Eps. 25 | Opening Doors: How Assistive Devices Empower Everyday Living

Assistive devices can do more than make everyday tasks easier. They can restore independence, confidence, and quality of life.
In this episode of the EmpowerND Podcast, we sit down with Janelle Stoneking to explore how Warehouse 13 is expanding access to assistive technology for individuals and families across our region. From simple tools that make daily living more manageable to life changing equipment that helps people stay independent, Janelle shares how these resources are opening doors and breaking down barriers.
Whether you're looking for support for yourself, a loved one, or simply want to learn what's available in our community, this conversation will introduce you to practical solutions you may not know exist.

Warehouse 13:
warehouse-13.biz/assistive-tech

ND Assistive:
ndassistive.org

ABLE Inc. 
ableinc.net

Learn more about Women Empowering Women at wewnetwork.org

The EmpowerND Podcast is hosted by Women Empowering Women, a membership based non-profit organization dedicated to connecting, supporting, and educating women. Through community, events, and resources, Women Empowering Women helps women grow, build confidence, and explore their potential, supporting them every step of the way as they become the best version of themselves. To learn more about Women Empowering Women’s projects or how to become a member, visit wewnetwork.org.

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:00

Welcome back to Empower Indie Podcast. This podcast creates a space for honest conversations about health, well-being, and community resources to help people in southwestern North Dakota live healthy, full lives. The Empower Indie Podcast is produced by Women Empowering Women, a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting, supporting, and educating women to help them become the best versions of themselves. To become a member or learn more, visit wewnetwork.org. Welcome back to the Empower Indie Podcast. Today we're diving into a conversation that is geared around assistive devices that can help disabilities. So uh we have Janelle Stone King here from ABLE Incorporated. So let's get started. Thank you. Thank you. I'm glad to be here. Okay, so tell us a little bit about yourself. We've had had you on the podcast before. So kind of just refresh us of who you are and what you do at ABEL.

SPEAKER_01 1:05

Absolutely. So I I serve as the current CEO for ABLE Incorporated, but I've I've worked there pretty much my entire adult life. So I have grown up in this world of supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. So I'm glad to talk about assistive technology because I've learned a lot about technology over my years at ABLE. So this is a really fun topic for me.

SPEAKER_00 1:32

Okay, awesome. So just refresh everyone for someone who's never heard of ABLE Incorporated before, um, how would you describe what your organization does?

SPEAKER_01 1:42

Yes, at ABLE Incorporated, we support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and all areas of their life, might be um residentially wherever they live, or they may live in one of our supportive group homes. Um we also provide vocational services for people and help them with the maintain great jobs doing things that they love and just helping people live and do what they want in their community and being volunteers and enjoying life.

SPEAKER_00 2:10

Okay, so let's talk about this program. Can you kind of walk us through the this new assistive technology program in North Dakota and what it what it is at a high level?

SPEAKER_01 2:21

Yeah, so we all know how technology has helped us in our lives. I mean, it's been a game changer in so many levels for all of us. And it's no different for people with disabilities. I think it has really opened up the world to give a lot of independence for people and also have more control in their lives and areas that they need some support. In the past, people would have had to give that support, but now assistive technology can really fill some of those support needs. And so um, recognizing there's a lot of barriers with finding technology and figuring it out and making it work. Um, a group of us across the state went, huh, let's figure this out easier and find a way to create a platform that will work in a more universal way for people and simplify those, all of those problems.

SPEAKER_00 3:17

So that's kind of where we're at. Okay, well, let's kind of dive into that development. So, how did ND Protection and Advocacy, Warehouse 13, and the task force come together to build this?

SPEAKER_01 3:28

It kind of started accidentally, I think. I mean, through many of us talking about um technology usage and the importance of it. And at Able Incorporated, it was probably back in the early 2010, 11, um, we started diving into just more research on what was happening across the country and seeing that um a lot of places were seeing the impact. We saw what iPads did, and it was like, wow, this opened up a whole nother world for people to communicate and have assistive technology right in their hands. Um and as far as the um those conversations started, we realized that there were some barriers. Like we should be able to buy equipment um that's needed for people under some of their waivered services, but it wasn't working the because the the waiver didn't cover it the way it needed to, because it hadn't caught up with the with technology and where it was at. So we just realized some of the barriers around this. And I worked with North Dakota Protection and Advocacy, who is also exploring this, and um said, well, let's let's find some partners. And that's where we became introduced uh to Warehouse 13 and the great team there who is inventing and doing great business with new products.

SPEAKER_00 4:47

Awesome. Yeah, I have even as a provider, having kiddos that have speech delays and having them get the tablet and be able to communicate with their parents and tell them what they need is so fun to watch. They just like blossom after they get those devices. So, uh, what shared vision or goal from the beginning was from the beginning of this project?

