The Assistive Technology Blog

General Motors and the iCan! online community for people with disabilities now have

"an Internet-based tool that guides people with disabilities, seniors and caregivers through a process to identify new GM vehicles best suited to their needs. It can be accessed from home or at the dealer, upfitter or rehabilitation specialist.The GM Mobility Advisor also offers suggestions for adaptive equipment relevant to the specific vehicle and the your equipment and provides suggestions for loading and unloading different types of equipment into specific vehicles."

Posted by Susanne Croasdaile at 5:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Assistive Technology Funding Manual by the Institute on Disability/UAP can be downloaded in Adobe Acrobat format from http://iod.unh.edu/publications/pdf/manual-AT-Funding.pdf.

This is a detailed guide to Assistive Technology funding sources, from Medicaid and Medicare to private health insurances, and see your rights under IDEA.

Posted by Susanne Croasdaile at 6:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Click on http://www.microsoft.com/enable/casestudy/default.aspx to read:

Accessibility case studies [which] showcase organizations that have integrated accessible technology solutions into their technology plans to help individuals with various types of impairments maintain productivity on the job. Case studies feature best practices and lessons learned, as well as examples of why it makes good business sense to provide accessible technology in the workplace.

Case studies include:
- Texthelp Read&Write Software Provides Valuable Productivity Tool for Microsoft Technology Specialist
- Kurzweil 3000 Reading and Comprehension Software Helps Business Leader Reach Full Potential
- State of Georgia: Computers and Assistive Technology Remove Barriers for State of Georgia Employee with Learning Disability

Posted by Susanne Croasdaile at 4:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here's a new resource for considering universal design in the workplace, http://www.onestops.info/. A great resource that offers a systems matrix for aligning approaches, links to relevant webcast, and links to important resources.

Posted by Fran Smith at 8:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So take a look at http://timestranscript.canadaeast.com/news/article/287846 to see what's up with technology that helps voters with disabilities maintain their right to a secret ballot.

Posted by Susanne Croasdaile at 4:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

As I was looking through a magazine I received from a conference, I came across an article about The Alliance for Technology Access (http://www.ataccess.org ). It is a national network of community-based Resource Centers, Developers, Vendors, and Associates dedicated to providing information and support services to children and adults with disabilities. Their website has a particular area for families, “Family Place in Cyberspace”, with information about adaptable toys, how-to’s about creating accessible play activities, planning for transition after high school and integrating AT into instruction. There are a lot of great examples and ideas on this site! Check it out!

Posted by Kelly Ligon at 3:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Trying to stay abreast of the latest on social networking? Wondering what this entails and why it is important? Visit a wiki that was created and recently shared at the Virginia 2008 Transition Forum on "Social Networking Tools and Techniques: What Every Transition Practitioner Needs to Know". VCU TTAC Technology Coordinator Fran Smith chose this medium to share her handouts and resources while modeling the technology and sharing multiple web-based examples.
http://socialweb20.pbwiki.com

Posted by Fran Smith at 3:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Click on http://www.atia.org/i4a/pages/Index.cfm?pageID=3396 for a great story from the Assistive Technology Industry Association about a college student who uses the DynaVox AAC device as well as a few other pieces of AT to fulfill her goals of being a composer and performer.

Posted by Susanne Croasdaile at 5:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Checkout the Visual Search Mode of the VCU T/TAC online library. Icons are used as search buttons for categories or subject areas. Selecting the Assistive Technology search button opens up several other search buttons for easy “one-touch” searching for AT items, software or helpful links. If you would like to checkout AT Library items call us at 800-426-1595 and ask for our library, or come by the VCU T/TAC at 10 E. Franklin St in Richmond.

Continue reading "Using Visual Search Mode for Assistive Technology on VCU T/TAC Online Library" »

Posted by at 12:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

IPODS and Mp3 players are increasing in popularity -- especially among today's younger technology users. Often a challenge on the video screen of an IPOD is the small display. Thus, when trying to watch a video podcast or a downloaded video, the size of the display is limiting. MyVU is a new product, available for the video IPOD users, that provides large screen viewing. The "lightweight eyewear" provides a private viewing area for the IPOD user with built-in viewing and audio capability. For additional information, visit http://www.myvu.com/Products

Posted by Fran Smith at 4:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)