Oklahoma ABLE Tech

04/21/2026

Looking for ways to stay active and meet new people, no matter your ability? Join the Oklahoma ABLE Tech Financial Loan Program and the Oklahoma Assistive Technology Foundation (OkAT) at the Santa Fe Center Adaptive Sports Expo in Oklahoma City on May 7 from 5:30 to 8:30 PM!

The Adaptive Sports Expo brings together families, athletes, caregivers, therapists, and community partners to celebrate inclusive recreation. At the event, attendees can:
• Explore adaptive sports
• Meet local organizations and find helpful resources
• Learn about accessible health and wellness options
• Discover what services the Financial Loan Program and OkAT provide

To learn more about the Adaptive Sports Expo or to sign up, visit the Santa Fe Center's Adaptive Sports Expo webpage at https://bit.ly/4tgyS1e.

04/20/2026

McKenna had been using a board to communicate with her family and needed a high-tech alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) system. She worked with Bethany Children’s Health Center and Riley P., McKenna’s speech-language pathologist (SLP), to trial a variety of AAC systems to determine what system had the features she needed. McKenna trialed the Dialogue AAC app on an iPad (seen in the pictures). She also tried the Tobii Dynavox (TD) Navio Midi device through Oklahoma ABLE Tech’s Device Loan Program. According to Riley, Oklahoma ABLE Tech’s Device Loan Program allowed the patient to McKenna to have hands-on experience with the AAC device.

Dialogue AAC is an iOS app designed for literate individuals. The system has a spelling and phrase-based vocabulary system with the option for 60 and 84 locations. Dialogue uses the Essence Vocabulary system. Dialogue AAC is currently available for the iPad, iPhone, and PRC-Saltillo Via devices. Essence is also available on PRC-Saltillo Accent Devices.

The TD Navio Midi is a lightweight, durable AAC device and can be accessed by touch (with or without keyguards), two switch scanning ports, a stylus, a mouse, a headmouse, or a joystick. With an integrated handle and up to 18 hours of charge, the AAC device can be used anywhere and a built-in kickstand allows the user to prop it up on a flat surface. The TD Navio comes in three sizes; the Midi is the medium size. TD Navio devices have TD Talk, an AAC app for literate individuals, and TD Snap, which has a variety of language systems available. “After submitting a funding application, McKenna received her own TD Navio Midi and is now able to talk with her friends and family for the first time in more than a year,” Riley said.

"I love being able for my wants and needs to be heard,” McKenna said.

Oklahoma ABLE Tech collaborates with organizations across the state that support and promote awareness, access, and acquisition of assistive technology devices and services. Thank you to Bethany Children’s Health Center for being a trusted partner of Oklahoma ABLE Tech!

04/17/2026

Respite gives primary caregivers a break, so they can rest, travel, or spend time with family and friends. The break can last from a few hours to several weeks. A primary caregiver is someone who provides day-to-day care to another person, such as a parent caring for a child or an adult caring for an elderly family member.

Oklahoma ABLE Tech's AT Respite Kits provide assistive technology (AT) to help people with disabilities, mobility, or cognitive decline complete tasks more independently. Any caregiver can apply and receive a kit to borrow for up to six weeks. The kits are loaned out after an intake conversation with Oklahoma ABLE Tech staff.

The Sensory Regulation & Engagement Kit is designed to provide soothing, engaging sensory experiences that support self-regulation, attention, and meaningful interaction. This kit combines visual, tactile, and movement-based sensory tools to promote calm engagement, reduce sensory overload, and encourage purposeful exploration across a wide range of ages and abilities.

The Sensory Regulation & Engagement Kit is usable by individuals of all ages and includes a rechargeable sensory light, a Pushpeel Sensory Activity Board, a light-up activity board, a Fidget and Sensory Sleeve, and a light-up breathing buddy.

Oklahoma ABLE Tech is proud to partner with the Oklahoma Human Services Community Living, Aging and Protective Services division to make the AT Respite Kit project possible. To learn more about the Sensory Regulation & Engagement Kit or other available AT for respite, visit our AT Respite Kits webpage at www.okabletech.org/respite-at!

What is Respite? Respite care gives primary caregivers a break so they can rest, travel, or spend time with family and friends. Respite can last from a few hours to several weeks. A primary caregiver is the person who takes on most of the everyday responsibilities of caring for someone else. Using a...

04/16/2026

Did you know this week was Student Employee Appreciation Week? We wanted to take a moment to thank our incredible student staff. We're so grateful for every one of these individuals.

Abby, Alexis, Brooklyn, Megan, and Mikayla, thank you for your hard work. From fulfilling device requests to supporting our program initiatives to lending your creativity and energy to every task, you make so much more possible for Oklahoma ABLE Tech!

