The Assistive Technology Blog

Here I am again talking iPod's. However, I was sent this link regarding iPod recording and it's use with reading fluency. I thought it was a great resource but also realized that there are other programs out there that cost no money and can accomplish the same goal for your reading lesson. If you haven't discovered audacity check it out at this free download from this website.

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

Check out this link for how iPod's are being used in the classroom for reading fluency.

http://edcommunity.apple.com/ali/story.php?itemID=10804

Posted by Mona at 6:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Special Education Technology-British Columbia's website is full of great resources for the k-12 classroom. There are too many parts to hightlight here, but I wanted to bring your attention to the area on the site that highlights premade accessible books. The books were created using different programs including, Boardmaker, Intellitools Classroom Suite and PowerPoint. As you are thinking about the topics and areas of instruction you might be teaching next year, you might find a book that would supplement the materials you already have.
Check it out and see what you think!
http://www.setbc.org/setbc/accessiblebooks/freebooksforyou.asp#top

Posted by Kelly Ligon at 9:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/vlibrary.html is a great resource for all students-easy for students with limited mobility as well as students without mobility difficulties. Try the "complete the pattern" application (http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/frames_asid_184_g_1_t_1.html)--it's fun! (My second favorite is the Sieve of Eratosthenes at http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/frames_asid_158_g_1_t_1.html)

Clicking on the "Parent/Teacher" icon at the top of each page provides:
- Objectives
- Lesson Plan
- Extension
- Assessment
- Materials
- Cross References

Clicking on the "Standards" button takes you to the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics' Principles and Standards for School Mathematics page that correlates to the activity.

Posted by Susanne Croasdaile at 5:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

10th Annual Assistive Technology Conference
November 5-6, 2007
Holiday Inn Select Koger Center South Conference Center
Richmond, VA
Sponsored by the Virginia Department of Education’s Training and Technical Assistance Centers at VCU, ODU and JMU and the Hospital Education Program at Children’s Hospital in Richmond

Keynote Speaker: The conference will begin on November 5 with Dan Keplinger, an accomplished artist, writer, and subject of the Oscar winning HBO documentary, “King Gimp”. He will talk with the audience about his educational and life experiences growing up with cerebral palsy. Dan shares on his website, “Obstacles and challenges are a universal part of the human condition. We all face them in everyday life, however we also have a choice as to how we deal with them.” This message will benefit parents, teachers and individuals serving students with disabilities.

November 5 In addition to the keynote address, a variety of commercial assistive technology exhibits and workshop sessions will be provided by company representatives who will demonstrate and discuss the application of their products. Some featured companies include Intellitools, TextHelp, Don Johnston Inc., AlphaSmart, Freedom Scientific, AbleNet and others.

November 6 will feature half-day or full day sessions on topics relevant to meeting the needs of students with disabilities who are served in a variety of educational environments. Nationally recognized speakers include Caroline Musselwhite, Dan Herlihy, Susan Stokes and others. Vendors will also be available in the exhibit area.

Registration will begin in September. Please contact Sarah Wright, by email: sswright@vcu.edu or call 1-866-465-0412. For the latest updates, contact www.vcu.edu/ttac.

We hope to see you at the conference!!

Posted by Sharon Jones at 12:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Check out this new online training module "Technology Supports for Struggling Writers" posted on the Texas Assistive Technology Network website, www.texasat.net. This module provides an introduction to the assistive technology (AT) supports for struggling writers. focuses on the writing process with regards to technology interventions, accommodations and universal design features, and is also designed for use by staff developers and educators to train those involved in writing accommodations. Presenter materials and participant handouts are included!

Posted by Sharon Jones at 7:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I'm definitely an iPod fan. I'm trying to be more inclusive in my language by using mp3 player as a generic term but I find it hard to do all of the time. Check out this switch accessible device that allows the iPod (and probably other mp3 players) to be operated by individuals with physical limitations.

http://www.tecsol.com.au/pdfs/switchPod%20Instructions2.pdf

I've also seen an Intellikeys overlay that allows the user to play music that has been stored in the iTunes folder on your computer. Search the activity exchange portion of the Intellitools website for this adaptation.

Posted by Mona at 6:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Gorillapod firmly secures your compact digital camera to just about anything – anywhere and everywhere! It wraps around posts, trees, and railings, even sides of rocks, to form a stable anchor for compact cameras. Think about how this might provide options for photographers with physical challenges. And at only $14.99---it's a deal!
Go to http://www.jessops.com
and search for "gorilla pod"

Posted by Kelly Ligon at 8:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Universal design (UD) is based on a set of 7 guiding principles that were articulated by architect/ consumer Mr. Ron Mace and others in the early 1990's. Ron Mace actually considered the concept of universal design much earlier, as others, as he pondered the inequities that often resided in many architectural designs and environments. Mr. Jim Mueller, a private consultant in industrial engineering and universal design, recently addressed an audience of rehabilitation practitioners, educators, and others at the Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitation Center in Fisherville, VA. Jim was one of the original writers with Ron Mace on the 7 guiding principles of universal design. To hear an audio file of Jim's thoughts on universal design, please download the attached Mp3 file:

Universal Design, Mr. Jim Mueller (recorded 6/12/07)
Download file

Posted by Fran Smith at 6:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Premiere Assistive Technology, http://www.readingmadeez.com/home.php, offers a potpourri of assistive reading and writing tools including text aloud, text enlargement, word prediction, speaking dictionary, speaking calculator, and visual highlighting software. Recently they've added software that allows language conversion...a wonderful tool for communicating with those whom English is their second language.

