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The following stories are examples of assistive technology experiences that consumers have shared. All names and details have been changed to protect privacy.
Jane - Hearing Loss
Jane had a moderate to severe hearing loss in both ears and wore two in the ear style hearing aids. This consumer was having difficulty with using the telephone at home. She contacted the Stout Vocational Rehabilitation Institute for information about different telephones. This consumer met with a staff member and tried out four different telephones. Jane was able to hear much better with one of the four telephones because of the way she could control the volume and the tones. This phone also rang loud enough for her to hear. The staff member gave Jane information about the phone that she picked out. Jane was not sure that she could afford the cost of this phone so she was also given information about the TEPP program. An application to the TEPP program was completed and in about 4 weeks Jane received a funding voucher that paid for most of the amplified telephone.
Mike - Stroke
A consumer named Mike recently borrowed a portable keyboard device for communication from his local IL Center. Mike had a stroke a few years ago and has a hard time with verbalizing his thoughts and needs. Mike wanted to be able to communicate in a wide variety of settings. The IL staff member went through some questions with Mike to assist him with narrowing down what device to try out. Mike had tried using a small notepad, but had some problems with writing quickly enough to carry on a conversation. Mike also wanted to be able to save some conversations or save typical sentences that he would use many times during the day. Mike borrowed the keyboard device to try out for two weeks and found out that this lightweight portable device would meet his needs for communication. The IL Staff then sent a letter of recommendation to Mike’s social worker at the Human Services Department to see if funding would be available for this device. The conclusion was that Mike should also think about meeting with a speech therapist to look at alternatives aside from trying just the one device.
Thelma - Vision Loss
Thelma has a vision loss due to diabetes and was having problems with monitoring her blood sugar levels. She had purchased a couple of small handheld magnifiers from a local discount store but these were not working to her satisfaction. Thelma mentioned these problems to her pharmacist, who provided her with information on talking glucometers and assisted her with completing the paperwork for her insurance company to pay for the devices
Joyce - Arthritis and Vision Loss
Joyce is on an MA Case Management program that provides her services to remain living in her own home. Joyce has mobility problems from arthritis and a vision loss. In the past, Joyce had been an avid reader. When Joyce first approached the IL Center about finding something to help with reading she had been loaned a dome magnifier and received assistance in filling out the Books on Tape application. The dome magnifier worked for her and she was able to obtain funding to pay for the device through her MA case management program. A few years have passed by and Joyce once again contacted the IL Center about her vision loss. She has recently been enrolled with the Community Options Program through her County. The IL Center staff person was able to demonstrate and loan her a CCTV reading device to try out for a few weeks. Joyce found this device to meet her needs but felt she would not be able to obtain one for herself due to the cost. She was also not interested in applying for a WisLoan since she did not want to add another monthly payment to her limited budget. Joyce decided to attend a monthly meeting at the IL Center where additional devices can be evaluated. She was able to try out a lower cost CCTV type device, which was very useful for her. The opportunity that Joyce had to try out several devices was of great benefit. Joyce was also surprised that the device that seemed to work the best for her was not the most expensive one on the market. She will be talking with her County Social Worker about funding the lower cost CCTV for her.
Tom - ALS
Tom was recently diagnosed with ALS and has now lost the ability to speak. Tom contacted a local Assistive Technology Practioner (ATP) at UW-Stout for assistance in determining what types of equipment may work for him. Tom is currently still able to type onto a laptop keyboard and has been borrowing a portable communication device that voices whatever he types out loud. He is borrowing the device from the local ALS Support Group. Due to the progression of his ALS Tom is not sure how much longer this device will solve his communication needs. Tom recently applied for and received a TEPP funding voucher for use in purchasing telecommunications related devices. After an in-depth conversation about the nature of Tom’s disability, his current and projected physical abilities, and his communication needs the ATP staff person determined that if Tom were to obtain a laptop computer with an infrared mouse controller he would be able to use on-screen software to type out emails and other communications. Tom agreed with this assessment and proceeded to request permission to use some of his voucher towards these costs. Tom was able to purchase a laptop, an infrared mouse controller and speech output software. Tom paid for the amount above the voucher limits. The selection of these devices prior to further decline in his physical abilities allowed Tom to learn the new programs in a timely manner. Over the next year Tom was able to stay in touch with his family and friends via email and instant messaging using his laptop and infrared controller.
