Summer 2004
Volume XIII, Issue 1
A.T. Life Reporter
A Newsletter about Assistive Technology for People with
Disabilities
Bill to Reauthorize State Assistive Technology Programs Making its Way
Through Congress
House Bill 4278, the “Improving Access to Assistive Technology for
Individuals with Disabilities Act of 2004,” has made it through its
first two hoops, passing the U.S. House Subcommittee on 21st Century
Competitiveness on May 13 and the U.S. House Committee on Education &
the Workforce on May 19. The bill, which was approved in both committees
by voice vote with no recorded opposition, reauthorizes the assistive
technology state grant programs such as the New Mexico Technology Assistance
Program (NMTAP). This legislation will help ensure more individuals
with disabilities receive the resources they need to achieve and maintain
a high quality of life.
“States have done a good job establishing the infrastructure to distribute
assistive technology,” said Howard P. “Buck” McKeon, (R-CA),
lead sponsor of the bill and chairman of the sub-committee, “This
reauthorization is an opportunity to build on their successes and help
guarantee that more technology goes directly to those who need it.”
The assistive technology state grant program was first enacted in 1988
as a 10 year program to provide states funds to establish an infrastructure
for increasing access to, and distribution of, assistive technology devices.
Despite the sunset provisions contained in the law, states have continued
to receive these grants pending the next reauthorization. This bill would
authorize continued funding for state AT projects like NMTAP for fiscal
years 2005-2010.
Under the reauthorization approved by the committee, states would choose
between two conditions for assistive technology state grants. States would
be required to: use 60% of assistive technology state grants on direct
aid programs including a require-ment to allocate some of that funding
to alternative financing programs and assistive technology device loan
programs; or use 70% of assistive technology state grants on direct aid
programs but have full discretion on how to allocate funds for one or
all four of the following programs: assistive technology reutilization
programs, assistive technology demonstration programs, alternative financing
programs or device loan programs.
H.R. 4278 was headed to the House floor for final passage after the Memorial
Day recess. As of press time, no action had been taken.
El Congreso está Revisando el Proyecto de Ley para la Reautorización
de Programas Estatales de Tecnología Auxiliar
El Proyecto de Ley de la Cámara de Representantes 4278, llamado
“Acto de Reforma del Acceso a Tecnología Auxiliar para Individuos
con Discapacidades de 2004”, ha logrado sobrepasar sus primeros obstáculos,
recibiendo aprobación del subcomité sobre Competitividad
en el vigésimo primer siglo de la Cámara de Representantes
de los EE.UU. el día 13 de mayo y de la Cámara de Representantes
de los EE.UU. sobre educación y el cuerpo hábil el 19 de
mayo. El proyecto de ley, el cuál fue aprobado en ambos comités
por voto de voz sin oposición documentada, reautoriza a programas
para tecnología auxiliar estatal para como lo es el programa para
auxilios tecno-lógicos de Nuevo México (NMTAP). Esta ley
legislativa asistirá en la aseveración de un mayor número
de individuos con discapacidades reciban los recursos necesarios para
lograr y mantener una mejor calidad de vida.
Declaró Howard P. “Buck” McKeon, (R-CA), principal patrocinador
del proyecto y presidente del subcomité, “Esta reautorización
les proveerá la oportunidad para fortalecer sus éxitos y
ayudará directamente a garantizar un aumento en la cantidad de
tecnología para aquellos quienes más la necesitan”.
El programa de dotación estatal de tecnología auxiliar
se promulgó por primera ocasión en 1988 como un programa
de 10 años, con el fin de proveer recursos financieros estatales
para establecer la infraestructura necesaria para incrementar el acceso
a, y distribución de, aparatos de tecnología auxiliar. A
pesar delas exigencias para probar la necesidad de existencia (sunset
law) contenidas dentro de esta ley, los Estados continúan recibiendo
estas dotaciones en espera de la siguiente reautorización. Éste
proyecto de ley proveerá autorización para la continuación
de fondos para proyectos estatales de tecnología auxiliar cómo
NMTAP para los años fiscales 2005-2010.
