Heather & Assistive Tech.

Assistive Technology Device Websites

Children with LD, and other Specialized Needs

SparkTop (http://www.sparktop.org)

SparkTop is fun! This site is a great assistive technology device for children with learning disabilities, but it drew me in too! I explored the “Brain Arcade”. Here kids (or adult visitors to the site) can design their 'brain' based on likes and dislikes, as they play the “Brain Zipper” game (a quick moving, matching game) they are told to keep an eye out for it. My favorite feature was the interesting fact you got about celebrities with unique brains, as encouragement after losing the game. The sites sole purpose is not just entertainment, its a great educational tool as well, addressing a variety of problems kids encounter in their schoolwork, as well as the social environment. This free site, now run by the Professor Garfield Foundation, gives kids who learn differently a chance to connect with other kids, play educational games, and discover ways to succeed in both their studies and life in general.

Innovations without Boundaries

Assistive Tech. Inc. (http://www.assistivetech.com/)

The site is a great resource. It offers a variety of products for those with mild to severe cognitive and physical disabilities. They have sections on their site with customer reviews, news, funding and an information index. The information index is a great resource for anyone new to the world of special education, disabilities, or assistive technology. The glossary of terms is great, as someone new to the world of special education, I know the acronyms and terminology can sound like a foreign language. The customer successes section gives assistive technology users the opportunity to share their stories. I found this section to be informative and inspirational. Assistive Tech does a good job of making connecting to its costumers by connecting them to one another, (a great business technique).

Assistive Devices

Adaptivation (http://www.adaptivation.com/)

Adaptivations sells a wide range of assistive technology devices including switches, communication aides, and environmental controls. Adaptivation assists a range of disabilities, from cognitive, specific learning disabilities, and autism, to multiple disabilities. Prices vary from affordable to pricey. The kits combine a variety of related material, and provide a small discount in comparison to purchasing things 'ala-carte'. The site was user friendly, and easy to navigate. It offers low and high-tech devices that can be used for students with varying disabilities.

Online Community

Wheelchair Net (http://www.wheelchairnet.org/)

Wheelchairnet.org is an online community catering to persons that use wheelchairs and their families. For individuals new to the world of wheelchairs, they can explore the Wheelchair University section of the site. This section provides links to various research articles, and participating universities to educate users on everything from wheelchair standards and use, to international wheelchair activities. The products and services section provides several links to product websites, resources for consumers, resources for clinicians, insurers, payers, and everyone in between. The site has not been updated since 2006, however, most of the links are accessible.

Moving Beyond Boundaries

Vision Cue (http://www.visioncue.com/)

Vision cue addresses the needs of persons with low vision and blindness. Vision Cue offers a selection of Braille, low vision, and speech products from a variety of manufacturers. Customers with low vision can purchase large screens and portable hand held readers. Vision Cue also has a variety of phone accessibility software and hardware, and much more. They only offer two Braille series. The site is relatively easy to navigate, however the product selection was not as expansive as I had expected. Overall, the site is a good resource for the vision impaired.

Accessibility

Microsoft Enable (http://www.microsoft.com/enable/)

Microsoft accessibility makes the computer easier to hear, see, and use. Their accessibility options include programs built in to software, as well as particular devices. Accessibility limits barriers faced by individuals with disabilities. Some of Microsoft's accessibility tools include screen magnifiers, speech recognition software, learning software, screen readers and more. Microsoft software and hardware is utilized worldwide in the workplace and schools, with a variety of affordable accessibility options, individuals that require assistive technology accommodations will easily breakthrough what may be considered barriers.

Your Guide for Developing Usable and Useful Websites

Usability.gov (http://usability.gov/)

Usability is defined as how well a user can learn to utilizer a website, computer software, mobile device, etc. and how well that product addresses the needs of the user. The site mentions five main factors that determine a devices usability; ease of learning, efficiency of use, memorability, error frequency and severity and subjective satisfaction. This site provides creators with guidance in all phases of development, planning, design, and refinement. This site provides helpful information that all technology developers should consider, as persons with disabilities continue to tap into technology for helpful resources.

IBM Accessibility Cetner

IBMhttp://www-03.ibm.com/able/

IBM addresses the needs of businesses to apply Universal Design, by ensuring that businesses can meet the growing demand and need for assistive technology. IBM seeks to go beyond disability compliance, by insuring that users have a better experience with technology and by improving peoples' interaction with it. IBM accessibility site has several features. They provides links to research articles and case studies, downloadable programs for persons with vision and/or hearing impairments, among other downloads and supports. The IBM newsroom keeps users up to day on the latest in technology news.

