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This video goes through the steps involved in selecting an appropriate learning strategy and assistive technology tool for a student with writing challenges.
Unit 4
Here is a video example of how to use the SETT model when choosing assistive technology devices for a student with writing difficulties. I like how it gives a case example and then goes through the process by defining each aspect of SETT and what would be appropriate according to the case.
The Family Center on Technology and Disability (FCTD) and PACER Center are pleased to announce the release of our new assistive technology awareness series, ...
Unit 4
This is an AT in action video from youtube, but I don’t think we watched this one in class. It shows an AT user, Brody, and two devices that he uses to help him with school. One of these is Co:Writer, a program for word prediction. The second is the Smart Pen. Although we talked about this device, I thought it was helpful to see why an individual may use it. When I typically think of the Smart Pen, I think of someone who needs to take notes quickly or has physical limitations in which they need the extra help. In Brody’s case, he has a lot of difficulty spelling words so he uses the Smart Pen to stay on track. He even uses it when writing papers. He can record his ideas out loud before transcribing his ideas on his computer. I had not previously thought of using the Smart Pen for spelling difficulties.
Unit 4
This is an article that I found on Weebly that explains how the SETT framework is laid out. Since we learned and focused on the HAAT model, I thought it was interesting to see a full description of what SETT is and how it compares to what we learned about the HAAT. This is important for us as future OT’s because nothing is ever set in stone, and some of our employers may prefer us to use frameworks that are different than what we are used to.
Unit 4
I also agree! Just like we have learned that documentation differs at various locations, I’m sure that certain employers may like SETT over the HAAT model. There are many similarities between the two. In SETT, it seems that the student is comparable to the human in HAAT, as well as task = activity, and tools = assistive technology. However, in the SETT, I like that environment is included, as we talked about how context is not really in the HAAT model. (except AHCAT)
The Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI), a specialised national research institute of Hamad Bin Khalifa University has developed a custom keyboard for iOS that enables eyes-free,
Unit 3
This is an app that was just launched last week. It is a custom keyboard for people with visual impairments that is based off of the original two handed Braille writing system. This app is adapted for one-handed use, so for people who are visually impaired with only the use of one good hand, this app may be beneficial.
Talkitt is an app that helps translate unintelligible speech into a clear, understandable digitized voice. This has huge implications for so many popluations and diagnoses that have speech disorder symptoms ( stroke, ALS, Autism etc etc. I wonder how accurate it is for longer verbal statements!
This is so cool! I agree, Kayla, this app could have huge implications for people desiring to communicate using their own voice. I wonder how the calibration of the voice works, and how expensive it is as well as the longer phrases.
Unit 3
This app sounds like it could really benefit a lot of people! I found online that once it is available to the public, it will have a $19.99 subscription fee per month. It also works with any language and creates a “personal dictionary” for a specific person’s speech patterns. I will be interested as well to see how well it can translate longer statements.
A brief look at how interactive whiteboards, such as the Mimio and SMART Board, are being used for the blind and visually impaired students at the Florida Sc...
Unit 3
This is an interesting idea for teachers of people who are visually impaired. One problem people with low vision may have in the classroom is being able to see the board. In this video, it shows how an interactive whiteboard such as the Mimio Interactive White Board System, can be used to help classroom performance. This can be used with any white board to capture what is written on the white board and then transmit it to a computer. In this fashion, individuals with visual impairments would be able to see what is written on the board close up, on their computer screen. The material may also be saved and kept to look at again or for students who missed the lecture. This could be very helpful for someone with low vision, while allowing the teacher to continue teaching in a typical manner.
Learning a new video game can be frustrating. But for kids with a disabilities, the experience can be especially hard. If you can't play what the other kids are playing, it's like being picked last for the kickball team. Take Giddeon, whom the AbleGamers Foundation met at one of their "Accessibility Arcades" in Atlantic City, New Jersey. According to the AbleGamers Foundation website, Giddeon didn't want to play any games. A rare disease had stunted the growth of his arms. Only a few fingers had formed. Holding a game controller was tough.
Unit 2
The AbleGamers Foundation is a nonprofit charity whose goal is to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. Kids with disabilities can be limited in many areas of occupations, including play. This grant from a few years ago, provided kids 15 and under with alternative means to access electronic games. Adaptive controllers were one example of technology that was being provided to kids. AbleGamers say that increasing kids’ independence in this normal childhood occupation helps to promote confidence and increase socialization with other children.
