INDATA Project to Host Demo Day on Autism

Assistive Technology Products, Events, INDATA Team No Responses »
Jul 292010

INDATA and Easter Seals Crossroads

INDATA and Easter Seals Crossroads

What: A “Demo Day” featuring devices that assist people with autism.

When: Thursday, August 5, 2010

Where: Easter Seals Rehabilitation Center, 3701 Bellemeade Ave., in Evansville, Indiana.

Why: The “Demo Day” gives individuals who make an appointment the opportunity to experience an abbreviated one-on-one device demonstration, during which they learn how assistive technology can increase independence through a hands-on session with the many low-tech and high-tech assistive technology devices available.

A variety of devices will be demonstrated, with a particular emphasis on autism, including: touch screens, adaptive keyboards, trackballs, Visual and Schedule Assistant and some communication devices.

To register for your free half-hour appointment during “Demo Day,” contact Carol Girt at 1-888-466-1314. Please register by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, August 4th. If you are interested in learning about assistive technology devices for other disabilities, please contact Carol Girt.

For more information visit the Device Demonstration Page on the INDATA website.

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Posted by jtutton at 1:06 pm Tagged with: , ,

Thunder: FREE Screen-reading Talking Software

Accessibility Services No Responses »
Jul 282010
Eye

Eye

Thunder is an award-winning free screen-reader software for people with little or no sight.  The software works well with Windows 7, Vista, or XP. Without needing to see the screen, you will be able to write letters and documents, hear what you have typed letter by letter or word by word, change the speed and voice, and repeat what you have just heard and more.

Thunder can be downloaded from Screenreader.net, a new non-profit community interest group from Choice Technology.  The software is free for individual users but organizations must pay a yearly subscription depending  upon their size for using the screen reader.

Visit the Screenreader.net to learn more about the Thunder software, along with information about FREE web learning days for blind computer users.

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Posted by jtutton at 1:01 pm Tagged with: , ,

New Microsoft Accessibility Website

Accessibility Services, Assistive Technology Products 1 Response »
Jul 272010

Microsoft is pleased to announce the new Microsoft Accessibility Website

Access Button

Access Button

which was recently redesigned and released.  A key goal of the website is to make it easier to find information either by product name or by type of content such as Tutorials, Guides, and Centers.

The website features information about different types of assistive technology and the ability to purchase those, along with Demos and Tutorials on how to use the products.

Also featured, is the new Accessibility Today video.  You can view this video to find out more about Microsoft’s efforts to create technology that is accessible to everyone.

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Posted by jtutton at 8:17 am Tagged with: , ,

Accessibility features for IBM Lotus Symphony

Accessibility Services No Responses »
Jul 262010
IBM Lotus Symphony Software

IBM Lotus Symphony Software

IBM Lotus Symphony software is an office suite for creating, editing, and sharing word processing documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.  The software is available free of charge, and offers accessibility features to support individuals with disabilities.

Accessibility features help users with disabilities to use information technology products successfully.  The following list provides more information about the IBM Lotus Symphony accessibility features:

  • Access to all functions by keyboard.
  • Improved readability of screen contents.
  • Zooming of on-screen user interface for menus, icons, and documents.

Accessibility features of the Lotus Symphony software allows all users to effectively use the software and provides a free software for users to create documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.

Visit the IBM website to download the Lotus Symphony software to your computer.

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Posted by jtutton at 8:16 am Tagged with: , ,

Gadget Camp: Mother Sees Growth in Daughter After Camp

Events, INDATA Team No Responses »
Jul 232010
Miata and her Mother at Gadget Camp

Miata and her Mother at Gadget Camp

Patricia Finkley assisted her daughter in the participation of Gadget Camp during the last week of June.  Gadget Camp was a week long, day camp held at Butler University put on by the INDATA Team at Easter Seals Crossroads to give students with disabilities a chance to grow and have fun at a week of summer camp.  Miata, Patricia’s daughter, and nine other children were able to learn about communication and social skills, along with making valuable friendships throughout the week.

“This was our first time doing something like Gadget Camp, and we loved it!” Patricia said after the completion of Gadget Camp.  She was happy to see the growth in Miata’s communication and social skills throughout the week.  Volunteers at Gadget Camp saw improvement in Miata’s communication skills, and by the completion of Gadget Camp Miata was able to more easily use her communication device effectively.

Patricia also made a point to let everyone know that Miata had fun and made new friends during the week at Gadget Camp. Some of her favorite activities during the week were fishing and singing camp songs.

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Posted by jtutton at 8:07 am Tagged with: , , ,

GW Micro Presents the BookSense DS

Assistive Technology Products No Responses »
Jul 222010
Stack of Books

Stack of Books

The BookSense DS is the only book player to have an OLED (organic light emitting diode) display.  An OLED display can be used to produce higher contrast ratios to help those with low vision.  This new device has the accessibility to read books and word documents, play music, read DAISY textbooks, and play material from the Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic.  The BookSense has 4GB of built in memory, and it also has the ability to accept higher capacity memory cards for maximum storage of books and music.

The OLED display is great for teachers and students who have learning difficulties.  Teachers are able to use the display to see what students are doing, or see what the BookSense is saying.  Students are able to use the device to follow along on the screen to read a document or textbook.  Students are also able to see or hear textbooks, and they are even able to adjust the reading speed to make reading easier and more enjoyable.

The BookSense is a good choice for educators, students, and any blind or visually impaired person to easily access music, books, and documents.  The item is not yet on the market, and the price is still to be determined.

You can find an educational video on the BookSense and more information on the device on the GW Micro Website.

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Posted by jtutton at 8:11 am Tagged with: ,
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