Bajo la reautorización aprobada por el comité, los Estados
tendrán la oportunidad de escoger entre dos opciones para recibir
las dotaciones estatales de tecnología auxiliar. Se les requerirá
a los Estados: utilizar un 60% de sus dotaciones estatales de tecnología
auxiliar para programas de ayuda directa, incluso se les requerirá
repartir algunos de los recursos financieros a programas de financiamiento
alternativo y programas de préstamo de aparatos de tecnología
auxiliar; o utilizar un 70% de sus dotaciones estatales de tecnología
auxiliar para programas de ayuda directa, pero podrán tener discreción
completa sobre cómo asignar los recursos financieros para uno o
todos las siguientes programas: Programas de reutilización de tecnología
auxiliar, programas de demo-stración de tecnología auxiliar,
programas de financiamiento alternativo ó programas de préstamo
de aparatos.
H.R. 4278 fue entregado a la Cámara de representantes para su
aprobación final después del receso por el Día de
los Caídos en Guerra (Memorial Day). Al punto de esta redacción,
no ha habido acción tomada al respecto.
Supreme Court Rules for the Disabled
On May 18, 2004 the Supreme Court upheld the rights of persons with disabilities
by ruling that a paraplegic who crawled up the steps of a small-town Tennessee
courthouse could sue over the lack of an elevator. It was a major civil
rights victory for the disabled, and came as a surprise to many in light
of repeated Court rulings limiting the effect of theAmericans with Disabilities
Act (ADA).
”New Mexicans must applaud Governor Bill Richardson and Attorney
General Patricia Madrid for their commitment to individuals with disabilities;
New Mexico submitted a brief to the Supreme Court arguing for the rights
of individuals with disabilities. DVR welcomes the ruling. We have a long
history of advocating and leading efforts for the rights of people with
disabilities,” Dr. Catherine Cross Maple, Assistant Secretary for
Vocational Rehabilitation, New Mexico Public Education Department.
A View of AT From the Recently Appointed Assistant Secretary for Vocational
Rehabilitation
 We
spoke recently with Dr. Catherine Cross Maple, the Assistant Secretary
for Vocational Rehabilitation, about her background with, interest in,
and ideas about assistive technology.
With a strong background in special education, beginning as a classroom
teacher and progressing to administrative positions dealing with special
education and other policy issues, Dr. Cross Maple has seen the growth
of assistive technology within the disability community. In her role at
DVR, she’s focusing now on how AT can be used to accommodate the
needs of the disabled both on the instructional level at schools and in
the employment field for adults.
Dr. Cross Maple remembers when AT was in its infancy and newly emerging,
“I remember when, as a classroom teacher and later developing IEPs
for students with disabilities, that we would just dream about some of
the innovations in AT that are now a reality. I’ve seen AT progress
from its infancy, moving through numerous stages, to where it is now.”
Reminiscing about the years when AT devices were homemade, Dr. Cross
Maple said, “Years ago, much of the AT in New Mexico was built –
by hand – in Bob Weathered’s shop in Albuquerque. Now, the field
has become so diverse, who knows where it will lead? But I do believe
that AT innovations will ultimately benefit the population as a whole.”
Universal Accessibility: Just One Aspect of the CASA Program
 The
inventors of the Internet recognized the impact World Wide Web would have
on persons with disabilities and subsequently developed a web accessibility
software tool designed to help expose and repair barriers to accessibility
and encourage compliance with existing accessibility guidelines. The software
is called “Bobby” – the nickname for a British Police Officer.
Here in New Mexico, Evelyn Martinez, who joined the CASA program in March
2004 to job-share the Directorship position with Karen Courtney Peterson,
is working with 2-year community colleges in New Mexico to promote knowledge
and acquisition of accessible Electronic and Information Technology. Evelyn
is also working with the colleges to develop accessible websites. Once
a website is accessible, it will bear the stamp of accessibility-approval:
Bobby Approved. To cite just one example, some of the best-looking websites
may be useless to persons who have visual impairments because many graphics
or tables are not translatable by a screen reader.
One of Evelyn’s responsibilities is to help community colleges improve
their knowledge of accessible information technology (IT) in education.
In addition to her work with websites, Evelyn wants to see college personnel
trained in various accessibility tools so they can be aware of the different
accessibility needs and so they can in turn train a person with a disability
to also use it. Another goal of the project is to assist colleges in the
development of policy to ensure accessible IT within its educational environment.
Other examples of commonly-found barriers to accessible IT found in schools
are: e-mails between teacher-students that may not be accessible, homework
assignments that need to downloaded, with files that either cannot be
read by screen readers or contain files that are too big to be accessed
or videotaped instructions with no captioning. With a background in the
field of deafness, Evelyn first worked in the Career Assessment Center
at the NM School for Deaf, and for the past three years was Community
Access and Education Program Manager at the NM Commission for the Deaf
and Hard of Hearing Persons.
