Indiana Assistive Technology Blog

Toy robot, credited to genewolf of flickr

Riley Hospital for Children will soon be introducing a new type of therapy for its patients with Cerebral Palsy… robots!  No, really.  A Robotics Center is due to open sometime this year, with equipment geared toward retraining the brain and improve motor functions.

This program will be utilizing robots for both upper-body and lower-body extremities.  The patient is prompted to engage in specific activities while the robots attached to their arms or legs adjust pressure and support according to what type of movement is desired.  During the therapy sessions, patients play a sort of video game (similar to games you’d play on a Wii) to achieve certain goals.  This interactive technology is not only retraining the brain, it’s also entertaining it!  You can see from the before and after videos from a similar robotic rehabilitation program how much of a difference this therapy makes.

Right now the program is seeking children aged 4-12 who might qualify for this therapy, and is covered by Medicaid.  To learn more about this project, visit the United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Indiana website, or call them at (317) 632-3561.  We’ll also keep our eye out for further developments with this exciting program and update as much as possible!

What: Vanguard/Vantage with Unity Training offered by Prentke Romich Company (PRC)

When: March 19, 2010, from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm

Where: Tri-County Education Center, 599 South Harbour Drive, Noblesville, IN 46062

Why: This hands-on workshop will focus on Unity software such as Vantage, Vantage Lite, Vanguard, and ECO for PRC communication devices.  Participants will be trained on how to use vocabulary programs, customize messages, be given teaching strategies, and more.

How: Register for the event by visiting the PRC website and click on “Training.”  From there, click “Search your state to view training opportunities in your local area,” enter “IN” and then “Add Training.”

For more information, call (800) 848-8008.

Hotels.com now has a search filter that finds hotels with various accessibility features to narrow your results.  So folks who are preparing to travel and looking for a hotel that they can access with their wheelchair, for example, will be able to do so with ease.  This also means that people with disabilities can take advantage of the same kinds of bargains and reviews offered to the general public when trying to find a hotel.

Accessibility Features search filter on Hotels.com

You can search for hotels under the following accessibility filters:

• Accessibility equipment for the deaf
• Accessible bathroom
• Accessible path of travel
• Braille or raised signage
• Handicapped parking
• In-room accessibility
• Roll-in shower

By utilizing this search filter, I can see that 34 hotels in Indianapolis currently offer accessible bathrooms, accessible path of entry, and in-room accessibility (see image below).

Search results image

Now I can go through the list and determine which hotel I would prefer to stay at, knowing that they will be accessible to me and my individual needs.

Try it out for yourself at Hotels.com!

Power Up 2010 is the title of this year’s assistive technology conference and expo in Missouri.  The Holiday Inn Select in Coumbia will be hosting the event.  Participants can expect to see exhibits and demonstrations for assistive technology vendors such as Clarity, Benetech/Bookshare, United Access, DynoVox Mayer-Johnson, and TextHelp.  The conference will also have interactive assistive technology sessions, a hands-on lab, adaptive computers made readily available, a silent auction, and even a Powerchair soccer game.

The opening keynote speaker will be Don Johnston, founder of Don Johnston, Inc.  Johnston will discuss his own personal battles with learning difficulties and how he overcame them through the use of assistive technology, and how we can make assistive technology universally accessible.

The endnote speaker will be Michael Karpovich.  Karpovich is a humorous motivational speaker diagnosed with “brain damage” as a young child.  He has co-written five books and has spoken to several thousands of individuals at schools, corporations, and associations.

Register by March 15th to receive an early registration discount.  Otherwise, the deadline to register is April 15th.  Rooms are available at the Holiday Inn Select for $62 a night.  Communication accessibility accommodations for the conference can be made if requested by April 15th.

For more information, visit Power Up 2010.

Artificial Intelligence just got a little more savvy.

Siri is a brand new iPhone app that not only contains voice recognition capabilities, but it can also interpret what is being said.  You can plan your day with it by asking where the best restaurants are near your house, what the weather is like, what’s playing at the movies and more.  You can set up dinner reservations, order theater tickets, or book a taxi.

Let’s say you ask Siri where you can get sushi in Indianapolis.  You can be as broad as saying,”Where can I get some sushi around here?”  It will bring up multiple answers, with reviews, maps, and contact information.  You can ask it to remind you to buy milk after work, and it will send you an email.  This app also adapts to your preferences over time.  It’s the ultimate planner!

This is app is available for FREE on iTunes, and though right now it’s only built for iPhone 3GS, the Siri website claims to be working on versions for the iPod Touch and iPhone 3G.

Watch a video of the Siri app in action here.

Attendee at Prentke Romich Exhibit

WHAT: Statewide Assistive Technology Conference hosted by the INDATA Project at Easter Seals Crossroads

WHEN: July 29 and 30, 2010

WHERE: Indiana Convention Center, 100 S Captiol Ave, Indianapolis IN

Who should attend: Professionals in technology, students, parents, k-12 teachers and college professors, case managers, family advocates, Vocational Rehabilitation counselors, physicians, nurses, and others who want to learn about how assistive technology can increase independence among those you work with or yourself.

Over 50 exhibitors of assistive technology products and disability resources will be available to you – last year’s exhibitors included:

AAC: Dynavox Mayer-Johnson, SpecTech, Tobii ATI, Prentke Romich Company, A2C Solutions Group

Jeremy Warriner, Keynote

Blind/Low Vision: Humanware, GW Micro, Eye Can See, BOSMA Enterprises, Lab Computers

Deaf/Hard of Hearing: Relay Indiana/INTRAC, Outreach Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Deaf and Blind: Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youth and Adults

Environmental Control Units: SAJE Technology

Durable Medical Equipment: Home Health Depot, Sure Hands Lift and Care Systems

Autism or Sensory Processing Disorder: Sensory Critters

Aging: CICOA, Rest Assured, Seniors Guide, Senior Helpers, University of Indianapolis Center for Aging and Community, Indiana Resource Center on Independent Living

Mental Health: Indiana Works/Center for Mental Health, Meridian Services

Learning or Cognitive Disabilities: Families Reaching for Rainbows, Indiana Reading and Information Service

AT for K-12: PATINS Project

Physical Access/Mobility: Ace Mobility

AT for Farmers: Breaking New Ground Outreach Program/AgrAbility

Employment Services: Family Social Services Administration’s Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, Easter Seals Crossroads

Advocacy: The ARC of Indiana

Sports: Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana Sports Program

Research: Regenstrief Center for Assistive Technology

Support and Information Services: Best Buddies Indiana, Indiana Canine Assistant Network, Indiana Resource Center for Families with Special Needs (IN*SOURCE), Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library, National Multiple Sclerosis Society – Indiana State Chapter, The Generations Project

In addition to the exhibitors, we had 20 educational sessions on assistive technology and employment, aging, independent living, and education.  This year we will have 36 hours or presentations on AT.  If you are interested in presenting, exhibiting, or sponsoring the INDATA Conference, please contact Sara Croft, Conference Coordinator, at scroft@eastersealscrossroads.org or 888-466-1314.