Imagine, you're a person with motor disabilities or orthopedic impairment. You like eating apples but you have a hard time peeling and cutting them in pieces. What kind of assistive technology can you use? Introducing . . . easy-to-use mechanical apple peeler!
http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/agent.palm-183966-mechanical-apple-peeler-assistive-technology-ed-446-technoloy-low-tech-presentation-2-education-ppt-powerpoint/
Monday, May 4, 2009
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Multiple Disabilities Content Presentation
The objectives of this presentation include providing the audience with the definition of multiple disabilities from IDEA or Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; describing the characteristics, causes, and prognosis of the disability; elaborating on the various implications for students or persons with multiple disabilities; and providing activity ideas and effective strategies for teaching students with severe, profound, or multiple disabilities.
http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/agent.palm-183663-multiple-disabilities-assistive-technology-content-presentation-2-education-ppt-powerpoint/
http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/agent.palm-183663-multiple-disabilities-assistive-technology-content-presentation-2-education-ppt-powerpoint/
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Visual Impairment Content Presentation
The objectives of this presentation include introducing the definition of visual impairment as defined by the Association for Education and the Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, distinguish between two classifications of visual impairment, enumerate some of the known causes of visual impairment, explore the transition to adulthood of people with visual impairment, become familiar with assistive technology, and to realize what it's like to be visually impaired.
http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/agent.palm-180941-visual-impairment-content-1-assistive-technology-presentation-education-ppt-powerpoint/
http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/agent.palm-180941-visual-impairment-content-1-assistive-technology-presentation-education-ppt-powerpoint/
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Low-Tech Assistive Technology Device: Memory Telephone
For most people, a simple task such as dialing digits to call others or answering the phone is easy, for others, however, it is a formidable enterprise. Communication is vital, and to be able to make a phone call in cases of emergencies is very important, most especially to those individuals who find it difficult to use regular telephones, hence, the memory telephones. Memory telephones are designed to aid individuals with disabilities to making interactions via tele-communication a more convenient experience. Its features include auto-dialing, enlarged buttons with images, alert light for incoming call and other features that are also found in regular telephones, such as redial and volume control. The memory telephones are most suitable to individuals with visual and hearing impairments, short-term memory, and motor disabilities.PowerPoint Presentation
http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/agent.palm-157172-memory-telephone-assistive-technology-low-tech-ed-446-technoloy-presentation-education-ppt-powerpoint/
Monday, February 16, 2009
Research Activity: Assistive Technology Articles Websites
• Simplified Technology for Persons with Severe Disabilities
National Center to Improve Practice in Special Education; http://www2.edc.org/NCIP/library/ec/Burkhart.htm
This website features a collection of overviews of Linda J. Burkhart’s books on assistive technology for children with expressive language disabilities. Amongst her published books include discussing about total augmentative communication in the early childhood classroom, which talks about how parents and teachers can aid their children and students with communication disabilities such as expressive language delays in learning through their environment. With the agency of low-tech and high-tech assistive technology devices, they may be prepared to learn sign language, mathematics, and other subjects. This book also includes vivid direction along with illustrations to demonstrate the strategies suggested. Linda Burkhart also published books that tackle home-made toys or assistive technology that works with batteries as means for education. These may be utilized by parents and special education teachers and is practical because it is inexpensive. It also includes directions and illustrations. Another book that Burkhart published involves using computer s and speech synthesis to facilitate communicative interaction with young and/or severely handicapped children. Burkhart suggest using devices such as tape recorders, and computers to train people with severe disabilities how to interact through assistive technology.
