Hundreds of people gathered at UMBC on July 26, 2012 to celebrate the 22nd anniversary of the signing of the Americans With Disabilities Act. In honor of the event, MDTAP has assembled a number of YouTube clips that illustrate how technology can help people at school, at work, and at home. We also found some videos that show what assistive technology may be able to help us do in the future.
Note: Some of the clips may not be captioned by their creators; we have noted which clips come with their own captioning.
TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION
“Assistive Technology Enabling Dreams” by Edutopia
This clip illustrates the importance of providing young students with AT to help their education. It shows students using a number of complex devices, including voice-activated software and augmentative communication devices. (Captioned)
http://www.edutopia.org/assistive-technology-enabling-dreams-video
“Assistive Technology Makes a Difference to Lukas Bratcher” by Edutopia
This clip shows how one student with a mobility impairment worked with teachers, engineers, and a creative musical instrument repairman to create a modified musical instrument. (Captioned)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJ_qLzEq_LI
“Technology Assists Deaf Student Learn Surgery” by UC Davis
This clip, from University of California at Davis, shows how a medical student with a hearing impairment developed a way to communicate with her teachers and classmates while performing surgeries in the operating room.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwDvgFrbY5w
TECHNOLOGY IN THE HOME & WORKPLACE
“Tech helps Realtor Overcome Deafness” by CNN Money
This news clip tells the story of how a real estate agent with a hearing impairment uses technology to communicate with clients.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ba0khKoaJU
“New Prosthetic Technology Making a Difference in Veterans’ Lives” by KITV
This news story shows how new developments in prosthetics have helped veterans who were injured in combat.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=acdPqt9SN00&NR=1
“Apps for Autism” by 60 Minutes
This national news story shows how children with autism can use iPads and other communication devices to better communicate with the world around them.
http://www.youtube.cinhtom/watch?v=F_8b7PgnNQQ
TECHNOLOGY FOR THE FUTURE
“Second Prototype of Rolling Dance Chair” by University of South Florida
This segment from University of South Florida shows developers working on a hands-free wheelchair that can be used by wheelchair users who want to dance.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=86pp62N4vYk
“Paralyzed Woman Moves Robot With her Mind” by Nature Video
This clip highlights research being done at Brown University that could help people with mobility impairments control assistive robots using their brainwaves.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogBX18maUiM
“Mobile Lorm Glove” by Design Research lab
This video demonstrates progress German researchers have made in developing a mobile, tactile communication device that allows people who are deaf-blind to communicate with others via text messages.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQe1rg1z4zU
“NFB Blind Driver Challenge” by TORCTechnologies
This news clip shows a test drive of a car that was developed through a collaboration between the National Federation of the Blind, Virginia Tech, and TORC Technologies. Using tactile signals, the car can be driven by persons who have visual impairments.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2ciYRB2roA
