The Family Center on Technology and Disability
Assistive Technology Works
Vision Assist
VisionAssist is a handheld electronic magnifier app that utilizes the iPhone, iTouch or iPad. It is designed to be a portable solution for people with low vision conditions. As users may often be carrying their iPhone or tablet, this is a very convenient app for those times when there is small print and/or a low light reading situation. The app can also be used with Apple TV and a television ...
Published: 2012 by Slinkyware , Reviewed: October 11, 2012
Accessibility Minute-Assistive Technology Tips and Tricks for Everyone
Accessibility Minute is a weekly podcast from the INDATA Project at Easter Seals Crossroads in Indiana. The weekly topics vary but all are focused on assistive technology issues and tips for users with a variety of AT needs related to vision, hearing or mobility impairments. Each segment is a minute or less and the shows are available to download online as MP3 files. The most recent podcasts can be found ...
Published: 2012 by INDATA Project at Easter Seals Crossroads, Indiana , Reviewed: December 03, 2012
James Nuttall Blog
Dr. James Nuttall worked at the State of Michigan Department of Education for 30 years. He worked in a variety of roles within the Special Education Unit. Born two months premature in Denver, he developed an eye disease associated with prematurity, retrolental fibroplasia (RLF), which left him legally blind. While in school he had difficulties learning to read. "On a sixth grade reading test I could read only 27 words ...
Published: 2012 by James Nuttall , Reviewed: December 03, 2012
Perkins Scout
Designed by the Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, Massachusetts, Perkins Scout is a free database specific to information and resources for users who have visual impairments or blindness. According to the Perkins School website, the goal is for Scout to become “a centralized hub providing the most reliable and authoritative information about all aspects of living with blindness and visual impairments.” Perkins Scout is well on the way ...
Published: 2012 by Perkins School for the Blind , Reviewed: August 13, 2012
LookTel Money Reader
This app, by IPPLEX, for the Iphone allows you to use your camera to identify currency bills. It is compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation) and iPad. It requires iOS 4.0 or later. It uses Voice over to read the denomination of the bill and can do this in English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Polish, Russian, Korean, Finnish, Danish, Swedish, ...
Published: 2012 by IPPLEX , Reviewed: September 26, 2012
Welcome to the Office of Disability Services Assistive Technology web resource
The Keene State College Office of Disability Services (ODS) has an extremely well-organized and comprehensive website on assistive technology and transition. The home page defines assistive technology and then provides critical information on preparedness for transition. It emphasizes that the students who negotiate transition successfully tend to be those who are on top of their technology needs and tools before they arrive on campus. It then goes on to offer ...
Published: 2012 by Keene State College , Reviewed: April 25, 2013
AppleVis
AppleVis is a community driven website that was created to collect information on the accessibility of apps developed for Apple's iOS devices. Its goal is to be a repository of “guides, tutorials and tips that will enable users with vision impairments to get the most from their iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch.” The site is divided into six sections. The first is the app directory. In this section one can ...
Published: 2011 by AppleVis , Reviewed: February 17, 2012
Technology for the Blind
This blog is a resource guide to discuss accessible technology for the blind. The writers all have vision impairments and work for the Iowa Department for the Blind. They try out different types of technology tools and offer their own opinions about each. The information and resources are easy to read and are described in great detail. The searchable tags make it easy to find specific information and it is ...
Published: 2011 by Iowa Department for the Blind , Reviewed: September 01, 2011
Using Assistive Technology to Promote Childrens Participation
This information is presented as a webinar that has been archived for ongoing use. Although the viewer cannot participate in the webinar, he can access all that was presented in the initial broadcast. The focus of the webinar is participation in learning through the use of adapted assistive technology .The program is not captioned but each screen has text and one has the ability to change the size of the ...
Published: 2011 by Pip Campbell , Reviewed: June 28, 2011
iPad & Deaf-blind Accessibility
iPad & Deaf-blind Accessibility is a presentation by Kim Paulk, a Deaf-blind consumer and technology advocate. It is available on the University of Florida web site in PowerPoint format. In twenty-six slides it does a good job of casting the iPad as a powerful tool for individuals who are deaf-blind. The iPad is described as having, out of the box, a full featured screen reader with 200 times magnification and ...
Published: 2011 by Kim Paulk , Reviewed: December 06, 2012
Using Google Products: How to use accessibility features
This website offers information about Google accessibility features for Google users who have low vision and/or deafness/ hearing impairments. This resource is divided into the two disability areas. Platforms include Android Phones and Chrome Browser with specific information about accessible apps or programs including GMail, Google Maps, Google eBooks, SMS, and more. Each accessiblity feature or Android app has written information and some provide YouTube videos which explain the options. ...
