Where It's AT – Assistive Technology Blog

Medical equipment can often be a significant part of life for many with disabilities. Now the FDA is maintaining a database of recalled medical equipment, which is both useful and easy to use. Database visitors can search by the name/type of device or review a list of recently recalled devices. The system also gives users the option to report equipment problems online.

If you have questions or concerns about your equipment, visit the FDA’s Medical Equipment recall database.

AT in the news for the week of 6/4 – 6/8

Wired (blog): Imagine Cup Alumni Spotlight: David Hayden and Team Note-Taker

The Press Association: Blind sailors ready for yacht race

Hawaii Business Magazine: Women Veterans Launch Businesses

This Robotic Limb Is So Advanced It Could Bring Paralyzed Troops Back To The Battlefield

Technology: More than Touch – Voice and Gesture Control of Home Automation

BCIT students design devices to help people living with ALS – The Province

Mobile innovations for persons with disabilities require increased spectrum – The Hill (blog)

‘Push Girls’: A Fresh Take On Women Riding On ’26-Inch Rims’

Photography for the blind, courtesy of the iOS Camera app

Neuroscientists Explore Innovative Way to Help People Who Are Blind

Video games helping autistic students

As many people move into the digital age of e-Readers this is a great guide on how to borrow eBooks

Announces Availability of iPhone Application – NFB-NEWSLINE(R)

FCAT fails to allow dyslexics, disabled to use technology – Bradenton Herald

From soldiers to guide dogs to crutches – RSA Student Design Award

Bionic Brains and Beyond – Wall Street Journal

Did you know that the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development runs a program to encourage homeownership for indivuduals with disabilities? Eligibility includes that one of the borrowers OR a son or daughter (regardless of age; who resides with one of the borrowers and is cared for principally by one of the borrowers) of one of the borrowers must have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities (for example, hearing, seeing, speaking, sitting, standing, walking, concentrating, or performing manual tasks). The definition does not include a person whose disability is based solely on any drug or alcohol dependence.

This program is available statewide. Call Single Family Housing at 410-514-7530 or e-mail to SingleFamilyHousing@mdhousing.org  for additional information.

Avoid Redundant Alternative Text

Images and related text are often paired together, such as a product image with the product name immediately below it, or a photograph with a caption. In instances where the text conveys the content of the image, the image should usually be given null or empty alternative text (alt=""). This avoids the redundancy of having a screen reader read the same information twice (once for the image alternative text and once for the caption or adjacent text).

If the image and the adjacent text are links to the same location, combine both the image and the text into one link and give the image null alternative text. This avoids redundancy, results in fewer links for the user to navigate, and results in fewer links for the user to navigate.

The High Contrast Podcast

By Joel Zimba, Special Projects Coordinator, MDTAP

High Contrast is the newest podcast offering from the Serotalk Podcast Network:  www.serotalk.com.  To my knowledge, this is the first and only podcast specifically focusing on issues related to low vision.  The three hosts describe their assorted vision difficulties, which might be specifically helpful to someone without low vision in understanding the vast grey area (no pun intended) between fully sighted and totally blind.

The show does not exclusively discuss assistive technology, though there is some discussion of the low vision products at CSUN, including the Flick Camera.  There is also a lively discussion of exercise in general, which is spawned by the recent news of several visually impaired people running in marathons.

The inaugural episode of High Contrast shows promise.  It nicely fills a niche in the Serotalk offerings, and I look forward to future installments.

Maryland has established the Accessible Homes for Seniors program through The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), in partnership with the Maryland Department of Aging (MDoA). Both department’s are undertaking a project to promote  accessibility related improvements to the homes of seniors. These improvements may include, among others, the installation of grab bars and railings, widening of doorways and installation of ramps. Home improvements such as these represent for many older people the key to remaining in their home and maintaining their independence.

Those eligible for the Program must:

• Be Maryland residents with at least one resident age 55 or older.
• Generally must own and occupy the home to be renovated as their principal residence.
• Seniors living with relatives will be considered on a case by case basis.
• Reside in a home that is structurally sound and free of health and safety hazards.
• Not have any outstanding federal or state tax liens, open bankruptcy or foreclosure.
• Meet income requirements.

To learn more, visit the Accessible Homes for Seniors website or call your local Area Agency on Aging.