Misc. Resources:H.B. 708: Distance Learning for Disabled Persons Accessible Assistive Technology in Eduction: New Mexico's Trailblazing Law A Very-Quick-&-Very-Dirty Overview to File Formats and Accessibility Post Secondary Assistive Technology Directory Related Programs |
Spring 2001
|
|
BILL NUMBER |
TITLE |
STATUS |
|
House Bill 450 |
Enforcement on Private Property of Restrictions on Parking Spaces for the Disabled |
signed |
|
House Bill 672 |
Special Motorcycle Plates for Disabled Persons |
signed |
|
House Bill 671 |
Determining Medical Necessity for Health Care Services |
pocket veto |
|
House Bill 869 |
Limitations on Home Value Increases for Elderly and Disabled |
died |
|
Senate Bill 26 |
Appropriation to UNM to Implement Accessibility Services to Students With Disabilities |
died |
|
Senate Bill 163 |
Appropriation to Benefit Persons With Disabilities |
died |
|
Senate Bill 745 |
Income Credit to Small Businesses Making Modifications to Comply with the ADA |
died |
En un fin decepcionante para una sesión legislativa exitosa, la solicitud de NMTAP de la cédula 2 por $535,000 bajo la división de rehabilitación vocacional para un programa de prestamo de asistencia tecnológica para personas con discapacidades, fue vetada por el gobernador Johnson después de ser aprovada por las dos casas y el senado. El gobernador Johnson suprimió $40 millones de articulos de línea en la cédula de presupuesto del 2001, prometiendo que no aprobaría el plan de gasto propuesto sin seguridad de que la legislatura pasaría su recomendación de deducción de impuesto personal.
Otras cédulas de credito que ayudan a gente con disca-pacidades encaró una suerte similar, como se demuestra en la "Tarjeta de puntuaje legislativa". Un pequeño analisis de cédulas relacionadas con personas con dashabilidades demuestran que aquellos que no llevan una etiqueta de precio fueron excentos de este veto.
En una junta privada con el gobernador Johnson un día antes de que hiciera sus cortos presupuestarios, la representante Sandra Townsend (R-Farmington) patrosinadora de la cédula de NMTAP, junto con el director de NMTAP Alan Klaus, y la consejera Katie Norton abogaron por su caso, pero fue claro para todos aquellos que atendieron que la opinión del gobernador Johnson estaba tomada y no había posibilidad de una negociación. "Tan pronto como empezamos nuestra discusión sobre los méritos de nuetro programa, el gobernador Johnson empezó a comentar sobre el por qué decidió cortar virtualmente todos los pertenecientes al crédito especial del presupuesto.
"Se miraba muy contrareado acerca de los niveles de gasto propuestos por la legislatura y presentó su decisión como una de tantas y sintió que no tenía otra opción" dijo Alan Klaus.
El crédito de NMTAP de $535,000 fué la incrementación de su programa garantizado de prestamo financiero. Esto hubiese provehido al estado con fondos igualitarios para un crédito federal para la compra de tecnoligía auxilar para gente con discapacidades.
El senador Maes, quien patrosinó la legislatura similar en el senado, prometió que con la ayuda de la representante Townsend, ellos podrían tener la cédula de vuelta en el despacho del gobernador en la siguiente sesión legislativa.
NMTAP is pleased to announce that assistive technology ("AT") evaluations are available for a limited time only at no cost to New Mexicans with disabilities who are not able to pay for AT evaluations. This project, in collaboration with the New Mexico Protection and Advocacy System ("P&A") is another example of NMTAP's commitment to reach population groups, such as seniors, who traditionally have been underserved.
Here's how it works. First, a thorough evaluation is conducted through a one-on-one interview between the person with a disability and an AT evaluator. The evaluator will then produce a written report with specific recommendations for AT equipment. The clients can then choose among the devices, software and/or hardware which are appropriate to help them increase their quality of life and ability to be independent.