• Learning Disabilities and Assistive Technology
Learning Disabilities and Assistive Technology; http://www.gatfl.org/ldguide/default.htm
This website features on its main page an article written by Christopher Lee as its introduction regarding the link between learning disabilities and assistive technology. He introduced this link by including anecdotes on how people with learning disabilities appear short-handed in handling daily tasks that other people consider simple such as reading, counting, and identifying. These are some tasks that we take advantage but people with learning disabilities need assistance with. Lee furthermore explains how even low-tech assistive technology devices such as markers and planners may affect a person with a learning disability’s life. Also, with the continuous evolution of technology, more high-tech assistive technology are now available such as speech synthesizer devices that scans text or prints and reads them back. He emphasized how, assistive technology, however, does not solve everything in a person’s life but rather just make his or her way of living more efficient especially for a person with disabilities such as a learning disability. This website also features a selection of assistive technology devices that is appropriate for learning math, reading, writing, and social studies. These articles contain an overview of the learning disability within each specific subject and what types of low-tech and high-tech assistive devices may be utilized to cater each need.
• Assistive Technology for Students with Autism
Assistive Technology for Students with Autism; http://www.specialed.us/autism/assist/asst10.htm
This website features an article written by Susan Stokes, an autism consultant. Strokes emphasized how assistive technology akin to students with autism is not receiving much attention in comparison to other disabilities. She believes that assistive technology may aid students with autism in developing skills in better understanding of their environment, attention, social interaction, motivational, academic, attentions s, organization, self-help, and overall independence. Strokes provided examples of scenarios in which a student may need a sort of assistance through assistive technology. As emphasized in many other various articles, assistive technology may be low-tech or high-tech and in other cases, low-tech devices such as using visuals are good enough to use. In this particular article, Strokes discussed how students with autism find it difficult to identify or distinguish certain images and label them correctly because their focus is off. Strokes suggested using a software, called Picture This, which allows for the presentation of real photos without the confusion of other background images. This website also gave definitions to distinguish between low-tech devices, mid-tech devices, and high-tech devices.
• Sensing the Way of the Future
Sensing the Way of the Future; http://teapot.dit.ie/files/pdfs/Irish_Times_article_from_Ability_Awards_supplement.pdf
This website features an article published by the Irish Times from their June 15, 2007 issue. It discussed the progress of assistive technology as an aid to people with severe disabilities that are unable to communicate verbally or are incapable of mobility from the neck down. Researchers at Dublin Institute of Technology are figuring out ways in which technology can provide a solution to people with severe disabilities’ inability to communicate. For years, these people have been deprived of communication but recent development in assistive technology have found a solution in which they may be able to convey their thoughts and answer questions through sensors and computers. These sensory devices will be attached to the person’s head, eyelids, fingers or other parts of the body that are able to move and will serve as the control device, which shall allow him/her to spell out what he/she wishes to convey or say through the screen. Their research still continues as to how they can minimize the cost of these devices in preparation for public availability.
• Technology Puts More Pupils in the Mainstream
Technology Puts More Pupils in the Mainstream; http://www.boston.com/news/education/k_12/articles/2008/04/21/technology_puts_more_pupils_in_the_mainstream/
This website features an article that boasts the advantages of assistive technology devices in allowing students with disabilities become a part of general education. It is mentioned that due to the availability of assistive technology devices in some schools in Boston, Massachusetts, students who may be disadvantaged in performing regular school work are now able to actively participate in general education classrooms. Assistive technology devices such as computers, mp3 players, voice-output devices, portable and enlarged keyboards, and text-to-speech software had tremendously impacted the way students with special needs had been working in fulfilling school tasks. It has helped them overcome challenges in academics and had boosted their means of social interaction through technology. More students with autism, mental retardation, cerebral palsy, and other disabilities can now possibly be mainstreamed with the proper selection of assistive technology.
National Center to Improve Practice in Special Education; http://www2.edc.org/NCIP/library/ec/Burkhart.htm
This website features a collection of overviews of Linda J. Burkhart’s books on assistive technology for children with expressive language disabilities. Amongst her published books include discussing about total augmentative communication in the early childhood classroom, which talks about how parents and teachers can aid their children and students with communication disabilities such as expressive language delays in learning through their environment. With the agency of low-tech and high-tech assistive technology devices, they may be prepared to learn sign language, mathematics, and other subjects. This book also includes vivid direction along with illustrations to demonstrate the strategies suggested. Linda Burkhart also published books that tackle home-made toys or assistive technology that works with batteries as means for education. These may be utilized by parents and special education teachers and is practical because it is inexpensive. It also includes directions and illustrations. Another book that Burkhart published involves using computer s and speech synthesis to facilitate communicative interaction with young and/or severely handicapped children. Burkhart suggest using devices such as tape recorders, and computers to train people with severe disabilities how to interact through assistive technology.
