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Accessibility Boutiques from NFB

Apr 4th, 2019 by

Want to learn more about accessibility?  National Federation of the Blind, thru the Non-visual Accessibility Initiative Grant from the Maryland Department of Disabilities, offers Accessibility Boutiques (What a cool name!!).  These boutiques are workshops that are presented by accessibility experts to help you learn and sharpen your accessibility skills.  

Check out the website:  NFB Accessibility Boutiques

The boutiques happen once a month.  March’s topic is Dictation Bridge (March 25th, 8:30-10:30am).  Dictation Bridge is a free program that integrates with both NVDA and JAWS to provide increased accessibility when working with speech recognition products like Windows Speech Recognition and Dragon Naturally Speaking. Learn about Dictation Bridge, how to set it up, and ways it can be useful both in the office and at home.  Upcoming topics include Accessible Content with Blackboard, Building a Culture of Accessibility, and Non-visual Accessibility in GSuite Products.  

For more information or to register for the accessibility boutiques, please call 410-659-9314, option 5 or email access@nfb.org. 

Posted in Assistive Technology, Blind/Low Vision Aids , Maryland Department of Disabilities, Things to Know Thursday | No Comments »

Gaming at CSUN Conference

Apr 1st, 2019 by

Hello guys, Andrew here – what an awesome few weeks in the AT world!  

A couple of weeks ago at the CSUN Conference in California, I finally had the chance to get my hands on the very cool and uber accessible new Xbox controller.  The adaptive device is aptly named “Xbox Adaptive Controller.” This is our second post on this cool device — but I wanted to share some feedback after seeing it in action and playing popular games like Minecraft and Forza.  The adaptive controller is extremely versatile allowing any switch to be connected via 3.5mm jack — each button movement (taken from the original controller) can be replaced with a switch. Finally, it should be noted that the controller also allows other adaptive input controllers such as joysticks to be utilized in conjunction with Xbox’s controller!  

Large screen with slide saying "Game On: Unlocking Gameplay with the XBox adaptive Controller"

Microsoft did the very class thing and did not lock the device to their platform so it can be used on Playstation and other computing systems. As a gamer myself, I love to customize my controllers by adding tactile skins and I was very pleased to see that the aftermarket folks have already started to ship skins for the Xbox’s latest controller, too. I think for $99 this is an absolute steal and a great addition to Xbox’s other gaming peripherals!

Two presenters hold XBOX adaptive controllers .

Happy (and inclusive) gaming folks!

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Posted in Assistive Technology, Conferences, Mystery Monday | 1 Comment »

National Technology Assistance Awareness Day!

Mar 28th, 2019 by

I bet you didn’t know yesterday was National Assistive Technology Awareness Day.  Don’t feel bad, it just happened!  On March 11, 2019, Senator Robert P. Casey Jr., for himself and Senator Kevin Cramer, submitted S.Res.103, a resolution designating March 27, 2019 as “National Assistive Technology Awareness Day” to the U.S. Senate. The resolution was agreed to by unanimous consent.

Lori Markland talks to group while standing next to Sec Beatty in Loan Closet reception area.

According to the resolution, the Senate “commends assistive technology specialists and program coordinators for their hard work and dedication to serving people with disabilities who are in need of finding the proper assistive technology to meet their individual needs; and professional organizations and researchers who are dedicated to facilitating the access and acquisition of assistive technology for people with disabilities and older adults in need of assistive technology devices.”

Sec Beatty stands with Mary Becker Loan Closet manager and Lori Markland MDTAP ED.

MDTAP is part of a nationwide network of state Assistive Technology Act Programs funded under the Assistive Technology Act (AT Act).  The mission of each AT program is to provide four basic services:  device demonstration, device loan, reuse promotion and financial loans.  Yesterday we visited the Howard County Loan Closet and highlighted the reuse aspect of MDTAP and its partners across the state.  There is more to do to enhance reuse and we will continue to work toward that goal.  We were delighted that MDOD Secretary Carol Beatty joined us as well as representatives from Howard County Executive Calvin Ball’s staff, and the Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services staff which includes the Office on Aging and Independence.  Look for more information in the coming months about reuse and loan programs across the state!  Group of 12 people gathered in front of Loan Closet Logo on wall.

