Tara B

[tbruns1]

Bellows Fund is an organization that helps provide assistive technology equipment to individuals with disability who cannot financially afford it. This organization’s funds are allocated by United Cerebral Palsy. When medicare or medicaid does not cover AT devices that the individual may require, individuals are then left deprived of the necessary equipment needed to be independent. However, with programs such as Bellow Funds, these programs can help individuals become more independent and also reduce the financial stress. Bellow funds is listed on the ATIA Funding resources guide as well as other organizations. 

[tbruns1]

NB talks to Kristina Tsvetanova, a co-founder and CEO of Blitab about a possible ground breaking braille tablet.

This article discusses what could be a new breakthrough for the visually impaired. Blitab is the first braille tablet that uses liquid-based technology to create tactile output, graphics, and maps for the visually impaired. As of right now the assistive technology is in the prototype stage, but is looking to make its first appearance on the market by October 2016. When this device hits markets it will be a game changer as it will take away the boundaries that blind people once hand when trying to connect to the internet and social media. this device will help allow them to access the digital world as well as having equal opportunities as everyone else. Very excited to see this device come on the market. 

[marissabonney]

John Palmer became paralyzed at age 19 after being involved in a pool related accident. He is now getting married and wants to be able to experience a first dance with his new wife. After finding the only dance studio in Michigan that offered a ballroom dancing program for wheelchair users, John is able to make his wish come true. As future OTs, we need to support the hopes and dreams of our clients and try to our best ability to put them in the position to make these things happen. A wheelchair isn’t provided to someone to hold them back, but it is meant to enable occupation and assist them in completing daily tasks. As a society, we need to remember that a person isn’t defined by their disability and that they can accomplish much more than meets the eye. 

[megtat]

This video almost made me tear up Marissa! I think this is a great example of how much individuals with disabilities are capable of with a little modification here and there. I love the motivation and drive that John Palmer had in order to find the only dance studio offering dance lessons for user in wheelchairs. Factors such as dancing are often overlooked for wheelchair users. Occupational therapists need to be aware of resources like dance lessons for wheelchair users in order to advocate and support our clients’ wishes. It’s also useful for us so we are able to better help the participate in meaningful occupations such as dancing. Thanks for sharing Marissa! 

[tbruns1]

This video is one of the reasons why I want to be an OT. Our job is to help support our clients to help them achieve their goals. This video comes to show the capabilities of what wheelchair users can do instead of portraying the mind-set of limitations. John’s story can help encourage other individuals who are wheelchair users to reach for their goals. Really liked this video

[megtat]

Cat in a Wheelchair Gets New Set of Wheels

Africa the tabby cat has a novel way of getting around. Click to subscribe for more cute videos: http://bit.ly/ZqphqC Why don't you come and join U-zoo to st...

Throughout our class, we’ve mainly focused on accessibility for humans, so I decided to take it a little further and look at accessibility for animals (shocker, I know!) Also because Dr. C has mentioned his cats a couple time so incase anything were to happen, this might be of use to him or any other animal lovers! So Africa, the tabby cat, had a severe injury resulting in loss of function in her legs. Now most owners who realize their pet has sustained such a life changing injury choose to put them to asleep, thinking this is the best option, to avoid a life of misery. However, these specific pet owners, chose a different, more rewarding route! A wheelchair was created specially for this cat, along with ramps throughout their house to ensure the cat had full accessibility anywhere in the house. Also, a handle (refer to picture) was attached to help Africa up the stairs when needed! What a purr-fect idea! 

[tbruns1]

This is adorable, and Megan you are so right! We look at accessibility for humans, but what about animals? Their quality of life is just as important as ours. Assistive technology does not only apply to us, and its great to see how it is applied to animals. For pet owners, our pets are a part of our families and therefore we want the best for them. This AT device allows for an alternative accessibility as well as keeping the family complete. 

[tbruns1]

This video is about how a Starbucks in Florida utilizes video technology to help assist in communication between the workers and the customers who are deaf. This use of technology helps promote people who have a hearing impairment to use the drive thru, and experience the social engagement.

