WATA Bulletin: Summer 2004
Contents:
Using Your Computer to Help You Remember
Kurt L. Johnson, Ph.D., CRC, Executive Director, UW Center for Technology and Disability Studies
Many people find they have some difficulty remembering appointments, names, tasks, faces, etc. When you have multiple demands on memory processes, memory may be less efficient. People with multiple sclerosis or who have survived brain injuries often report that they are afraid they will "forget what I forgot." They may use any number of strategies to aid their memory, ranging from the tried and true daily planner/memory book to a personal digital assistant. This article describes how to use features available on your computer to help with memory. Although none of this is terribly difficult to set up, you may want to ask someone who is a "techie" to give you a hand.
Many people with memory difficulties simply email themselves reminders. Tricks include making sure you enter a good descriptor on the subject line so that you can find what you are looking for later. One woman told us she checks her emails to herself every morning as a kind of "to do" list and does not give herself permission to delete them until she has completed the tasks associated with that email.
One problem with the "email yourself a reminder" strategy is that you may end up with "in-box chaos." This can be a problem even if you don't email yourself reminders, but rather allow messages to accumulate in your inbox. There are a couple of general strategies to deal with this. We think of this as the email equivalent of "organizing your desk." Although several programs allow this functionality, we will describe features available in Microsoft Outlook (not Outlook Express). In Microsoft Outlook, when you have your email inbox selected, you can choose "organize" from the tools menu. Now, you can change the way folders are displayed, move messages to different folders, and color code messages. Color coding may be useful since you can set the options so that all messages from you to yourself are coded in one color, messages from your boss appear in another color, etc.
Another option is to sort messages into folders as they come into your inbox. You can do this by clicking on "rules and alerts" from the "tools" button, and then selecting new rule (a similar feature is available in Outlook Express under "tools," and "message rules"). This is a little more complicated but allows you to have messages sorted into folders such as "work," "school," by identifying where messages from specific correspondents should be sorted.
In addition to using and organizing your email to help remember, you can use the calendar and task list functions in Outlook. The trick here is to provide a clear entry in your calendar. If it requires action, record that in your task list and make sure you put deadlines in your calendar. You may even want to include a warning such as, "The report on skunks is due in three days," in your calendar.
In conclusion, you may be able to use features on your computer to help you remember more efficiently. These strategies will only work if you plan how you are going to use them thoughtfully, making sure you use subject lines in email, color coding schemes that make sense given the work you do, and folder structures that will help you organize and recall information efficiently.
Healthy Kids: Medicaid Program Focuses on Child and Teen Health Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment, Including AT
Shannon Sommer, University of Washington law student, Disability Law Clinic Sherrie Brown, J.D., Ed.D., Policy Specialist, UW Center for Technology and Disability Studies
Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) is a Medicaid program focused on child and teen health. In Washington state, the EPSDT program is called "Healthy Kids." The Healthy Kids program was established so that people on Medicaid who are under 21 can receive regular health check-ups and treatment. It is also possible to get assistive technology devices and services through the EPSDT program. If you are eligible for Medicaid and you are under 21 you are eligible for Healthy Kids. You will only be eligible until you turn 21.
There are three basic components to the Healthy Kids program: screening, diagnosis and treatment. For people with disabilities who are eligible for the Healthy Kids Program, the "screening, diagnosis and treatment" requirement means that they can be evaluated for assistive technology needs and receive AT services or devices through the EPSDT program that are not otherwise available through Medicaid.
The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) has established certain criteria for services and treatment, including AT, funded through the EPSDT program. All services or treatment must be medically necessary, safe and effective, and not experimental. "Medically necessary" means that it must be "reasonably calculated to prevent, diagnose, correct, cure, alleviate or prevent worsening of conditions in the client that endanger life, or cause suffering or pain, or result in an illness or infirmity, or threaten to cause or aggravate a handicap, or cause physical deformity or malfunction." Like all Medicaid services and treatment, there must also be no other equally effective, less costly course of treatment available to meet the individual's needs.
To obtain assistive technology services and equipment, you will need a prescription for the service or equipment from your doctor, and you must submit a request for coverage prior to purchasing the service or equipment. DSHS will either approve or deny your request. Under EPSDT, all medically necessary assistive technology should be approved.
However, if the assistive technology that you need is denied, you will receive a letter from DSHS informing you of the denial and the reason for the denial. It is important to know that if you are denied assistive technology you may appeal the decision and the denial letter should inform you of your right to have a fair hearing. You will need to request the fair hearing within 90 days of the date that you receive the denial letter. The denial letter will contain the address of the Office of Administrative Hearings, which is where you submit your request for a fair hearing. Your request for a fair hearing should include: what was denied, when it was denied and the reason it was denied. The denial letter should also inform you of your right to have legal counsel or another person represent you at the hearing. For more information on fair hearings see www.nwjustice.org/docs/7910.html.
For more information about EPSDT, call a toll-free number, 1-800-562-3022. To enroll in the Healthy Kids program, contact your local Community Service Office (CSO) or apply over the telephone at 1-800-204-6429.
Calendar of Events
Access the Future: A Pacific Northwest Conference on the ADA, Accessible Information Technology, and Education
October 7-8, Portland, Oregon
Conference on the ADA and accessible IT in education, which will include interactive sessions on employment and business, accessible information technology, recreation, leisure and health, state and local government, independent living, and early intervention, education and transition. For more information email Angela Weaver-Roebuck at weavererro@ohsu.edu, call 800-949-4232, 503-494-1205 or 503-418-0296 (TTY), or visit www.nwada.org/conference/accessthefuture.php .
Educause 2004
October 19-22, Denver
A conference for IT professionals in higher education. Focused on the theme "IT From a Higher Vantage Point," the program includes
pre-conference seminars, track sessions, poster sessions, small group meeting, and corporate exhibits, presentations, and workshops.
For information email info@educause.edu, call 303-449-4430 or visit
www.educause.edu/conference/annual/2004.
Closing the Gap
October 19-23, Minneapolis
Topics cover a broad spectrum of technology applicable to all disabilities and age groups on issues of education, rehabilitation, vocation and
independent living. More than 150 sessions will demonstrate successful applications of computer technology. For information and registration visit
www.closingthegap.com; email info@closingthegap.com;
call 507-248-3294; fax 507-248-3810; or write to Closing The Gap, Inc., 526 Main St., PO Box 68, Henderson, MN 56044.
For calendar updates, visit the Web at:
http://wata.org/calendar.htm
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The WATA Bulletin is supported by grant H224A3006 from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, U.S. Department of Education, to the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Olympia, WA.