OCCK representative outlines statewide assistive-technology loans, repairs and funding help

Cassie Ramon, a representative of the Solution Outreach Center at OCCK, told the Salina Accessibility Advisory Board on Feb. 6 that her program provides statewide assistive-technology demonstrations, short-term loans and a reuse program that delivers durable-medical equipment to Kansans at no cost.

Ramon described the programas operating under an umbrella grant called Assistive Technology for Kansans, administered through the Administration for Community Living at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She said OCCK serves as the regional access site for north-central Kansas and partners with other independent living centers across the state to provide services.

"We do assistive tech is is our big game," Ramon said. She explained the department houses a Statewide Loan Library that lets people "try before you buy," shipping devices at no cost for four to six weeks so schools, employers or individuals can test equipment where they would use it.

Ramon said the program also runs a statewide equipment-reuse effort she called the Kansas Equipment Exchange. Donated equipment that can be repaired is cleaned, refurbished and reissued to people who need it; when a device was initially paid for by Kansas Medicaid, Ramon said the program encourages returning that item to the reuse pool so the resource remains available to others.

"Once we've given that equipment to an individual, itis theirs to keep until they don't need it anymore," Ramon said, explaining the difference between short-term loans and permanent placements through the reuse program.

Ramon outlined other services: helping people locate alternative funding sources when insurance or Medicaid does not cover a device, providing assessments and demonstrations in home, school or workplace settings, and offering hands-on training. She listed specific programs the Solution Outreach Center works with, including the Telecommunications Access Program (TAP) for people who cannot use standard phones, the I Can Connect program for DeafBlind individuals, and vendor relationships with vocational-rehabilitation programs.

Board members asked procedural questions about loan periods and permanent placement; Ramon confirmed loans are typically four to six weeks and that reuse equipment can be permanently placed with a user when appropriate. She also noted the statewide structure allows access sites to transfer equipment across Kansas when an item is needed in another region.

Ramon left printed materials and small demonstration items with the board. Chair Oakes and staff encouraged board members to share the information with residents and other city departments.

The board did not take formal action on the presentation; Ramonserved as an informational guest.