If you've been irritated about how PC users are the only ones who can take advantage of Premier's low-cost AT tools, you can now stop complaining: a press release this week announced that Premier will now offer its software for both PC and Mac platforms.(Click on http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/05/prweb934344.htm to read more; click on http://www.readingmadeez.com/products for Premier's website).
One Rochester, MN local paper just featured an activity in its "local life section":
The PACER Center will present a free workshop sponsored by Ability Building Center, Inc. from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on May 22. The workshop, titled "What Parents and Professionals Need to Know About Assistive Technology," will provide parents and professionals with an introduction to AT and the relevant legal requirements under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Tips will be given about selecting appropriate AT devices, and attendees will be introduced to the "Minnesota Assistive Technology Manual." Participants will also hear about state and local resources for trying and acquiring AT.
Sometimes we forget that just getting the word out about AT in schools-regardless of who comes to the two-hour session-will help us raise awareness in both the professional and family populations. Plus, I bet that they'll have cookies! But seriously, this kind of event is worth keeping on the school calendar once a year-especially for those schools/divisions with AT Teams!
Click on http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080509/LOCAL180201/805090496/1274/LOCAL06 to read about how one Indianapolis-area public library offers patrons "such features as magnification software, screen reading software and a video magnifier for printed materials. The workstations include an advanced document scanning/reading system and a large print keyboard."
Now, how great would it be if these were features of ALL workstations?!
Math Type is a program that creates mathematical notation for word processing, web pages, desktop publishing, and presentations. It contains more symbols and templates that the standard equation editor. Math Type appears to be very appropriate for high school level math and chemistry classes.
For sample templates and activities that have been created using Math Type go here:
http://www.adeptscience.co.uk/products/mathsim/mathtype/samples/index.html
You can get a free 30 day trial at:
http://www.dessci.com/en/products/mathtype/default.htm
For those of you who love PixWriter---Slater Software has updated it to 3.0 to include even more really cool, fun, and accessible features.If you already own PixWriter, you can upgrade to 3.0 for only $79. These are some of the cool additions:
• PixWriter ToolBar for easy access to several functions
• Punctuation, Speak and Erase are active in the tool bar and may be moved to the word bank based on students’ needs
• Easily color code or arrange toolbars to fit the preferences of the student.
• Over 9,000 newly drawn Literacy Support Pictures (LSP)
• Speak button reads and highlights word by word
• Auditory scanning available with single-switch and two-switch step scanning.
If you want to see more go to: http://www.slatersoftware.com
Click on http://healthcare.zdnet.com/?p=924 to read "Can Assistive Technology Save Computing," which addresses accessibility and talks about a center for disability support whose projects include:
- DISCO, which uses light, sound, and tactile stimulation to create a learning environment with positive feedback for people with significant disabilities
- BUTTON MAKER, a computing interface for people with significant disabilities aimed at enabling learning.
- VAPP, a videoconferencing system for people with physical disabilities aimed at distance learning.
- Nexus, a home controller with a visual programming language to help people with physical disabilities control their environment.
Cool!