Winter 2004
Volume XIII, Issue 4
A.T. Life Reporter
A Newsletter about Assistive Technology for People with
Disabilities
New Mexico Tele-Works and AFP Loan Programs
coming soon.......
Starting in the Spring of 2005, new loans will be available 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.
The CAREERS Project, administered through NMDVR Program Development and
Support will provide technical assistance in the area of self-employment
and will assist with program operations. NMTAP staff, experts in assistive
technology, will provide information and referral services.
The NMTLC is composed of nine members, the majority being persons with
disabilities and parents or guardians of persons with disabilities. Other
members are representatives from the lending industry, the small business
centers, NMDVR and the Commission for the Blind. The NMTLC also represents
the diverse cultures within New Mexico.
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. We encourage you to contact
your local legislative representatives to support Representative Heaton's
HB321 and Senator Rodriguez SB406 that will provide funding for Telework
Loans. For more information about the NM Tele-Work Loan Program and the
CAREERS Project contact Denise Tierney, denise.tierney@state.nm.us or
visit our website at www.nmcareers.org
The Alternative Finance Mechanism Assistive Technology Loan program is
new and is operated by the San Juan Center for Independence. The consumer
based not for profit has $600,000 in their permanent AFP account for low
interests consumer loans. Sherry Watson SJCI Executive Director is working
with Representative Tom Taylor to increase the fund to almost $1.7 million
with the additional state and federal funds. We hope you will put in a
good word for both the AFP and the Tele-Work programs.
Review of Medicare Wheelchair Policies
The Centers For Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced in December
2004 that it was opening a National Coverage Determination (NCD) to review
its criteria for wheelchair coverage under Medicare, as part of a three-pronged
effort to make sure patients get the care and equipment they need and
providers are properly paid, while curbing abuse.
According to Sean Tunis, M.D., CMS' Chief Medical Officer, "the
goal is to focus on a set of characteristics that are evidence-based and
will better predict who will benefit from a power wheelchair or scooter".
Your input is needed, CMS is seeking public comments regarding recommendations
for clarifying the clinical guidelines for use of these devices. Please
take this opportunity to get involved in public policy to insure that
individuals who need functional mobility receive the appropriate and necessary
wheeled mobility device. Let your voices be heard! Go to the following
website: www.cms.hhs.gov/mcd/public_comment.asp
or go to www.cms.hhs.gov/press/release.asp
to review the article and track the comments that have been made.
Wheelchair Evaluation Training A Success!
New Mexico Technology Assistance Program completed its wheelchair evaluation
trainings and the turnout was excellent. Two trainings were held in Albuquerque
at Carrie Tingley Hospital in October and two were held in Las Cruces
at the Las Cruces Public School Administrative Office in November. Michelle
Lange, OTR, ABDA, ATP from Children's Hospital in Denver, Co. was the
trainer. All of the trainings were free and CEU's were given. Nearly everyone
who registered attended the sessions, a total of 143 people.
 Michelle
Lange arranged for several wheelchair suppliers to be there with a number
of power chairs so that everyone attending the training would have a chance
to try out the chairs that are available on the market right now and learn
about all the features of each chair. Numerous switches were provided
and each person had the opportunity to try out every switch. This made
the training truly a "hands on" experience for all.
Michelle kept things interesting by asking everyone to participate in
exercises and tossing candy bars to the audience throughout the sessions.
Training evaluations revealed that 91% of attendees strongly agreed and
9% agreed that the training was organized and professional. Eighty seven
percent of the attendees strongly agreed and 13% agreed that the topic was
adequate and relevant. Eighty four percent of attendees strongly agreed
and 15% agreed that attending the training was a positive experience.
When asked if they would use the experience they gained to improve their
professional practice, 65% strongly agreed and 32% agreed. Seventy six
percent of attendees strongly agreed and 24% agreed that they would attend
additional trainings offered by NMTAP.
Some comments were: "Michelle Lange presented an interesting and well
organized presentation. I enjoyed the information and will be able to use
it at work". Other comments were "It would have been nice if it
was a two day training- a lot of material was covered in a short amount
of time"
Most attendees were interested in receiving additional wheelchair trainings.
Consumer Training Planned for April 2005
Following the success of the Wheelchair Evaluation trainings, NMTAP will
do a one-day wheelchair user training April 15, 2005 at the new Embassy
Suites Hotel at I-25 and Lomas in downtown Albuquerque. The training is
free, however will be limited to 50 people. The training will include
a morning session on Understanding Wheelchair Evaluations. This will cover
understanding the vocabulary of equipment such as sports vs. tilt in space,
understanding the relationships of wheelchair dimensions and sizes, power
mobility, and power problems, with a crash course on seat cushions to
prevent skin breakdowns.