In order to qualify for these free evaluations, a person must submit medical documentation of his/her disability. For more information about this project, please contact Caroll Cadena of NMTAP at (800) 866-2253.
Through its low interest, guaranteed financial loan program, NMTAP helped William Watson, and his sister Mary Landrum who is his primary caregiver, with the purchase of a used modified van in November of last year. According to Ms. Landrum, her brother has had three strokes that they are aware of, the last of which confined him to a wheelchair in February of 2000.
Ms. Landrum had been using an accessible public transportation van to take her brother to his medical appointments. However, after missing three appointments due to late pick-ups by the van, Ms. Landrum decided it was time for them to find some accessible transportation of their own. She was tired of having to reschedule the doctor visits so she and her husband contacted Highland Conversion Vans in Albuquerque. Highland Conversions then referred them to NMTAP for help with purchasing a used vehicle that had already been converted for use by a person in a wheelchair.
After working with NMTAP's I&R Specialist Caroll Cadena, the Landrums borrowed $4,500 and were able to purchase a 1987 Dodge Van with a wheelchair lift. "It has changed my brother's entire outlook," says Ms. Landrum. "My brother used to stay in his room alone all the time. Now we get him out visiting our other brothers. He really enjoys the ride and likes to talk about what he sees along the drive. Not too long ago he was able to attend our younger brother's surprise birthday party, watch him open presents, and have fun with the rest of the family."
RESNA (Rehabilitation Engineering And Assistive Technology Society of North America) is an interdisciplinary association of people with a common interest in technology and disability. Its purpose is to improve the potential of people with disabilities to achieve their goals through the use of technology.
RESNA's 2001 conference, titled, "The AT Odyssey Continues" will be held Friday June 22 through Tuesday June 26 in Reno, Nevada. Therapists, suppliers, researchers, rehab engineers, special educators, access specialists, manufacturers, advocates, end-users, and program managers will come together to share their knowledge and expertise to fulfill a common mission - providing the best and most cost-effective technology to the people who need it.
Among other events, the conference will include: Instructional Courses , Scientific Program-Platform, Interactive Poster, and Computer Demonstration Presentations, Computer and Environmental Control Tech Labs , Research Symposium on Telecommunications , and a ATP/ATS Credentialing Exam.
For questions on any part of the conference contact RESNA, 1700 N Moore St, Suite 1540, Arlington, VA 22209; 703/524-6686 x306 or x313 or visit their website at www.resna.org.
NMTAP's new database, called EN@BLE, is designed as a web-based information management system to track loan equipment, to follow-up on requests for services as well as measure outcomes of program activities.
EN@BLE will integrate into one system three of NMTAP's most popular consumer services: Intake and Referral, the ABLE Loan Bank, and Funding and Eligibility Assistance. The model for the database follows the current procedures at NMTAP in which a person requests assistance from NMTAP (intake), NMTAP staff makes an effort to help that person (service) and then there is some sort of closure (outcome).
Under this new system, some of NMTAP's services will be accessible to the public via standard internet browsers. Consumers will benefit both in ease-of-use and in timeliness of information from this upgraded communication tool. Those with e-mail will be able to receive immediate communication from program staff regarding the status of their service requests.
EN@BLE will also be used in the following ways: 1) as an internal database that NMTAP will use to track consumer requests and outcomes, 2) in a network configuration, allowing multiple-users to serve consumers and support the database content, and 3) as a public, interactive, web-based resource that has the ability to track and measure the intake-service-outcome model, and provide consumer funding access reports for specific AT needs.
On March 7, NMTAP's Statewide Coordinating Council heard the results of the 2001 consumer satisfaction survey. The annual telephone survey was conducted between January 17, 2001 and February 7, 2001 with consumers who had contacted NMTAP's Information & Referral services between February 1, 2000 and January 17, 2001. Three hundred and ninety-eight (398) people were called from NMTAP's database of 509 eligible consumers. Researchers contacted 125 people who completed the survey, reflecting a 24.5% response rate.
