Courtesy of Jeff Daly
Learning Ally began in 1948 as Recording for the Blind and today serves those individuals who struggle to read standard print due to blindness, dyslexia, visual impairment or other learning disabilities.
With the help of over 6,000 volunteers across the nation, there are 70,000 recorded titles and textbooks available to download onto an assistive technology device or other piece of equipment.
While this organization has been around for awhile, it recently introduced an app that allowed users to view downloaded material on their iOS device. Called, Learning Ally Audio, the software is one of the most popular audio playback software systems around.
The app has enabled users, since 2011, to download their book content to a computer via Apple iTunes or Learning Ally’s Audiobook Manager, and then transfer it over to their preferred iOS device via wire connection (i.e – USB cable).
Now, the organizaiton offers an upgraded version that allows the user to easily download their audiobooks from their personalized Learning Ally bookshelf directly to their devices via a wireless network, without the use of a Mac or PC computer. No launching of Apple iTunes or Learning Ally’s Audiobook Manager is necessary.
Along with the upgrade, users still get to enjoy the cool features that make Learning Ally software so cool. For instance, users will still enjoy page and chapter navigation, extensive bookmarking capabilities, last book/last position playback, variable speed and pitch control, and playing while locked to save battery life.
Members who have an earlier version of the app will get an automatic upgrade through “Apple Updates”; and the audiobooks currently on their device will remain intact. For new app users, the app is available to Learning Ally members for $19.99 via the Apple iTunes store.
Learning Ally Audio is fully compatible with all iPad, iPhone 4s, 4 and 3GS models, and iPod touch second generation and above devices. For visually impaired members, the app takes full advantage of Apple’s VoiceOver technology. The app integrates seamlessly with Learning Ally’s memberships for indviduals as well as institutions and schools, and is an easy, affordable way to access and enjoy the organization’s vast collection of textbook and literature titles. More information, frequently asked questions, a quick start guide, and customer service contact info to support the Learning Ally Audio app are available at http://www.LearningAlly.org/apple.
Many believe that technology can be overwhelming or even daunting at times because of all of the upgrades, new editions and the never-ending list of new technologies to choose from.
However, not all technology has to be “high-tech.” Assistive technology in particular can be anything from a heating pad to a magnifying glass, it just depends on the user’s needs.
The following list is just a compilation of a few items that do not require a user manual, but can still make a world of difference.
Weighted Snuggle Snake: “The Sensory weighted snake provides a gentle weight which helps to facilitate proprioceptive input as it wraps snugly around the upper shoulder area. This fun design and cute fabric is a perfect pal to wear during school activities or during times that require good attention. The Sensory Snake can also be placed in the lap if this is more comfortable for the child.” – www.grampasgarden.com
iPad Pillow: “The iBuddy tablet holder is designed for the iPad, iPad2, Kindle DX or other tablets and touchpads of similar size. Using the iBuddy tablet holder will help eliminate Sleepy-Hand Syndrome, the strain on your wrists and arms resulting from holding-up your electronic readers for long periods of time. The iBuddy tablet holder will also absorb the heat and weight associated with tablets. The iBuddy comes in a variety of colors and patterns to accommodate all age groups and its dimensions are 14 ½” x 11 ½”.” www.amandacrawforddesigns.com
Tennis Balls and Foam Noodles: Repurpose these items by fitting them around writing or eating utensils to give the user something to hold onto with a firm grip and an alternative to traditional grips that may be difficult.
Plastic signature guide and writing guides – These plastic sheets have lines cut out of them so as to guide the writer’s hands and keep sentences straight. This simple overlay is great for those who have issues controling their fine motor skills or are blind or have low-vision.
Big Keys Keyboard – One of several alternative large letter, abc order keyboards for young children or students with motor or cognitive challenges difficulties. This keyboard may qualify as technological; however, it’s large keys and colors make it easy to use and can help to make typing more efficient and quick. We have them here at INDATA if you want to try one for 30 days!
Watch as Brian demonstrates how to use the PlexTalk digital reader device. It reads, records and bookmarks important information.!
Having trouble viewing the video? Click here!
Click here to visit our archived videos.
To view Closed Captioning, click on the “CC” in the lower right corner of the video.
Information from the INDATA Project is now available via podcast! Every Friday, the INDATA Project will release two podcasts featuring new assistive technology projects. The podcasts are available for viewing on the INDATA Project website and on iTunes. The “Assistive Technology Update” is a fast-paced weekly update for AT professionals and enthusiasts. The “Accessibility Minute” is designed for all listeners to provide assistive technology tips and tricks.
Image from The New York Times
Watching individuals talking with their hands, shouting or having heated conversations with apparently no one have become the norm for those who use headphones, with microphones, attached to their mobile device.
Hands free, it’s all the rage.
Now, Google will introduce a set of goggles that can augment reality, that is lay a set of virtual information over the image of physical objects through the lens of the glasses. Cleverly called, Google Goggles, this invention could mean big news in the world of aug. comm. and assistive technology.
The glasses are not designed to be worn constantly. Much like the applications on smartphones, the glasses will only be used when needed. However, it is pretty safe to say that some users will be wearing them quite a bit.
“It will look very strange to onlookers when people are wearing these glasses,” William Brinkman, graduate director of the computer science and software engineering department at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio told The New York Times. “You obviously won’t see what they can from the behind the glasses. As a result, you will see bizarre body language as people duck or dodge around virtual things.”
This bizarre body language will come from the actions users must take in order to select what they want to view in the glasses. Similar to the virtual reality games, where users wear large headsets to maneuver virtual spaces, the goggles will respond to motion in order to activate certain services.
Such services include identification of buildings and people, text and contact information.
Using the same Android technology that powers smartphones and tablets, the goggles are equipped with GPS and motion sensors. They will also contain a camera and audio inputs and outputs.
Soon, people may look up at a building through these glasses and be able to see its historical background as well as read comments about it left by their friends. Directions will become step by step instructions.
Even advertising will morph into something new.
Mr. Brinkman said he was very excited by the possibilities of the glasses, but acknowledged that the augmented reality glasses could pose some ethical issues.
“In addition to privacy, it’s also going to change real-world advertising, where companies can virtually place ads over other people’s ads,” he told The Times. “I’m really interested in seeing how the government can successfully regulate augmented reality in this sense. They are not really going to know what people are seeing behind those glasses.”