The Click and Type Keyboard

Virtual Keyboard (http://cnt.lakefolks.com/)

This is a great resource for persons with mobility impairments. This free, download affords individuals with little mobility access to computers as any person with typing capabilities. It is easy to download and easy to use. It is also available in a various languages. Its compatible with Windows XP and Windows Vista, but Mac users are out of luck. This simple download breaks through several barriers for persons with very limited mobility.

Apple Accessibility

Apple (http://www.apple.com/accessibility/)

Apple computers offers a variety of accessibility products that address the needs of individuals suffering from a variety of disabilities. For the vision impaired or blind, all Mac computers have a VoiceOver as well as a variety of refreshable braille displays. The iPhone is equipped with a variety of features that address the needs of individuals with hearing impairments, vision impairments, or physical impairments. Some of the features of the iPhone include, voice dialing, tactile buttons, and intelligent keyboards with predictive text. Apple also provides access to music and entertainment store iTunes for the hearing and vision impaired. For those using screen readers iTunes U provides access educational resources of collaborating Universities and K-12 schools

Assistive Technology Organization Websites

The University of Washington DO-IT

http://www.washington.edu/doit/Resources/technology.html

This site is an extension of the University of Washington and provides an extensive list of available research regarding assistive technology and its contributions to Universal Design. There is a variety of research articles, video presentations, and general information on technology. The site is modified and updated regularly which means the information is up-to-date, a necessity where technology is concerned. DO-IT also provides a variety of discussions in assitive technolgy and postsecondary education for students with disabilities. One I found particularly interesting was “doitsem”. On this discussion board the topic centered around the use of technology and other strategies to promote students with disabilities in challenging fields, such as engineering, science and mathematics.

Children with LD

LD Online: Especially for Kids (http://ldonline.org/kids)

This site claims to be “The world's leading website on learning disability and ADHD”, for good reason. The site caters to a variety of visitors, including kids, educators, and parents. Users new to LD, or just looking for “basics” can turn toward the “Getting Started” section, where they will find a synopsis of LD and ADHD, a Q&A section, and a Glossary that will help them decode Special Education's world of acronyms and specialized vocabulary. The resources for both general and special educators include instructional strategies, scholarly articles, and recommended links, among other things.

The best feature is the “Especially for Kids” section. It is an Assistive Tech tool that gives children with LD and/or ADHD a chance to publish stories, art work, and find books that cater to their needs and interests. Children can also create and send “ecards” thanking their favorite teachers for all the hard work they do.

World Wide Community

Family Village (http://www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/)

Family village is an international web based community that provides support to individuals with cognitive and other disabilities, and those individuals' families. There are a variety of links that provide access to research, general information, information for families and individuals that provide support for those with cognitive or learning disabilities. The disability culture sections offers dating and relationship advice, comic relief, and disabilities in pop culture, among other things. Overall the site provides a wide range of information for a large audience. However, the site has not been updated in some time which should be considered when looking for research or other time sensitive information.

Assistive Technology Exchange Center

ATEC (http://www.atec-oc.org/)

ATEC is an organization based out of Santa Ana, CA that serves the southern California area. They are a non-profit group that provide assistive tech. Devices for those that qualify. They are funded through private, commercial, and governmental agencies. Loan programs, and financial assistance are available, but clients can elect to privately pay for services as well. They serve anyone with a disability living in the southern California area. However, the site has not been updated since February of 2007. I don't think I would recommend the site because of its limited reach, and obvious lack of updates.

Assistive Technology Researcher

The Center for Assistive Technology (http://cat.buffalo.edu/)

The Center of Assistive Technology is housed in the School of Public Health and Health Professions at the University of Buffalo. The center provides education for professionals, students, and most importantly, consumers. The site provides support primarily for those in New York State, but still offers a variety of research materials accessible through their website. The site was easy to navigate, but caters directly to a small audience. Its links page is helpful for users outside the state of New York with links to various national organizations.

Market Research of Assistive Technology Tools and Durable Medical Equipment

AZTech (http://www.wnyilp.org/aztech/index.php)

This full service market research firm specializes in assistive technology. They offer a variety of primary and secondary research from focus groups, surveys, and prototype development, among other things. AZTech provides professional services for businesses whose consumer base is persons with disabilities, or the elderly. They have done research for products used by persons with disabilities in bathrooms, education, entertainment, kitchens, mobilities and much more. The group does not address the needs of consumers directly, but acts as a liason between persons with disabilities and service providers, This site has not been updated from 2007, so recent research, products and news is unavailable.

