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| MassMATCH Newsletter |
Spring 2009 Newsletter
May, 2009 |
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Upcoming Events
May 26, 2009: "Software for Early Learning--Reading and Math,"presented by DMR's Adapted Activities Library, located at the Adapted Computer Center in the Activity Center of Fernald in Waltham. 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.This is a free workshop for people working with individuals with developmental disabilities. Staff will have the opportunity to borrow products demonstrated in the courses to try out with individuals that they work with in a residence or day program. Each course is hands on and limited to 12 participants. Contact Linda Einis by email linda.einis@dmr.state.ma.us. Visit www.adaptedsolutions.org
May 26, 2009: Please join us for a gala event! The Mass. Rehabilitation Commission and the Executive Office of Health and Human Services invite you to learn about Assistive Technology (AT) and AT initiatives in Massachusetts that assist people with disabilities and elders to work and live more independently. 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Nurses Hall at the State House, Boston
June 6, 2009: Spring Accessible Recreation Fair, presented by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This is a free fun-filled day of celebrating accessible outdoor recreation available for individuals, families and friends of people with disabilities. Learn about accessible recreation programs offered by multiple organizations in the Boston area and beyond. Rain or shine at Artesani Park in Brighton (1175A Soldier's Field Road). Contact Gigi Ranno at 617- 626-1294 or Marcy at 413-545-5758.
June 9, 2009: "Software for Teaching Social Skills," presented by DMR's Adapted Activities Library, located at the Adapted Computer Center in the Activity Center of Fernald in Waltham. 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This is a free workshop on software designed to teach social skills and to learn to recognize and understand emotions. Staff will have the opportunity to borrow products demonstrated in the courses to try with individuals that they work with in a residence or day program. Each course is limited to 12 participants. Contact Linda Einis by email at linda.einis@dmr.state.ma.us. Visit: www.adaptedsolutions.org
July 21, 2009: "It's Already in There," a workshop presented by Easter Seals-MA from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at 484 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01608. Cost is $40.00. Learn how to change the settings on your PC to meet some vision, hearing, learning and physical access needs - at no additional cost! Presenter is Katrina Parker. Contact Jeff McAuslin by email at jmcauslin@eastersealsma.org or by phone at 800-244-2756 ext. 448.
July 28, 2009: "Assistive Technology Solutions for Senior Citizens," a workshop presented by Easter Seals-MA from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at 484 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01608. Cost is $65.00. Learn about services or tools and devices that can be used to help senior citizens perform tasks and activities more independently. Presenter is Kristi Voelkerding. Contact Jeff McAuslin by email jmcauslin@eastersealsma.org or by phone at 800-244-2756 ext. 448
Learn about more events at: www.massmatch.org/events/
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New at the Short-Term Device Loan Program:
The TapMemo
The TapMemo (www.tapmemo.com) is a handheld, battery powered, voice-activated personal assistant. The user presses the TapMemo button and says, "What can I say?" The TapMemo responds with a clear sounding set of menu choices. Each menu item also responds to the phrase "What can I say," which makes it simple to learn the TapMemo's features. These include:
a memo recorder,
address book,
phone dialer,
appointment calendar,
talking clock and date,
alarm clock,
a unit finder that responds to a whistle,
a battery meter,
a memory meter. The device comes with a locking feature that protects personal information. It contains only one multi-functional button and two volume buttons, and requires no set up.
Short-term device loans are available from the MassMATCH AT Regional Centers (Easter Seals in Boston, and UCP Berkshire in Pittsfield). The loans are free (the user pays only for shipping) and available for up to 4 weeks. As many as 5 devices may be borrowed at any one time. Learn how to borrow this and other devices at: www.massmatch.org/inventory.
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A Tricycle Built for Two
The Mass. AT Loan Program helps the Woodburys get in shape
This past Halloween, the neighbors on Lynn Street did a double-take when they saw two lions happily pedaling by in a shiny yellow tricycle built for two.
