Assistive Technology Public

School Assessment Season

2009-12-30T12:38:00.000-08:00

School assessment season is in full swing, as the ones requested for Fall 2009 are done, and more are waiting for Winter 2010. This year we got a late start due to a delay in the contracts department with the contractors who do assessments. These assessments do not cost your school district anything. They are funded by a grant from the Idaho State Department of Education.

To request an assistive technology assessment for a child in or under 12th grade, go to the link to IATP in the leftt margin and from there click on the link for "school based services". Anyone on the student's IEP team may complete the application, including a parent, but it is a good idea to let the other team members know that you are applying, since they will be part of the process.

Pre-school children with physical disabilities may also qualify. If your student does not have an IEP, contact Nora Jehn at 1-800-IDA-TECH with your request for an assessment.

So what happens next? A certified ATP will be sent to your school to conduct the assessment. In the case of students who are home schooled or are pre-school aged, the assessment will happen in the home. This person will interview team members, observe the student, and do some practical testing to see what technologies hold the most promise. The primary goal is to provide equal access to the curriculum or to prepare for transition from home to school and from school to adult life. Within two weeks you should get a detailed report with information about the technologies likely to help, and how to go about obtaining and implementing them. You can get additional training for your team too.

Idaho has been blessed to have a goodly number of highly qualified people to do assessments throughout the state. To get a current list of the ATP's you can call Nora Jehn.

North Idaho Device Library Update

2009-11-17T11:42:00.000-08:00

If you are a user of Idaho's assistive technology device libraries, you can appreciate how important it is to keep track of the thousands of items that are available for loan to teachers, professionals, and families. We just went through the North Idaho AT device library and threw away everything that either no longer works, or is too old to be useful to anyone. For example, no one seems to want to borrow keyboards or mice with 15-pin connectors or PS2 jacks anymore!

A new inventory is done, and if you want a copy, you can make a comment on this posting and I'll get it to you. Be sure to leave your email address.

Christmas came early, as we just received some of the new items from IATP for this year. We have replaced the special access keyboards and mice with USB models and now have an integrated touch screen monitor so you don't have to use the clip on touch screens to test those applications. We've also updated our software collection so that you and try a more current edition of Dragon Naturaly-Speaking or even Kurzweil thumb drive edition.

I'm still waiting for the new toys, but there should be one or two if each kind of modality for trials with the smaller kids. The old toys have served well, but most of them had to go to toy heaven.

So nice to be able to demonstrate a working product instead of showing a broken one and doing it "pretend"!!

The North Idaho A.T. Device Library is located within Coeur d'Alene Hand Therapy & Healing Center at 2448 Merritt Creek Loop in Coeur d'Alene, in the Riverstone Development. You can reach the office at 208-664-2901.

Keep Looking Up,

Moving to Spokane/Coeur d'Alene Area

2009-08-26T14:21:00.000-07:00

This is a bittersweet move for me as I leave the Idaho Center for Assistive Technology next week to re-unite my family in Spokane, but if you don't have family, what benefit is a great job?

I'm returning to my former work as a contractor for the Idaho AT Project while I look for something closer to full-time in the Spokane/North Idaho area.

The happy part of this tale is all the great stuff I learned as a full-time ATP working along side of Kathy Griffin, the AT "guru" of Idaho and all the knowledgeable folks who make up the AT community in Southern Idaho.

It has been a challenging first year of operation as an independent non-profit after disaffiliating from United Cerebral Palsy last January. Best wishes to the ICAT staff and my replacement as the loaning library coordinator, Dan Dyer.

Keep Looking Up!

Wheelchair Vacation Computer Camp June 10-12

2009-05-04T14:04:00.001-07:00

The Idaho Center for Assistive Technology is hosting a wheelchair vacation computer camp for ages 8-18. Kids will learn how to use multimedia software, tell a digital story, publish their own blog, or create their own art masterpiece.

They will explore software for learning and games, expand areas of personal interest, try out adapted keyboards and mice, maybe even create their own virtual world.

Dates: June 10-12
Time: 9AM to 3PM
Where: 5420 W. Franklin Rd. Suite A, Boise, ID, 83705
Fee: $35.00
Registration Deadline: June 1, 2009

T-shirts, snacks, and Friday lunch provided.
To register call ICAT at (208)377-8070

Alternative and Augmentative Communication Camp, June 8-12

2009-05-04T07:31:00.000-07:00

"Advancing Adventures in Communicating" AAC Camp presents a wonderful opportunity for AAC users between the ages of 5 and 20 to experience the thrill of traditional summer camp activities. Rock climbing, swimming, and arts & crafts are just some of the highlights that create an unforgettable experience, while expanding the social communication skills of campers.