Involved Parents. Successful Kids.

Great Schools (http://www.greatschools.net)

This site caters to parents. It allows the parents of children with a variety of Special Education needs, including those with LD, ADD, and ADHD, to connect with other parents. Parents can not only find support, but a variety of resources as well. Parents can research and compare schools across the country, find the top rated schools in their community, and search for schools nationwide. Great Schools also provides parents with a variety of articles and a number of different topics, all related to education. I'd recommend this to parents seeking to become involved in education reform, as well as those just looking for support from parents facing similar challenges when it comes to their child's education.

Archimedes Hawaii

Archimedes Project (http://archimedes.hawaii.edu/)

The Archimedes Project addresses the growing technology gap they refer to as the “digital divide”. Information and the access to it hold enormous promise for success. The Archimedes Project seeks to make assistive technology devices accessible to everyone regardless of individual needs, abilities, preferences, and culture. The project began at Stanford University in 1992, but was moved to the University of Hawaii. Their location may have change but the focus is still to address provde universal technology access to all. The work the Archimedes Project does range from studying user needs and abilities, to the development of software and hardware.

Division for Learning Disabilities of the Council for Exceptional Children

TeachingLD (http://www.teachingld.org)

This site is an excellent resource for teachers. This non-profit organization is the largest division of CEC, and serves its members through annual conferences, a variety of print publications, as well as grant and award opportunities. The site provides teachers with a continually updated list of reliable resources for teachers of children with LD. Articles included in the “Teaching How-to's” section are taken directly from “Teaching Exceptional Children (TEC)”, a publication put out by the CEC. Members of CEC have an opportunity to register and access even more features of the site, just one of the many, many reasons Sp.Ed. Cohort member should join CEC.

LD Resource

National Center for Learning Disabilities (http://www.ncld.org)

This is another great resource for parents, educators, and anyone else seeking information about LD. The site provides up to date information regarding education policies on Capitol Hill. One feature allows visitors to the site the opportunity to write their Congressman/Woman with just a few simple clicks of a button. Another section I found particularly interesting was “At College and At Work”. This section addressed a group affected by LD that had not been specifically addressed by any of the previous sites, adults with LD. Here, adults with LD can learn more about their legal rights in the work setting and post-secondary institutes, as well as, how to adapt to challenges faced in adulthood. Adults can read advice catered to those with LD regarding relationships, and general successful living.

Assistive Technology Research Articles

“Issues in Preparing Visually Disabled Instructors to Teach Online: A Case Study”

Thomas J. Tobin, Westmoreland County Community College

Thomas Tobin wrote this article as he aided a visually impaired co-worker in developing and teaching an online course. The article is a narrative case study, and its conclusions are not intended to be taken as generalizations, and should not be. Tobin notes three prime areas of difficulty, namely the preparation of materials, training on the software, and teaching techniques. The faculty member Tobin worked with was unable to operate the software independently. The issue then becomes reasonable accommodations. Assistive technology software that aids the blind in computer use is not compatible with some programs, in this case it was not compatible with the online course management program of the university. The faculty member was able to learn basic use through “hands-on” instruction, but relied primarily on the aide of an assistant with the majority of the online course management, Tobin concludes that in this instant, the visually impaired faculty member would require an assistant, and more hands-on support in order to manage online courses.

“Use of Computer Technology to Help Students with Special Needs”

Ted S. Hasslebring and Candyce H. Williams Glaser

http://www.futureofchildre.org

Hasselbring and Glaser focus on the potential computers have to promote the education of children with special needs in the general education classroom, alongside students without special needs. Many students with specific learning disabilities participate in general education classroom, and often times do not get the specialized one-on-one attention they may need. Technology, particularly computer and computer software has been proven to be an effective way to provide students with disabilities a chance to engage in basic practice and drills, stimulations and communication activities that address the needs of a particular student. Technology appears to be a simple aid/solution to the inclusion process of students with special needs, but there are barriers, the most significant being cost.

“Distance Learning and Disability: A View from the Instructors Side of the Virtual Lecture”

G. Denise Lance, Ph. D.

G. Denise Lance is a professor with cerebral palsy. She has spent most of her career as a consultant, writer and researcher on assistive technology. It was not until online courses became widely used that she has ventured into the classroom. Lance had not considered teaching because she felt constrained by her disability, online courses provide her with a perfect venue to teach. Lance found expanded communication abilities to be the best advantage to online courses. Lance's only concern fell under disclosure, she informed her students that she was a student with a disability, and had been a part of the inclusion process. All of her students responded positively to the disclosure, particularly because Lance was able to draw upon personal experience, and not just the stories of others.

