How AAC and assistive tech make classrooms better for all : Paula Kluth
In 2009, I published an article in The Reading Teacher with my colleague, Kelly Chander-Olcott, titled “Why Everyone Benefits from Including Students with Autism in Literacy Classrooms”. One of the points we make in the article is that students with disabilities often bring assistive technology and augmentative communication into classrooms and, therefore, make them richer places to learn. Students with and without disabilities who are in classrooms that use AT and AAC regularly and creatively not only may get access to unique materials, but also get to learn about learning itself. They may be able to generate ideas for using
Home Modifications
Not all people begin life with disabilities, but most of us will need some kind of assistance as we experience the normal process of aging. Living at home within a community increases self-esteem, which can improve mental and physical health. Another rea
FCC Honors Designers of Communications Technology Benefiting People with Disabilities
445 12th Street, S.W. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: December 19, 2012 Michael Snyder at (202) 418-0997 E-mail: Michael.Snyder@fcc.gov FCC CHAIRMAN GENACHOWSKI HONORS INNOVATORS IN ACCESSIBILITY COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY IN CEREMONY TODAY Demo
An Ethnographic Investigation of African American Mothers’ Perceptions of Augmentative and Alternative Communication
The purpose of this study was to investigate fourteen African American mothers' perceptions of the utilization of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) by their children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The authors used ethnographic metho
‘Smartpen’ Pilot Program Helps Students with Disabilities
We often get questions about the legality of using a recording device or pen in class. Parents ask this question when schools tell them “recording devices violate the confidentiality” of other students in the classroom. Digital recorders or recording pen
Build Your App with Therapy Box
“After numerous requests, we have opened up our service to work with creative speech and language therapists, teachers and organisations who have an idea for an app they would like to deliver. We will make it happen” explains Therapy Box Therapy Box, the
NeoSpeech Text-to-Speech Featured in AAC Speech Application
We believe that NeoSpeech Text-to-Speech will benefit people with speech disabilities to communicate with other people. NeoSpeech, a leader in text-to-speech (TTS) software and speech-enabled solutions, announced today that an Augmentative and Alternativ
Dr Thomas Armstrong – Neurodiversity – Aug 27,2012
Call in to speak with the host "Neurodiversity" by Dr Armstrong - Brilliance "Neurodiversity - Discovering the Extraordinary gifts of Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia and other brain differences. This book has it all - what research tells us about the specific str
With mind-reading speller, free-for-all conversations that are silent and still
Researchers have come up with a device that may enable people who are completely unable to speak or move at all to nevertheless manage unscripted back-and-forth conversation. The key to such silent and still communication is the first real-time, brain-sc
U.S. Department of Education Announces New Awards in Technology and Media Services
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs has released applications for new awards in Technology and Media Services for Individuals with Disabilities--Models Promoting Young Children's Use of Assistive Technology. The purpos
iPad gives voice to kids with autism
Sharia Siddiqui uses an iPad to help her communicate. Her father says it's "given her a sense of control she never had." STORY HIGHLIGHTS Touchscreen iPads are giving voice to autistic children, adults Apps for it and other tablets aid those with trouble
RESNA Releases Wheelchair Position Statement
The Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) has issued a position paper titled "The Application of Ultralight Manual Wheelchairs." Developed through RESNA's Special Interest Group on Seating and Wheeled Mobility, the paper highlights that: Wheelchairs should conform to the individual, and not the individual to the chair; Wheelchairs should be as lightweight as possible while also being fully adjustable to meet the individual's needs; and Wheelchairs that are lightweight and adjustable cause the least amount of injury to users and increase functionality.
The National Center on Accessible Instructional Materials
The National Center on Accessible Instructional Materials! This site serves as a resource to state- and district-level educators, parents, publishers, conversion houses, accessible media producers, and others interested in learning more about and implementing AIM and NIMAS. AIM Center at a Glance For students with sensory, physical, cognitive, or learning differences and their teachers, accessible instructional materials (AIM) may open doors to teaching and learning that ordinary print-based materials have closed. Accessible instructional materials or AIM are specialized formats of curricular content that can be used by and with students who are unable to read or use standard print materials.
