National Assistive Technology Act Data System

A couple with four young children reached out to Assistive Technology for Kansans (ATK) staff for assistance in obtaining funds for a van conversion that included a dropped floor and electric lift for their 10 year old son who has multiple physical disabilities and medical needs. The conversion of the van allowed the mom and dad to safely load Samuel in his reclining wheelchair. A larger van was needed since Samuel needs to be in a reclining position due to a history of a collapsed diaphragm. Samuel’s mom, whose motto is “Dragon Mom - never give up”, and ATK staff worked together to fully fund the $15,411 for the conversion. Donors included Ambucs, Children's Variety Club, Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation DME Fund, the Paisley Mae Foundation, and the Trinity Lutheran Church. The parents purchased the vehicle with personal funds. Samuel and his two brothers and sister have plenty of room on family trips.

The Kansas Telework Program financed a vehicle for a young man in Manhattan. He has three part-time jobs, one of which is as a volunteer firefighter. It is imperative that he has a reliable vehicle in order to respond to calls. His personal vehicle has a navigation system that provides detailed onscreen and verbal directions so he can navigate from any location in response to an emergency call. This is essential due since his head injury makes navigation difficult without these supports. The reliability of his new vehicle also allows him to maintain part-time employment at a youth crisis home and occasional use of his vehicle for a non-emergency medical transport service. He can confidently know he will be on time and available for all three employers.

Emersyn is classic 9 years old, in the 4th grade in western Kansas, she enjoys school and loves playing with her friends on the playground. When she was a baby, she was not developing the typical motor milestones so her parents took her to see a pediatric doctor in Aurora, Colorado. The doctor diagnosed her as having a “shrunken cerebellum” or Cerebellar Hypoplasia where the bottom of the cerebellum, just above the spinal cord is not fully developed. He noted this is very rare and only the second case he has treated. As a result, Emersyn has difficulty with her balance and coordination movement. Her physical therapist contacted Assistive Technology for Kansans (ATK) to borrow a reverse walker. After measurements were identified, ATK provided a loan of a reverse walker with swivel wheels. The loan was successful and ATK staff found one that fit her in the Kansas Reuse program inventory. Emersyn uses it in her home, school and community independently. Her physical therapist notes the walker allows her to participate with her classmates with out the support of the school staff for balance. Because of the walker, Emersyn is able to walk longer distances, it improves her strength and endurance. School staff note the reverse walker with swivel wheels allows her to participate in PE: running races, playing games, and kickball just like her peers. Emersons’ mother states: “The walker was the missing puzzle piece Emersyn needed to be a kid – she can now run and play with her peers in and out of school. She has mastered the walker to the point of almost needing a speedometer to keep her from being Speedy Gonzales. With the walker, Emersyn has the ability to learn, grow and play as she makes her way into middle and high school.”

Emersyn is classic 9 years old, in the 4th grade in western Kansas, she enjoys school and loves playing with her friends on the playground. When she was a baby, she was not developing the typical motor milestones so her parents took her to see a pediatric doctor in Aurora, Colorado. The doctor diagnosed her as having a “shrunken cerebellum” or Cerebellar Hypoplasia where the bottom of the cerebellum, just above the spinal cord is not fully developed. He noted this is very rare and only the second case he has treated. As a result, Emersyn has difficulty with her balance and coordination movement. Her physical therapist contacted Assistive Technology for Kansans (ATK) to borrow a reverse walker. After measurements were identified, ATK provided a loan of a reverse walker with swivel wheels. The loan was successful and ATK staff found one that fit her in the Kansas Reuse program inventory. Emersyn uses it in her home, school and community independently. Her physical therapist notes the walker allows her to participate with her classmates with out the support of the school staff for balance. Because of the walker, Emersyn is able to walk longer distances, it improves her strength and endurance. School staff note the reverse walker with swivel wheels allows her to participate in PE: running races, playing games, and kickball just like her peers. Emersons’ mother states: “The walker was the missing puzzle piece Emersyn needed to be a kid – she can now run and play with her peers in and out of school. She has mastered the walker to the point of almost needing a speedometer to keep her from being Speedy Gonzales. With the walker, Emersyn has the ability to learn, grow and play as she makes her way into middle and high school.”

Staff from the Southwest KS Aging and Disability Resource Center referred a man in his seventies who had significant vision and hearing disabilities to Assistive Technology for Kansans for assistance identifying technology he could use to stay in touch with family and medical providers. Initially Franz was not interested in any technology since he felt that agencies had failed him in the past. ATK staff persisted and Franz admitted that he was frustrated with his daily life because he didn’t feel as sharp as he used to be, that he often forgot what the person was calling for and what the caller told him. ATK demonstrated a variety of amplified phones with large buttons and backlighting then showed him the feature of a captioned telephone with a large display for transcription of phone conversations. Franz found that seeing the words on the screen helped him understand the conversation and the captioned phone saved the conversations so he could replay them to help him recall the details. After using the phone for a few months, Franz felt less isolated. He reported “I was so frustrated with my daily life and lack of communication with my family and friends that I wasn’t interested in continuining. Through your help and this phone, I know my life will continue to get better. There is hope.” This experience was so positive that Franz is learning to use a handheld video-magnifier and tablet to allow him to access the Internet, track his finances, and stay in touch with distant family on social media. The new technology was funded by ATK staff through the federal Deaf Blind Equipment Distribution Program.