Alix Generous is a young woman with a million and one ideas -- she's done award-winning science, helped develop new technology and tells a darn good joke (you'll see). She has Asperger's, a form of autistic spectrum disorder that can impair the basic social skills required for communication, and she's worked hard for years to learn how to share her thoughts with the world. In this funny, personal talk, she shares her story -- and her vision for tools to help more people communicate their big ideas.
Unit 2
As future occupational therapists, we will work with a variety of people with different diagnoses. This video is entertaining and informative, as she shares how she communicates and thinks differently as a person with Aperger’s (autism spectrum disorder). Learning how our future clients may think will help us make informed decisions about the best way to approach an intervention when working with different people. Alix talks about how certain treatment centers have not understood her behaviors or aversions so they were unsuccessful. Listening carefully to our clients and taking time to understand their needs will help us to be a client-centered as possible. Alix is also a co-founder of Autism Sees. Their technology Podium is aiming to help people with autism prepare for stressful communication contexts such as giving a presentation or having a job interview. She speaks about how she was denied many jobs due to her social skills. Podium will help people understand what they look and sound like so they will communicate more effectively in the future.
Introduction to TalkTablet - Tour
Unit 2
TalkTablet is one available speech app for client factors such as deficits in communication. It is an AAC app that includes picture symbols and captions for communication. This app works for the ipad, android, windows, and kindle. It is a cheaper alternative to other AAC apps. TalkTablet costs $79.99. It also requires no wi-fi for speech. If multiple users would like to use the app, different user profiles is an option. This way, the users can customize the app specifically to what they wish to communicate about the most. The buttons may either be programmed to say something or navigate to a different area on the app. TalkTablet has a main page with different categories that the user can choose from before choosing a more specific item. The user is able to create as many pages as he/she desires which would be helpful when needing to say something very specific.
A recent inquiry on adaptive styluses piqued by interest. It has been a while since I scoured the market for adaptive styluses so it appeared to be time to find what else is out there. Here are my ...
Unit 2
Here are some examples of different styluses that can be used by people with disabilities. The ones with velcro strap around the hand/wrist seem to be the most reliable and easiest to use, such as RJ Cooper’s Tablet Handpointer. The caduceus also seems like a potentially useful stylus. I like how it is flexible so the user could bend it just right to custom-fit it to their own wrist or hand. Notice that Dr. C’s least favorite, the head pointer and stylus, is also on the list, and it is the most expensive!
Large print keyboards make using the computer easier for low vision users. Here is a short overview of large print keyboard features and benefits.
Unit 2
This site includes information about alternative keyboards for people with low vision, like we discussed in class. Some benefits of these keyboards include high contrast keys, highly visible keys, and very readable keys. “Very readable keys” means that the font is chosen specifically for people with low vision. These fonts are often approved by the American Printing House for the Blind. The website also mentioned the possibility of stickers to place on your keyboard. If the user already has a typical Mac or PC and has begun experiencing a decrease in vision, rather than buying a new laptop, stickers with larger print are available for the keyboard. This seems to be a low tech adaptive technology rather than an alternative keyboard.
Infogrip provides assistive technology solutions, alternative keyboards and mice, and assistive technology products for the disabled and low vision. We also provide many office, computer, and network services.
Infogrip a great website if you are looking to locate or compare alternative access and computers! This website provides everything from alternative keyboards to switch interphases to PC computers. After choosing from one of the broad categories such as Software, Mice, or Keyboards, you are directed to a selection of products that match that description. Once you have located what you are looking for, there is a detailed description along with reviews and comparison features. Because of technological advances, it’s hard to keep up with the new AT devices and alternative access products. This website can benefit therapists because it provides a reliable source for quality products.
Thanks for sharing, Marissa! Infogrip has some great products for a variety of users. The sheer number of alternative and adaptive devices can be overwhelming at times, so it is nice how this website has the type of hardware or software in different categories. Although Infogrip has many products, it is important to remember that their website is not all inclusive. Other great products are available through other companies. My product for the AT summary, JAWS is a well-known screen reader, but a consumer would not find it on this site because it is not manufactured from Infrogrip.
Infogrip's BIGtrack trackball being used by an individual with ALS with their feet. One of many ways the BIGtrack helps users maintain their independence.