[tbruns1]

SPINALpedia is a social network that allows those who have a spinal cord injury to communicate with others in the community who have also had a spinal cord injury. This network’s purpose is to show that even though they have this injury does not limited them to enjoying every day life and activities. This site’s videos and posts are meant to motivate each other and show the triumphs they have overcome.    

[tbruns1]

This is a really cool article and video! Facebook is going to incorporate a program that will help describe pictures. This will help people who have a visual impairment be able to “see” the pictures. This advancement of Facebook is showing how far technology has come, as well as how it can assist those who are visually impaired.This is a great way for people who are visually impaired to still be able to utilize the same social networking as their peers and stay connected.

[katielovesot]

Unit 2

The BAT is a levitating, wireless computer mouse that consist of a base and a floating mouse with a magnet ring. This product is designed to alleviate and prevent the symptoms of Carpal tunnel syndrome which is prone in active computer users. Currently, this device is in the testing period and is being researched. I think that this is a unquie and creative design that holds potential in helping active computer users with preventing and managing symptoms.I am curious to see if the users of this device are using keyboards in conjunction with the BAT. If the users are using keyboards, are they standard keyboards or are they adaptive or alternative keyboards. BAT users could also use on-screen keyboards which would increase the use of the BAT dramatically. I am curious if the researchers are venturing to look at the different combinations of hardware that could potentially aid in the prevention and management of Carpal tunnel syndrome.

[chelseathome]

Katie, this is an amazing find and a device that looks like its from the future! I can only hope the results of the testing prove to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome - Like Nadia said, this device could really benefit this population to increase their function, but I do question how it prevents carpal tunnel syndrome. The hardware for this device is different, but it still has the same features as a standard mouse.

[ahill1-blog]

I think this is such an interesting take on mouse adaptations. I am also wondering how the device is able to prevent carpal tunnel. It would be interesting to watch out for research studies on this type of device and see if it is able to do what it says it can!

[tbruns1]

This device looks so futuristic! I am curious how much weight this mouse can hold before it starts to pull down. I am also  interested to learn the dynamic of the mouse and its correlation in preventing Carpal tunnel. If this device does turn out to work then it could provide a new way of how a mouse is structured.

[shanfoley]

Hack a banana, make a keyboard!

Why can't two slices of pizza be used as a slide clicker? Why shouldn't you make music with ketchup? In this charming talk, inventor Jay Silver talks about the urge to play with the world around you. He shares some of his messiest inventions, and demos MaKey MaKey, a kit for hacking everyday objects.

Jay Silver is a creative genius in this video. He explains how everyday objects can be used for a variety of uses by using his product the Makey Makey. For example, he uses pencils and piano circuits to make different noises. From here he uses all different household items such as leather, paint brushes, the sink, a hula hoop to continue making music. He spread his idea through workshops and watched what people could do with it. People came back with all sorts of ideas including a mushroom organ, a piano out of stair steps, and a man creating music for the Star Spangled Banner by eating lunch (minute 10). He then started connecting them with computers and was able to create switches or conductors through foods such as pizza or bananas to control certain aspects of the computer. He used play-doh to create a game controller and was even able to use plants to play the drums. On minute 11, a father came up with a glove to help his son who has CP to navigate the web and make a computer more accessible for him.

While the main point of this product was not originally created to help people with disabilities, I think the possibilities are endless. As the glove example shows, all different kinds of objects can be used. This is great for OT because we like to focus on the client in a holistic view considering all aspects of the person. With that in mind, each individual is different. This product can be used or adapted to whatever product would work best with a specific client to better help them do what they want to do. 

[asteinbecker1-blog]

This is one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen! The idea of it is still blowing my mind, but it definitely changed the way I look at technology and the use of everyday items. His attitude is the kind of outlook necessary to create new assistive technology and to open new doors! It also brings laughter and creativity to people’s lives, which is always important! I loved it. Good share!

[tbruns1]

This Ted Talk video was amazing. I don’t know how someone could come up with this idea, but because of him there are endless possibilities. People can use this technology to help enhance learning opportunities, improve tactile and auditory input, and overall increase one’s creativity. I cannot believe this is a real thing, it is awesome! 

