Hi. My name is Trecia Benefield and I'm here with my friend. And we're here to talk about assisted technology. My friend here would like to introduce herself and show you how she's able to use her communications device. [Sissy] My name is Glenda Reed. You can call me Sissy. I am president of Disabilities Unlimited in Jasper, Alabama. [Trecia] I noticed that you are using your communications device. What are some of the things you would like people to know about using assisted technology? [Sissy] This is my voice. This is not a toy. Wait for me to answer your question. Just because you know me doesn't mean you know what I'm going to say. Don't put words in my mouth. [Trecia] Isn't that the truth! [both laughing!] [Trecia] What assisted technology you currently use? [Sissy] I use a wheelchair pointer, computer and phone. To communicate I use a communication device made by Dinaovox. This also allows me to operate my T.V. and phone which makes me more independent. [Trecia] That is wonderful! And you can use it to operate your phone and T.V. That is marvelous! Um, how is using assisted technology increased your ability to be independent? [Sissy] I am able to communicate with my doctors, participate in Disabilities Unlimited meetings, make my own appointments, schedule activities for myself. I can also express what I like and what I don't like. [Trecia] That is wonderful. A lot of times people don't realize that the communications and conversation is just as important as being able to tell people facts. Um, Sissy, I noticed before you had another communications device and the voice was very computerized. Do you like the female voice over this one? Better or . . . [Sissy] Yes. [Teresa] I do too. It sounds real. Do you like that? [Sissy] Yes. [Trecia] Um, I wanted to talk about kinda the story about getting your communication device. So, uh, we had a little problem with your case manager knowing how to bill insurance. [Sissy] Yes. [Trecia] Yes. Um, a lot of people aren't aware that Medicare will also pay for communication devices. And Medicare actually pays for the speech evaluation. A lot of people aren't aware that Medicaid doesn't pay for the speech evaluation but Medicare does. And there's a lot of people who have disabilities that have Medicare and Medicaid. Is that right? [Sissy] Yes. [Trecia] And how. . . it took about almost a year for you to get your device. [Sissy] Yes. [Trecia] So, can I talk about you? Can I tell some good things about you? [Sissy] Yes. [Trecia] Sissy is a great self advocate. Actually, when there was a problem with case management and being a great self advocate, Sissy requested another case manager [cough noise] who needed to do what needed to be done. Is that true? [Sissy] Yes. [Trecia] Do you think, when you look back on it, do you think that, um, yourself, if you hadn't been a self advocate, would you have your communications device? If you hadn't been a self advocate, would you have it? [Sissy] No. [Trecia] I'm very impressed. A lot of people take "no" and don't push. Right? [Sissy] Yes. [Trecia] And another thing that was asked, who do you like to communicate with? [Sissy] [punching key sounds, long pause] Becky. [Trecia] Becky. Can we talk about who Becky is? [Sissy] [punching key sounds] Yes. [Trecia] Becky is the speech therapist who provided the speech evaluation which Medicare needs to be able to purchase the communication device. So Becky is a very important person. But she also is [Sissy] [her own voice] Yes. [Trecia] we found out later, Sissy's cousin. So not only was there a family reunion but there was another great piece of advocacy. And when families are involved, great things happen. Now, I only have one other question for you. I know that since we've gotten the communications device, and I say we because I get to talk to you now and you get to answer, and I love it. But do you think, do you prefer one words or so you prefer one word on your communications device? [Sissy] No. [Trecia] Do you prefer sentences? [Sissy] Yes. [Trecia] And another thing I wanted to ask, do you feel that your need to add more information grows daily? [Sissy] Yes. [Trecia] And I think that's a really important piece of people using augmentative communication, is we have to be open to allow communication to grow and not just feel that we put the informaton in the device and expect it to last and continue to be what that person needs every day because as we begin to communicate our vocabulary grows, our opportunity to participate in community expands so the need for more words and more sentences is growing daily. And I think that's something that we both said [Sissy coughing] was very important to get the word out to people. Is that true? [Sissy] Yes. [Trecia] Thank you my friend.