National Assistive Technology Act Data System

Lisa lives in South Central Kansas and has limited mobility as a result of fibromyalgia. When Lisa came to Assistive Technology for Kansans (ATK) she was using a power wheelchair but had no vehicle, no accessible access to her home, and was not employed. Through a combined effort of ATK, Voc Rehab, and private funding an adaptive vehicle and accessible ramp were obtained. VocRehab purchased an accessible vehicle with hitch and lift for Lisa and ATK assisted with funding of accessible ramp with help of Friends of Man, CPRF of Wichita, and Arcare of Kansas City. With the help of VocRehab and ATK services Lisa is prepared and excited to enter the workforce to further obtain her independence.

Ranchers wear boots for a reason, they help the person wearing them get around on the rough pasture ground and cattle corrals. So, can you imagine how rough a ride is in a wheel chair? That’s what Bret drives over each day as he is out checking fence, feeding cattle, or tagging calves. Bret swerved to miss a deer in 2004 and the accident left him with a spinal cord injury. As a result, wheels are his mode of transportation which includes manual or power wheelchairs, his all-terrain vehicle and his pick-up with a lift system. As a rancher, he is busy all the time and when on the ground he uses a power wheelchair. Bret will be the first to let you know they are not made for farming (they are designed for driving on smooth cement), and as a result has worn out many. While Bret has managed to use the standard heavy-duty chairs on his ranch it is still difficult for him to reach over fences to throw in grain, or hammer in a U nail into a post to fix fence. Twice a year, it is time to give cattle shots, and Brett has to reach high up to give 150+ cattle their vaccines. Assistive Technology for Kansans (ATK) received a used Permobile Corpas ME power chair. The seat of this chair rises 12 off the base. When Bret tried out the Corpas ME he excitedly exclaimed how this would make working cattle much more efficient. There is a refrigerator right by the cattle chute which holds the vaccines. “The ability to turn on a dime next to the cattle chute and the ability to elevate the seat are extremely helpful in being independent while working the cattle. Also, the amount of stress and strain on my shoulders has been greatly reduced while using this chair vs trying to maneuver in my manual chair. Very important to me since I have discovered I have 2 torn rotary cuffs now."

Aiden and his family are the perfect example of how all four Assistive Technology for Kansans (ATK) core services (Device demonstrations, Short Term Equipment Loan, Equipment Reuse Program, and Assistance in Finding Funding) work seamlessly together. Aiden’s Birth-Three provider reached out to ATK when he was two years old, for assistance in exploring switches and communication options. After several demonstrations Aiden’s team decided that they’d like to try eye gaze for communication, while borrowing a few simple switches from ATK. ATK staff set up a demonstration with the Tobii Dynovox representative at our office. Fortunately, ATK recently received a donated Voyage Zippie Early Intervention Tilt Stroller. When Aiden and his mother arrived at our office, we were able to complete the demonstration with the Tobii Dynovox system, sign the family up for a free one-month trial to be used in their home, and send them home with the KEE Reuse Stroller. Mom was so excited about all of these opportunities and sent pictures of how happy Aiden was to be outside enjoying the sunshine and wind in the stroller. Aiden’s mom recently reported that he had outgrown this stroller and insurance was getting them a larger one that should grow with Aiden. Aiden’s preschool and outpatient Physical Therapist reached out to ATK for assistance with options for seating in the preschool classroom. After borrowing numerous devices, they found the perfect solution that provided Aiden with the support he needed to participate in activities throughout the school day. The school is in the process of purchasing these accommodations for the classroom. When asked if I could share this information, Aiden’s mother said she would love to share and “We love ATK!”