• Learning Disabilities and Assistive Technology
Learning Disabilities and Assistive Technology; http://www.gatfl.org/ldguide/default.htm
This website features on its main page an article written by Christopher Lee as its introduction regarding the link between learning disabilities and assistive technology. He introduced this link by including anecdotes on how people with learning disabilities appear short-handed in handling daily tasks that other people consider simple such as reading, counting, and identifying. These are some tasks that we take advantage but people with learning disabilities need assistance with. Lee furthermore explains how even low-tech assistive technology devices such as markers and planners may affect a person with a learning disability’s life. Also, with the continuous evolution of technology, more high-tech assistive technology are now available such as speech synthesizer devices that scans text or prints and reads them back. He emphasized how, assistive technology, however, does not solve everything in a person’s life but rather just make his or her way of living more efficient especially for a person with disabilities such as a learning disability. This website also features a selection of assistive technology devices that is appropriate for learning math, reading, writing, and social studies. These articles contain an overview of the learning disability within each specific subject and what types of low-tech and high-tech assistive devices may be utilized to cater each need.
• Assistive Technology for Students with Autism
Assistive Technology for Students with Autism; http://www.specialed.us/autism/assist/asst10.htm
This website features an article written by Susan Stokes, an autism consultant. Strokes emphasized how assistive technology akin to students with autism is not receiving much attention in comparison to other disabilities. She believes that assistive technology may aid students with autism in developing skills in better understanding of their environment, attention, social interaction, motivational, academic, attentions s, organization, self-help, and overall independence. Strokes provided examples of scenarios in which a student may need a sort of assistance through assistive technology. As emphasized in many other various articles, assistive technology may be low-tech or high-tech and in other cases, low-tech devices such as using visuals are good enough to use. In this particular article, Strokes discussed how students with autism find it difficult to identify or distinguish certain images and label them correctly because their focus is off. Strokes suggested using a software, called Picture This, which allows for the presentation of real photos without the confusion of other background images. This website also gave definitions to distinguish between low-tech devices, mid-tech devices, and high-tech devices.
• Sensing the Way of the Future
Sensing the Way of the Future; http://teapot.dit.ie/files/pdfs/Irish_Times_article_from_Ability_Awards_supplement.pdf
This website features an article published by the Irish Times from their June 15, 2007 issue. It discussed the progress of assistive technology as an aid to people with severe disabilities that are unable to communicate verbally or are incapable of mobility from the neck down. Researchers at Dublin Institute of Technology are figuring out ways in which technology can provide a solution to people with severe disabilities’ inability to communicate. For years, these people have been deprived of communication but recent development in assistive technology have found a solution in which they may be able to convey their thoughts and answer questions through sensors and computers. These sensory devices will be attached to the person’s head, eyelids, fingers or other parts of the body that are able to move and will serve as the control device, which shall allow him/her to spell out what he/she wishes to convey or say through the screen. Their research still continues as to how they can minimize the cost of these devices in preparation for public availability.