Over ninety percent of the respondents (91%) also indicated that information they received from NMTAP was either "extremely," "very," or "somewhat" useful. Fifteen percent (15%) said the information they received was "extremely" useful, 41% said it was "very" useful and 35% said it was "somewhat" useful. Ninety-eight percent (98%) of the clients contacted indicated they would call NMTAP again if they have needs.
NMTAP, through a $9,500 contract with the Zia Chapter of the Paralyzed Veteran's of America (PVA), recently provided significant upgrades for computer hardware and software available from the Zia PVA loan bank for New Mexico veterans with disabilities. For more information, contact Zia PVA at (800) 597-5580.
Kathy McWhorter, Director of the Navajo-ABLE and Laguna-Acoma Technology Projects recently established an office on site at the Laguna Middle School. Since much of Kathy's time is spent in the field, this move made great sense: she could cut down on travel time and spend more time with the students on the Navajo Nation and Pueblos.
Kathy has contracted with several people to work on the American Indian multi-disciplinary teams that provide assistive technology assessments and identify assistive technology solutions for American Indian children and youth with disabilities.
Diane Boehm is a physical therapist who is working with Kathy on the Navajo Nation as part of the Navajo-ABLE project. Susan Mason is an occupational therapist (OT) who has relocated from Nashville and is also providing services on the Navajo Nation.
Tatiana Abras, also an OT, will work on both programs, along with Julie Bisbee of Aztec, NM, a Speech-Language Pathologist who specializes in Augmentative Communication. Julie sometimes involves her dog, Monk, who is a certified Therapy Dog.
Monk officially helps Julie work with non-communicative or language delayed students in the Aztec School System. Maybe he'll be coming to your school system someday!
To contact Kathy at her new office or to request assistance, please call (505) 552-9091 or NMTAP's toll-free number at (800) 866-2253.
Julie Roybal has worked as a government intern here at NMTAP for the past four years. She will be graduating from New Mexico Highlands University on May 5, 2000 with a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science with an emphasis in Law & Spanish. Julie hopes to pursue her Master's Degree in Political Science.
In her letter of resignation to NMTAP, Julie acknowledged the impact her experience with NMTAP has had on her:
Over the past four years, I've grown very fond of NMTAP. In our day-to-day operations, I've become proud of being part of a program whose individuals and products are leaders in technology for people with disabilities. These four years have been a very positive experience for me, and I will truly miss all of you.
As we say good-bye to Julie Roybal, we are also happy to recognize two other NMTAP staff members. Julie Vigil joined NMTAP in January as the new Administrative Secretary for the program. A resident of Espanola, Julie comes to NMTAP with twelve years of experience in state government.
Lorie Gulley was promoted from Administrative Secretary to Management Analyst and is responsible for the ABLE loan bank, the new EN@BLE web-based management system (see story on page 4) and contracts. Lorie has an Assistive Technology certification from RIATT, a UNM affiliated program.
If you are looking for assistance with adding an access ramp into your home, the San Juan Center for Independence will build and install ramps for people with disabilities. To apply for services or to learn more about the program, please contact Tom Peoples at the San Juan Center via their toll-free number (877) 484-4500 or NMTAP at (800) 866-2253. This program is available on a first-come, first-serve basis, and was funded by the New Mexico Technology Assistance Program.
Effective January 1, 2001, the state of New Mexico established a new Medicaid category of eligibility to cover disabled working individuals, who because of earnings, previously could not qualify for Medicaid. To qualify for this Medicaid category, a person must, among other criteria: 1) meet the SSA criteria for disability, 2) be age 18 or older, 3) have "countable" resources of less than $15,000, and 4) have earned income of less than 250% of the poverty level.
For more information about this program, a complete list of requirements, and a list of Income Support Division Offices, please contact Project SUCCEED at (800) 318-1469, or visit their website at www.SUCCEEDVR.com.
