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AT News Wrap Up, 12/6/13

Dec 6th, 2013 by

Because of the Thanksgiving holiday last week, we missed out on sending last Friday’s AT Wrap Up. So, as an extra special holiday treat (or perhaps early gift), we’re sharing some of the best AT news from the past two weeks. Grab your coffee, get comfy and enjoy!

A Tablet App from Invention Labs Helps Kids with Speech Disabilities

Ghotit Releases its Dyslexia Writing & Reading Solution for Windows Tablets

Why don’t we design a better wheelchair?

Why Are Glasses Perceived Differently Than Hearing Aids?

A Video Game That You Can’t Even See

UGa students make Christmas toys for kids with motor disablilities

‘Disabled’ Mannequins Remind Us That Beautiful Doesn’t Mean ‘Perfect’ (VIDEO)

A new golden age for cane design?

More malls are now offering ‘quiet’ santa visits for kids with autism

AbleGamers 2013 Holiday Gift Guide

“You can swipe, you can open apps, you can scroll, zoom in…” Consumer Electronics Show

Training Program That Not Only Teaches Independence Skills to Blind Youth But Gives Back

Tongue Piercing Lets The Paralyzed Drive Wheelchairs

17 “Mom Approved” Gifts for Kids with Special Needs

Denmark company collaborates with Apple on hearing aid tech

Baby Boomers Adapt Homes for Retirement

Wheelchair controlled by thoughts

Petri bill would make technology available to students with disabilities

Military caregiving webinar on assistive technologies slated for Dec. 12

Exchange matches durable medical equipment with Kansans in need

Radio Gives Young DJs A Voice At Perkins School For The Blind

Posted in MD Technology Assistance Program | No Comments »

VisionAware’s Getting Started Kit, 12/5/13

Dec 5th, 2013 by

VisionAware recently established its Getting Started Kit. Over 21.2 million Americans report trouble seeing, and that number is on the rise. For adults experiencing vision loss for the first time, the diagnosis can feel overwhelming and stressful. To provide hope and help to handle the challenges of vision loss, and to connect users with the resources they need, VisionAware created a Getting Started kit. Comprised of 10 “tip sheets,” each sheet addresses practical solutions to everyday tasks such as reading, cooking, bathroom safety, using computers, and more. The tip sheets are available as accessible PDFs that can easily be printed and shared.

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AT gift ideas for those who are blind or low vision, 12/10/13

Dec 4th, 2013 by

Contributed by Joel Zimba, Special Projects Coordinator, MDTAP

It’s the most wonderful time of the year once again.  Last year, we posted many Assistive Technology gift suggestions.  All of these devices are still available.  However, this year, the Internet is providing a veritable cornucopia of blog posts with excellent gift suggestions.  Here are a couple of sources of low vision and blindness related gift suggestions.

Thinking Outside the Gift Box – http://www.aisquared.com/blog/2013/11/thinking-outside-the-gift-box/

The Flying Blind Online store has many excellent suggestions as well.  They feature a section with many items currently on sale as well as free shipping for purchases over $100.  http://www.flying-blind.com/store.html

Just a reminder that a recurring theme on Where It’s AT is showing how Assistive Technology helps everyone.  There are many great items listed above which would be great for any loved one not just someone with a disability.

 

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Frame Titles, Web Tip #35, 12/4/13

Dec 4th, 2013 by

Frame Titles

Difficulty: Advanced

Category:

  • Structure
  • Validation

Frames (a way of combining multiple web pages into one visual presentation) are not used as frequently today, but when they are used, they must be identified with descriptive text. All frames must be given a descriptive title. The title should succinctly present the content and/or functionality of that frame.

<frameset>
<frame title=”navigation” src=”nav.htm”>
<frame title=”main content” src=”content.htm”>
</frameset>

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Expanding AT Access on the Eastern Shore, 12/2/13

Dec 2nd, 2013 by

HCI receives prestigious grant from Foundation

The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, one of the largest private foundations in the United States recently awarded HCI – Holly Community, Inc., contractor to the Maryland Technology Assistance Program, a $100,000 grant over two years to expand assistive technology services on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

The focus of this grant will allow for the development of a small loan and demonstration site to be established in Easton, provide localized training and assistance for the purchase of assistive technology, and secure a part-time staff person for one-on-one personalized assistance.

“We are honored to be chosen as a grantee of the Weinberg Foundation and are appreciative of their support to expand community resources for individuals with disabilities on the Eastern Shore,” states Pattie Tingle, HCI’s Executive Director.

For the past 40 years, HCI has been a leader in innovative support for individuals with disabilities.  HCI partners with Maryland TAP to bring state-of-the-art technology and resources to individuals living in eight counties of the Eastern Shore.

Posted in Assistive Technology, AT Funding, AT News, MD Technology Assistance Program, Mystery Monday | No Comments »

DoItWrite app, 11/26/13

Nov 26th, 2013 by

Learning to Write with DoItWrite

Contributed by Joel Zimba, Special Projects Coordinator, MDTAP

With the release of iOS7, Apple added a hand writing function to VoiceOver.  When the “Hand writing” option is selected via the rotar function, print characters, such as uppercase, lowercase, numbers and punctuation, can be drawn directly on the screen of an  iOS device. I find hand writing particularly useful when unlocking my iPhone.  It also makes for a handy way to select apps from the home screen. This is a great feature, but I discovered my hand writing is a little bit rusty.  Here is where the DoItWrite app comes in.

DoItWrite is the first iPhone app produced by Draconis Entertainment.  They make many accessible games for the Mac and PC.  DoItWrite is an educational game, of sorts.  DoItWrite turns hand writing practice into a game. The game section of DoItWrite announces a letter and the player must draw that letter on the screen as quickly as possible.  The longer you take, the fewer points are awarded.  The letter is repeated until drawing of the letter is completed. In addition to the game playing section, DoItWrite has a “learn” feature.  Spoken directions are given to teach a user how to write each letter.  If done incorrectly, feedback is given to help improve accuracy, for example, “The line on the right hand side of the letter J is not long enough, which registers as a U.”

After some practice my hand writing has improved and my speed has increased. It’s worth mentioning that DoItWrite does not teach penmanship per se. The letters are taught in a way which makes them easily recognizable by VoiceOver. However, they might not look so hot to an experienced scribe.

Posted in Assistive Technology, Blind/Low Vision Aids , Information Technology, Learning Aids, MD Technology Assistance Program, Things to Know Thursday | No Comments »

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