• Technology Puts More Pupils in the Mainstream
Technology Puts More Pupils in the Mainstream; http://www.boston.com/news/education/k_12/articles/2008/04/21/technology_puts_more_pupils_in_the_mainstream/
This website features an article that boasts the advantages of assistive technology devices in allowing students with disabilities become a part of general education. It is mentioned that due to the availability of assistive technology devices in some schools in Boston, Massachusetts, students who may be disadvantaged in performing regular school work are now able to actively participate in general education classrooms. Assistive technology devices such as computers, mp3 players, voice-output devices, portable and enlarged keyboards, and text-to-speech software had tremendously impacted the way students with special needs had been working in fulfilling school tasks. It has helped them overcome challenges in academics and had boosted their means of social interaction through technology. More students with autism, mental retardation, cerebral palsy, and other disabilities can now possibly be mainstreamed with the proper selection of assistive technology.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Research Activity: Assistive Technology Organization Websites
• Council for Exceptional Children
The Voice and Vision of Special Education; http://www.cec.sped.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=About_CEC
The Council for Exceptional Children website welcomes its visitors with a brief introductory video featuring the annual CEC convention attended by teachers, experts, and professionals in Special Education. The contact information is posted underneath the video post including the organization’s mailing address, contact number, fax number, and e-mail address. A brief overview of the organizations is also posted stating its credentials being “the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving educational success of individuals with disabilities and/or gifts and talents.” Further information about the services the organization offers or provides and the hours of operation are also posted. A search engine is also available for a more advanced and quick searching. There are different banners for each page including its homepage, store, membership page, news and issues, policy and advocacy, professional development, and publications. Located on the left corner of the homepage are other quick links to a more precise research.
• AbilityNet
Adapting Technology – Changing Lives; http://www.abilitynet.org.uk/
This organization website is dedicated to offer agency to children and adults with disabilities and special needs in making the use of assistive technology efficient. Most recent entries relevant to assistive technology and special education are posted at the home page to update visitors of the most current development or news about assistive technology. Other pages include overviews of services they provide at home, at work, and in school/education. A search engine is also present located at the upper right corner of the page. Accessibility icons for users with visual impairment are also present. A blue-font letter “A” with no background color is for regular text with the banner and images on the page, the black-font letter “A” is for regular text without the banner but still contains regular-sized images on the page, and the white-font letter “A” with a black background color is for enlarged text and simplified icons without the banner and minimized images with a dark navy blue background in contrast to the text. The quick links are located on the left corner of the regular page.
• The Alliance for Technology Access
Connecting Children and Adult with Disabilities to Technology Tools; http://www.ataccess.org/
This website, similar with the AbilityNet is dedicated to aid children and adults with special needs and disabilities in getting familiar with assistive technology. There are also recent articles and announcements posted on the main page of the website to alert the readers of the website’s progress. This website is run by community-based resource centers, service providers, product developers, vendors, and individuals. They seek for donations and has a green donation icon located on the upper right corner of the page for easy access to those willing to donate. There are also quick links to their success stories and donor letters. The search engine is located on the upper left hand corner of the page and the advanced search engine underneath the quick links on the left corner of the main page. The page is easy enough to navigate for those who do not need accommodations in reading text.
• NASET
National Association of Special Education Teachers; http://www.naset.org/?gclid=CKro7dLjh44CFUtyOAodVyYqEg
The NASET website welcomes its visitors with a quote saying, “There are two primary choices in life: to accept conditions as they exist, or accept the responsibility for changing them” by Denis Waitley, which I thought was very inspiring. NASET introduces their organization at the main page as “the only national membership organization dedicated solely to meeting the needs of special education teachers and those preparing for the field of special education teaching.” This caught my attention and made me curious about the types of services they offer or provide since this is relevant to my field and I am preparing to become a special education teacher. I did not need to navigate furthermore since they have posted their services at the main page underneath their introduction. These services may be available to you if you choose to become a member of NASET. You may also acquire full access to their forums and e-journals. To non-members and first-time visitors, most current articles are available for reading at the right corner of the page.
• Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative
WATI: Innovative Practices + Assistive Tool = Successful Students; http://www.wati.org/
This website is a site for a Wisconsin grant organization aimed to offer assistance for assistive technology information and acquisition. They offer free and downloadable products that they have collected within the last fifteen years. Their upcoming activities and most recent news and announcements are posted at the main page. Other important information about their organization such as their mission statement—which is ensuring that every child in Wisconsin from birth to the age of 21 be given a chance to become familiar with assistive technology and be able to utilize them—their history and accomplishments as an organization are also posted at the main page for easier navigation. The website pages include library, supports, services, and other related links. The search engine is located at the upper right hand corner of the main page and their contact information on the left hand corner.