04/15/2026

Last week, Louise led a tour of our Stillwater Smart Home Demonstration Site for students and mentors in the current cohort of Oklahoma State University's Opportunity Orange Scholars program.

Opportunity Orange Scholars is a transition program that supports college-aged students with disabilities at OSU by providing an inclusive campus experience to pursue a two-year, non-degree academic certificate in Career and Community Studies.

During the tour, students gained hands-on experience with various assistive technologies (AT), with a special focus on kitchen devices. The tour was designed to show the scholars how AT can support independent living.

Thanks for visiting, scholars! We had a great time with you!

04/13/2026

Earth Day is next week! Spend some time outside in the garden with the Easy Grip Garden Tool Packs!

These garden tool sets come with either short or long handles and are designed to reduce strain on the user's hands and wrists with upward-oriented handles. The handles are non-slip to help users keep a secure grip even in damp conditions. Each tool set includes a trowel, cultivator, fork, and weeder, made from stainless steel to reduce soil buildup and support smoother movement through soil.

Assistive technology (AT) devices like the Easy Grip Garden Tools are available to borrow from our Device Loan Program for up to six weeks. Visit our Device Loan Program webpage at https://bit.ly/3G2g3bu to learn how!

This AT is part of our AT Respite Kits project! The AT in these kits helps people with disabilities, mobility impairments, or cognitive decline complete tasks more independently. This makes it easier for caregivers to take breaks because their loved ones need less help. Oklahoma ABLE Tech is proud to partner with the Oklahoma Human Services Community Living, Aging and Protective Services division to make this project possible.

04/10/2026

Athryn, a SoonerStart recipient from Lincoln County, trialed food picks with his SoonerStart speech-language pathologist (SLP) as a way to help him try new foods. Oklahoma ABLE Tech provided the food picks to Lincoln County SoonerStart as part of their assistive technology (AT) kit!

Food picks help children choose which foods to eat and can be easier for them to handle than utensils.

“Arthyrn will not touch the food on the picks and is more willing to try ‘iffy’ foods while they’re on the pick,” his family shared. “We are so grateful for the resources SoonerStart has been able to provide for Athryn.”

Food picks come in a variety of types and can be used to eat a variety of foods. Arthyn’s family plans to continue using the food picks so Athryn can explore new foods and textures.

The Oklahoma State Department of Education and the Oklahoma Department of Health partner to provide the SoonerStart Early Intervention Program. Oklahoma ABLE Tech partners with SoonerStart to provide assistive technology (AT) to infants and toddlers from birth to three with disabilities.

04/06/2026

April is Occupational Therapy Month, which recognizes the impact occupational therapy has on people’s lives. Occupational therapy empowers individuals to participate fully in daily life, whether that means learning, playing, working, or caring for themselves. Assistive technology (AT) is one of the most powerful tools occupational therapists (OTs) use to make that possible.

AT spans a wide range of tools, devices, apps, and services designed to make everyday activities more manageable, accessible, and safe. With AT, OTs can help people overcome challenges, build independence, and reach personal milestones.

AT may help children learn and play with toys and peers, support a student with reading in the classroom, or assist adults in removing barriers and open doors to live and work more independently.
This month, we celebrate OTs and the creative ways they help people do the things that matter most.

04/02/2026

April is Financial Literacy Month! Did you know, our Financial Loan Program also offers financial education services. Stephanie Hesser, Lending Specialist and Certified Financial Health Counselor through the National Association of Certified Credit Counselors, provides personalized financial education, including help with:
• Budgeting
• Dealing with collections
• Understanding and disputing credit report errors
• Recovering from identity theft
• Navigating financial crises

Taking small steps today can lead to long-term financial success. Learn more about our financial education services or check out our tip sheets on our website at okabletech.org/financial-education.

04/01/2026

Oklahoma ABLE Tech partners with three modified vehicle dealerships in Oklahoma through our Device Demonstration Program:
- Mobility Works in Tulsa
- Newby-Vance Mobility in Guthrie
- United Access in Oklahoma City

These dealerships offer selections of wheelchair-accessible vans and other adaptive vehicle equipment. Representatives from each dealership provided demonstrations of modified vehicles at Oklahoma ABLE Tech's Spring 2026 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) partner meeting.

To learn more about Oklahoma ABLE Tech's Core Program Partnerships, visit the Core Program Partnership webpage at https://bit.ly/43SraO5.

03/31/2026

Check out the March ABT Newsletter to learn about how assistive technology (AT) can help people with Parkinson's maintain independence, see the Device Reutilization Program donation guidelines, and more! Read the entire newsletter on our website at https://bit.ly/41c4DMj!