Military Health System Profiles "Equipped For Success"

EQUIPPED FOR success By Krista D. Holyak

EQUIPPED FOR success By Krista D. Holyak Empowering through employment: Stephen King, disability program manager at the DoD Office of Diversity Management and Equal Opportunity, breaks down barriers in the hiring, retention, promotion and employment of persons with disabilities. King strives to raise awareness on how persons with disabilities can excel in the workforce, often with the use of assistive technologies. MHS Profiles Equipped for Success

From both physical and mental standpoints, wounded warriors overcome a multitude of obstacles from the injuries they sustained. One man breaks down employment hitting his vehicle as he traveled barriers to help those with to a town hall meeting to update disabilities excel in their careers. family members and spouses on Another guides wounded service the status of the battlefield. members through rehabilitation, re-teaching one how to brush “I saw stars on several of these his teeth. One woman leads an occasions … but never lost initiative to provide free tools to consciousness,” he says. Staton those with disabilities, while a war wouldn’t know the long-term effect veteran returns home and finds his injuries would have until he the need for these tools to help returned home and began his transition to civilian life. Together, transition to civilian life. these individuals harness the power of assistive technology. At home, Staton realized his need for assistive technology. Retired Army Capt. Matthew The medications Staton takes to Staton quickly learned how this alleviate migraines, leg pain and kind of technology could help him complications from his injuries overcome obstacles. Staton, direct slow his cognitive functioning. “I advisor and staff assistant to the realized there was a problem when secretary of the Army on wounded I couldn’t remember any of the five soldier matters, medically retired items my wife asked me to pick from the Army in August 2007 up at the grocery store. I’d end up because of a cognitive disability, bringing ten things home, only one following two deployments to of which she asked me to get.” Iraq. Service as a platoon leader exposed him to multiple improvised These types of disabilities often explosive device blasts in Balad, directly influence performance at Iraq. He was also injured in 2004 work. “If it’s not written down or with a gunshot wound to his left hip recorded, the conversation didn’t and upper thigh. Two years after he happen in my mind,” says Staton, was medically evacuated to Fort reflecting on how memory prob- Carson in February 2004, he was lems affect work productivity. The involved in a traffic accident after Department of Defense Computer/ a car sped through a stop sign, Electronic Accommodations Pro- Equipped for Success MHS Profiles

Assistive technology reduces my stress level, and augments me to where I still am a beneficial employee. Even though my active duty service was cut short, I can still serve and help wounded soldiers as they come home. gram, or CAP provided Staton ac- , Even though my active duty service commodations in the workplace was cut short, I can still serve and in the form of a Personal Data As- help wounded soldiers as they sistant and an ergonomic chair. come home,” says Staton. The PDA’s primary role, in addition to serving as a voice recorder, is Staton has been able to recover to set reminders and help Staton to the point where he is less overcome what most people would dependent on technologies. “I no see as forgetfulness. longer feel like I am a burden on my wife.” At the age of 33, he is able to CAP raises the quality of health successfully provide for his family. care through unique uses of technology, assessing wounded Providing Real Solutions for warriors, matching their needs to Real Needs appropriate tools and providing Since its inception in 1990 by the the technologies at no cost. Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, CAP has “I am able to receive upgrades filled more than 81,500 requests from CAP as I continue to serve for accommodations, enabling as a DoD Army civilian,” explains wounded service members and Staton. “Needs assessments federal employees with disabilities can be completed online, with the to perform essential job functions. opportunity for my provider to give Dinah Cohen, CAP director, says, input, bridging the gap in medical “Different disabling conditions needs and assistive technology.” can benefit from the use of assistive technology, leading to The assistive technologies accomplishments in the day-in, day- provided by CAP along with work , out operations of today’s electronic modifications such as telework and information environment.” options, allow persons with disabilities to be effective and For more than 20 years, CAP has maintain employment. “Assistive actively pursued its mission of technology reduces my stress level “providing real solutions for real and augments me when I must take needs” by increasing access to medications to deal with physical information, working to remove pain and side effects to where I barriers to employment opportu- still am a beneficial employee. nities and eliminating the cost of MHS Profiles Equipped for Success

assistive technology and accom- dations Program is helping to Completing the task: After modation solutions. The program make the federal government the two deployments, certain expanded from serving military de- model employer for people with everyday tasks became difficult partments and defense agencies disabilities,” says Cohen. to complete for retired Army to also establishing partnerships Capt. Matthew Staton. Today, with 66 other federal agencies, Ensuring Success After Service he benefits from the use of an including the Equal Employment The effects of war often ergonomic chair and Personal Opportunity Commission. “The linger long after a service Data Assistant. Computer/Electronic Accommo- member’s return home. Mental Equipped for Success MHS Profiles

The Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program is helping to make the federal government the model employer for people with disabilities. and physical disabilities can change lives from what they once were. Sometimes, simple Assistive Technology tasks become complex, senses are weakened and the spirit is How it Helps Those with TBI drained. Programs like CAP bring hope to the severely wounded to rejoin the workforce and regain Traumatic brain injuries are often invisible from the outside. TBI is caused by self-esteem as they rebuild their a blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the normal lives and careers. function of the brain, and its effects can range from mild to severe. There are various types of assistive technology available to assist those with TBI. CAP’s services provide a range of support to the military family, The Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program provides a variety of all with compassion and the goal these technologies free of charge to service members, including those who of maintaining the dignity of the struggle with memory loss and other cognitive impairments as a result of TBI service member and his or her and mild head injuries. family. “Assistive technology opens so many doors for people Blast injuries over a period of time can reduce cognitive functions, resulting with disabilities,” explains in short- and long-term memory problems. Personal Data Assistants and Stephen King, disability program software applications can help persons overcome memory difficulties. The manager at the DoD Office of widely used PDAs and other cognitive aids remind people of important tasks, Diversity Management and Equal such as when to take medication or go to an appointment. Opportunity. “It could mean the difference between having a job Different types of cueing devices are also readily available, providing disabled and not having a job.” persons with a step-by-step process to achieve a particular outcome. For example, if a service member with TBI is having a hard time completing a Through his work, King channels task, such as making a cup of coffee, the program will walk through the his passion for supporting people appropriate steps required to finish the task. with disabilities by helping them rejoin the workforce. He Service members who experience vision issues are provided screen works to address barriers in magnification software and/or hardware to reduce eye strain, blurry vision hiring, retention, promotion and and eye fatigue. CAP provides scanners and screen readers and performs employment of persons with certified training for those with complete vision loss. disabilities. “There is life after a disability. There are people who The program also supports service members who experience hearing are committed to making sure loss, including fluctuating, progressive or low-frequency hearing loss and they have the tools needed to get tinnitus. Assistive listening devices can be adjusted to fit the level of amplification needed. MHS Profiles Equipped for Success

a job, keep a job, be successful Years later, Ebner used that Therapy through and be independent,” he says. knowledge to establish a technology: Occupational partnership between CAP and the therapist Christopher Ebner Christopher Ebner, an occupational military medical center at BAMC. was inspired to incorporate therapist at Brooke Army Medical Assistive technologies provided assistive technology into the Center in San Antonio, Texas, by CAP and integrated into rehabilitation process for also helps service members with wounded warriors’ rehabilitation wounded warriors. disabilities realize they aren’t treatment allow them to excel in as limited as they may think. He their careers. primarily treats individuals who have sustained upper or lower King explains that the availability extremity amputations, burns, of different types of assistive vision impairment or different types of orthopedic injuries. Ebner incorporates technology into the suite of rehabilitation treatments offered to service members, helping them overcome challenges in their jobs and enabling them to be productive and competitive in the workplace. These technologies range in complexity from advanced, such as voice recognition software and PDAs, to something as simple as an index card with a line cut out that a person moves across a page while reading to prevent words from joining together. According to Ebner, the addition of technology can also reduce the length of needed treatment. Ebner was inspired by the rehabilitative power of assistive technologies while interning at Walter Reed Medical Center in 2003. He attended a presentation held by CAP which planted a seed , in his mind. “I took the knowledge from this presentation with me in terms of programs that are out there to facilitate functional performance on a day-to-day basis with individuals who sustained different types of injuries,” he says. Equipped for Success MHS Profiles

Giving back to those who technology equipment in the one that was active prior to injury gave so much: Providing the military sector is greatly beneficial and is eager to be as active as best possible military health to patients treated at military possible after rehabilitation is care to wounded warriors treatment facilities in the United complete. In fact, according to is a humbling responsibility. States and around the world. Ebner, some individuals become The Computer/Electronic “We have a lot of initiatives and more active following their injury Accommodations Program, programs in place at DoD to try than they were before. directed by Dinah Cohen, to target people with disabilities provides assistive technologies, and our wounded warriors. “From both physical and mental free of cost, to help those We try to provide people the standpoints, wounded warriors with disabilities excel in the accommodations they need, overcome a multitude of workplace. through programs such as CAP to , obstacles that were presented keep them employed here or to to them as a direct result of attract them,” King says. the injuries they sustained,“ Ebner says. He credits this, in DoD provides health care to a part, to assistive technologies very active patient population— available to them. “People can MHS Profiles Equipped for Success

overcome obstacles by adapting and overcoming, but when you Solutions put tools in place that make that A Breakdown of CAP accessibility easier and more efficient, the process is a lot Technology Accommodations different, and I’ve witnessed that from multiple perspectives over The Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program provides the past few years,“ he adds. solutions that are divided into five categories: Embracing Assistive Technology Blind or low vision Individuals like Ebner and King • Scanners challenge those in the workplace, • Closed Circuit television especially managers, to embrace • Reading, writing and comprehension tools technology as it advances and not • Magnification software see it as an obstacle. King says, • Braille displays and embossers “If individuals who are unfamiliar • Portable note takers in managing or working with persons with disabilities will step Cognitive outside their comfort zone and • Scanners give it a chance, they will see that • Voice recognition software and related products we’re really only different on the • Cueing/memory aids outside.” He adds, “Yes, a person • Reading, writing and comprehensive tools may need assistive technology to • Augmentative communication devices do a job, but other than that we are the same.” Communication • Word prediction software Through the initiatives of Cohen, • Voice amplifiers Ebner and King, wounded service members such as Staton are Deaf or hard of hearing empowered through employment • Signaling devices and are actively supported during • Teletypewriters recovery and rehabilitation. • PC and Network TTYs • TTY/voice carry-over telephones King says, “Let us never forget • Assistive listening devices that at any point in our lives, we may acquire a disability -- a slip, Dexterity a fall, an automobile accident, an • Alternative keyboards IED blast -- and we may find a need • Keyboard trays to take advantage of policies, • Voice recognition software procedures and programs • The CAP Ergo Guide designed to support individuals • Lumbar support with disabilities. Hopefully, we all • Document holders find comfort in knowing there are • Telephone headset and handsets people here to help.” To browse all available assistive technology, complete a needs assessment or request accommodations online, visit the CAP Web site at www.tricare.mil/cap. Equipped for Success MHS Profiles

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Military Health System Profiles "Equipped For Success" — Document Transcript