CASA has also established Individual Site Projects with Animas Public
Schools, Estancia Municipal Schools and Northern New Mexico Community
College. Together with Information Technology, Special Education and Administrative
personnel, our staff is working to create websites, computer-based, and
distance learning courses that can be readily used by those students utilizing
assistive technology to access information. Evelyn and Karen will first
be implementing these programs in New Mexico and will eventually take
them to these other states in the region: Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma,
and Texas.
Remembrance of Ross Sweat, Former DVR Director
It was with great sadness that we learned of the death of our former
DVR Director, Ross Sweat. He died May 27, 2004 of cancer of the
bladder. Ross was the Director of the Agency when I first started
over 14 years ago. It was during his tenure that the Blueprint for Success
was completed and the Personnel Policies and Procedures Committee was
formed, encouraging the involvement of Agency staff from all parts of
the State and in all positions, enhancing Agency ownership and pride on
the part of every employee.
He truly was a wonderful boss in his great regard for all of us.
He was also an icon for many of us, having achieved the highest position
in the Agency after his accident, which left him a quadriplegic, being
successfully rehabilitated by DVR, becoming a VR Counselor, a Supervisor,
and then Director. He cared very much about people in general, and
about the mission of our agency and the people we serve. He had
a wonderful sense of humor, and was very personable. He was also
responsible for the infamous, memorable Statewide Staff meetings in Ruidoso.
With him passes an era.
New Mexico Tech Fair 2004
 NMTAP,
in collaboration with Adelante TechWorks, Developmental Disabilities Planning
Council and Long Term Services Division, hosted our first annual Tech
Fair 2004 on Friday April 30 and Saturday May 1 at the Workforce Training
Center in Albuquerque.
The Tech Fair brought consumers and professionals together with assistive
technology vendors and services providers. About twenty vendors were on
hand to demonstrate their products and services.
In addition to exhibitors, there were breakout sessions covering a variety
of topics including environmental adaptations, accessibility features
on your computer, seating and positioning, leisure and recreation and
making furniture with PVC pipe, to name just a few.
Dr. Mary Keener Beresford, PhD, director of the Governor’s Committee
on Disability gave the keynote address. She was introduced by Dr. Catherine
Cross Maple, our new Assistant Secretary for Vocational Rehabilitation.
Andy Winnegar spoke on Federal Initiatives that affect Assistive Technology.
The two-day event drew attendees from all over New Mexico, with over
two hundred in attendance on Friday. Based on feedback from participants,
the Tech Fair was a success as 95% of the attendees stated that the Tech
Fair met their expectations and will use the information learned from
the sessions. Other comments included: “Good variety of topics,”
“Good ideas for low cost options,” “The items displayed
and their use and how the presenters described the items was very helpful.”
 We
are already busy making plans for next year’s event which will probably
be scheduled for the fall of 2005. We hope to draw even more exhibitors
next year and have a number of presenters covering topics of interest
and relating to assistive technology.
So stay tuned and we’ll keep you informed as to the progress of
next year’s event.
NMTAP & DVR Help with Transportation to Work
Ms. Susan Lange and her son Josh Lange were helped through a coordination
of services by NMTAP and DVR to purchase an accessible van to help Josh
get to work. Ms. Lange contacted The New Mexico Technology Assistance
Program and through the low interest, guaranteed, financial loan program
with First State Bank they were able to purchase a 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan.
This is just another example of funding for adaptive modifications through
the loan program.
Josh is living with progressive mitochondrial disorder and uses a Jazzypower
chair with a tilt and reclining seating system. Three days a week, he
works at High Desert Family Services in Albuquerque, goes to therapy appointments,
attends support groups and many social activities.
Ms. Lange said, ”The van is incredible! Thank you so much for helping
us get it.“
If you are interested in obtaining a loan, contact Caroll Cadena at (800)
866-2253 or visit our website at: www.nmtap.com to download a loan application.
NM Tele-Work Loan Program Coming Soon. . .
Tele-Work provides the opportunity for an individual to work from home
or from a remote location. A “remote location” as defined by
Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) is an employment site in
a rural area away from the main employer location. Tele-Work centers are
usually found in urban areas such as Chicago and Washington, DC. In New
Mexico most individuals who perform Tele-Work are engaged in work for
profit from home and may actually be self-employed.
