All Together We Can » AT

Back to School Blog Resource: Teaching Learners with Multiple Needs

Samuel Sennott — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 18:41:17 +0000

Teaching Learners with Multiple Special Needs is a blog, led by Kate Ahern, is full of useful resources, reviews on new technology (light and high tech), and a very welcome focus on curriculum and putting ideas into practice. This blog specializes in top quality information and is very readable. It is a terrific resource to utilize in preparation for back to school.

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Drummer Reinvents His Way to Rock

Samuel Sennott — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 20:46:51 +0000

Look how Origin Instruments helps this drummer reinvent his way to rock. This is one of the best assistive technology stories of the year. This is a must read/watch and share.
Disabled musician reinvents the drum
By Chris Welch, CNN

Accessible drums

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Some Favorite Blogs

Samuel Sennott — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 20:07:38 +0000

Here with the best group in the world in Richardson, Texas, we are talking about how to integrate information. Here are some ways to collect new information to integrate.

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Stevie’s Story on Channel 4 News in Nevada

Samuel Sennott — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 14:54:01 +0000

We just received this very well done video shown on the channel 4 news: Reno student with autism uses technology to communicate.

Proloquo2Go is featured prominently.

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Sixth Sense and AAC, Literacy, Universal Design for Learning

Samuel Sennott — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 18:19:31 +0000

Adam Bowker and I are having this great ongoing dialogue about the application of a host of new tools that will be become available in the future. Recently Dr. Light sent us information about Sixth Sense, a MIT Media Lab’s new Fluid Interfaces Group project led by Pattie Maes and Pranav Mistry . The basic concept is that your portable computer, in this case a cell phone, combined with a video camera and portable projector create a system that allows you to access relevant information about the environment and interact with that information. This has created a paradigm shift for me and I think you should check out this talk by Pattie Maes from this past February’s TED. What do you think about this type of technology tool in relation to AAC, Literacy, Universal Design for Learning?

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FluidTunes Sets Our Minds Ablaze

Samuel Sennott — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 05:47:08 +0000

by Samuel Sennott

FluidTunes is a free Apple OS X software that uses gesture recognition to control your iTunes library. In other words, by harnessing the power of the iSight camera, the user swipes their hands at the buttons to play the music, stop the music, flip to the next song or flip to the previous song. I first heard about FluidTunes on the fantastic gtd blog Lifehacker. Check out the video I made demonstrating the interface and explaining a few thoughts about how people with the label of special needs could use technology like this.

Okay, so we are not yet in a full on Minority Report experience where Tom Cruise uses complex gestures to control his computer screen that is projected into the air. Nor are we going to see this instantly become a popular access method for individuals with the label of special needs. Yet, it sets our minds ablaze. We have all watched the progression of the eye tracking work move into eye gaze control systems that are really starting to work for individuals with physical disabilities. For nearly four years now, I have been doing a test of the eye gaze systems where I emulate the frequent movements many of my students often display. The systems are now starting to pass that informal test, as of this summer. It seems eye gaze computer control has moved from a potential and a cool thing in the conference exhibit hall to something that works. TobiiAti, PRC, and Dynavox are all committed to its implementation. So what will happen with the concept of gesture recognition? Well, in a way, it already is happening. Just see ASL’s excellent selection of various types of proximity switches. Karen Kangas has championed the concepts behind the benefits of using switches of this type. For these switches, you simply need to move within the right range to activate the electronic switch, which can control your wheelchair, computer, etc…

How terrific is it that the developer, David Frampton, made this application available for free? I am personally having a blast with FluidTunes. Much respect and thanks goes out to him for sharing it and for setting our minds ablaze thinking of the possiblities for individuals with the label of special needs. As we approach the release of Mgestyk, the comercial gesture based control system, we can certainly consider ourselves warned that this is coming to the mainstream. With an estimated cost of roughly the price of a high end webcam, it looks like this technology will be applicable in the assistive technology field. See the following Mgestyk videos.

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I for one am going to have fun playing music with this tool and let my mind wander as I do. Yet, I am not going to go gorilla arm with this concept. Although, even at the moment I can imagine practical implementations of gesture based switches that could be created with a usb hub and a couple different web cams. What do you imagine?

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Imagine Symbols

Samuel Sennott — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 06:11:29 +0000

by Samuel Sennott

imagine symbols icon

Do you know about the 4000 Imagine Symbol set that is free for personal use. You can go to www.imaginesymbols.com and download the entire brightly colored set of picture symbols. There are also low cost options to liscense the symbols. Don’t forget that you can load them into your iPhoto library for easy use with various applications.

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Wireless Switch from Prentke Romich

Samuel Sennott — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:05:47 +0000

by Samuel Sennott

Prentke Romich Company announces a wireless switch that should be nice to see in action next week at Closing the Gap. How many times have you wished for this? The Jelly Beamer is cool, but common, they definitely got it right going with the pervasive Bluetooth technology. It will be interesting to get user feedback on this innovation. Here is the press release.

Contact: Bob Nemens, Director of Marketing
Phone: (800) 262-1984 X243
rjn@prentrom.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 6, 2008

Introducing The PRC Bluetooth^® Wireless Switch,
Allows Wireless Access to PRC Products

Advanced Wireless Computer Access and More for AAC Communicators

Wooster, OH, October 6, 2008 – Prentke Romich Company (PRC), the leading manufacturer of alternative and augmented communication (AAC) devices for individuals with speech disabilities, today announced the release of the PRC Bluetooth Wireless Switch (BTWS), an innovative wireless switch that is comparable to PRC devices with built-in Bluetooth capabilities. The BTWS is compatible with PRC’s ECO™-14, Springboard™ Lite, and another newly released innovation, Vantage™ Lite.