The afternoon session will cover Basic Wheelchair Maintenance for Users.
This session is a must for all users and caregivers. Lunch is provided.
Tom Debevec, Physical Therapist who has the wheelchair clinic at Carrie
Tingley Hospital in Albuquerque will be teaching the sessions. So interested
consumers are asked to sign up early, as seating is limited. Please call
Connie at 505 954 8533 to sign up. Parents and spouses welcome.
Computer Donation 2004
The New Mexico Technology Assistance Program (NMTAP) is about to complete
its year-end campaign for Computer Donations. The NMTAP has operated a
year-end tax-deductible computer-recycling program for a number of years.
The program staffs, together with an Assistive Technologist, worked to
pick up, clean, adjust and stabilize computers, printers and monitors.
The computers were then ready to be donated to persons with disabilities
without resources for such purchases. Lorie Gulley and Connie DeHerrera
personally delivered six computer systems to Socorro and Las Cruces.
So far, eighteen computers have been recycled to new owners. Each system
was at least a Pentium I and included a working operating system, speakers,
keyboard, mouse and monitor. The largest donor this year was a corporate
donation from Dave Blanc of Albuquerque who donated nine PC's and four
printers.
If you are in need of a computer, we have a few left, so contact Caroll
Cadena at
1-800-866-2253.
Come discover your assistive technology options at TECH FAIR 2005 April
29-30,2005 in Albuquerque, NM at the newly built Embassy Suites Hotel.
On-line registration will be available the end of February as well as
conference information at www.nmtap.com.
Working Together
From 2004 to the present, NMTAP partnered with other sources to provide
funds to assist people with disabilities to purchase assistive technologies.
NMTAP's $20,374.13 combined with $22,182.67 from other sources was used
to assist 18 individuals. Funds were used for children to seniors with
needs ranging from hand controls to wheelchair lifts, mobility equipment,
communication devices and aids for daily living.
The New Mexico Carrie Tingley Hospital Foundation and NMTAP have worked
together to assist patients and their families by providing financial
assistance to purchase wheelchair lifts for vehicles. Thus, they have
transportation to school, medical appointments and community activities.
Requests from other professionals to NMTAP for clients have provided
equipment to enhance independence in daily living activities and make
their lives much easier. Not only does NMTAP help with lifts for vans,
but can help many with partial payment for ramps and other technology.
Please let us know if you need our assistance. Call 1-800-866-2253 or
TTY 1-800-659-4915.
The A.T. Life Reporter is published by the
New Mexico Technology
Assistance Program (NMTAP)
Public Education Department,
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)
Catherine Cross Maple, PhD
Assistant Secretary for Vocational Rehabilitation
Andy Winnegar, NMTAP Director
Connie DeHerrera,
Community & Social Services Specialist
Lorie Gulley, Management Analyst
Caroll Cadena, Public Relations Specialist
Karen Courtney Peterson, CASA Program Director
Evelyn Martinez, CASA Program Director
Julie Martinez, Executive Secretary
Complete Spanish & audio versions of the
newsletter are available upon request.
El periodical esta disponsible para su
revision en espanol.
NMTAP Advisory Council
Joyce Horvath, Chairperson-
School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
John Chimarusti, Carrie Tingley Hospital
Larry Rodriguez, Consumer
Edward Torres, Consumer
Athela McLuckie, Parent
Richard Smith, Division of Vocational
Rehabilitation
Alice Garcia, Pubic Regulations Department
Edward Vigil, NM Commission for the Blind
Ann Chavez, Protection & Advocacy
Walt Kincaid, CP Elks
John Hooper, NM Commission for the Deaf &
Hard of Hearing
Janie Jantz Sherman, Parent
Mary McGinnis, New Vistas CIL
New Mexico Technology Assistance Program
435 St. Michael's Dr., Bldg D
Santa Fe, NM 87505
1-800-866-2253 (Voice)
1-800-659-4915 (TTY)
www.NMTAP.com
NMTAP is funded through the Public Education
Department, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), under PR/AWARD:
H224A00017-04 grant from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation
Research (NIDRR), U.S. Department of Education. This publication does
not necessarily reflect the views of DVR or NIDRR, and no official endorsement
of material should be inferred. NMTAP does not discriminate on the basis
of race, color, national origin, gender, ancestry, medical condition,
age, religion, or handicap. We provide on request reasonable accommodation,
including auxiliary aids and services necessary to afford an individual
with a disability an equal opportunity to participate in all services,
programs, and activities.
If you would like to receive a copy of the newsletter or want your named
removed from our mailing list, please call 1-800-866-2253 (Voice) or 1-800-659-4915
(TTY). If you would like to receive the newsletter via e-mail please e-mail:
lgulley@state.nm.us.
THANK YOU.
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