Trained Idaho State University students in the area of Augmentative Communication and Licensed Speech Pathologists will help foster improved social communication in a 1:1 counselor to camper ratio.

A collaborative partnership between St. Luke's/Idaho Elks Rehabilitation Services and the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, and Education for the Deaf, ISU-Boise center hosts this camp.

Dates: June 8-12
Time: 9AM-3PM M-Th; 9AM-12PM Friday
Location: Idaho State University Boise Center,
Bridger Building 12438 W. Bridger Drive Boise, ID 83713
Fee: $70

For more information or applications, contact Anne Kuhlmeier at 208-706-5775 or email akuhlmeier@ierh.org.

Reading Access with a Mobile Telephone

2009-04-13T07:34:00.000-07:00

http://www.knfbreader.com/

This year's Technology & Persons with Disabilities Conference, better known as the CSUN Conference (CA State University at Northridge), was a showcase of many great new devices for people who use assistive technology.

My pick for the best new technology at the conference this year goes to knfb Reading Technology, Inc. They have produced two different reading systems that are packed into a Nokia mobile telephone. The first one is called kReader Mobile. You can take a digital photograph of printed matter, such as a newspaper, and the phone will convert it to e-text and read it back to you out loud while it displays the text and highlights each word. You can control text size, contrast, and reading speed. This model is targeted to people who can see but have difficulty reading for other reasons.

The second version is called the knfb Reader Mobile, which has been configured with blind users in mind.

These systems work on either the Nokia N82 which sells for $500, or the Nokia 6220 which sells for about $350. The retail price of the software is $995.00, or a package that includes the phone is $1600. This is a working cellular telephone, but the phone contract is not included in the purchase price. These phones do not recieve internet.

It should not be a surprise to learn that the development team was led by Ray Kurzweil, one of the best recognized names in the industry.

Keep Looking Up!

Free Computers for Kids and Non-Profits

2009-02-14T07:48:00.000-08:00

http//www.cfkidaho.org

Every once in a while I run into a resource that seems like finding buried treasure. Computers For Kids is a non-profit based in Boise that takes in computers from businesses that are buying new ones and wipes them clean. They install a basic functional software package and then send them out to students and non-profits. Most students can get a fairly new desktop PC. Juniors and Seniors in High School may qualify for a laptop.

If you have a student who needs a computer, they can get an application at the address above.

Sometimes students who need a computer with specialized programs to overcome learning disabilities have access to that at school, but can't afford to get one to do homework on. With school schedules the way they are, they don't get enough time on the school computers to finish their work. This is a great way to overcome that. Homework can go onto a memory stick and taken home, or it can be emailed or loaded onto a Google Document if they have web access at home and at school.

Over in the left hand margin of this page, you can click on "Mike's Favorite Links" and find some free programs that can be downloaded to make a student's computer accessible for a variety of disabilities. The only cost involved would be if the student needs to have internet or email access, and those are available at around $10/month for phone modem access to an ISP. Many students can earn that much just doing chores.

Keep Looking Up!

Nice AT blog for Special Educators

2009-01-06T08:44:00.000-08:00

http://teachinglearnerswithmultipleneeds.blogspot.com/

Here is a blog for special ed teachers that makes mine look pretty simple. I don't write a new blog daily, and I don't have all the bells and whistles that this one does. Rock on, Kate, nice job and I hope you win on the voting for best education blog.

Keep Looking up!

Voice-Access for Gamers

2008-12-23T13:25:00.000-08:00

http://www.broadenedhorizons.com/gamingvoicecontrol.htm

I ran across this site for voice control for gamers on the ATA listserve. The author is a quadriplegic who has solved a number of computer access problems, including how to enjoy computer, online, and console gaming without the use of hands. He also has chin and tongue controllers.

All this just in time for Christmas.

Keep Looking Up!

My Big Move to UCP

2008-12-04T13:44:00.000-08:00

I'd like to thank my colleagues at the Idaho AT Project for helping me land a full-time position with United Cerebral Palsy of Idaho as the Coordinator for the Assistive Technology Lending Library, and as a consultant for AT assessments. I can't tell you how great it is to be working with Kathy Griffin, ATP, our Program Director and a walking encyclopedia of AT. You can contact me toll-free at 1-888-289-7133 (8:30-4:30 MST), or via email: mmann@ucpidaho.org.

