Where It's AT – Assistive Technology Blog

AT in the news for the week of 7/9 – 7/13

Scientist Commands Robot 2,000 Miles Away With Brain Waves

2012 Imagine Cup touts assistive technology

Kurzweil 3000 Firefly iPad App Releasedh

Aging At Home, With The Help Of Technology

Physical Education and Technology: Using Video Sports Games to Engage Students with Disabilities

‘Diabetes tattoos’ may soon help monitor glucose levels

Engineering Students Develop Bioengineering Assistive Devices in SolidWorks

Headset Creates ‘Soundscape’ for Blind People to See – very cool!

‘Four million disabled people have never been online’

Gilbey Films launches! Professional online films to help hotels/venues showcase their great accessibility facilities

Ukrainian Students Develop Gloves That Translate Sign Language Into Speech

Socially assistive robots provide a break for patients

Access Board Releases Proposed Guidelines for Emergency Transportable Housing

A new Illinois State University project to make SMART Boards accessible to visually impaired children

Walking Robot Legs Made to Reproduce Human Gait

Businesses must design more digitally inclusive sites, says disabled charity

 Seven assistive technologies born from science fiction

EasyGo: Accessible Family Changing Room

Maggie’s Light is partnering with Wilmot Modular Structures  to develop and provide accessible family changing rooms for individuals with disabilities and their families that care for them, at community outings such as festivals, concerts, athletic and other events. The EasyGo provides individuals with disabilities, and their families, with the opportunity, and freedom to participate in their community without worry for their personal hygiene needs. Check out the flyer here or contact Maggie’s Light if you’re interested in learning more, supporting the project, or renting the EasyGo.

WCAG 2.0 and Transcripts

The word “transcript” doesn’t appear in WCAG 2.0 because it is strictly interpreted as being only the verbatim text version of that which is spoken. For optimal web accessibility for users with auditory disabilities, information in addition to the spoken content (such as indications of laughter or explosions, or the presentation of visual-only content) are necessary. WCAG uses the term “alternative for time-based media” to describe this descriptive transcript. WCAG 2.0 Success Criterion 1.2.3 (Level A) requires synchronized captions and either audio descriptions or an “alternative for time-based media” (i.e., descriptive transcript).

22nd Anniversary Celebration of the

Americans with Disabilities Act

Thursday, July 26, 2012

2 p.m. – 5 p.m.

University of Maryland, Baltimore County

An Honors University

University Center Ballroom

RVSP by July 20th. Call 410-767-3660

voice/tty or 1-800-637-4113 voice/tty or email mdod@mdod.state.md.us

Interpreter, captioning and assistive listening devices will be provided. For other accommodations, call 410-767-3660.

DIRECTIONS

University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC)
An Honors University in Maryland

The UMBC campus is located on 500 acres 15 minutes from Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and 30 minutes from Washington, D.C.    The 2012 ADA Celebration will be held at the University Center Ballroom.  On arriving at the campus, look for ADA Anniversary directional signs for parking.   Visitors can park in the designated ADA parking lot adjacent to the Arts and Humanities Building (a five-minute walk to the University Center) or take advantage of free valet parking.

From the North:

Take Interstate 95 south to Route 166 (Exit 47B, Catonsville); follow signs to UMBC.

OR

Take the Baltimore Beltway (I-695) and take Exit 12C (Wilkens Avenue, west); follow the signs to UMBC.

From the South:

Take Interstate 95 north to Route 166 (Exit 47B, Catonsville); follow signs to UMBC.

AT in the news for the week of 7/2 – 7/6

Muscle-Like Action Allows Camera to Mimic Human Eye Movement

Despite Delays, Chair Lifts Coming To Public Pools

Device uses sound or touch to help visually impaired people perceive the visual scene surrounding them

The State of Audio Description Around The World

Fun and Games: Hands Free Gaming with EyeGuide Assist

Assistive technology upgrades in Windows 8

For those with stamina challenges: Electric Bicycles

Another potential “eye drop” treatment, this time for dry macular degeneration

Cranfield University Student Launches Research Into Disabled Passengers Experience

Technology For All: Apple Paves The Road To Accessibility

Designs to improve lives, from IIT-B students

New Wheelchair Accessible Car

Free webinar, 7/17, on creating accessible math images: tools, tips, tricks & resources

Md. prison inmates to train service dogs for wounded and disabled military veterans

Podcast on Virtual Reality Tools for Autism

Adding ASL support to iBooks.

NVDA goes PDF/UA; The PDF Association Steps Up to Fund Development

Hands Free Gaming with EyeGuide Assist: Grinbath Reveals Interactive Gaming

Students United in Campus Community Engagement for Post-Secondary Success 

Deadline for applications is July 10, 2012!

SUCCESS is an education program for students with intellectual disabilities.  A partnership between the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) and the Maryland Department of Disabilities, SUCCESS is a pilot program that will enable Marylanders with intellectual disabilities to develop their independence, problem solving and employment skills.  In addition, students will be given the opportunity to interact with their peers in a wide array of inclusive educational, social and recreational campus-based activities.

For additional information, including an application, visit UMBC’s Shriver Center Website at http://shrivercenter.umbc.edu/success.

Criteria for Applying Include: 

• Exited high school with a certificate in Spring 2012.
• Able to read at a 3rd grade level (minimum requirement).
• Basic computer skills and able to use a keyboard and mouse.
• Knowledge of basic mathematics and the ability to use a calculator.
• Exhibit conduct and behavior that are age appropriate.
• Ability to function independently for a sustained period of time.
• Ability to be successful in competitive employment situations.
• Desire and motivation to complete a postsecondary program.
• Willingness to complete all assignments with support.
• Full time resident of Maryland and have an intellectual disability.

Additional criteria/information:

• Students who exited school in 2010 or 2011 are also now eligible to apply.
• Students and families interested in a non-residential option may now apply, as long as families are able to      provide/ensure daily transportation.
• Students who have an intellectual disability and a diploma are encouraged to review the curriculum and if they find it academically appropriate, they may also apply.  Remember, the SUCCESS Program is not designed to provide credits that result in an academic degree.
• Students with other types of disabilities are eligible to apply, as long as they also have an intellectual disability.