SPEAKER_01 5:08

I think just simplifying things. Like it should not be so hard. When you can see the impact of those devices, like you said, um, there's so much that even early on in technology, it just seems so complicated. And as technology got easier to use for us, then the systems were complicated. Like we couldn't get it covered through through the funding streams, right? That should have covered it. So that's really our vision was to have a platform that was ready to go, that people could know who to call and have a diverse amount of options, uh, for tools to make their life easier and all in one place without all the hiccups.

SPEAKER_00 5:53

Right. I think that would be really good for providers too, to know where do we go to get these patients the services that they need or the devices that they need. You know, because usually it's like you've read an order, well, then it's the wrong diagnosis code, and then it's the wrong, you know, nope, you needed this service and they need to be at this age. So having a platform will be really helpful.

SPEAKER_01 6:16

Absolutely. You know, the team at Warehouse 13, they that's one thing is they've really dug into some of these um different coverages for different services and trying to understand um how to navigate those pathways so much easier, just to recognize how how to best get these devices covered for people, especially if they if they can't afford them and need it covered. Um, it's just really neat to see. It's still in early stages, but we're getting really close.

SPEAKER_00 6:45

Awesome. So, for listeners who may not be familiar, how do you define assistive technology?

SPEAKER_01 6:51

Really, it's any technology that can assist a person in um being more independent and successful in life. So I think about how much my Apple Watch saves the day, right? I mean, it's assistive technology for me. Um on the most basic level, many of us have them, but I can't find my phone, I don't know where it is, all of a sudden I know it's ringing, my watch answers it, right? I can just carry on, like it saves the day. Um, simplifying my life in a way that I need it in that moment. Um, assistive technology can look different for many people in many different ways. Could be as something as simple as uh a plate that has uh a raised curved edge because people have a hard time keeping food on the spoon as they lift it off the plate. It gives them an edge to work off of to get some leverage. That's a that's an assistive device. And so, what do we use that creates simplicity in our life and makes it easier?

SPEAKER_00 7:53

So, with the platform that's coming out, can you kind of walk us through how someone would actually use this step by step?

SPEAKER_01 8:01

Absolutely. And I'm I I might have to hesitate a minute. I'm still with this myself. We're just running through our first devices through Warehouse 13 at Able Incorporated. Uh so basically, once I recognize a need and not even knowing what device I might need, just that there is a need, like I'm a little concerned that this person um won't won't respond to a smoke detector if it's going off. And maybe it's because they may not understand it, or maybe they have hearing loss. Um, I'm just concerned. How are we gonna know? And are they gonna have the help they need in those moments? So it's as easy as knowing. Well, I can call Warehouse 13 and or North Dakota Assistive is another great organization that will direct you right to Warehouse 13 and say, here's my concern. I don't know if they're if they're gonna have the safety awareness they need. And basically they can align that person with um a smoke detector that works with the portal that they have designed for equipment. And we can set up that smoke detector so it can be easily installed in their home and replace the one that's there and um or be adjacent to it even, doesn't have to replace it, can be next to it. And when that smoke detector goes off, it not only alerts them, but it'll text myself or um give me a phone call if it's during the night. Uh if I don't answer, it can text a variety of people down a call tree until someone responds to make sure that someone's aware and can go help that person. Um, it's giving an extra layer of support in some of those areas of life. So that's just one example of one of the devices that I think will be tremendously valuable for peace of mind. Yeah. I think about many of us who even have parents who are aging and and you still worry like, is there any, are they going to need help, but I'm not there? You know, what devices would be helpful to notify me if something happens so I can show up and be there to respond. Could be things like motion detectors in their home. Maybe I don't see any motion in the kitchen. It'll alert me if there's no motion in the kitchen by noon that day. Then I know something's wrong with my loved one. Right. If they haven't gone come out to the kitchen by noon, we've a problem. Yeah. You know, so you can set these devices up to notify you on so many different parameters through this portal.

SPEAKER_00 10:28

Yeah. Oh, it's so neat. So tell me kind of about funding and access to these devices and the technology.

SPEAKER_01 10:36

Yeah, a lot of these devices can just be purchased outright if a person has the capacity to afford them, which I mean, there's some I'll look at purchasing from my own home, honestly, just for ease of use. Um, there's some things that I think are just really handy for every family to have, um, especially with kids and different different things that we have happening in our home. Um, but if the if a person can't just purchase it outright, then there are different funding streams based on whether it's a medical need or whether it's a a need through if they have residential services or behavioral health, um if it fits through um the home and community-based services waiver, you know, just looking at how we can get that device approved and covered and paid for.

SPEAKER_00 11:21

So, how does this platform help reduce barriers or delays in getting equipment?