SEN / ICT
The sen / ict directory began life in August 2011 to act as a directory for Special Educational Needs and Information Communication Technology Resources. Companies can showcase their business, the products they produce and services they provide. There are also hundreds of FREE online resources from fun/educational games, activities and printable resources to tools that help disabled adults and children use computers and the internet by adapting and adjusting their technology. The sen / ict directory aims provide a central location for all your favourite resources, as well as introduce you to new ones you might not have found otherwise for your child
AudioBookCloud
AudioBookCloud:Your Online Audio Library is an online audio book library collection of streaming audio books for public libraries. A subscription to AudioBookCloud gives your patrons UNLIMITED remote access to your audio book collection. Like our TumbleBookLibrary and TumbleReadables collections, AudioBookCloud are launched from a link on your library or school website. Your patrons can access the entire collection from any computer with an Internet connection. Your audio are never all checked out, never on hold. As many people can listen to the same book at the same time as you like!!! Here's how it works. Once you have previewed AudioBookCloud and are
Kyoto prof rolls out omnidirectional wheelchair
A mechanical engineering professor has taken the wraps off his vehicle that is designed to become a next-generation wheelchair. As its formal name suggests, this is the Personal Mobile Vehicle, or Permoveh for short. Rolling it around at
Don Johnston Announces Snap&Read—A Simple Toolbar That Reads Any Text On-screen
Snap&Read reads text in a Flash website “A lot of districts are striving for Universal Design for Learning, and Snap&Read is a step in the right direction.” - Ruth Ziolkowski, president, Don Johnston Incorporated Don Johnston Incorporated today announced
FREE 2012 Accessible Technology Webinar Series
The Great Lakes and Pacific ADA Centers on behalf of the ADA National Network are pleased to announce the 2012 Accessible Technology Webinar Series.
Edudemic
Edudemic is a great resource. Edudemic is a great resource for teachers, homeschooling families, and students. They cover how technology positively shapes education and so much more. Edudemic provides innovative, informed, and engaging tech resources. It is a one stop shop to discover and engage with information about the newest technology, data trends, and digital tools available to them in order to enhance education. Check out Edudemic at http://www.edudemic.com
TenMarks | Online Math Program for Grades 2-10
TenMarks was started to create a better way for students to learn - one that focuses on the student and their individual needs, is interactive and engaging, takes advantage of new technologies, and caters to the changes in student expectations and behavior. Their mission is to positively impact the lives of 20 million students in 5 years.
EdTech Associates
Founded on the vision that every child should have the opportunity to develop a foundation of 21st Century learning skills, EdTech Associates provides services to empower all schools and students to succeed. EdTech Associates was established by Kathleen H. McClaskey, M.Ed., a well-respected and recognized professional and innovative leader in educational technology. Kathleen has almost three decades of experience in educational technology with a firm philosophy that technology is a tool that can improve teaching and learning. In her long career, she has been a computer teacher, technology integration specialist, K-12 technology director and graduate instructor for in online and
The Family Center on Technology and Disability
The Family Center on Technology and Disability (FCTD) is a resource designed to support organizations and programs that work with families of children and youth with disabilities. We offer a range of information and services on the subject of assistive and instructional technologies. Whether you're an organization, a parent, an educator, or an interested friend, we hope you'll find information that supports you in your efforts to bring the highest quality education to children with disabilities.
RESNA
Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) RESNA's goal is "To maximize the health and well being of people with disabilities through technology." The purpose of RESNA is to contribute to the public welfare through scientific, literary, professional and educational activities by supporting the development,dissemination, and utilization of knowledge and practice of rehabilitation and assistive technology in order to achieve the highest quality of life for all citizens.
University Students Design Tray to Fit Most Walkers and Wheelchairs
THE GRAND RAPIDS PRESS At 5 years old, Dakota Tomac wants to do things himself. He doesn’t want his cerebral palsy to require others to carry his book or figure out how he will get his lunch on the table. His independent spirit got a boost with a tool created by Grand Valley State University students, thanks to an idea from a physical therapist at the Kent Intermediate School District. The students made a tray that fits onto Dakota’s walker so he could move around at school and carry his iPad, which helps him communicate. “It’s so
Thank You, Steve Jobs
Thank you Steve Jobs for thinking differently so that so many others may express their thoughts. Apple's products have changed the lives of so many people with disabilities - CP, autism, dyspraxia, motor planning issues, developmental delays, neuromuscular disorders, expressive language disorders, vision impairments. My son uses his iPad and iPod as a communication device, a way to surf the internet, watch youtube, and connect with friends. Until Apple came out with the ipod, the choices in AAC devices were very expensive ( the ones we looked at were between $5,000 and $8,000 and heavy- too heavy for someone that