And here is a big preview of what's to come in 2009. United Cerebral Palsy of Idaho is going to become an independent non-profit organization! This will allow us to provide services in a larger region than in the past. Stay tuned for our new name and website.

Keep Looking Up!

Low Reading Level, High Interst E-Books for Free

2008-10-24T13:23:00.000-07:00

http://tarheelreader.org

A common problem for students who are delayed in reading is that books written in simple language are written for a much younger audience. Books that interest them are too hard, but books they can read aren't very interesting. I give credit to Nora Jehn of the Idaho Assistive Technology Project for finding this great website. They have hundreds of stories for teens at very easy reading levels.

Keep Looking Up!

Assistive Technology for Math

2008-10-12T08:53:00.000-07:00

http://itcnew.idahotc.com/DNN/Training/AT4Math/tabid/942/Default.aspx

The Idaho Training Clearinghouse has just added an online audio-visual presentation I prepared for the Idaho AT Project called "Assistive Technology 4 Math". This 30-minute presentation reviews some of the many resources for teaching and learning math for those students who struggle for whatever reason. Be sure you are ready to take some notes, this is a resource-rich presentation that covers beginning concepts to higher math, and how to get professional help with a student when you need it.

Keep Looking Up!

New Use for an Old Product

2008-10-10T11:09:00.000-07:00

The Virtually Indestructible Keyboard, $24.99
www.grandtec.com

This keyboard was designed for medical labs and wet environments. It is a flat flexible keyboard sealed in silicone that we sometimes recommend for people who drool. I don't particularly like using this keyboard myself because the action of the keys is "squishy" and slows me down, but it has come in handy for some clients because of its extremely low profile.

I did an assessment for a woman this week who is preparing to return to work after an injury to her neck and brain. After trying out all the latest ergonomic keyboards, I set her up with this one, because the keyboard is only a few millimeters thick, and she could rest her arms on the desk to reduce fatigue in her neck. The big surprise was that with this keyboard, she was able to type without looking at her fingers for the first time since her injury.

Apparently the "squishy" feel of the keys provided her with enough additional tactile feedback for her to feel where her fingers are on the keyboard better. For people with head injuries, extra feedback can make a real difference.

Keep Looking Up!

AT Expo in Pocatello Oct. 28-29, Holiday Inn

2008-10-06T12:01:00.000-07:00

Here's the Agenda:

Tuesday Oct 28
8:30 Introductions
Ron Seiler, IATP Director
8:45 Intro to Assistive Technology for Children with Learning Disabilities
Mike Mann, ATP
10:00 AT for Students with Cognitive Impairments
Ron Seiler, IATP Director
11:00 Panel Discussion: Idaho AT Reutilization Project
Dean Neilson & Valeria Johnson, LIFE, Inc.
Ron Seiler, IATP Director
Sr. Anthony Marie Greving
Area Agency on Aging
1:00 AT For Math
Mike Mann, ATP
2:15 Universal Design for Learning
Ron Seiler, IATP Director
3:30 Adjourn

Wednesday, Oct 29
8:30 Introductions
8:45 Demonstration of Word-Prediction Software
Kathy Griffin, ATP, United Cerebral Palsy
1:00 AgrAbility Training for Physical and Occupational Therapists
Kathy Griffin, ATP, United Cerebral Palsey
2:00 Disability Services: Eastern Idaho Technical College & Idaho State Univ.
Irene Jones and Todd Devries
3:00 Adjourn

If you want a seat, contact 1-800-IDA-TECH or www.idahoat.org.
Keep Looking Up!

New Writing Support Keyboard

2008-09-22T15:12:00.000-07:00

www.writelearning.com

The "Fusion" by Advanced Keyboard Technologies, Inc.costs $239.00 and is a significant upgrade from the popular "Alpha-Smart" and "Neo" line of keyboards in use in many schools. I just got mine for the demonstration center, and I know the teachers in the schools I'm visiting are going to want this.

This is a lightweight, battery powered keyboard with an LCD screen that supports large fonts, word highlighting, text-to-speech, and word prediction. It also has a typing instruction program in it called "Perfect Form" for students who do hunt and peck typing.

Files can be saved onto a compact flash memory card, and there is a cool flash to USB adapter so you can move files to a computer that has no flash drive. If your printer has an infrared port, you can print directly without any kind of hookup. This is a real time-saver, and there are no parts to lose.