“Universal Design of Distance Learning”

Sheryl Burgstahler, Ph. D.

There is a variety of software and hardware available persons with disabilities to ensure that they will not be denied productive use of networking and computing technologies. Online courses have grown in popularity, as has the number of students with disabilities, while some accommodations have been made, there are still a variety of barriers faced by students with disabilities. Burgstahler examines the barriers of online courses to students and instructors with a variety of disabilities, namely those with visual impairments, specific learning disabilities, hearing impairments, seizure disorders, speech impairments and mobility impairments. Burgstahler advises that planning for accommodations as the course is being planned is much easier than making accommodations only as the need arises.

“National Survey of the Use of Assistive Technology by Adults with Mental Retardation”

Michael L. Wehmeyer

Wehmeyer's article is based on a survey of the use of assistive technology by adults with mental retardation conducted by The Arc. This survey found that although assistive technology provides a variety of means for accommodation to barriers to independence, such devices are overwhelming under utilized by the respected population. The primary reasons for underutilization were cost and availability. As information on assistive technology devices becomes more readily available, and awareness rises, a variety of alternative funding programs will expand, and available technologies will be utilized by those with mental retardation. There are a variety of funding programs already in place, low-interest loans, rent to loans, private funding through a variety of organizations, etc.

“The Role of Internet for People with Disabilities: Issues of Access and Equity for Public Libraries”

Kirsty Williamson, Don Schauder, Louise Stockfield, Steve Wright and Amanda Bow

This article reports on two separate studies, and addresses four questions, namely: What are the information needs of persons with disabilities, particularly those with vision impairments? What are the recreational interests of those suffering from a variety of disabilities? What role can the internet play in addressing the needs of this group of people? And finally, how can libraries provide access to the internet? The major recommendation of this article is that Libraries can meet the needs of the vision impaired by working collaboratively with the community, and disability organizations within their respective community.

“Assistive Technology and Mild Disabilities”

Dave L. Edyburn

Edyburn sets out to provide an introduction to assistive technology and the needs of students with mild disabilities. The three mild disabilities he refers to are specific learning disabilities, emotional/behavioral disorders and mental retardation. Edyburn argues that poor academic performance should indicate that a particular student needs to be considered for assistive technology. Members of the IEP group should be educated in the field of adaptive technology and consider and utilize assistive technology devices to address the needs of their students. Assistive technology should be considered in all steps of the IEP process, consideration, intervention and outcome.

“Universal Design of Webpages in Class Projects”

Sheryl Burgstahler, Ph. D.

http://www.washington.edu/doit/Brochures/Technology/universal_class.html

While the internet is typically a tool to instruct students, some teachers are turning the creation of webpages a class project. As students begin to design websites, Burgstahler encourages teachers to consider the Universal Design program and its application on the web. Burgsthaler reminds students to make some considerations for viewers that may have visual, hearing or other impairments. Students (and webdesigners) should keep in mind the growing number of people with disabilities, or other communication hindrances English learners and Senior citizens may have as well. A few simple accommodations can ensure the success of users and web designers.

“Employer Perspectives on Hiring and Accommodating Youth in Transition”

Richard G. Luecking

http://jset.unlv.edu/18.4/luecking/first.html

Work experience for youths with disabilities in preparation in transition for successful adulthood has been documented. While employers are willing to bring youths and adults into the work place they are often times at a loss as to the resources that should be provided to ensure that both the employee and the company benefit. It is essential that professionals involved in the transition process need to be aware of the employers perspectives, their perspectives, and their needs, as well as the students. Communication is key to ensuring that all parties needs are met.

“A Survey of Online Instructional Issues and Strategies for Postsecondary Students with Learning Disabilities”

Robin A. Cook, Ph. D., Marsha A. Gladheart, Ph. D.

Online instructional programs continue to grow in popularity, as does the population of postsecondary students with disabilities. Accommodations do not always follow suit. Most online course managers and instructors do not know how to make modifications or accommodations. This article provides several simple modifications that will address some needs of students with specific learning disabilities. Some of the suggestions are as simple as keeping colors and fonts simple, providing textual descriptions of complex tables or graphs, provide text alternatives to graphic dense pages, etc. Effective online learning for persons with disabilities is through accommodation and modification based on student needs.

Heather & Assistive Tech.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Final Presentation

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Deaf-Blind

Saturday, November 8, 2008

FM Device

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Specific Learning Disabilities

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Braille Labeler

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Assistive Technology on the Web (AAT Research Activity)

Thursday, September 4, 2008

1st Posting

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