Premiere offers several free downloads and a Grant Opportunity for individuals to secure a suite of their products. For more information on the grant application, visit http://www.readingmadeez.com/Grantform.php

Posted by Fran Smith at 10:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Association on Higher Education and Disability recently launched a new section of the AHEAD Website dedicated to resources related to the social model of disability and the principles of universal design. For more information, visit: http://ahead.org/resources/ud_intro.php

Posted by Fran Smith at 10:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

As I was looking through our entries on the blog I noticed we had neglected to hightlight some free resources that can be really valuable for student with reading difficulties. There are 2 excellent text to speech software programs that are available for a free download.

Word Talk allows text that is entered into a word document to be spoken. This feature can be set to open as a tool bar in the Microsoft Word window. The speech quality is OK for being a free feature. It is available at the following web site:

http://www.wordtalk.org.uk/

The other program that speaks text is Read Please. In order to use this feature text must be copied and pasted into the Read Please window. Like Word Talk the voices are robotic but clearer voices are available for a small price. Download Read Please at:

http://www.readplease.com/

Check them both out and let us know which one works best for you!!

Posted by Mona at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I was searching the web for a used accessible mini-van and came across this inventory of used mini-vans. I thought it might be helpful to someone out there who might need one or for a organization that might be willing to purchase one for an individual. Check it out and add other sites that you might know about.

http://www.rollxvans.com/inventory.asp?VanType=1&NewVan=0

Posted by Kelly Ligon at 8:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A new tool is now available to assist users with no hand function to access an IPOD. The switchPod works with the Apple iPod, iPod Photo, and Mini. It provides a full range of access to all IPOD functions through the switch link capabilities. For more information, visit, http://www.tecsol.com.au/pdfs/switchPod%20Instructions2.pdf

Posted by Fran Smith at 10:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We've recently been apprised of a new online resource that does a fine job at determining text readability. Visit, http://www.interventioncentral.org/htmdocs/tools/okapi/okapi.php

Posted by Fran Smith at 10:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Interested in knowing all the accessibility tricks and tools in Microsoft products? If so, visit http://www.microsoft.com/enable or, visit, http://www.microsoft.com/enable/cd/default.aspx
to order your own personal CD copy today.

Posted by Fran Smith at 10:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The new 2007 MS Office program provides a different interface for navigating the programs. Many are handled through keyboard shortcuts and, according to Microsoft, most menus and toolbars are no longer available. To read more and sign up for a FREE online training course, visit: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/help/FX100485361033.aspx?pid=CL100605171033

Posted by Fran Smith at 10:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Apple's new IPhone hit the streets last Friday with many waiting in line for hours to make their first purchase. According to Apple, the IPhone boasts several accessibility features worth reviewing including large numeric keypad views, larger fonts, hands free speaker phone and embedded audible and visible alerts. To read more, visit http://www.apple.com/accessibility/iphone/index.html#zoom

Posted by Fran Smith at 10:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A wonderful opportunity for families, individuals health care and educational professionals is coming to Richmond, December 7-8, 2007. The World of Possibilities Expo, sponsored by www.caringcommunities.org, features products for children through seniors with disabilities, workshop demonstrations, exhibitors, free wheelchair rentals and repairs, shopping opportunities, entertainment and more! If you are in town, come and check it out! For other sites go to http://www.caringcommunities.org

Posted by Kelly Ligon at 8:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Know anyone who would enjoy woodworking but may not know how to make the hobby/trade more accessible? Check out The Able Workshop at http://www.ableworkshop.com/

From the website:

A Site for Woodworkers who have a Disability: The Ableworkshop Forum is the place to get answers, suggestions, tips, tricks, share your knowledge and chat with other users. Photos, tips & tricks include: wheelchair accessible workbench, modifying a bandsaw, scroll saw, accessible storage, barrier-free workshop, and making money with a craft business. These pages are dedicated to sharing that information with others, and hopefully helping those who thought they COULD NOT work in the shop, and make creative wood projects.

Posted by Susanne Croasdaile at 10:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

NBC did a spotlight on a Walgreens Distribution Center in South Carolina. Over 40% of the employees at this workplace have a developmental disability. The best part, this distribution center is the most productive in the whole Walgreens chain. The work environment centers around inclusive practices, universal design and diversity. All the things we emphasize every day. It's great to see it put into practice in the work world. Another thing, other employers are now looking at this as a model site so they can replicate. Check out this link and view the videos. They are inspiring.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/

Posted by Mona at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Interested in exploring text-to-speech in Microsoft Excel? Click on http://office.microsoft.com/en-gb/word/HA102223271033.aspx to see info on
- Using text-to-speech commands in Microsoft Office Excel 2007
- Using text-to-speech commands in Excel 2003 or 2002
- Playing back worksheet data

Posted by Susanne Croasdaile at 5:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We've referred to Karen Janowski's materials before (http://teachingeverystudent.wikispaces.com), but here's some more to chew on. Assistive technology consideration is a hot topic for us here in VA, and Karen's website compliation (http://teachingeverystudent.wikispaces.com/Assistive+Technology+Consideration) has dozens of links and documents to help.

Posted by Susanne Croasdaile at 5:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Has anyone given blood lately? I was at Virginia Blood Services, ready to fill out my questionaire using pen and paper and noticed everything is digital! As I sat with the nurse, she was using a Sahara Slate, displayed on a lazy susan, to input my information using an external keyboard. Once that was complete, she rotated the Slate toward me, handed me the digital ink pen, and I listened and read a questionaire displayed on the screen, and answered yes/no questions. I was fascinated and impressed that Tablets/Slates are really making a presence everywhere! I mean I've seen them used by police and doctors, but not like this! Very cool! Any other neat ways you've seen them being used?

Posted by Kelly Ligon at 8:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)