The tricyclists were Kriss Woodbury and her daughter Hannah, 8, out trick-or-treating in their matching lion costumes. They had just picked up Hannah's new two-person tricycle and were taking it out for its very first spin.
Hannah has a number of disabilities and doesn't have the strength, coordination or eyesight to ride a regular tricycle. Kriss thought the two-person variety, that they both could pedal, would give Hannah's legs some much-needed exercise and get her out into the sunshine.
But the tricycle cost more than Kriss, a single working mother, could afford, so she turned to the Massachusetts Assistive Technology Loan Program (MATLP).
The MATLP is an Alternative Financing Program (AFP) funded jointly by the federal government and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It is an interest buy down and loan guarantee program enabling people with disabilities and families to access affordable credit to purchase AT. The program is administered by Easter Seals of Massachusetts, and Sovereign Bank is the program's lending partner.
Leo Tonevski, the loan program coordinator helped her through the loan process. "Leo was just super," she said. "He went out of his way to help me."
Hannah got to choose the tricycle's color and picked her favorite - yellow.
"The tricycle has made a huge difference in Hannah's life," Kriss says. "Without it she would have been cooped up in the house, bored out of her mind and very frustrated. It's also exercising her legs . . . and it's made me realize how out of shape I've gotten!"
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New Product Spotlight: The Eye-Pal SOLO
Brought to our attention by consumer Peter Gefteas
Released in January, 2009, the Eye-Pal SOLO from ABISee, Inc.-a Massachusetts company-advertizes itself as, "The World's First Reading Appliance."
The Eye-Pal SOLO is a stationary, compact table top device that can read printed material with no set-up. It can read any printed text, including the newspaper. There are no manuals or additional lights or equipment needed. The company likens it to any kitchen appliance.
This device is designed to appeal to seniors who are not computer savvy, the largest demographic who require assistance with reading. Users need no computer skills of any kind to run this device. The Eye-Pal SOLO turns on and off with the wave of a hand and the voice reportedly sounds more synthetic than robotic. It can also output magnified text to a screen.
Learn more at this WWW.ABISee.com web page.
Reminder: MassMATCH and the U.S. Department of Education make no endorsement, representation, or warranty expressed or implied for any product, device, or information set forth on the MassMatch website and any other Massmatch publications. Neither MassMATCH nor the U.S. Department of Education has examined, reviewed, or tested any product or device presented.
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Read the Friendly SPAT!
MassMATCH has charted its course for the next three years and is making the details available to any and all interested parties
What is a SPAT, you might ask?
SPAT stands for "State Plan for Assistive Technology." The SPAT is a state's blueprint for creating greater access to assistive technology (AT) devices and services for people of all ages and all abilities. It is a requirement of the federal Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) of the U.S. Department of Education. Creating a SPAT allows a state to receive funding authorized by the federal AT Act of 1998 (as amended in 2004).
But why a Reader-Friendly SPAT?
The official SPAT for the FY2009-FY2011 funding cycle is hard to read. It was designed by the feds to make data collection easier and it provides little explanation of funded services and few specifics about program collaboration or innovation. MassMATCH knew it could do better.
The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC), the "lead state agency" managing MassMATCH and the federal dollars that support it, created a "reader-friendly" version to make MassMATCH's plans, strategies, and goals accessible and understandable to as broad a community of AT-interested readers as possible. Here we explain how these federal dollars are being spent for the benefit of people with disabilities in Massachusetts and how state agencies are working together to make access to AT and AT services more comprehensive statewide.
Open the Reader-Friendly State Plan as a PDF at www.massmatch.org.
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MassMATCH Highlights for Federal Fiscal Year 2008...
From October 1st, 2007 to September 30th, 2008, MassMATCH worked to get AT to more people with disabilities. The year's highlights include:
Mass. AT Loan Program: $1,047,790 loaned to 74 people with disabilities or family members; most loans helped purchase vehicle modifications.
