Where It's AT – Assistive Technology Blog

AT News Wrap Up, 3/27/15

Mar 27th, 2015 by MDTAP Blog

It’s like these headlines were plucked right from a sci fi novel! From cancer-detecting bras to bionic pants, there’s no holding back on the potential of technological advancement. Read it all right here (and follow us on Twitter @MDTAP to see ALL the articles we post)! AT in the news for the week of 3/23 thru 3/27

From apps to 3D printing, hearing technology has come a long way in the battle to put an end to hearing loss

A Wristband that Destroys Cancer Cells

Acrobat DC and Reader DC accessibility update

‘No hands, no problem’: handless gamer dominates ‘League of Legends’

New line of GE stoves designed for visually impaired

Brazilian Creates App to Convey Emotions for Audiovisual Impairments

Myoelectric prosthetic brings bionics closer technology

Assistive technology is a needed tool in the city’s resource-starved schools

NFB Connect App Brings Federation News and Info to your iPhone

Why Force Touch Matters for Accessibility

Bionic Power Trousers Could Help Us Get Up The Stairs

These girls used Lego pieces to design a battery-powered page turner for people who are paralyzed or have arthritis

The Best and the Worst of Times for Disability Arts

Robotic Hand Could Help With Stroke Patient Rehabilitation

NY teens impress Obama with inventions for elderly, disabled

Music without barriers: providing easy access for deaf and disabled fans

How a wheelchair challenge mobilized a high school to become more accessible

Local group designs, fits bikes for those with special needs

Forsyth homeschool robotics team invents way for teaching beginner’s braille

Cancer detecting “Smart Bra” uses temperature sensors to detect early signs of breast cancer

Wearing a Necklace of Sound: Access World reviews the Phonak ComPilot for people with hearing loss

Doodle is a plush pal that informs parents about little one’s health patterns

25 Ideas Shaping The Future Of Design

Seattle Art Museum tests rolling telepresence devices to let disabled guests

Kids with learning disabilities harness technology in school

Posted in Assistive Technology, AT News, Education, Information Technology, Weekly Wrap-up Friday | No Comments »

Floods (Emergency Preparedness Tip), 3/26/15

Mar 26th, 2015 by MDTAP Blog

Floods: Before, During and After

Contributed by Provi Sharpe, Director of Emergency Management and Equipment Reuse

Floods are among the most frequent and costly natural disasters. Conditions that cause floods include heavy or steady rain that saturates the ground. Flash floods occur suddenly due to rapidly rising water along a stream or low-lying area.

The American Red Cross offers the following safety tips and guidelines –

“About Flood” offers information on what a flood/flash flood watch is and what a flood/flash flood warning is.
“How to Prepare for a Flood” offers tips help you plan for a possible evacuation.
“Responding Appropriately During a Flood” offers guidelines on how to safely evacuate during a flood.
“Flood Recovery Tips” offers instructions on how to safely clean up after a flood. Follow this link to these articles.

Did you know that homeowners’ insurance does not cover flood damage? For information on flood insurance visit www.floodsmart.gov or call 1-888-379-9531.

Do you know how you’ll inform your loved ones that you’re safe if your community experiences a flood? The American Red Cross offers the Safe and Well website. This central website allows you to register your current status. Your loved ones can then visit the website and access that information. You can also call 866-GET-INFO (866-438-4636) to register yourself and your family.

Posted in Emergency Preparedness, Things to Know Thursday | No Comments »

Button Text, Web Access Tip #39, 3/25/15

Mar 25th, 2015 by MDTAP Blog

Button Text

Buttons should have descriptive and succinct values or text that describe the function of that form button. Like “click here” links, ambiguous button text (such as “Go” or “Submit”) requires the user to scan before the button to determine precisely what the button does. Descriptive text such as “Search”, “Subscribe”, etc. are unambiguous and more accessible. If multiple buttons are present on a page, the button text should be different (e.g., “Search the web” versus “Search this site”).

Posted in Information Technology, Web Accessibility, Web Tip Wednesday | No Comments »

A weekend with the Blaze EZ

Mar 24th, 2015 by MDTAP Blog

A weekend with the Blaze EZ

Contributed by Joel Zimba, Special Projects Coordinator, MDTAP

First, HIMS made the BookSense. It was a fine little device which could play all of your books and media. It’s the pocket-sized version of the large, but free, Digital Talking Book player available from the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. We saw a few iterations of the BookSense, and ours is still alive and well in the MDTAP AT Library.

But, as it does, technology has moved on. We demand more features from our devices and the Blaze EZ delivers. Not only can you read books from BARD and BookShare, not to mention Audible, Learning Allies, etc., you can also download podcasts, stream web content and more. There is one more format supported by the Blaze EZ—print. That’s right, it comes equipped with a 5MP camera and can perform OCR (optical character recognition) on printed material.

If you name the thing “EZ”, operating it should not be overly complicated. In fact, I had it up and running in just a few minutes. The quick start guide told me everything I needed to know. I connected it to the office WiFi and was downloading books right away.

The Blaze EZ is powerful and it has potential to do even more. For example, you can set the time and date—the time can be announced by tapping the power button. I do wonder though, where are the alarms or calendar reminders with accompanying voice memos? This seems like an easy add-on for future updates.

BlueTooth support has been added, so you can play the audio through wireless speakers through BlueTooth headsets. It’s possible reading Braille books could be supported in the future by connecting to a BlueTooth refreshable Braille display. No other device on the market can boast this functionality.

For now, I crown the Blaze EZ the king of the accessible audio bookreader. It may cost more than the competition, but the excellent OCR functionality makes up for it.

As a reminder, we have at least four different types of audio book players in the AT Library. Come see which one fits your needs.

Posted in Assistive Technology, AT News, Blind/Low Vision Aids , Tech Tip Tuesday | No Comments »

Survey on Technology-Assisted Student Self-Advocacy, 3/23/15

Mar 23rd, 2015 by MDTAP Blog

If you are a parent or caregiver of a student fourteen years or older with an IEP, or a teacher or school administrator involved in the IEP development process for students age fourteen or older, you are invited to take a survey entitled “Aiding Technology-Assisted Student Self-Advocacy in the IEP Development Process.” This study is being conducted by Holly Lane, a student at Queens University of Charlotte, under the guidance of Dr. Daina Nathaniel, an Associate Professor at the Knight School of Communication at Queens University of Charlotte. Learn more and take the survey here http://www.graspingforgrades.com/…

Posted in Assistive Technology, AT News, Education, Mystery Monday | No Comments »

AT News Wrap Up, 3/20/15

Mar 20th, 2015 by MDTAP Blog

Couldn’t share them all (WAY too many) so I had to use the art of selection to represent. Enjoy the pickins’- AT in the news for the weeks of 3/9 to 3/20.

A Discussion About Disability And Accessible Music Venues On ‘Kojo Nnamdi Show’

Speech that will take your breath away, AT innovation from a 16-yr-old

Father working to develop app to help other parents find autism-friendly businesses

Harnessing Technology for Success in the Classroom

This Wearable Game For Visually Impaired Kids Aims To Help Cognitive Development

New dark theme for users with low vision – Microsoft announces IT Pro and Developer Preview of Office 2016

In the Age of the Internet, one group is being left out of the conversation—the hearing impaired

Augmented Reality Glasses for Blind Created at Oxford

Low Cost Solutions for Making Your Home Accessible

Soft Bionic Power Trousers Could Help Us Walk Up Stairs

Bluetooth wristband to alert disabled bus travellers when to get off

MIT Hackathon Tackles Technologies To Benefit the Disabled