Published: 2011 by Google Accessibility , Reviewed: June 09, 2011
AI as AT: Artificial Intelligence Technology with Crossover Potential
Artificial intelligence can be defined as "the ability of a machine to imitate intelligent behavior." This issue of Technology Voices, the newsletter of the Family Center on Technology and Disability, describes how one researcher in the AI field has applied that background to a number of areas of AT (assistive technology). Kathleen F. McCoy, Ph.D., is a Professor of Computer and Information Science and a Professor of Linguistics at the ...
Published: 2011 , Reviewed: May 31, 2012
Gloria: Current Generation of Tablet Computers and Deaf-Blindness
With the influx of tablet computers and their rising popularity with the general public as well as with those with disabilities, the question arises, is it beneficial across all disabilities? The tablet computers have a lot of great accessibility tools but are the tools sufficient for the deaf-blind population? This blog points out that there are many more apps and options available to the "seeing" user and has greater limitations ...
Published: 2011 by Gloria Rodriguez-Gil , Reviewed: April 28, 2011
Low Vision-National Resource Center for Blind Musicians
This web site is a resource for people with low vision who wish to pursue or continue involvement with music. The need for enlarged sheet music and an appropriate mechanism for viewing it is essential. The website provides information on the particular needs, a little history about previous attempts in making sheet music accessible, and discusses current techniques. There is a link to a program called Lime Lighter from Dancing ...
Published: 2011 by National Resource Center for Blind Musicians , Reviewed: March 10, 2011
iPhone/iPad Apps for Magnification and Vision Support
This is a very handy resource for anyone looking for free or low cost Apps that provide magnification for an iPhone or iPad. While the magnification Apps may be the most directly useful, the list also includes many Apps for professionals working in the vision field, individuals interested in learning Braille, talking clocks and compasses, and color identification Apps. While published in 2011, it is a comprehensive list and reviewer ...
Published: 2011 by Anita Raftery , Reviewed: April 04, 2012
TVIVIP.org
This website is rich in links and information related to technology for the blind and visually impaired. A Bulletins page lists information on new technology being developed and tested. There are screens related to Screen Access, Braille Translation, Fun and Games, Freeware and Shareware, Downloads, and programs and websites related to reading. Each screen has links to free technology and lists the prices of those items with a cost. Games ...
Published: 2011 by Bonnie L. Snyder, Nimer Jaber, Wes Smith , Reviewed: April 05, 2012
National Center for Blind Youth in Science Web Portal
This website for blind and low-vision students is sponsored by the National Federation for the Blind and is aimed at students participating in the sciences. The National Center for Blind Youth in Science is the driving force behind the programs and resources included on this website. There is information about the Junior Science Academy and the Blind Youth Slam. The Youth Slam exposes students to careers that were believed to ...
Published: 2010 by National Federation of the Blind , Reviewed: November 03, 2010
Braille Reading Pals Club
Braille Reading Pals is a pre-literacy program for blind and low-vision children ages birth to 7 years. A parent registers online and then receives in the mail a packet of program materials including Braille and text books, a plush reading pal, information for parents and other resource materials. Online, a parent can find Braille book resources, reading contests, access to monthly newsletters, and an online reading journal. There is a ...
Published: 2010 by National Federation of the Blind , Reviewed: November 22, 2010
Accessibility Update 2010
Accessibility Update 2010 is one of the monthly online newsletters published by Microsoft. It addresses the need to educate and prepare teachers to ensure accessibility for students with disabilities. The articles in the newsletter include Accessibility: A Guide for Educators, which is a download that explains what accessibility is and what it means for students. Back to School: Making Sure Students with Disabilities can See, Hear, and Use their PCs ...
Published: 2010 by Microsoft , Reviewed: March 03, 2011
Spectronics Inclusive Learning Technologies
Spectronics is an Australian company that provides assistive technology products, assessments and consulting services to families in Australia and New Zealand. Of particular interest to U.S. visitors, the Spectronics website includes online demonstrations of common devices and software, and a library of product reviews and informational articles for parents, teachers, and AT professionals. The Spectronics Activity Exchange offers free customizable downloads for BoardMaker, IntelliKeys, and DynaVox activities; users can also ...
Published: 2010 by Spectronics Inclusive Learning Technologies , Reviewed: August 30, 2010