The Family Center on Technology and Disability
Assistive Technology Works
Pass It On Center
For the general AT user, this site can be most beneficial in the links to 'Find AT,' which allows one to search within one's state for used or refurbished AT devices which may be available for loan, rent or purchase. In addition, it is a website that will help reutilization centers to determine if they are using best practices. An online survey is available following the quality indicators for assistive ...
Published: 2010 by Pass It On Center , Reviewed: 4 days ago
The Logan ProxTalker
There are many low-tech tools available with recording abilities. The ProxTalker is a unique low-tech device that has the capability of a high-tech device at a more affordable cost. Anyone who can use a picture exchange communication system (PECS) can use this, and it has voice-output. There are standard words included but it has the capability to be customized by a computer or with the recorder that is in the ...
Published: 2010 by ProxTalker.com , Reviewed: July 22, 2010
SCCATN How-To Manuals
This website is a resource for How-To Manuals for the most widely used communication devices, including Boardmaker, Dynavox, and Intellitools. Links are provided for each AT/AugComm product which takes the user to that manufacturer’s website and directly to the tutorials for each product. Each product is broken down into the varying features so the user can look for instructions on just one feature. Created by the University of Southern Carolina, ...
Published: 2010 by South Carolina Collaborative Assistive Technology Network , Reviewed: 6 days ago
iPhone and iPod Touch Apps for (Special) Education
This website is a listing of various applications (apps) that can be used with iPod and iPhone Touch systems. The list is in PDF format. There are different sections and each has lists of various apps that can be purchased through the iTunes Store. Each app is titled and has a description of what it contains plus the icon that would appear on the touch screen when purchased and downloaded. ...
Published: 2009 by Eric Sailers , Reviewed: March 26, 2010
Look2Learn
Look2Learn is augmentative communication software that works through the iPhone or iPod Touch. The software uses photographs to express wants and needs. 80 preloaded photographs in 6 different categories are available or the consumer can use personal photos. There are many options to customize for different age or cognitive levels, including the ability to hide some photos to reduce choices, to rename photos with a term that the consumer would ...
Published: 2009 by MDR, Inc. , Reviewed: January 19, 2010
LD Live
Melinda Pongrey is a special education professional who writes a weekly blog and hosts a live online chat on topics related to learning disabilities. On the website, users can subscribe to the live chats, download the podcasts, respond to the blogs, and look for information through a long list of links related to learning disabilities, autism, physical impairments, children’s literature, advocacy, and assistive technology. There is a calendar with a ...
Published: 2009 by Melinda Pongrey , Reviewed: January 19, 2010
Screen Magnification
This article gives a good, concise overview of screen magnification products. These are products that enlarge what appears on the computer screen. Each product listed is accompanied by detailed information about its capabilities, whether or not it has speech output, and its compatibility with various operating systems. Each product also has a link to the manufacturer‘s web site. In addition to screen magnification, there are a few links to other ...
Published: 2009 by Special Needs Opportunity Windows , Reviewed: January 06, 2009
Microsoft Accessibility: Technology for Everyone
This is Microsoft‘s web page for assistive technology. If discusses software and hardware that can be used for specific impairments, and which Microsoft manufactures. It includes ways to modify most versions of Microsoft Windows to increase accessibility as well as tutorials to help utilize the accessibility features. This is a useful resource for those looking to modify computers and computer programs because it provides clear accessibility solutions for various impairments, ...
Published: 2009 by Microsoft Corperation , Reviewed: March 10, 2009
National Consortium on Deaf-Blindness (NCDB)
The National Consortium on Deaf-Blindness assists families and local and state agencies to improve the quality of early intervention, education, and transition services to children and young adults who are deaf-blind. NCDB works to ensure collaborative partnerships for meeting the unique needs of children and young adults who are deaf-blind and to support their families. The information found on the website is available to families and service providers who serve ...
Published: 2009 by NCDB , Reviewed: March 04, 2009
Palestra
Palestra is a 24 year old quarterly magazine whose mission is threefold: -- to enlighten parents in all aspects of physical activity, making them the best possible advocates for their children during IEP (Individual Education Plan) discussions with the school or community recreation staff; -- to increase the knowledge base of those professionals working with children or adults with disabilities, making them aware of the physical capabilities of their clients; ...