The Voice and Vision of Special Education; http://www.cec.sped.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=About_CEC
The Council for Exceptional Children website welcomes its visitors with a brief introductory video featuring the annual CEC convention attended by teachers, experts, and professionals in Special Education. The contact information is posted underneath the video post including the organization’s mailing address, contact number, fax number, and e-mail address. A brief overview of the organizations is also posted stating its credentials being “the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving educational success of individuals with disabilities and/or gifts and talents.” Further information about the services the organization offers or provides and the hours of operation are also posted. A search engine is also available for a more advanced and quick searching. There are different banners for each page including its homepage, store, membership page, news and issues, policy and advocacy, professional development, and publications. Located on the left corner of the homepage are other quick links to a more precise research.
• AbilityNet
Adapting Technology – Changing Lives; http://www.abilitynet.org.uk/
This organization website is dedicated to offer agency to children and adults with disabilities and special needs in making the use of assistive technology efficient. Most recent entries relevant to assistive technology and special education are posted at the home page to update visitors of the most current development or news about assistive technology. Other pages include overviews of services they provide at home, at work, and in school/education. A search engine is also present located at the upper right corner of the page. Accessibility icons for users with visual impairment are also present. A blue-font letter “A” with no background color is for regular text with the banner and images on the page, the black-font letter “A” is for regular text without the banner but still contains regular-sized images on the page, and the white-font letter “A” with a black background color is for enlarged text and simplified icons without the banner and minimized images with a dark navy blue background in contrast to the text. The quick links are located on the left corner of the regular page.
• The Alliance for Technology Access
Connecting Children and Adult with Disabilities to Technology Tools; http://www.ataccess.org/
This website, similar with the AbilityNet is dedicated to aid children and adults with special needs and disabilities in getting familiar with assistive technology. There are also recent articles and announcements posted on the main page of the website to alert the readers of the website’s progress. This website is run by community-based resource centers, service providers, product developers, vendors, and individuals. They seek for donations and has a green donation icon located on the upper right corner of the page for easy access to those willing to donate. There are also quick links to their success stories and donor letters. The search engine is located on the upper left hand corner of the page and the advanced search engine underneath the quick links on the left corner of the main page. The page is easy enough to navigate for those who do not need accommodations in reading text.
• NASET
National Association of Special Education Teachers; http://www.naset.org/?gclid=CKro7dLjh44CFUtyOAodVyYqEg
The NASET website welcomes its visitors with a quote saying, “There are two primary choices in life: to accept conditions as they exist, or accept the responsibility for changing them” by Denis Waitley, which I thought was very inspiring. NASET introduces their organization at the main page as “the only national membership organization dedicated solely to meeting the needs of special education teachers and those preparing for the field of special education teaching.” This caught my attention and made me curious about the types of services they offer or provide since this is relevant to my field and I am preparing to become a special education teacher. I did not need to navigate furthermore since they have posted their services at the main page underneath their introduction. These services may be available to you if you choose to become a member of NASET. You may also acquire full access to their forums and e-journals. To non-members and first-time visitors, most current articles are available for reading at the right corner of the page.
• Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative
WATI: Innovative Practices + Assistive Tool = Successful Students; http://www.wati.org/
This website is a site for a Wisconsin grant organization aimed to offer assistance for assistive technology information and acquisition. They offer free and downloadable products that they have collected within the last fifteen years. Their upcoming activities and most recent news and announcements are posted at the main page. Other important information about their organization such as their mission statement—which is ensuring that every child in Wisconsin from birth to the age of 21 be given a chance to become familiar with assistive technology and be able to utilize them—their history and accomplishments as an organization are also posted at the main page for easier navigation. The website pages include library, supports, services, and other related links. The search engine is located at the upper right hand corner of the main page and their contact information on the left hand corner.
