Assistive Technology
Mobility
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      • Communication Devices Keeghan Hughes
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      • AT and Hearing Needs Jamaal Womack-Hunt
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    • Mobility >
      • Physical >
        • AT Tools for Physical Needs Meredith Chen
        • Adapted Physical Education Katie Alsip
      • Mobility Toni-Ann Capillo >
        • Motor Disabilities! Katie Alsip
        • Mobility Jennifer Albertini
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      • Wheelchairs Kayla Grosso
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        • Visual AT Supports Christina Pressley
        • Blind and Deaf Resources Norma DeFilippo
  • LEARNING
    • Art
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      • Specific Learning Disability
      • Digital Storytelling
      • Dyslexia Tools Sara Cane >
        • AT and Dyslexia Joe DeRiso
        • AT and Dyslexia Marilyn Pratt >
          • Dyslexia and AT Connor Mahoney
          • AT for Dyslexia Olivia Pizzi
          • Dyslexia and AT Austin Rindfuss
      • Digital Storytelling II
      • Software for Students Demi Kalambokis
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  • RESOURCES
    • A-L >
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      • AT in Hospitals Nicole Macheska
      • Hippo therapy Meghan Lewis
      • Internet Safety
      • iPads
    • M-Z
  • CASE STUDIES
  • BLOG 2020
  • PROJECTS
    • Using Performance Tasks as Assessments Hailey Powers
    • The Importance of Diverse Literature in the Classroom Rachel Baltas
    • Anxiety in the Classroom Cassie Tourinho
    • How to Help Students with ADHD Karrington Kivlin
    • Assistive Technology for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Children Erin Turner
    • Assistive Technology for English Language Learners Faith Herity
    • Growth Mindset in Mathematics Hailey DeCoffe
    • Mindfulness Teaching Hallie Mansfield
    • Bullying Prevention = Safe Learning Environment Jill McRoy
    • Representation of Disabilities in Children's Books Jessica Allard
    • Dyslexia Brigid Avery
    • Multicultural Books in the Classroom Erin Ryan
    • Hippotherapy Sabrina Santaniello

BLOG 5: Next ideas in Assistive Technology

10/14/2016

10 Comments

 
This last blog will consider the cutting edge and next step in technologies and education that you may be exposed to your first few years as educators.  Spend a few hours reviewing the content and share out your thoughts and perspectives.  You may use your current or past experiences to wonder how assistive technologies could/can support engagement, learning, communication, work, and self-care.  Share (300+ words) your take-aways on how technologies will influence how we work, play, learn, engage, communicate, and take care of ourselves.  Respond to each other (3 responses).
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Future Ready Assistive Technology: Fostering State Supports for Students With Disabilities

