can receive eye exams and glasses.

• Full dilated eye exam (performed by either an

ophthalmologist or optometrist).

• One pair of eyeglasses every 3 years.

• Follow-up care for chronic eye conditions

Georgia Lions Lighthouse:

Hearing Program

• The Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation provides

hearing aid assistance for low-income Georgia residents.

• Up to 2 digital hearing aids from Unitron or Beltone

• A 3 year service warranty on the aids

• One set of ear molds

• 4 appointments to an approved Lighthouse provider

GA Liions Lighthouse

Brain & Spinal Injury Trust Fund

Commission

• Direct grant to Georgians with traumatic brain and spinal injuries

• For home mods, transportation, computers, personal support services, and recreation

• Use to “buy down” the purchase price of these items, then finance the rest at affordable Credit-Able rates!

BSITF

Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund

Commission

2 Peachtree St NW

Suite 26-426

Atlanta, GA 30303

404-651-5112

888-233-5760

www.bsitf.state.ga.us

Private Grants

Friends Of Man

• 100% donations, providing food, clothing, medicine, DME, AT, eyeglasses, hearing aids and prosthetics. No dental coverage outside of Colorado per residency requirements.

• Referrals must come through a professional.

• applications@friendsofman.org

• www.friendsofman.org

Joni and Friends

Christian Fund for the Disabled

• Funds for AT, rehabilitation, special treatment, educational opportunities

• $2,500 limit

• www.joniandfriends.org

Texas Center for the Visually

Challenged

• A computer refurbishing program averaging of 350-400 pc's per year with grand total of 3500 distributed to date.

• Individuals can apply from the US and Canada; www.handicapability.org

GiveTech

• A non-profit organization based in San

Francisco, CA that gives computer input devices to individuals who can not input in traditional ways on computers.

• www.givetech.org

Starkey Hearing Foundation

• Hear Now is Starkey Hearing Foundation's

domestic, application-based program committed

to assisting those permanently residing in the

U.S. who are deaf or hard of hearing and have

no other resources to acquire hearing aids.

www.starkeyhearingfoundation.org

Starkey Hearing

Foundation

Questions

Contact

Carolyn Phillips

Director, Tools for Life

Carolyn.Phillips@gatfl.gatech.edu

Daphne Brookins

AT Funding & Resource Specialist

Daphne.Brookins@gatfl.gatech.edu

Ben Jacobs

Accommodations Specialist

Ben.Jacobs@gatfl.gatech.edu

Disclaimer

This presentation is produced by Tools for Life which is a result of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as amended in 2004. It is a program

of the Georgia Institute of Technology, College of Architecture [COA], AMAC and is funded by grant #H224C030009 of the Rehabilitation

Services Administration (RSA), Department of Education. The contents of this presentation were developed under a grant from the

Department of Education. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, Georgia Tech,

COA or AMAC and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal government.

Liz Persaud

Training, Outreach and Development

Coordinator

Liz.Persaud@gatfl.gatech.edu

Martha Rust

AT Specialist

Martha.Rust@gatfl.gatech.edu

Rachel Wilson

Tech Match Specialist

Rachel.Wilson@gatfl.gatech.edu