Research Activity: Assistive Technology Devices Websites
• OK-Writer Word Processing for Kids (MAC OS X)
Syndicomm: Making Your Computer Work for You;http://www.syndicomm.com/mac/ok-writer/index.html
This website promotes the use of a software called, OK-Writer, which is targeted for use by young children. OK-Writer is a type of word processor that is created to aid children in writing stories by allowing their creativity soar, with the utilization of friendly features unavailable from regular word processors. It is designed to appeal to children evident with its colorful, attractive, and visible icons displayed all around the window page for convenient access or navigation. These icons also make jolly sounds when clicked to entertain and instigate the child in trying out as many icons as possible. Although it is targeted for use by young children, it still includes the basic features of a word processor such as spell-checker, style, and font icons. It also enables children to listen to what they have written with the inclusion of a text-to-speech feature. Other easy-to-use features are also included. OK-Writer may be downloaded from the website or may be purchased for $150.00 for installation at any Macintosh computers.
• ReadPlease
Software that Lets Your Computer Talk; http://www.readplease.com/#
This website is an informative website that alerts visitors with the use of a text-to-speech software that is compatible with Windows-based operating systems called, ReadPlease. Accommodations for visitors that have visual impairments and non-English speakers are available at the top right corner of the home page. The text becomes larger and more convenient to read with a click for the low vision icon, and it also converts into different languages from English to Spanish, French, German, and Japanese. Acquiring an insight about the credibility of the software and whether it is appropriate to use for a certain disability becomes conveniently possible through user manifestations—display of the comments and reviews from previous and current users found on the right corner of the page. This software does not only read any text visible on your screen but also allows page-zooming, translating, and converting files into mp3/wav files. The website’s navigational icons found on the left corner of the page include an overview of the products, downloads, orders, registration codes, and contact information.
• Accessibility
VoiceOver; http://www.apple.com/accessibility/voiceover/
This website provides a more in-depth overview of the VoiceOver, which is a feature available in Mac computers. VoiceOver is a text-to-speech program designed to aid Mac users with low vision or blind. Included in its development is a new voice called, Alex. Alex is a more sophisticated voice program in comparison to other text-to-speech programs designed to sound as realistic as possible. Alex’s speech varies depending on location and on concepts introduced in previous sentences. Alex’s voice is also created to resemble that of a person instead of a computer reciting text. It is even able to emit the sound of breath for a more realistic ambiance based on the appropriateness, the structure of the sentence recited, the gap since the last breath, and the estimated time until Alex finishes speaking. VoiceOver also accommodates users who use Braille by allowing efficient access with a USB Braille. It also provides a versatile Braille panel on its screen for users who do not have USB Braille and have low vision. Apart from an in-depth overview of this program, the website also touches and discusses further more on its other features such as the use of USB, instructions and manuals, translations, etcetera.
• Snappy-Dresser
Regain Your Independence in a Single Snap; http://www.snappy-dresser.com/about_us.shtml
This website features the snappy-dresser, a low-tech assistive technology devise represented by a family-owned and operated company in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The snappy-dresser was inspired by a woman born with a physical disability as an agency for her daily life-skills activities such as getting dressed, using the bathroom, and reaching for or picking up items. The snappy-dresser comes with detachable and replaceable parts for specific utilizations most convenient for picking up fallen items. It is also portable so that users can carry it with them all the time wherever they may go. Two demonstration videos are posted on the website for adjusting and detaching and replacing the handles.
• SnapFiles
Zac Browser: Zone for Autistic Children; http://www.snapfiles.com/screenshots/zacbrowser.htm
This website features the Zac Browser, a revolutionary browser designed to appeal to users with Autism, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Pervasive Developmental Disorders. From this website, two screenshots of a Zac Browser was displayed. Similar to Mac desktops, the docs or the functional icons are located underneath the screensaver. The designs are bright and attention-grabbing which are perfect for users with Autism to capture their focus. Students with Autism like to explore and this browser includes a variety of interactive features such as games and music. It also looks fun and easy to navigate with its appropriate and visible icons. The Zac Browser is a freeware and is available for download from the website. Users may also write comments.