Short-Term Device Loan Program: 404 individuals borrowed 521 devices from MassMATCH AT Regional Centers. Most participants were people with disabilities, family members, educators, and health care professionals and most used the program to help decide what devices to buy.
Long-Term Device Loan Program for Low-Cost Devices: MassMATCH designed this pilot with Easter Seals-MA to allow income-eligible applicants to borrow AT (valued under $500) for as long as they need it.
Device Demonstration Program: MassMATCH AT Regional Centers conducted 196 device demonstrations, reaching 284 participants who wanted to learn more about equipment available for purchase or loan.
MassMATCH.org: MassMATCH conducted a complete redesign and upgrade of the MassMATCH website. Among the improvements was the creation of theonline AT Services Directory to help users find providers of AT services and training close to home. The New England INDEX collaborated.
GetATStuff.org conducted its first full year of operations and completed 23 exchanges from its "Craig's List"-styled website. 283 new accounts were registered. Data shows the site saved consumers $31,268 by accessing used or donated equipment.
AT Assessment Tool: MassMATCH created an assessment tool to help discharge planners work with elders and people with disabilities who want to move home. The tool determines if AT can help them make the move to community living and ensures people know about AT resources.
MassMATCH and its subcontractors conducted 693 AT trainings statewide and provided 62 hours of Technical Assistance. 55,622 individuals were reached through public awareness activities, and more were reached through the website. |
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Ask the Expert:
Dear Expert:
I am looking for an electrical stimulation unit for a patient. He's a young man with "locked in" syndrome. He can only move one arm and is unable to communicate. His family can't afford this machine and it's not covered under MassHealth. Do you know of any funding source available for help with this? The patient communicates with an AAC device and is alert and oriented. The purpose of the electrical stimulation unit is to elicit movement in the muscle. He has responded well to the unit in the clinic so we recommend that he have a unit for home use. I suspect the loan programs won't carry it because it's not something that helps with independent living, like a ramp, although he would ultimately be more independent with increased function in that arm. I went on www.getatstuff.com but nothing pulled up. I think the unit costs around $100.00 or so. I appreciate any ideas you may have.
Thanks,
Sharon
Dear Sharon:
I have several suggestions for you.
First, you mentioned that MassHealth wouldn't pay for the unit. But it does sound like medically necessary equipment. As you probably know, MassHealth durable medical equipment (DME) denials are common and frequently find a positive resolution with an appeal. For help, read What if I Need to Appeal a Denial for DME at www.MassMatch.org. It is part of our comprehensive Funding for Medically Necessary AT guide which provides advocacy resources as well as additional public and private funding ideas.
Second, if the unit is under $500.00, and MassHealth has denied coverage, your patient is likely eligible for MassMATCH's new pilot program, the Long-Term Device Loan Program for Low-Cost Devices. The program is run by Easter Seals. They purchase the device you need and loan it out for as long as the borrower needs it. Contact Jason Luciano jluciano@easterselasma.org for an application.
Third, if the device costs more than $500.00, the family could consider a reduced-interest loan from the Mass. AT Loan Program. This is also administered by Easter Seals. For an application visit www.massatloan.org.
Good luck and let us know how it goes!
Do you have a question for Ask the Expert? Contact us at www.massmatch.org/help/askexpert.php
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MassMATCH is funded by the U.S. Department of Education under the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as amended. It is managed by the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission. MassMATCH is one of 56 state-level AT initiatives in the United States. Our mission is to promote the use of assistive technology and assistive technology services to enhance the independence of people with disabilities, enabling equal participation in all of life's activities
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MassMATCH
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commision
27 Wormwood Street, Suite 600
Boston, MA 02210
1-866-682-9955 (toll-free)
1-617-204-3815 (TTY)
1-617-204-3877 (FAX)
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