This shows the Bigtrack trackball being used by a man with ALS. Instead of using it with his hand like we did in class, he uses his feet to control it. He also has been using a system called eye max that is similar to eye gaze to prepare for whenever he is unable to use his feet to control the trackball. It is a great way to show the different devices and the different ways to use them.
Unit 2
Although alternative devices are generally made with a specific use in mind, this video shows that AT devices can be used in multiple ways. Because this individual no longer had use of his hands, his feet guided the Bigtrack trackball. I think other people could use their alternative mouses in similar ways if only their feet were functional. This reminded me of how people without arms become more competent with their feet as their primary tools.
A team from Georgia Tech, led by Post Doctorate Fellow Mario Romero (School of Interactive Computing) has designed BrailleTouch for touchscreen mobile device...
Unit 2
When I watched the video, my first thought was, wow- an alternative to an alternative! BraileTouch is much like a corded keyboard, that uses combinations of touches for letters. It seems that it requires high cognitive functioning in order to elicit the letter you meant to based on the combination f touches. The screen shot above shows the 1′s (touch) and 0′s (no touch) pattern for each letter. This concept of braille on a touch screen was new to me. The braille I know is mainly based on tactile input. My knowledge of Braille is limited, but I wonder if the combinations of touches for each letter correlates to the patterns of raised bumps in traditional Braille.
This app enables the visually impaired to use a touch screen by giving the user auditory feedback as to what letters they have pushed to aid their awareness in what letters/words/sentences they have formed in real time. He made a good point about this app being a potentially cheaper and more long term solution. Adding it to a smartphone your client already has is much less expensive than purchasing a Braille keyboard or a corded keyboard separately. Not to mention it takes up less space. Based on this video, I assume that the user handles the phone and types, while the smartphone is connected to say a desktop computer on a word program where the output shows up.
Unit 2
Thanks for sharing, Julia! I think this is a great idea for people who are visually impaired. Having the touches give auditory feedback as well as lighting up would help the individual know they had typed the letter that was desired. It was creative to have the phone flipped to type. Other braille apps allow only one-handed typing because the fingers do not all fit on the screen when the phone is held in the typical fashion. By flipping the phone horizontally, the phone is much more accessible, with room for the width of three fingers. One limitation of this app is that it is only available in English. More languages would help this app reach more people.
Aids For Daily Living
http://www.aidsfordailyliving.com.au
Site for Seniors and Caregivers with items which assist in daily activities through assistive technology.
This site is useful because it offers different categories such as kitchen aids, bathroom aides, house & bedroom, and mobility aids. For an older adult looking for an adaptation or way to modify their home for a specific task, this is a good start where they can easily learn about different tools available.
(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouI1ZlhzAYw)
This article talks about the company MotionSavvy who created a program called Leap Motion. The app on the table helps the hearing impaired better communicate with individuals who do not know sign language. The program’s camera captures the movements of the signs used and turns them into text or words read out lout to the person who does not know sign language. This is a cool idea that is still new and in the making.
Thanks for sharing, Sarah! This program is incredible! It utilizes high technology in order to capture hand motions to make communication possible with people who don’t understand sign language. This assistive technology is definitely going to be useful!
I agree that this sounds like a very promising idea! This could allow for so much better communication between the hearing impaired and those who do not know sign language. Although this device is meant to replace the function of not understanding sign language, I think it could also be used as a learning device! As people use Leap Motion, they could begin to recognize and remember different signs so it may not be needed as much in the future. Thanks for sharing!
This is an extremely interesting article that I found on Zite, posted by Autism Speaks. This article left me wondering: “Can a service dog be considered a form of assistive technology?” Jack, a kid who has a diagnosed Autism Spectrum Disorder, is experiencing the benefits that a service dog can offer. Jack’s dog helps to keep him calm and manage sensory overload, reduce his stress levels, and keep him safe. All in all, Jack’s service dog goes every where with him, and serves as a functional aid that helps him participate in occupations and engage in his environment. This is something that OT’s should keep in mine when considering and recommending assistive technology. I’m not sure if a service dog could be considered assistive technology or not, but it definitely has helped Jack to live a more functional life.
This is a great insight into the ways in which service dogs can be used for people with autism. I believe that service dogs could be considered assistive technology because they can increase an individual’s ability to engage in social activities by lowering anxiety or managing sensory intake, thus improving functional capabilities.
