The Family Center on Technology and Disability
Assistive Technology Works
Windows 7 Accessibility Demos
This Microsoft site offers a collection of video demos for Windows 7 accessibility features, including Windows Touch, On Screen Keyboard, Accelerators (an automated task tool), and Magnifier. Windows Media Player is required to view the videos.
Published: 2010 by Microsoft , Reviewed: May 12, 2010
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
Step Stones
AdastraSoft Step Stones is a natural voice-enabled augmentative tool for those who need a picture schedule for daily activities. They can be used on an iPhone or iPod. The site is preloaded with 14 activities or one can create their own. The product is a scrollable thumbnail view of an activity with an unlimited number of steps. Unique to this product is progress tracking which moves from left to right ...
Published: 2009 by AdastraSoft , Reviewed: February 24, 2010
FSCast Episode 30, May 2009
This Freedom Scientific webcast discusses Twitter in conjunction with JAWS and PACMate Omni. The discussion features several application developers, including Dennis Lembree, the creator of Accessible Twitter (previously reviewed on the FCTD website) and Jamal Mazuri, the author of McTwit, as well as interviews with three Twitter users, and several notes about additional applications to expand Twitter functions and foster additional accessibility.
Published: 2009 by Freedom Scientific , Reviewed: March 12, 2010
Professor Garfield Reading Ring
The Professor Garfield Reading Ring is a free online game that encourages reading comprehension using Garfield comic strip characters. The game asks players to put comic strip panels in the correct order, then answer three questions about the comic strip (questions do not always relate to the current panels in the strip). When a player wins a round they can print out a championship buckle.
Published: 2009 by professorgarfield.org , Reviewed: February 24, 2010
Tutpup
Visitors to this Web site can play a variety of educational games. Individuals can sign up, or a teacher can sign up a class and allow students access to games that are chosen for particular skill development. Once signed on, users can play against other online players or against the computer. Players can see how their scores compare to others. This could be very motivating for some students.
Published: 2009 by Mind Candy , Reviewed: March 04, 2010
The Problem Site
This site began as a collection of math games to help K-12 students in the state of Maine to improve their math skills. It has evolved over the years to include educational games including math, puzzles, logic games, reference sources and much more. The site is free and can be acessed from any computer or network. It would be an ideal site for teachers to access from classroom computers, or ...
Published: 2009 by Douglas Twitchell , Reviewed: March 04, 2010
SmartyGames
This is a group of games, updated monthly, for early elementary aged children. If a child can move an onscreen pointer by mouse, joystick, touch window, trackball, voice or head pointer, he or she can play these simple games such as dot-to-dots, puzzles, telling time, coloring pictures, and more. Games are in English. The site is free.
Published: 2009 by smartygames.com , Reviewed: March 04, 2010
Assistive Technology Public
This blog is set up as a resource for individuals with disabilities, parents and professionals who are interested in assistive technology. Visitors can post questions, find important dates for assistive technology conferences, and most importantly, collect and contribute AT "finds" in a shared community.
Published: 2009 by Mike Mann , Reviewed: March 04, 2010
Autism Games
This is a website with a collection of games with strong social components designed to be used with children with autism. The games are listed with print and video instructions and three levels of difficulty. A separate list of learning objectives is available as well. This site would be helpful for parents/family members of children with autism as well as teachers and other professionals.
Published: 2009 by Tahirih Bushey , Reviewed: March 04, 2010
KidZui
KidZui is a web browser for young children that allows plenty of safe browsing of parent-reviewed sites and some social networking. It was designed for use by 3-17 year olds, although realistically, is more suited for children to age 10. Children create their own 'Zuiis' (cartoon-like avatars), which become their login identities and can communicate with other Zui account users, sharing favorite sites, games, etc. No personal identification is ever ...
Published: 2009 by KidZui , Reviewed: March 04, 2010
Maxiaids Catalog Adaptive Devices
This is a very comprehensive online catalog of adaptive devices for daily living.
Published: 2009 , Reviewed: March 05, 2009
Your Child with Learning Difficulties
This section of the greatschools.net website provides a wealth of information for parents and teachers of children with learning disabilities. It offers strategies for use in the classroom and at home and discusses a range of AT tools for math, reading, organization, writing, and learning in general. The site is well-organized and easy to navigate. It includes a discussion bulletin board for parents and educators.
Published: 2009 , Reviewed: March 04, 2009
National Geographic Kids Games
This is an incredible site from the National Geographic Society, created for anyone who has computer access. There are so many things to do at this website that users could spend days looking through the games, puzzles, coloring books and other activities that are available here. A lot of creativity has gone into creating the activities; the games and other projects make you think. This reviewer was excited by the ...
Published: 2009 by National Geographic Society , 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
Storyline Online
Storyline Online is a streaming video project from the Screen Actor‘s Guild Foundation. The website streams captioned video of kids‘ books read by notable actors. Storyline Online also offers related learning activities for each story. Users can register for a free email newsletter. Storyline Online is free and is funded by donations.
Published: 2009 by Storyline Online , Reviewed: April 20, 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
My Point of View Blog
Written by AT professional Jeannette Van Houten, My Point of View is primarily focused on AT issues, conferences, and commentary or reviews of useful devices for clients with disabilities. The blog includes an extensive archive and topics vary widely (education technology integration, technology as a tool, using technology vs. wasting technology, educational toys, the role of technology in daily life, etc). My Point of View is a good place to ...
Published: 2009 by Jeannette Van Houten , Reviewed: December 28, 2009