[psfk-blog]

Folding Keyboard Looks Like a Flip Phone, Fits In Your Pocket

Flyshark 2 has lots of handy features like shortcuts for selfies, Internet searching and screen capturing

Read More On PSFK.com

[bsandersot17-blog]

This device is called a Flyshark keyboard. It is an alternative mini keyboard that provides physical keys which serve as an alternative to a touchscreen keyboard. It is compatible with Windows, iOS as well as Android. Although it has not been released yet, it provides the same efficiency as if you were typing on a laptop keyboard. Dr. C watch out for this one!

[tbruns1]

I really like this device. People who have difficulty seeing the touchscreen on a phone would benefit from this mini keyboard. This mini keyboard is bigger than the touchscreen and is overall easier to see and use. It is cool how it can work on both OS phones as well as android. I could see myself buying this neat gadget. It would reduce the amount of stress on my thumbs and would put me in a better hand position.

[tbruns1]

Ukrainian Students Develop Gloves That Translate Sign Language Into Speech

There is no dearth of impressive student projects here at the finals of Microsoft's Imagine Cup in Sydney, but one of the six finalists that caught my..

The Enable Talk gloves allows for sign language to be translated into text-to-speech engine.The system connects to a smartphone over Bluetooth and then the text is read aloud. This AT device will allow people who are deaf and/or have a speech impairment to be able to communicate with people who do not understand sign language. This device is still in the works, but once it is completed it could potentially break the language barrier between people who use sign language and people who do not.

[tbruns1]

I thought this video was great. Stephen Hawking discusses how technology has allowed him to communicate to the world, and how far he has come while using it. He also talks about how technology can help other people with disabilities. He has been working with Intel on assistive technology and hopes it can improve people’s day to day life. 

[tbruns1]

The Air Mouse Glove is an alternative mouse, it is a wearable and wireless computer mouse. It increases speed and accuracy rather than a traditional mouse, while also alleviating the stress on wrist and allows for a more neutral hand position. The Air Mouse can allow someone to continue their ADL’s in a pain-free environment.There is a sensor that is positioned on the palm, when the Air Mouse is lifted from the surface it can allow you to type and mouse intermittently. This is great for anyone who has Carpal Tunnel, or anyone with low endurance.

[tbruns1]

This website was created by an OT, and is a collection of alternative & augmentation communication Apps for iPod, iPhones, and iPads. On the regular app store for it is difficult to find AAC apps, but on this website it makes things simpler and provides a lengthy overview of the app. Some of the different type of AAC apps are: education support, eye pointing, language development, photo story, set phrases, and much more. These apps are beneficial for anyone that has difficulty communicating with others.It allows them to have an alternative method of communication and is easy to carry as it is downloaded on an apple device.

[dyslexic-kids]

Claro ScanPen on the App Store

Read reviews, compare customer ratings, see screenshots and learn more about Claro ScanPen. Download Claro ScanPen and enjoy it on your iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

New OCR app for Apple devices: Claro ScanPen

[tbruns1]

This app is really cool! Claro ScanPen allows the user to take a photo of your printed text document, letter, test paper - then select the text with your finger and hear it spoken straight back to you. It also does not require internet connection. This can be beneficial for people who have low vision, dyslexia, or a developmental delay. This app can help focus one’s attention on the information that is being conveyed instead of focusing on what they are looking at.

[dyslexic-kids]

Livescribe teams up with Moleskine to create a special edition smartpen for handwriting fans

Livescribe has partnered with notebook maker Moleskine to launch a special edition of its flagship smartpen that lets users automatically capture their han

[tbruns1]

This AT device allows the user to be able to write in a notebook, which then is copied and transferred into a companion app. Livescribe can be used on iOS and Android phone. This device can be very helpful in the classroom. Someone who has low endurance, low dexterity, or has a developmental delay can have a peer write out their notes. Those notes would be transferred onto the companion app, which would allow the user to view it online whenever he/she wanted to view them. 

[tbruns1]

Boundless Assistive Technology is pleased to offer the World's Best Assistive Technology Products, Service, and Support. Call us at 1-866-606-8551 for all of your adaptive technology needs.

Boundless Assistive Technology is a website that provides a variety of assistive technology from categories such as vision, hearing, communication, mobility, keyboard & mice, and learning. It is a great way to view more information about a product, the cost and who is typically recommended for each product.