Apps, Apps, Apps

Accessibility Services, Apple, Assistive Technology Products, AT Basics, Easter Seals Crossroads, INDATA, iTunes No Responses »
Apr 242012

It would seem that the list of iPad apps keeps growing and growing, and the list of apps for assistive technology is no exception. The following is a list of the favorite iPad apps of Joan L. Green, a speech-language pathologist in Potomac, Maryland and author of “The Ultimate Guide to Assistive Technology in Special Education,” who shared these and others with The Washington Post. (These apps tend to be on the more expensive side, or at least not free, because they are more customizable to fit a child’s needs. Despite their cost, they are still less expensive than pieces of equipment that serve the same purpose.)

Speech

ArtikPix-Ful 1: combines flashcards and other activities to help children with speech delays practice making sounds correctly. Expressive solutions, $29.99.

Articulation Station Pro: allows kids with speech delays to practice making sounds in words, sentences and stories. Little Bee Speech, $49.99.

Language

VAST Autism 1-Core: helps students with autism or other disorders, such as apraxia, learn to speak SpeakinMotion, $4.99.

First Phrases HD: helps toddlers or children with speech delays learn to put words together into phrases. Hamaguchi Apps for Speech, Language and Auditory Developemnt, $9.99.

Reading

Bob Books #1-Reading Magic HD: a phonics-based game to help young children learn how to read. Learning Touch, $7.99.

Rainbow Sentences: helps students learn good grammar by color-coding the parts of sentences. Mobile Education Tools, $7.99.

Rhyming Words: rhyming activities to help build early reading skills. GrasshopperApps.com, free.

Writing and Spelling

Cimo Spelling: a game that uses a list of 255 high-frequency and sight words to help children in kindergarten through third grade develop basic spelling and reading skills. PlaySmart-Kids, $2.99.

FirstWords Deluxe: helps teach toddlers letter and word recognition. Learning Touch, $4.99.

iWrite Words: reinforces correct letter formation and spelling. Gdiplus, $2.99.

Organization and Note Taking

Abilipad: a notepad app that allows users to customize the keyboard. It also has a text-to-speech function. Cheryl Bregman, $19.99.

Audionote Notepad and Voice Recorder: app can synchronize typed notes with recorded audio for students who struggle with fine motor skills or organization. Luminant Software, $4.99.

Notability-Take Notes and Annotate PDFs with Dropbox: combines handwriting, typing and voice recording for note-taking. Ginger Labs, 99 cents.

Communication

TouchChat: helps students of all ages who have trouble speaking with their own voices. Silver Kite, $149.99.

Custom Boards: allows users of all ages to create custom communication boards, schedules and activities from a library of more than 11,000 symbols. Smarty Ears, $39.99.

Posted by Anne at 10:03 am Tagged with: , , , , , , , ,

Monday Tech Tip: MiniMax Portable Video Magnifier

Accessibility Services, Assistive Technology Products, Asstive Technology Stories, AT Basics, AT Loan Library, INDATA, INDATA Projects, INDATA Videos, Organizations, Uncategorized, Wade Wingler No Responses »
Apr 232012

Watch as Greg Blackman demonstrates how to use the MiniMax portable video magnifier from Reinecker.

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To view Closed Captioning, click on the “CC” in the lower right corner of the video.

Posted by Anne at 11:30 am Tagged with: , , , ,

Learning Ally: updated version makes audio books easier to obtain

Accessibility Services, Assistive Technology Products, AT Basics, Easter Seals Crossroads, INDATA, Organizations, Uncategorized No Responses »
Apr 192012

audiobook

Courtesy of Jeff Daly

Serving more than 300,000 K-11, college and graduate students, one non-profit is seeking to make reading accessible and achievable for all.

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.

Posted by Anne at 10:04 am Tagged with: , , , , ,

Low vision electronic solutions

Accessibility Services, AT Basics, AT Loan Library, Easter Seals Crossroads, INDATA, Organizations, Uncategorized No Responses »
Apr 182012

Optelec

Courtesy of ATIA

With technology, it always seems that the evolution never ends. Gadgets become smaller, more efficient and quicker all the time and gadgets for the blind and people who have low vision are no exception.

Optelec is a company that provides assistive technology for the blind and visually impaired community and the following is a list of products they provide that make living in a world made for the sighted a bit more user friendly for those who cannot see or have difficulties doing so.

Compact 5 HD: This handheld portable video magnifier is lightweight, is always in focus and gives the user abilities to read glossy magazines, letters, displays or price tags in both the lowest and widest continuous magnifcation range possible.

ClearNote: This device is ideal for the office, classroom and/or home. Combining near, self and distance viewing, this piece of equipment allows the user to view white boardings during a meeting or class, take notes from a lecture or read printed case reports while using a computer.

Multiview: This 3-in-1 viewing device is a multipurpose video magnifier for document reading, distance and self-viewing with a 3-in-1 flexible camera. Designed to fit conveniently on any workstation, the multiview camera can focuse on a wide range of activities including reading, writing, hobbies, needlework, or even painting. The camera has the ability to tilt and rotate to view yourself for getting ready in the morning, or it can be adjusted for distance viewing around the room.

Compact: This portable video magnifier is a great combination of design and sophistication. It comes in tons of cool colors, like pink, white, blue and green and allows the user to read labels, maps, schedules and directions all on the go.

FarView: This magnifier is ideal for the active user. Offering the combined benefits of document and distance viewing in a stylish and compact design, the FarView allows the user to access information with ease in selected magnification and high contrast settings.

Make sure to visit www.Optelec.com to check out their extensive line of AT for those who are blind or who have low vision.

Posted by Anne at 10:04 am Tagged with: , , , , , , ,

Low tech assistive technology

Assistive Technology Products, AT Basics, AT Loan Library, Easter Seals Crossroads, INDATA, Uncategorized No Responses »
Apr 172012

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!

Posted by Anne at 10:20 am Tagged with: , , , , , , ,

Friday Podcast: National Library Service, David Dikter, Adding accessibility to the mainstream, Hunger Games and Universal Design for Learning, Apple iPad's textbooks don't go far enough, social media and disability, Hadley School for the Blind Podcasts

Accessibility Services, Apple, Assistive Technology Products, AT Basics, Easter Seals Crossroads, INDATA, Indata podcast, INDATA Podcasts, iTunes, Mac, Organizations, Uncategorized, Wade Wingler No Responses »
Apr 132012

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.

ATU046 – Taking Accessibility to the Mainstream (David Dikter – ATIA), Hunger Games and Universal Design for Learning, Apple’s iPad Textbooks Don’t Go Far Enough, Social Media and Disability, Hadley School for the Blind Podcasts

AM046 – National Library Service

Posted by Anne at 10:04 am Tagged with: , , , , , , ,
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