Where It's AT – Assistive Technology Blog

AT News Wrap Up, 5/16/14

May 16th, 2014 by MDTAP Blog

The bikes have it this week. Or, maybe, bikes and cars. And prosthetics. Okay, so maybe there’s just some amazing AT across the board. You decide. AT in the news for the week of 5/12 thru 5/16.

Touch Bionics updates i-limb Ultra Revolution prosthetic hand

Local company creates bike seat to make riding more comfortable

Dollar Up- Money Learning Aid for Special Needs Education- App Review

Governor O’Malley signed the first historical deaf cultural digital library bill this morning!

Meet Skylock, the smart bike lock that can save you after a crash

Musculoskeletal injury is the #1 reason for military discharge

Right on cue: app helps with autism

A new treatment for Alzheimer’s, via a “brain pacemaker”?

New computer programs Goodfeel and Lime Lighter help blind read, write music

Boy with no fingers given hand by engineer and 3D printer

Student inventions aim to improve lives of disabled

Evaluating the Accessibility of Microsoft Office for the iPad

A Spoon That Shakes To Counteract Hand Tremors

FDA approves Dean Kamen’s ‘Star Wars’ bionic arm

Paralyzed patients successfully move legs after breakthrough treatment

Imperial eyes steering a wheelchair by sight

Extend the impact & accessibility of digital media content w/ automated captioning

VoiceOver Compatible Apps for iPhone & Mac

Special Devices for People with Disabilities Invented by Volunteers

IndyCar owner Sam Schmidt chosen to unveil innovative hand, foot-free Corvette

A New Technology Lets The Disabled Control Their Phones Just By Nodding Their Heads

Mind-controlled prosthetic arm from Segway inventor gets FDA approval

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

Emergency Shelters and People w/Disabilities, 5/15/14

May 15th, 2014 by MDTAP Blog

Emergency Shelters and People with Disabilities

Contributed by Provi Sharpe, Director of Emergency Preparedness and Reuse Activities, MDTAP

Though we think of spring as a mild, gentle time of year, spring in the mid-Atlantic region can bring severe weather. Maryland is susceptible to a variety of weather-related emergencies. Severe thunderstorms are common in Maryland throughout the summer season. Hurricanes, flooding, tornadoes and severe winter storms occur here periodically. Even routine weather events can disrupt power and other utilities for prolonged periods.

Our region is also known for its sweltering summers. Intense heat and humidity pose a serious health risk, especially for children, the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions.

Any of these events could cause you to go to an emergency shelter. If that happens, do you know what to expect? Do you know what to do to get the personal assistance you may need?

Quest Magazine Online’s article “How To Get Personal Care Assistance in Emergency Shelters” offers guidance on how to ensure that your personal needs are met if you are ever forced to go to an emergency shelter.

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

Scaling Images, Web Tip #54, 5/14/14

May 14th, 2014 by MDTAP Blog

Scaling Images

Difficulty: Advanced

Category:

Presentation

Users with low vision often use a screen enlarger to increase the size of elements in a web page. Images can become pixelated or blocky when they are enlarged. Text within images can become particularly difficult to read. When you can get the same visual presentation using real text, you should use it instead of text within images. When images that contain text are used, ensure that the text remains readable when the image is at least doubled in size. Using sans-serif fonts and adequate contrast makes enlarged text in images more readable.

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

New HCBS Advocacy Website, 5/13/14

May 13th, 2014 by MDTAP Blog

http://HCBSadvocacy.org – has launched! While officially a collaborative project of the DD network partners – NACDD, NDRN, and AUCD – this site should prove to be a useful tool for national and state cross-disability and aging advocacy organizations.

Each state includes information on their deadlines for transition plans, including waivers that expire before March 17, 2015. All information came from Medicaid.gov. State pages will also include state advocacy materials and official state materials as they are posted. National advocacy resources are available under the National Resources tab and official resources from CMS are listed under Learn About the New Rules.

Posted in Assistive Technology, AT and the Law, AT News, Tech Tip Tuesday | No Comments »

JHU Neuroplasticity Study of Blind Adults, 5/12/14

May 12th, 2014 by MDTAP Blog

The Neuroplasticity and Development Lab in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Johns Hopkins University is seeking participants for psychology research studies. JHU will study how people with varying lifetime experiences process information. The study compares the brains of blind and sighted individuals. The goal of this research is to better understand how visual and non-visual experiences contribute to concepts and language.

Participating in research studies involves listening to stories and sounds, reading Braille and answering questions. Some studies involve getting an MRI scan. Each study typically lasts between 2 to 3 hours and participants are compensated $20-$30 per hour for their time.

To qualify for these studies you must be a healthy blind adult between 18 and 75 years-of-age. Prior to taking part in any studies, participants are asked to complete a pre-screening interview over the phone to ensure that they qualify. The screening interview takes between 15 and 30 minutes and those who take part in the interview are compensated $15. Participants who qualify will be scheduled for a study appointment.

To learn more, please contact the lab either by calling (410) 870-9895 or emailing plasticity_lab@jhu.edu.

Posted in Assistive Technology, AT News, Blind/Low Vision Aids , Mystery Monday | No Comments »

AT News Wrap Up, 5/9/14

May 9th, 2014 by MDTAP Blog

Some weeks are slower than others. This isn’t one of them! From 3D printed mouthpieces (for sleep apnea) to foldable bike helmets, sign language rings and apps that diagnose eye cancer, technology innovations have been all over the news this week. Check out all the newest, coolest things being made and wow your friends this weekend with everything you know about current technology. Chances are, they won’t believe some of what you tell them anyway.

AT in the news for the week of 5/5 thru 5/9

3D-printed mouthpiece clears the air for sleep apnea sufferers

Brain Stem Implant Could Help Deaf Boy Hear

3D printing might save lives

The Eyes Have It: Eye Tracking as a Game Changer for Developers and Consumer Brands

A patient’s home is a huge determinant of health and wellbeing

Save the Date for FCC’s Social Media Accessibility Event

How cursive can help students with dyslexia connect the dots

Pioneering research facility in Stanmore ‘will change lives of disabled people’

AudioEye Partners With Red River to Provide Website Accessibility Solutions to the Federal Government

Young Entrepreneurs Win $25,000 in Design Competition

A Foldable Bike Helmet You’ll Just Happen To Have In Your Bag