Syndicomm: Making Your Computer Work for You;http://www.syndicomm.com/mac/ok-writer/index.html
This website promotes the use of a software called, OK-Writer, which is targeted for use by young children. OK-Writer is a type of word processor that is created to aid children in writing stories by allowing their creativity soar, with the utilization of friendly features unavailable from regular word processors. It is designed to appeal to children evident with its colorful, attractive, and visible icons displayed all around the window page for convenient access or navigation. These icons also make jolly sounds when clicked to entertain and instigate the child in trying out as many icons as possible. Although it is targeted for use by young children, it still includes the basic features of a word processor such as spell-checker, style, and font icons. It also enables children to listen to what they have written with the inclusion of a text-to-speech feature. Other easy-to-use features are also included. OK-Writer may be downloaded from the website or may be purchased for $150.00 for installation at any Macintosh computers.
• ReadPlease
Software that Lets Your Computer Talk; http://www.readplease.com/#
This website is an informative website that alerts visitors with the use of a text-to-speech software that is compatible with Windows-based operating systems called, ReadPlease. Accommodations for visitors that have visual impairments and non-English speakers are available at the top right corner of the home page. The text becomes larger and more convenient to read with a click for the low vision icon, and it also converts into different languages from English to Spanish, French, German, and Japanese. Acquiring an insight about the credibility of the software and whether it is appropriate to use for a certain disability becomes conveniently possible through user manifestations—display of the comments and reviews from previous and current users found on the right corner of the page. This software does not only read any text visible on your screen but also allows page-zooming, translating, and converting files into mp3/wav files. The website’s navigational icons found on the left corner of the page include an overview of the products, downloads, orders, registration codes, and contact information.
• Accessibility
VoiceOver; http://www.apple.com/accessibility/voiceover/
This website provides a more in-depth overview of the VoiceOver, which is a feature available in Mac computers. VoiceOver is a text-to-speech program designed to aid Mac users with low vision or blind. Included in its development is a new voice called, Alex. Alex is a more sophisticated voice program in comparison to other text-to-speech programs designed to sound as realistic as possible. Alex’s speech varies depending on location and on concepts introduced in previous sentences. Alex’s voice is also created to resemble that of a person instead of a computer reciting text. It is even able to emit the sound of breath for a more realistic ambiance based on the appropriateness, the structure of the sentence recited, the gap since the last breath, and the estimated time until Alex finishes speaking. VoiceOver also accommodates users who use Braille by allowing efficient access with a USB Braille. It also provides a versatile Braille panel on its screen for users who do not have USB Braille and have low vision. Apart from an in-depth overview of this program, the website also touches and discusses further more on its other features such as the use of USB, instructions and manuals, translations, etcetera.
• Snappy-Dresser
Regain Your Independence in a Single Snap; http://www.snappy-dresser.com/about_us.shtml
This website features the snappy-dresser, a low-tech assistive technology devise represented by a family-owned and operated company in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The snappy-dresser was inspired by a woman born with a physical disability as an agency for her daily life-skills activities such as getting dressed, using the bathroom, and reaching for or picking up items. The snappy-dresser comes with detachable and replaceable parts for specific utilizations most convenient for picking up fallen items. It is also portable so that users can carry it with them all the time wherever they may go. Two demonstration videos are posted on the website for adjusting and detaching and replacing the handles.
• SnapFiles
Zac Browser: Zone for Autistic Children; http://www.snapfiles.com/screenshots/zacbrowser.htm
This website features the Zac Browser, a revolutionary browser designed to appeal to users with Autism, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Pervasive Developmental Disorders. From this website, two screenshots of a Zac Browser was displayed. Similar to Mac desktops, the docs or the functional icons are located underneath the screensaver. The designs are bright and attention-grabbing which are perfect for users with Autism to capture their focus. Students with Autism like to explore and this browser includes a variety of interactive features such as games and music. It also looks fun and easy to navigate with its appropriate and visible icons. The Zac Browser is a freeware and is available for download from the website. Users may also write comments.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
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