Having word-prediction and text-to-speech in a portable keyboard allows a student who uses these technologies to move from room to room through the school without needing computer access in every classroom. This is a big deal for students in Junior High and High School who rely on these assistive technologies to access the curriculum.

Keep Looking Up!

Training Materials for Naturally-Speaking

2008-09-04T13:17:00.001-07:00

http://callcentre.education.ed.ac.uk/Research/Speech_Recog_PRA/DragonSR_PRB/dragonsr_prb.html

If you are new to using Dragon Naturally-Speaking for speech-to-text, I found a free downloadable resource developed at the University of Edinburgh. This page offers training scripts for teachers or students, broken down into 10 sessions. There are also summary sheets you can download and print to place next to the computer for each session for training.

Suppose you want to train Naturally-Speaking for a student who can't read? Scripts of the reading passages are also on this site. Download the passage, then use a screen reader to read it out loud with manual sentence breaks. Your student can listen by headphone and repeat each sentence into the microphone to complete the required passage of reading.

Keep Looking Up!

Tech. for Multiple Sclerosis

2008-09-02T14:31:00.000-07:00

http://www.ussaac.org/

This is a great new find I saw in Momentum magazine, a publication of the Multiple Sclerosis Society. The information is adapted to persons with MS, however I found it to have a lot of value for a large variety of disabilities. I think anyone dealing with weakness and fatigue would find this site helpful for learning about technology that can help for activities of daily life.

Keep Looking Up!

Review: Dragon Naturally-Speaking v9.5

2008-09-02T12:20:00.000-07:00

I just loaded my new version of Dragon-Naturally Speaking, a product that converts speech to text on your word processor and allows you to control your computer by voice. It is available from www.Nuance.com or www.Amazon.com for about $100.

Some of my colleagues had difficulty loading version 9, but apparently the problem has been fixed in version 9.5. If you have version 9, you can call Nuance technical support (the first call is free), and they will email you a link to download version 9.5.

When I installed it, I could not complete the installation until after I did a full computer shut down and restart. Then the installation worked OK, but I would have preferred a message to let me know to do that, I just got lucky and tried it.

Dragon v9.5 has new tutorials that work well, and it goes through all your "My Document" files to pull the vocabulary and style of writing you use, so it needs less training. You still have to read well enough to train the program with the short reading passages provided, so it may not be workable for children who can't read well enough to complete that. You also have to speak clearly enough for the computer to understand what you are saying, so I wouldn't trial it with a student who is difficult to understand or hear.

One more thing: Dragon 9.5 was extremely slow at first, until after I went into my System Tools and did the Disk Cleanup and Defrag chores. Find that from the Start menu in Windows under Accessories. After a much overdue clean and defrag, the program did work at a reasonable speed.

Keep Looking Up!

Get Free Stuff!

2008-08-19T12:36:00.000-07:00

There is a lot of free stuff for assistive technology on the internet, if you know where to look. Some companies offer free downloads of usable programs in the hope that you will upgrade to the full paid version. Some sites just want to share. To find my list of free downloads, go to ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES in the left column, and click on "Mike's Favorite Links". This takes you to Google Documents to my resource list. Scroll down to the letter "F" and you will see the "Free Download" section.

Keep Looking Up!

What Have We Learned Lately?

2008-08-19T12:15:00.000-07:00

http://www.uwm.edu/~edyburn/what.html

Dave Edyburn is Editor of Special Education Technology Practice (SETP), and has this webpage with links to summaries of the special ed. research that is most pertinent each year. If you do not have access to all the journals, or do not have time to read them, then you may benefit from going over Dave's annual summaries of the best research articles.

Keep Looking Up!

The Tech Matrix

2008-08-18T12:13:00.000-07:00

http://www.techmatrix.org/

Teachers frequently ask for help choosing software designed to assist students with learning or other disabilities. There is a great new resource on the internet for helping teachers and AT professionals select software products that do all the right things for a student with a disability.
The matrix is easy to use. You can limit your search to products for math, reading, or other subjects. You can also refine your search to look for certain features. Products in your chosen subject appear along the top row. Features the products either do or don’t have are listed along the column on the left. A checkmark means that the program has that feature. This allows you to narrow your selections down to only those products with the features your student needs.

Just a reminder, “best practice” is still to try before you buy. Even if a program has the features a student needs, it doesn’t mean your student will be willing to use it. Many software suppliers will send you a free demo version of their product for trial use so you can try it with a particular student to make sure.