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THE RESOURCES – LISTS OF APPS
  • The Future of Assistive Technology 2016
  • Special Education Information on Apple iPad in Education. To view the collection of apps you need to install iTunes.
  • * Apps for Students with Learning Disabilities/Dyslexia – a new resource from Maine CITE.
  • * iPad Accessibility Apps – from Carlton College
  • Apps for Kids (and Adults) with Hearing Loss – from Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
  • Assistive Technology (AT) for Students with Dyslexia – Dyslexia Materials – apps as well as other AT discussed.
  • 6 Apps Senior Care Professionals Should Ensure Every New Resident Has – Keystone Technologies
  • 15 great apps for seniors –  Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society
  • The 39 Best Health and Fitness Apps of 2016 – Greatist
  • The Best Diabetes iPhone and Android Apps of 2015 – Healthline Media
  • Executive Functioning App Matrix – provides by Diana Petschauer, M.Ed, ATP and Stacy Driscoll, M.Ed, ATP of Assistive Technology for Education
  • Popular Health Apps for Consumers – AOTA Blogs
  • Apps that Make Life Easier – from the South Carolina AT Program
  • Go back to school with these apps by AssistiveWare! – from Crossroads Rehabilitation Center, Inc. 
  • 5 Apple Watch Apps for Visually Impaired – from Crossroads Rehabilitation Center, Inc. 
  • Special education apps from Teach with Your iPad.
  • Brain Injury and Assistive Technology: 10 Devices for Memory Loss – IPAT.
  • Best Mobile Apps for Sensory Impairments – AT Blog.
  • Apps4Android’s Assistive Technology Apps – Apps4Android. 
  • Best Apps for Kids – special education.
  • iPodabilities – Special Education Apps. 
  • Sensory Apps Ltd. This is from a company that makes apps specifically for folks with sensory impairments.
  • 7 Apps to use as AT – Special Education Guide.
  • St. Claire County (Michigan) – list of apps.
  • Android Apps for Special Education on Pinterest by Lauren S. Enders, MA, CCC-SLP. 
  • 14 Special Needs Android Apps on Google Play – FriendshipCircle.org. 
  • Complete guide to educational and special needs apps– from One Place for Special Needs.
  • There’s An App for That: An Intro to Using Apps to Target Spoken Language Skills –   – from The Maine Educational Center For The Deaf And Hard Of Hearing.
  • [AT Connect] Therapeutic and Educational Applications for the iPad and iOS Devices.
  • Miami University – Favorite iOS Apps for educators. 
  • Special Needs apps – Friendship Circle Blog.
  • Mobile Applications – from The National Center for Telehealth and Technlogy.
  • CommonSenseMedia – reviews of apps for kids.
  • Maine AIM CoP – App SmackDown List of Apps.
  • A Spectrum of Apps for Students on the Autism Spectrum  –  from OCALI.
  • Eric Sailor’s Speech & Language Pathology Apps resource website (revised).
  • Eric Sailor’s publication: “iPhone, iPad, an iPod Touch Apps for Special Education” (in Scribd). 
  • Bridging Apps – List of Apps (formerly SNapps4Kids) Houston Easter Seals.
  • iPad Applications, Accessories and Modifications – UNH Institute for Disabilities (revised). 
  • “Cool Apps for your Therapy Toolbag” at Not Your Average Therapy Bag – this resource has numerous links.
  • Moms with Apps.
  • Apps for Children with Special Needs (a4cwsp).
  • List of Apps and AT – from A Day in Our Shoes.
  • AAC Apps Assistant from AAC TechConnect.
REVIEWS AND ARTICLES ABOUT APPS
  • * Early Childhood and Assistive Tech Apps to Share During NAEYC’s “Week of The Young Child”
  • * There’s an app for that: how assistive tech changes lives of people with autism.
  • * OT’s with Apps & Technology – The OT eTool Kit resource – review of apps and other technologies for OT’s working with children and adults.
  • The iOS Health app – features on your i-device from Apple 
    Long Description
  • Top 50 Sites/Apps of 2015 – from Technology Tidbits
  • AppleVis – A community-powered website for blind and low-vision users of Apple’s range of Mac computers, the iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Apple TV and Apple Watch. Tons of resources, lists, and reviews. Link to apps resource page…
  • Lots of great resources and web apps to use with Chromebooks! – Educational Technology Guy.
  • Assistive Technology Blog – by Brian Meersma.
  • OT’s with Apps & Technology – The OT eTool Kit resource – review of apps and other technologies for OT’s working with children and adults.
  • Assistive Technology Solutions for Students and Adults with Dyslexia – Jamie Martin.
  • The “Almost Best” Collection of Apps, Extensions for Special Education from An AT Specialist.
  • Technology in SPL education – appymall.com.
  • Assistive Technology in the Classroom – WeAreTeachers.
  • The Top 10 iPad Features That Schools Forget – apps that are already built into your iPad that can been AT. Blog by Jonathan Wylie.
  • Bridging Apps website – Easter Seals of Greater Houston – lots of information plus lists.
  • Kathy Schrock’s iPads for Teaching.
  • iPads and tablets in the classroom – resource from the Royal National Institute of Blind People.
  • Know Your Apps – website which provides reviews of apps for all devices.
  • Smartphone Technology and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) from VCU.
  • Apps for Blind and Visually Impaired from AppAdvice.
  • Andy Brovey’s “iPads as Assistive Technology: More Than 30 Apps for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)”.
  • Applications (Apps) for Speech-Language Pathology Practice from American Speech-Lanbguage-Hearing Association (ASHA).
10 Comments

BLOG 4: Accessibility in Our Devices

10/14/2016

9 Comments

 
Accessibility has become increasingly available to those who have digital devices and Internet access.  We are now able to easily modify the interface of these digital devices so that people with mobility or sensory challenges can communicate, learn, engage, view, share, manage/plan/organize, read, write, etc.  

