Michigan's Assistive Technology Program
Assistive
Technology Connections
March 2009
In This Issue:
- Use of Motorized Wheelchairs in Facilities
- AT and Communication Workshops Scheduled
- AT in the Upper Peninsula Blog
- Assistive Technology Exchange Highlighted
New Item!
- Calendar
- Subscription Information
Use of Motorized Wheelchairs in Facilities
A letter was sent in January 2009 from Department of Community Health, Bureau of Health Systems clarifying individual residents' right to use their motorized wheelchairs.
Here is the text of the letter: 
"From: Debra Hicks 1/8/2009 10:26 AM Subject: Motorized Wheelchairs (e-mailed 01/08/2009) The Bureau has become aware of facilities prohibiting the use of motorized wheelchairs in long term care facilities. Please be advised that the refusal to allow residents to use motorized chairs may violate the resident rights provisions of 42 CFR 483.10(l), to retain and use personal possessions to the maximum extent that space and safety permit and 42 CFR 483.25(a) (l) (ii) regarding ambulation and self-sufficiency once in a wheelchair. Motorized wheelchairs are predominately used by residents with limited use of their arms and /or legs. A motorized wheelchair enhances aging residents’, or those with medical conditions that deteriorate over time, opportunities for independent mobility and assistance to achieve their highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being.
The refusal to admit a resident with a motorized wheelchair or to permit the continued use of a motorized wheelchair needs to include an evaluation of the resident and the use of the chair by professionals. The professionals may include a physician specializing in rehabilitative or orthopedic medicine, and/or physical /occupational therapists that are aware of the resident’s needs and capabilities. The right to retain and use personal possessions assures that the residents’ environment is as homelike as possible and that residents retain as much control over their lives as possible.
The facility has the right to limit the resident’s exercise of this right on grounds of space and health or safety. Space or safety considerations limiting a resident’s use of a motorized wheelchair should be clearly documented following a professional evaluation as well as the facility’s plan to provide necessary care and services to the resident when a limitation is deemed unavoidable. The resident’s condition should continue to be assessed and documented to determine improvement, or that it does not deteriorate within the limits of recognized pathology or the normal aging process.
Any resident denied use of a motorized wheelchair because of a general policy prohibiting their use should be immediately assessed and accommodated in accordance with 42 CFR 483.10(l) and 42 CFR 483.25(a) (l)(ii). If you have any question regarding this issue, you will need to contact your Survey Monitor."
If you have questions about this letter, please contact us at mdrc@prosynergy.org.
AT and Communication Workshop Scheduled
Come learn about assistive technology for communicating in order to appreciate the possibilities for independence, increase awareness of community connections, and develop strategies for emergency situations. The workshop is being offered at two dates and times:
- April 7, 2009
Disability Network Oakland/Macomb
16645 15 Mile Rd., Clinton Twp., MI 48035
- April 15, 2009
Behavioral Health Professionals, Inc - Training Room
1333 Brewery Park, Detroit, MI 48207
The workshop is from 8:30 AM till 3:00 PM on both dates and includes morning bagels and lunch. The workshop is free, but you must register in advance. Space is limited so please register by email to mcmcadam@comcast.net as soon as possible. In your email, please indicate the date/location of the workshop you’ll attend, your name, email address, daytime phone number, your organization and/or affiliation (if any) and any necessary accommodations. For further information call Cathy McAdam, AT Consultant at
313 563-1412.
AT in the Upper Peninsula Blog
Sara Menzel from the AT Assessment Center in Marquette has been blogging about AT since July 2008. The blog "AT in the UP: All things about Assistive Technology (AT)and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in Michigan's Upper Peninsula (UP)" is funded by the Michigan Department of Education - Office of Special and Early Intervention. The Center is a program of UCP of Michigan.
Highlighted Item on the AT Xchange!
"Video magnifier -Optelec ClearView Desktop + 19" flat panel color video magnifier with one-button simplicity."
Condition: Excellent
Asking Price: $1,800 or best offer
Price when new (MSRP): $3,100
Other Special Instructions: Buyer picks up or pays shipping
Location: Wayne County
Date listed: March 6, 2009
The AT Xchange is a Michigan-based web site where people can buy, sell, or give away assistive technology (AT). Do you have a used AT item in storage that could really help someone who has a disability? It could be anything from a wheelchair, stair lift, Braille reader, or reacher! If so, just post a classified ad on AT Xchange.org. The AT Xchange is open to vendors who have used equipment for sale also don't worry about cost, AT Xchange is a free service!
Calendar of Assistive Technology Conferences and Events
- March 18-20 The 2009 Detroit, MI.
Michigan Association of Computer Users in Learning (MACUL) Conference "Teaching and Learning in a Digital World: Best Practices".
- March 16-21 at the
Los Angeles Airport Marriott & Renaissance
Montura Hotels
Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference 2009 California State University - Northridge (CSUN).
- June 22-25, 2009 Hagerty Center at Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City, MI - Michigan Integrated Technology Supports (MITS) 2009 Summer Institute
MDRC Governing Board Meetings
Come
tell your story to the Michigan Disability Rights Coalition's Governing
Board. All meetings are open to the public and we encourage people to
attend. The next meeting is April 30th starting at 5 PM.
All meetings are at:
3498 E. Lake Lansing Rd., Ste 100,
East Lansing,
MI 48823
AT Connections
This newsletter is a service of Michigan Disability Rights Coalition, AT Program. Funding is through the Assistive Technology Act received through Michigan Rehabilitation Services. Subscriptions are free! For information, write to mdrc@prosynergy.org.
"The contents of this web page were developed under a grant from the Department of Education. However those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal government."
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