Published: 2009 by Challenge Publications Ltd , Reviewed: March 04, 2009
Vocalize! Wheelchair Cell Phone Voice Control System
The Vocalize! Wheelchair Voice Controlled Cell Phone system from Broadened Horizons offers fully capable voice control for cell phones and smart phones--no buttons or headsets are required when users choose the Advance Voice Control option. The Vocalize! wheelchair system is wheelchair mounted. Voice control is also available from the Vocalize! Portable Bluetooth system. Neither version requires that users see or touch the phone to use the Vocalize! system successfully. Both ...
Published: 2009 by Broadened Horizons , Reviewed: March 10, 2009
SCI PILOT (Spinal Cord Injury Peer Information Library On Technology)
SCI PILOT is a straightforward collection of product reviews and other information related to living life with spinal cord injuries. The site features stories from individuals with spinal cord injuries, two research guides for students studying spinal cord injuries, and user reviews of assistive technology devices (including a section with low-tech home-made tools, and options for recreation, work, personal care, transfer aids, and emergency equipment). In addition to the resource ...
Published: 2009 by SCI PILOT , Reviewed: May 11, 2009
National Association of Blind Students Technology Center
The National Association of Blind Students Technology Center is an amazing resource for those who are blind or who have visual impairments, as well as for those who are interested in learning about what technology is available to make all aspects of life accessible. The site includes podcasts, videos, comparisons, how-to‘s and ratings of many of the current assistive technology devices on the market today. The site is accessible to ...
Published: 2009 by National Association of Blind Students , Reviewed: August 04, 2009
AssistiveTek
This excellent blog covers assistive technology, eLearning, mind mapping, visual learning, collaborative tools and educational technology with real life examples and narratives. Many postings contain embedded video. There is an emphasis on video learning, not only in products selected, but in the use of photos, graphs, and video to illustrate concepts and in showing examples of what can be achieved using the posted tools. A recent posting, for example, showed ...
Published: 2009 by Brian Friedlander , Reviewed: April 06, 2009
My Own Bookshelf
This video was presented at the 2009 CEC Convention. My Own Bookshelf is a project designed to bring literacy into the lives of children with disabilities. The video shows volunteers scanning books, the children adding their voices to the stories, and the children with disabilities enjoying the stories by themselves and with other children using switches and sharing their books with others through the same access technology. This video illustrates ...
Published: 2009 by Veronica Cook and Tizbee Holm , Reviewed: June 22, 2009
Augie‘s Quest
Augie Nieto is a former fitness buff and developer of fitness equipment who was diagnosed with ALS in 2005. He was interviewed on the Today Show several times early in his disease and this segment was an update. He now has no ability to use his voice or his hands and he is unable to walk. His wife provides his care as he is totally dependent on others for his ...
Published: 2009 by Natalie Morales , Reviewed: July 09, 2009
AAC TechConnect
This is a great resource for those who provide augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) services. It is also great for those who work in the field of AT or work with people who use AAC devices to keep up with what is going on in the area and with the technology. The mission of this organization is “simplifying augmentative communication evaluations with one-of-a-kind toolkits, online resources, and workshops.” There are ...
Published: 2009 by Debby McBride MS, CCC-SLP , Reviewed: July 09, 2009
Google‘s Phone Apps for the Blind and Everyone Else
With the popularity of touch phones and the ability to create software applications inexpensively, the market has been flooded with ingenious ideas. An application may be created for a specific audience but sometimes it becomes useful for anyone to use. This is the case with several "apps" created on Google’s Android software to make the touch-screen T-Mobile G1 accessible for users with visual impairments. T.V. Ramen and Charles Chen have ...
Published: 2009 by Miguel Helft , Reviewed: August 04, 2009
Glenda‘s A.T. Information and More....
Glenda‘s AT Information Blog Spot is a great resource for any professional, caregiver, or individual interested in learning about assistive technology devices and the ways in which they can support people with disabilities. The information is presented clearly and is easy to follow, with links and resources to increase your knowledge. Glenda describes new technologies and offers a professional‘s view of how they should be implemented. She also provides an ...
Published: 2009 by Glenda Hampton Anderson , Reviewed: August 18, 2009
AT Tipscast: the Blog
AT Tipscast stands for "Assistive Technology Tools in Public Schools." The author is an AT specialist who presents nationally at AT conferences and provides staff development on AT issues in public schools. The blogsite contains more than 40 "episodes" (with more to come) plus information on staff development and topics related to school AT. The blogs are available as mp3 audio files. Information on technology tools, software, and innovative ways ...
Published: 2009 by Christopher Bugaj , Reviewed: August 07, 2009