Starting in July 2004, this program will provide the opportunity for
New Mexicans with disabilities to secure needed equipment for home based
businesses or employment in remote locations. The New Mexico Technology
Loan Council (NMTLC), as a Community Based Organization will administer
all funds for the NM Tele-Work Loan Program. CAREERS staff, experts in
the concept of self-employment, will provide technical assistance and
NMTAP staff, experts in assistive technology, will provide information
and referral services.
The NMTLC is currently planning their first meeting for July 2004. The
NMTLC will be composed of nine members, the majority being persons with
disabilities and parents or guardians of persons with disabilities. Other
members will be representatives from the lending industry, the small business
centers, NMDVR and the Commission for the Blind. The NMTLC will also represent
the diverse cultures within New Mexico. We are currently seeking persons
with disabilities interested in being a part of this council.
The NM Tele-Work Loan Program through the NMTLC and a contracted lending
institution will allow individuals with disabilities who need or wish
to work from home for profit to borrow funds at a low interest rate to
purchase necessary business equipment. Loans for home modifications will
be considered on a case-by-case basis. Counselors will be available to
assist applicants with small business planning, consumer credit counseling
and advice on the latest technology to accommodate them at their Tele-Work
location.
This is a great opportunity for New Mexicans with disabilities to become
more independent as they explore and find success in an employment option
that most meets their skills and challenges. For more information, contact
Denise Tierney, Careers Director www.dvrgetsjobs.com.
Limitations on Wheelchair Purchases: An Opportunity
During testimony to the U.S. Senate in April of 2004, representatives
from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) provided evidence
of financial savings and improved quality of wheelchair selection when
they required Physical Therapy evaluations for wheelchair prescriptions.
New Mexico is now attempting to save Medicaid dollars by limiting replacement,
repair and type of wheelchairs. Rather than limiting purchases of wheelchairs,
why not improve the quality of this assistive technology for persons with
disabilities and save money, too?
If the New Mexico Medicaid regulations included a change to require a
wheelchair evaluation by a qualified Physical or Occupational Therapist
including seating and positioning, not only would the State save money
on wheelchair purchases, but also the quality of those purchase would
increase. This approach to cost savings for the Medicare program is supported
by the many in the disability community. Also recommended and consistent
with the proposed rule change for Provider Policy #754.53 entitled, “Special
Requirements for Purchase of Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Devices,” the Physical Therapist and/or an Occupational Therapist
may not be wheelchair vendor or under the employ of a wheelchair vendor
or wheelchair manufacturer.
The New Mexico Technology Assistance Program is prepared to assist with
training of therapists in wheelchair selection and wheelchair seating
and positioning evaluations. There has always been a need to increase
the State's capacity in wheelchair seating and positioning and we
should take advantage of this opportunity.
NMTAP is interested in providing additional training to New Mexico Physical
and Occupational Therapists so as to increase the number of therapists
who are competent to perform wheelchair evaluations and seating and positioning
assessments . NMTAP will soon be sending out a questionnaire to PTs and
OTs to get feedback to help design a program that most effectively meets
local training needs. So, be on the lookout for the questionnaire, take
a minute to fill it out ,and please send it back to us promptly so that
we can design a training program with your needs in mind.
Computer Long-Term Loans Available
The ABLE Loan Bank at NMTAP has desktop computers available to persons
with disabilities for long-term loans of six months duration. The desktop
computers have Windows 2000 and Microsoft Office 2000 Professional installed.
What a great opportunity!
For more information, call Lorie Gulley at (800) 866-2253 or via e-mail
at lgulley@state.nm.us. To qualify for this program, participants must
follow ABLE procedures, which are found on-line at www.nmtap.com.
2004 AT Conference of the Rockies
At the June 2004 Collaborative Assistive Technology Conference of the
Rockies, NMTAP's Lorie Gulley and Connie DeHerrera presented a workshop
on Ergonomics/Assistive Technology in an office/classroom setting. The
workshop covered: Ergonomics and Assistive Technology, and how they interrelate
in the classroom/office setting. Combining these two philosophies addresses
the needs of the worker and student to create a dynamic setting in public
schools and other changing work environments. Lorie and Connie will also
be helping out with the Adaptive Home Modifications Display, specifically
the office. The adapted home is available for conference participants
to walk through a simulated home and classroom with adaptations to try
out assistive technology devices.
|
