Tag Archive: assistive technology

Watch It Wednesday: Towards an Inclusive Maker Movement

August 13, 2014 by - Leave your thoughts

Watch It Wednesday: Towards an Inclusive Maker Movement

Where we live, the DIY movement has impacted everything from home repairs, to decorating, to assistive technology. We love the idea of empowering clients, families, and professionals to take things into their own hands to make, adapt, use, and share. Take a look at Meryl Alper’s Ignite session on the topic of building an inclusive maker culture.  

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Fast FAACt Friday: Accidental Access

February 7, 2014 by - Leave your thoughts

Fast FAACt Friday: Accidental Access

What was the first technology that allowed teachers and SLPs to use personal computers in their work with students who had significant physical disabilities? Probably the Adaptive Firmware Card (AFC). Developer Paul Schwejda and SLP Judy McDonald discuss in this wonderful video from the AT Oral History Project at the University of Connecticut. How interesting that this wonderful tool stemmed from an accidental meeting by two forward-thinking people! Direct Link to Video: http://youtu.be/xu40fnC94Hk

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Watch It Wednesday- Assistive Technology Impacts Reading & Writing!

October 2, 2013 by - Leave your thoughts

Watch it Wednesday: Assistive Technology Impacts Reading and Writing

Another must watch  TED Talk.  Learn how assistive technology helped Ron McCallum prove his mother wrong. He discusses how technology has progressed to improve every aspect of his reading and writing life. He advocates for full accessibility of written material for everyone in every country.

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Think Inclusive’s Tim Villegas presents: Essential Assistive Technology for the Inclusive Classroom

August 21, 2013 by - Leave your thoughts

Think Inclusive's Tim Villegas presents Essential Assitive Technology for the Inclusive Classroom

One of our wishes is that all of our students have educators like Think Inclusive’s– Tim Villegas.   He has worked in special education and with people with disabilities for the past decade.  He has been dedicated to talking and writing and talking about  inclusion for everyone (and yes, everyone means everyone). We feel so lucky Tim is our guest blogger today.  Read and learn about  ‘essentials’ for assistive technology in the inclusive classroom. One of my favorite things to tell people when I discuss what kind of assistive technology (AT) to have for a particular student is to think about their strengths and build from there. In my first year of teaching students with significant cognitive and physical disabilities, one of my students was really good at pushing her foot out to make an affirmative response. So when looking at where to provide a switch or button for her to access…the natural choice... [Read More...]

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Listen to Me About What I Need & Want

June 12, 2013 by - 5 Comments

Listen to me about what I need and want

Some thoughts in poem form about communication, technology, and preferences.  It humorously illustrates a high priority communication perspective.  It was written as part of a learning challenge for a graduate course .  It is reprinted with permission from the author Stacy Ganwer. Listen to Me AboutWhat I Need & Want by Stacy Gangwer Would you like my advice? On this device I use it to talk Even when I walk I use it everyday Even when I play I would like it to be small So I can still throw a ball This device needs to be tough Sometimes I’m rough on stuff It would be cool If I could use it by the pool I like things that are easy to learn So it doesn’t have to be returned I don’t have a ton of money So let’s not be funny If it could be cheap I won’t have... [Read More...]

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5 Adapted Play Resources for Children with Motor Impairment

July 5, 2012 by - 2 Comments

5 Adapted Play Resources for Children with Motor Impairment

Play is the work of children and a gateway to learning about the world. And so when we met a toddler who couldn’t access regular toys for play, we set out on a quest to help solve this problem. Here are some resources we’re using. – Pick out some toys: Sites like AblePlay are invaluable for objective information on which toys to consider. Toys R Us also has a special needs section of their website. How to make battery-operated toys accessible through switches: Instructable by John Schimmel and instructional document by the Alliance for Technology Access How to make battery interrupters so you can make toys switch accessible: Instructable by Gavin Phillips. How to use battery interrupters: Document by AbleNet Once you have your switch-adapted toy, you can make some minor changes to make adapted play a better overall experience Get creative: Creating play environments by Let’s Play. Great info and ideas... [Read More...]

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