SPEAKER_01 11:25

Oh my goodness. Sometimes it would take so long. Um, not just with um getting the equipment because it was hard to get things covered. Umce even we navigated that and it was easier. Sometimes it's just hard to get equipment. I I know we supported a couple of women at ABLE who um needed a stove to a stoveguard device. Uh stove safety is a huge issue for many folks with disabilities or or aging people in our community or people with dementia. And so that's another initiative I'm working on. But I think one of one of our um support coordinators had those stoveguard devices on order for almost a year and without them being delivered because they were all back ordered. Um, with this equipment sometimes being in high demand, it can be tough to get things. So just having warehouse 13, somebody in North Dakota who can provide this equipment and have things on hand, it gives us a tremendous amount of comfort knowing that it's we we have what we need. We won't be waiting for a year when somebody has an immediate need right now.

SPEAKER_00 12:36

Right. So, how does the assistive technology change daily life for people who use it?

SPEAKER_01 12:42

Oh, it depends on what it is. It's crazy. Um, I we have folks that we've supported at APL who were able to continue living in their apartments um for years because we had remote monitoring on their doors. Um and they we would know if they'd need something. If they exit or open their front door, then it's like, oh, they need something here. Where are they headed? Let's go check on, see what they need. Um it just offers that level of safety and security that also a lot of people's loved ones just really feel better about. Um just because the world can be a scary place, especially if you have somebody that you love with an intellectual disability who wants to live independently in their own apartment, in the community, like and just live their life. But to know that somebody can still check on them and know what their needs are if those things arise, it's tremendously valuable. Um, the devices really, depending on what they are, they give a lot of independence and freedom. Sometimes we have we have people we've supported over the years who had staffed with them pretty much 24 hours a day. Um, and not because they needed to be there, it was because of the health and safety needs, right? Because they can't respond to a fire alarm, that they can't pick up the phone and dial 911. We have to have somebody there with them who can, just because life's unpredictable. Well, now if you have a smoke detector like that in place in an apartment, you don't need a person sitting there, right? Right. I can be anywhere in here that that alarm's going off. So they don't have to have someone in their space and in their homes and in their business all the time. Like we can have the safety needs met without having to be present. And imagine how freeing that is. Yeah, I'm sure that that helps them quite a bit. It's amazing. It also has reduced a lot of issues on the behavioral health side.

SPEAKER_00 14:38

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 14:39

Because when people have more freedom and independence and you have space, you don't have to get irritated and frustrated with others around you all the time. It's it's a game changer. This whole world is opening up in ways that I don't think any of us anticipated.

SPEAKER_00 14:56

That's awesome, though. So, what do you hope this changes long term for individuals and families across the state?

SPEAKER_01 15:02

As we learn and pilot this project and help build confidence and warehouse 13 and make sure that their team have all of these kinks worked out on the funding and the devices are meeting needs. Um, I just see a really smooth pipeline for for families and loved ones and people with disabilities to be able to go to and have everything in one place that they need with service and people that are there to understand and help without judgment. Um, the beautiful piece of this is also that portal. It's basically a website where these a person's devices are all connected to one website and a login on that site. And so as a provider, I can check on several people at um at once and see how things are going, um, seeing if they need more support than what they're getting or less. Of course, all of these, these pieces of technology are seen as rights, um, rights limiting in a lot of ways, because if I have somebody monitoring my front door to know if I'm leaving, that's a rights, a rights restriction. So we do this for independence for people, not to take away their freedoms. Um, we're very cautious and we have to run things through through the human rights committee and behavior support committee when we put these things in place, um, and only use it for for the betterment of people and to make sure that their needs are met. But it is neat to see how how this will change um the parameters of what services will look like and just give people so much more space and freedom.

SPEAKER_00 16:44

So if you had to leave listeners with one message about assistive technology and this new system, what would it be?

SPEAKER_01 16:51

Oh my gosh, I'm not done yet. I there's so much more for people to learn and understand. It's crazy. Just because there's so much out there. It's like the little things of right now, I know Ted at Warehouse 13 is testing brief sensors for people that need to wear um products at night if they if they can't make it to the restroom. Um, and I'm thinking to myself, how many people are woken up repeatedly during the night to make sure they don't need changed? And for the first time in their lives, my phone will just notify me when they need changed and they can have peace and freedom until that, until 4 a.m. comes and it's time. You know, what's happening with technology is tremendously valuable. I think for us to just see it, just as we see our Apple watches and our ring security doorbells and all of these things that make our lives better. Um, some of these devices might look a little different than the devices we use in our homes, but it's all on the same level. It's all there to help. And um it's going to um strengthen the capacity for people to live and be more independent in so many ways. So, whatever people can do to support this and love on this project and assistive technology, I am like, do it.

SPEAKER_00 18:10

It is good. This is good stuff. Awesome. Well, a big thank you to Janelle for helping us better understand this technology and this new platform coming out. Until next time, stay informed, stay empowered, and we'll see you on the next Empower Indeed Podcast.