With comparable size to other switches, The Bluetooth Wireless Switch has a rechargeable li-ion battery with over 100 hours of run time on a single charge. Additional features include:

External switch jack allows dual switch input;
·         Non-skid bottom case means the BTWS stays where you want it;
·         LED indicator lights show “pairing” and power status;
·         Bluetooth^® connectivity for computer access and wireless access;
·         Battery level can be viewed in the paired PRC device.

“Wireless switching eliminates traditional problems with tangling or disconnection of cords that can happen with everyday use of a communication device,” says Bob Nemens, PRC Director of Marketing. “PRC designed and developed this innovation with both freedom of access and reliability in mind.”

Adding the PRC Bluetooth Adapter also delivers wireless computer access features in three versatile product modes:

·     Mouse Mode inputs mouse moves and “click” and “double click” into USB-equipped computers;

·      Keyboard 1,2,3 Mode allows the switch to be used to scan in PRC PASS software;

·      Keyboard F-Keys Mode allows the switch to be used to scan WiVik^® software.

For more information on the new PRC Bluetooth Wireless Switch and other PRC innovations, visit PRC online at www.prentrom.com, contact PRC Sales at (800) 262-1933, or contact your PRC Regional Consultant.

About PRC

PRC is a global leader in the development and manufacture of augmentative communication devices, computer access products, and other assistive technology for people with severe disabilities.

An employee-owned company founded in 1966 and headquartered in Wooster, OH, PRC has enabled thousands of children and adults worldwide with severe speech disorders to achieve spontaneous, independent, and interactive communication regardless of their disability, literacy level, or motor skills.

In addition to its powerful communication devices –ECO™-14, Vanguard™ Plus, Vantage™ Plus, Vantage™ Lite, and SpringBoard™ Lite – PRC also provides a wide array of high-quality teaching and implementation ideas, therapy materials, curriculum sequences, funding assistance, and training to speech-language pathologists, special educators, and the families of AAC communicators.

For more information, go to www.prentrom.com or call (800) 262-1984.

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NOTE: For electronic images of PRC’s Bluetooth Wireless Switch, please contact Cherie Weaver at (800) 262-1984, ext. 240, or e-mail caw@prentrom.com.

If you require further information on this or other PRC products or services, please contact Bob Nemens, Director of Marketing, at (800) 262-1984, ext. 243, or email rjn@prentrom.com.

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Family Center for Technology and Disability News and Notes: AT & High Incidence Disabilities

Samuel Sennott — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 23:07:02 +0000

by Samuel Sennott

Check out the new Family Center for Technology and Disability article featuring the work of Karen Janowski.
Karen Janowski champions universal design and assistive technology. It is terrific to see her work being recognized. Check out her blog too. teachingeverystudent.blogspot.com

Here is an excerpt:

AT & High Incidence Disabilities: Independence is Her Goal

An Interview with Karen Janowski, Assistive and Educational Technology Consultant
and Special Education Instructor, Simmons College, Boston, MA

“In education, there often appeared to be an insufficient level of appreciation for promoting independence among all kids, especially those with high incidence disabilities, and in promoting methods that are successful in that regard,” declares Karen Janowski. “That’s what originally sparked my interest in assistive technology, because AT removes barriers to learning and gives kids additional ways to demonstrate what they know.”

While appreciation for the goal of AT-aided independence has increased in the years since she earned her Masters in AT from Boston’s Simmons College and adopted AT consulting in public schools as a career, there is plenty of room for improvement, she admits.

The independence movement’s ignition button, she recalls, was pinpointed by AT authority Dave Edyburn. “Dave points out that the new language included in the reauthorization of IDEA in 1997, which stipulated that all students on IEPs had to be considered for AT, created four million students who were potential AT users.” Read more from the article

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SpeakUP SUMMER 2008 ISSUE, FEATURE: Accessible Electronic Books

Samuel Sennott — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 02:41:43 +0000

by Samuel Sennott

It is very pleasing to present the summer issue of SpeakUP, USSAAC’s quarterly newsletter magazine.

USSAAC is the United States Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication, the national chapter of ISAAC, the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication.

SpeakUP

NEW SUMMER 2008 ISSUE FEATURE: Accessible Electronic Books

AAC and All That Jazz
Do You Got Game
Seating and Positioning in AT
AAC Evidenced Based Practice Conference Review

NOW IN FOUR FORMATS .PDF .TXT .DOC (WORD) .mp3 (AUDIO)

As many of you know, I am the new editor for SpeakUP. It is terrific serving in this position and is a great opportunity to connect with so many excellent people. If you have any article submissions you would like considered or ideas for SpeakUP and USSAAC in general, please contact me at samuel.sennott@gmail.com.

There are so many fantastic new ideas surrounding ISAAC and USSAAC right now. Many came out of the USSAAC chapter meeting at ISAAC this past month. It will be great to share them over the coming months. Also, if you end up sharing this on your blog, please do not grab the download links to the issue into your post, as it is important to drive traffic to the USSAAC website. Thank you.

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