This week you will be looking at the accessibility features/applications/apps. You will gather information and report out on 3 examples that are of particular interest (be mindful not duplicate). Please include information about where to find these resources, how they work, and possible uses. Your initial response should be 300+ words. Comment on at least 2 other blog postings.
Accessibility features in specific software
  • Accessibility Features in Firefox: This is Mozilla's official help site for Firefox's accessibility features.
  • Apple Accessibility: This is Apple's overview site for accessibility features on Macs, iPods, iPhones, and iPads. From here, you can navigate to help documents for specific features. iPad Features
  • AppleVis: This community-based website offers tips, tutorials, and product reviews for blind and low-vision users of Apple products.
  • Setting Up and Personalizing a Mac for Diverse Learner Needs 
  • ​Mac Keyboard Shortcuts for Accessibility Features
  • 9to5 MAC Accessibility
  • Google Accessibility: This is Google's help site for accessibility features on Android phones and tablets and in Chrome.
  • Microsoft Accessibility: Here, you'll find news on Microsoft's accessibility projects, as well as help pages on accessibility features in the Windows operating system and in the Microsoft Office suite.
  • TutsPlus: OS X Accessibility 101: This tutorial offers in-depth explanations of accessibility features in the OS X operating system.
  • Udemy Free Course
  • Nook
  • Microsoft Accessibilities
  • Adobe Accessibility Features
  • Kindle Fire
  • ​Microsoft Office Provide a wide variety of free and pay resources and tools. Windows 10.
  • Google Chrome Provide a wide variety of free and pay resources and tools.
  • Android Features Provides a detailed list of how to customize your features.
  • What is new with SIRI

Assistive technology devices
  • Ablenet: Computer Access: Here, you can purchase a wide range of assistive-technology devices. You'll also find information on what types of devices are useful for specific disabilities.
  • Compusult: Computer Access for Physical Disabilities: Compusult offers assistive and other kinds of technology to individuals and businesses. It also provides training courses on assistive technology.
  • Inclusive Technology: Here, you'll find assistive-technology products, as well as educational software designed for K-12 students with disabilities.
Other resources
  • Alliance for Access to Computing Careers: This website offers information on accommodations and accessible design that can be useful for teachers and students in technology fields.
  • My Web My Way: This site was created by the BBC. Here, you can find detailed guides on how to change a variety of settings to make your computer more accessible and easier to use.
  • National Center for Learning Disabilities: Here, you'll find useful information on learning disabilities, assistive technology, and appropriate accommodations for work and school.
  • Tech-Ease for All: This site has resources for teachers and parents who want to use technology and computers with disabled students.
9 Comments

BLOG 3 Our Case Study

9/24/2016

5 Comments

 
In preparation for our work together, you will need to do some research about Spinal Muscular Atrophy. We will work together to develop a comprehensive plan (learning, mobility, leisure, movement, self-care, etc. for a student with Spinal Muscular Atrophy with Level 1). Plan on spending about 2 hours (research and document). Prepare a document (bring it to class) that has a chart containing (please post the content on the blog as well): 
  • 5 potential specific resources for this case study that include: website address, brief description, ideas for  use. 
  • Brief overview of Spinal Muscular Atrophy - All Levels
  • 2 Wheelchair companies for pediatric wheelchairs

Share you Specific Resources on the Blog 

Web Resources for SMA (feel free to find other resources):
Abilities Expo Resources
Spinal Muscular Atrophy

CureSMA 
Children's Hospital 
National Human Geneome Research Institute 
SMA Foundation 

Web Resources:
1. Glenda's Assistive Technology Information and more...
Glenda Hampton Anderson brings the experience of working with students with special needs for over 30 years. You will find her artcile on AAC Resources very helpful.
 
2. Teaching Learners with Multiple Special Needs
Resources and ideas for teachers of learners with severe, profound, intensive, significant, complex or multiple special needs. This article talks about Video Modeling, an evidence based practice in special education.
 
3. Jane Farrall's Blog
Jane is a speech pathologist and special educator with over 20 years of experience in the disability and assistive technology field. On her blog you will find useful information about literacy, AAC and Assistive Technology.
 
