Where It's AT – Assistive Technology Blog

AT in the news for the week of 2/13/2012 – 2/17/2012

Deaffie Eddie Freddie: A new teddy bear is in development that would help kids learn sign language.

New text-messaging (free) for Veterans Crisis Line

Microsoft Details Windows 8 Accessibility Feature – Windows 8 Beta

Disabilities Can Be Workplace Assets

Feeling Anxious? Soon There Will Be an App for That

Upcoming New ADA Rules Will Prompt ATM Overhauls

Apps For Apnea? New Gadgets Promise To Improve Sleep

Braille Under Siege As Blind Turn To Smartphones

Technology opens up new worlds for children with autism

Windows 8 to enhance aids for impaired users

Apps Put Smartphones at Service of Challenged

ONC mobile app contest seeks help for disabilities

Having access to a telephone is an integral part of daily life and can often be taken for granted by most, but for some individuals, particularly low-income individuals (including seniors and people with disabilities) access to a telephone can be a luxury, not a privilege. However, some new public safeguards have been put into place to help ensure that those who are most economically fragile now have access to the same privileges as other citizens.

The Low Income Program of the Universal Service Fund, which is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), helps eligible low-income consumers establish and maintain telephone service by discounting basic, local service provided by local telephone companies. Consumers apply for the discounts through their local telephone company or designated agency.

Safelink Wireless also runs a program that provides free cell phones and minutes to income eligible consumers, often based on a person’s participation in a state or federal support program or by meeting the Federal U.S Poverty Guidelines.

To learn more about any of these lifeline programs, visit http://www.lifeline.gov/lifeline_Consumers.html.

And lastly, the Maryland Department of Information Technology oversees the Maryland Accessible Telecommunications (MAT) program that provides free assistive telecommunications equipment to qualifying Maryland residents. MAT provides free TTY’s, amplified phones and more to applicants who have a disability that makes using a standard phone difficult.

Evaluating Web Accessibility with WAVE

WAVE is a free web accessibility evaluation tool found at http://wave.webaim.org/. Rather than providing a complex technical report, WAVE shows the original web page with embedded icons and indicators that reveal the accessibility of that page. This presentation facilitates manual evaluation of web accessibility. A Firefox toolbar version of WAVE allows evaluation of web content directly within the browser – thus allowing sensitive, password protected, dynamic, or intranet pages to be easily evaluated. Because WAVE performs evaluation after page styles (CSS) has been applied and (in the toolbar) after scripting has been processed, WAVE provides a very accurate representation of true end user accessibility.

Training the Trainers: Teaching and Supporting Users of Access Technology

May 9-11, 2012

National Federation of the Blind

Jernigan Institute

200 E. Wells Street at Jernigan Place

Baltimore, MD 21230

Learn about blindness technology from the best!

Technology is in a constant state of flux.  New devices, software, and services are being implemented by business and education on what seems like a daily basis. Blind and low vision users need access to these same technologies in order to compete with their sighted peers. Access technology vendors are constantly working to help consumers meet these needs.  With the challenges come opportunities for users, and the people who train and support them.  This two-and-a-half-day seminar is designed to provide trainers and content creators with the information they need about these powerful tools to ensure that their blind and low vision users can succeed in their endeavors.  To meet this goal, the training will provide hands-on involvement with:

• Screen access software
• Braille
• DAISY eBooks
• Tactile graphics creation
• Apple’s iDevices
• Mac computers
• Notetakers
• Low vision solutions
• Other tools

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from experts in the access technology field, experience the latest in the industry, and visit the largest showcase of blindness technology in the United States.

More information and registration at www.nfb.org/trainers. For questions, please contact Clara Van Gerven at cvangerven@nfb.org or at 410-659-9314 x2410.

MoreKeyboard Giveaway!

In recognition of Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and Low Vision month, MoreKeyboard is pleased to announce its 2^nd annual MoreKeyboard giveaway during the month of February.

People with AMD and low vision have varying degrees of difficulty seeing a computer monitor, a computer screen, and the lettering on its keyboard.  This is where the MoreKeyboard is most beneficial.

The large print on the number and letter keys of the MoreKeyboard are three times larger than those on standard keyboards.  The bright white printing on the large black keys increases visibility and contrast making the MoreKeyboard easier to read. This is helpful to individuals with vision impairments, and for those who wear reading glasses, bifocals, or work in low-lighted areas.

An additional feature of the MoreKeyboard is its letter and number keys that are more than 25% wider than those of standard keyboards. For people with age-related disabilities, the larger landing area on the big keys helps with locating and operating the keyboard and allows the user to type with more accuracy and confidence.

MoreKeyboard will give away two keyboards per week during the month of February.  To qualify for the giveaway, send MoreKeyboard an e-mail explaining why and how the MoreKeyboard can benefit you.

Visit MoreKeyboard at www.morekeyboard.com.

AT in the news for 2/6/2012 – 2/10/2012

HBO To Air New Film Tackling Disability Caregiving

Libraries Use Assistive Technology to Help Patrons with Low Vision

Apps narrow the gap

Writing Tools for ADHD Students: Assistive Technology for Writing

http://AssistiveTechnologyRadio.com

How might we design an accessible experience for everyone? A call for your advice

Helping your parents stay out of the nursing home

Elektrodress Therapeutic Electrode Suit for Nerve Disorders

Where Eye Care Is A Luxury, Technology Offers Access

New AgrAbility publications help farmers cope with disabilities

Where technology aids