Posted in Assistive Technology, AT and the Law, AT Events, AT News, Equipment Loan, Equipment Re-use, MD Technology Assistance Program, MDTAP Events, Things to Know Thursday | No Comments »

mATchup

Mar 11th, 2019 by

Hello, Andrew here!  I am the newest member of the MDTAP Assistive Technology team and this is my first of many blog posts!  

mATchup - Maryland Assistive Technology Connection Hub

I would like to introduce you all to a very cool (and free) resource that can assist with the assistive technology consideration process.  The resource is called mATchup and is a web-based tool that was created by the Johns Hopkins Center for Technology in Education (CTE). mATchup allows the respective user to select an area of need e.g. writing and then a range of potential  high tech and low tech solutions are presented. The tool categorizes the potential area of need into eight areas: Academic; Writing, Auditory; Organization; Vision; Communication; Seating & Positioning and mobility; and Independent living.  All of the aforementioned categories reference tools, devices, apps, and other solutions that would aid the respective end user with their specific area of need. Personally, I can see mATchup being a great resource for families learning about the AT consideration process for a child with a disability or as a guiding tool for school team without an assistive technology specialist on staff!  Remember to like this post and share it with your friends!

CLICK HERE TO SEE:  mATchup

Posted in Assistive Technology, AT News, Education, Learning Aids, MD Technology Assistance Program | No Comments »

Glucometer that talks to you!

Mar 8th, 2019 by

Prodigy Voice® – A Talking Glucometer

By: Joel Hosner, MDTAP Advisory Council Consumer Representative

People with vision impairments can measure their blood sugar with the Prodigy Voice Talking Glucometer! The Prodigy Voice is the only meter to receive the Access Award from the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) and an Access Plus Award from the National Federation of the Blind (NFB). The Access Plus Award is only given to products that give blind patients the same usability that a sighted person would have. The Prodigy Voice is fully audible, both in setup mode and during testing, and has tactile features for ease of use and navigation. Prodigy Voice requires no coding, and once a test strip is inserted, the machine powers on automatically. The Prodigy voice also has an audio jack for discreet use of the talking function, as well as a USB port to download reading results.

The Prodigy Voice is available online for around $40. For more information, check out the web page for the Prodigy Voice through this link: http://www.prodigymeter.com/health-care-professionals/diabetic-supplies/prodigy-voice-talking-glucose-meter/. The Prodigy Voice can be purchased on Amazon through this link: https://www.amazon.com/Prodigy-Voice-Totally-Audible-Vision/dp/B004DJG0VW?SubscriptionId=AKIAJ2RJRL2O5UPIY6LA&tag=cs-blog-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B004DJG0VW&ascsubtag=blood-glucose-meters.close up of Prodigy Talking glucometer

Posted in MD Technology Assistance Program | No Comments »

Spend equipment dollars wisely!

Mar 7th, 2019 by

Everyone has limited budgets and needs their dollars to stretch further than ever before.  But as more technology becomes available individuals, school systems, providers, etc have a hard time keeping pace.  Thank goodness for AT Discount Sales and Services and the founder, Amanda Cheong.  Amanda truly believes in the power assistive technology offers individuals with disabilities for a better quality of life and more independence.  She founded AT Discount Sales & Services as a way to help get that needed AT into people’s hands.  Their mission is to provide product information and available discounts on assistive technology and related products as well as services for schools, organizations, families and community agencies serving individuals with disabilities.  You tell Amanda what you need, and she finds the best price or discount for you!  Who doesn’t want the best price for equipment??  

Check out the website:  http://www.atdiscount.net/

Amanda isn’t just bringing her 19 years at AT experience to the table.  Her dedication and passion for the field grew out of her experience of witnessing how her daughter, Kristin, and countless others she has been involved with have been able to improve their participation with their families, peers, and studies through assistive technology.  

AT Discount Sales & Services, with help from MDTAP, is expanding its reach to all parts of the state!  Amanda is available to assist school systems or agencies looking to purchase AT from any region in Maryland including the Eastern Shore, Western and Southern Maryland.  To get started, you can email Amanda at:  amanda@atdiscount.net

 

Posted in Assistive Technology, AT Funding, AT News, MD Technology Assistance Program, Things to Know Thursday | No Comments »

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