4. PrAACtical AAC
PrAACtical AAC was started by two professors of speech-language pathology, Robin Parker and Carole Zangari. The website provides AAC information for practitioners, SLP graduate students, and families. Scroll down to the Tags on the right side to quickly locate the topic you are looking for.
 
5. AssistiveWare’s AAC-related resources
Our FAQs provide information about questions like "Will AAC keep my child from talking?", and offer resources on a variety of topics such as core vocabulary, scanning and different diagnoses.



6. RJ Cooper & Associates Products for persons with special needs, including special software and hardware adaptations for persons with very special needs, plus the world famous CooperCar. 

7. Apple Technology - Built-In Solutions Many Apple products, including the Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Apple TV come with assistive technologies, so students everywhere can compensate for learning differences using today’s resources and tools.

 
Other Web Resources:
Reading Rockets
PALM 
AT Resource Round-UP
15 AT Resources for Students 
ATIA

AT for Kids
MAC accessibility features

Council for Exceptional Children
5 Comments

Blog 2: ADA Accessibility

9/17/2016

5 Comments

 
Background Knowledge: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires public accommodations (businesses and non-profit organizations) to provide goods and services to people with disabilities on an equal basis with the rest of the public. Businesses and non-profit organizations that serve the public are to remove architectural barriers when it is “readily achievable” to do so; in other words, when barrier removal is “easily accomplishable and able to be carried out without much difficulty or expense.” Assistive Technology was developed through these mandates of equal access to community, work, and school.

This week you will use one of the checklists (found on the ADA Checklist Website (http://www.adachecklist.org/checklist.html) to complete a survey on a building (near your home, place of work, or Wheelock).  It will be your decision to choose the right checklist for the environment that you selected. You will share your results and reflection on our course blog that will include a summary of the results, personal reflection, and suggestions to increase accessibility for all. Images and bold text will direct you to webpages and documents.  Record your data into Access Earth http://accessearth.azurewebsites.net  

Overview:
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires public accommodations (businesses and non-profit organizations) to provide goods and services to people with disabilities on an equal basis with the rest of the public. Businesses and non-profit organizations that serve the public are to remove architectural barriers when it is "readily achievable" to do so. This checklist is based on the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design. It updates the original ADA Checklist for Readily Achievable Barrier Removal which was based on the 1991 ADA Standards for Accessible Design. The original checklist was issued in 1992 and revised in 1995. Businesses and non-profit organizations removing barriers before March 15, 2012 have the choice of using either the 1991 Standards or the 2010 Standards. Businesses and non-profit organizations removing barriers on or after March 15, 2012 must use the 2010 Standards. Questions on the ADA call 800-949-4232.
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Documents
A GUIDE TO DISABILITY RIGHTS LAWS  
ADA Standards for Accessibility Design 2010
​ADA Act of 2010
ADA Guide Book 2010

ADA Overview 2015

5 Comments

Introduction

9/9/2016

10 Comments

 
Over the next months we will begin to think about how assistive technologies can support all kinds of learners and people in home, work, community, and school.  Our work will be directly tied into the work you do and the people that you want to become.   Attached is the syllabus for this semester. Each week you will be responsible for a blog entry and responses. The blog will go out each Friday and you have until the following Friday to complete each blog.

The week we will spend time reviewing these videos (see below) and our digital textbook. Use the content of these documents (click on images and colored text to get to the links) and your personal experiences to respond to the following reflective questions.  Your responsibility is to write an initial blog in response to these questions and to respond to each participant (make connections, add an ideas, share your impressions...). Expect to spend 2-4 hours each week for each blog.  During this course you will have 5 blogs over the next five weeks. 

Reflective Questions:
1.  How do you use technology to support your social, academic and daily living?  Include EVERYTHING!
2.  In your past experiences (as a student, worker, intern, and/or educator) how was technology integrated into your learning or work? 
3. What initial ideas do you have about how technology can support learning?

4. What challenges (learning, living, mobility, communication, etc.)  have you witnessed or experienced that could be supported with technology?
5. What takeaways do you have to share from the blog content?
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Once you click on the image it will take you to the digital book. You will need to create a free account to access the text.
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ARTICLES
The future of assistive tech is surprisingly simple
Everyday technologies that enhance accessibility are far more helpful than miraculous, high-tech interventions
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Created by Sabrina Santaniello
Curry College
Updated November 23, 2020