Technology: Becoming an Informed Consumer
http://www.nichcy.org/InformationResources/Documents/NICHCY%20PUBS/nd13.pdf
This article talks about the importance of being educated and informed by the consumers in buying and using different types of assistive technologies. The article provides a brief history of how assistive technology has made a difference and to whom and where has evolved. The article goes on to tell how legislation was passed with a growing interest of assistive technology and how utilizing it may enhance the lives of those with disabilities. The article suggests that we should not just get excited about using technology, but we also need to know how to use such technology to enhance our way of life. The articles warned the public not to get overwhelmed with all the technologies available. They should be guided in choosing the technology that would best suit their needs.
AT Products Benefit People with Autism
http://www.atechnews.com/images/AT_Products_Benefit_People_with_Autism.doc
This article is about how assistive technology products made a huge impact on the lives of individuals with disabilities. The article provides description of what autism is and what and how it affects those who are diagnosed. The author shared living examples on how assistive technology helps children with autism progressed. The article include interviews with company representatives and developers who have created the programs and software discussed in this story. The programmers and researchers alike admitted that it is quite a challenge to create programs that will serve the needs of all people with autism. However, it is an accomplishment to be able to create something that can change the lives of many.
Does Assistive Technology Substitute for Personal Assistance Among the Disabled Elderly?
http://www.ajph.org/cgi/content/abstract/93/2/330
This article talks about how assistive technology moved the lives of not only individuals with disabilities, but also of our growing numbers of elderly who due to age and injuries are having difficulty in their lives. According to the article, a study was conducted from a group of 2300 people who have at least one limitation. They conducted the research in a care facility in which they monitored the abilities to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADL) with the aid of either personal assistance or assistive technology assistance. With the research, they concluded that assistive technology impacted the lives of many elderly especially the disabled ones to be able to live as normal as possible. Those who want to live independently were given a chance to do so with the help of assistive technology. Assistive technology is the in thing now.
Pre-school Age Exercises Can Prevent Dyslexia, New Research Shows
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/08/080821110412.htm
According to the research conducted a study involving with 107 children whose parents have history of dyslexia and another controlled group of children whose parents have no history of dyslexia. The development of the children was monitored by the researchers from birth until they reached school age. Half of those children whose parents have history of dyslexia were found to have difficulty in reading and writing compared to those of the control group. It is quite challenging to teach children with dyslexia how to read and write at all. The article suggested the use of computer games to aid learning. A computer game-like learning environment is developed by the CoE in learning and Motivation Research to aid preventive training, and is available online with no charge at all. With repeated trainings or frequent use of this computer game-like environment children’s learning improves. With the help of the funding from the Ministry of Education, and a joint effort with researchers from Niilo Maki institute and the researchers from the CoE are working together to come up with more game-like exercises and tools that can help identify risks and can detect learning disabilities. This computer game-like environment is more effective compare to the traditional educational games.
Technology to Improve Learning for Visually Impaired Children
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/42432.php
The article talks about using technology to help improve learning amongst children who are visually impaired. They are thinking of using on how to use different senses to try replacing missing visual capabilities. Hap tic technology
the sense of touch of the user is being used in hap tic technology. MICOLE's software architecture and applications help individuals with disability to use their hearing and touch to complement different levels of their visual disability. The article talks about how studies were conducted to learn more about visually impaired children and to learn more about their disabilities and on how to be of help to them. There is more studies conducted to determine the services and products that can promote learning amongst children with disabilities.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Assistive Technology Organizations
The Independent Living Care of WA (Inc.)
http://www.ilc.com.au/
Independent Living Care of Western Australia is a non-profit organization that helps people with disabilities in the community by providing training, consultancy services and other services that will be beneficial to people with disabilities. They help people with disabilities to find the needed equipment to help them become independent. They also provide training for those who want to work. They also assist in finding the assistive technology that would be useful for people with disabilities that are living independently and for those that are working. They also help those who are temporarily disabled due to injury and those who have age-related difficulties. This organization does not only help people with disabilities, but also the families of these people as well as co workers for those that are working.
The Alliance for Technology Access
http://www.ataccess.org/
The Alliance for technology Access (ATA) centers can be found across the world. The goal of this organization is to help individuals with disabilities learn about the services available to them that can help them have better lives. They are promoting the use of technology to aid adult and children with disabilities. They provide information and support services to the public on how technology can make a difference. They would like to increase public awareness on the use of technology. ATA wants to inform people on what assistive technology can do and how it can change the lives of people with disabilities. ATA also helps employers and teachers in assisting employees and students with disabilities by using assistive technology such as adaptive devices, software, and computer systems.
ParentsPal.Com
http://www.parentpals.com/1.0about/aboutpp.html
This organization is designed specifically for both educators and parents.
It is sponsored by Ameri-Corp Speech and Hearing, and provides support, information on special education as well as the gifted individuals. It also offers continuing education for those professionals who would like to continue their education. They also provide book resources, professionals views and comments in regards to different disabilities. Weekly tips are also available as well as games that can be used with individuals with disabilities. It also offers frequent updates on games for teachers and service providers that can be useful in teaching individuals with disabilities.
4Teachers.org – Teach with Technology
http://www.4teachers.org/about/
4Teachers.org helps educators bring technology into their classrooms by integrating technology in each lesson. The site offers online tools and resources that the teachers can used to enhance student learning with the aid of technology. Sample lesson plans and quizzes are readily available on this website. There are also professional development resources that can be used to help students with disabilities. The goal of this organization is enhance student learning by using innovative resources such as the use of technology. Teachers get the support they needed to enhance their teaching skills as well.
Apraxia- Kids – Every Child Deserves a Voice
http://www.apraxia-kids.org/
The Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association of North America (CASANA) is a nonprofit organization that provides support systems to children with apraxia. Their main goal is for children to develop speech. The website promotes public awareness about apraxia, so that people will be educated and help support children with apraxia. They would like parents and professionals to come together and help children with apraxia. It provides detailed information about apraxia, its diagnosis as well as treatments. The apraxia library provides in-depth articles and information about apraxia.
Assistive Technology Device Websites
Speech or Language Impairment
Tobii Assistive Technology, Inc. - Innovation without Boundaries
http://www.assistivetech.com/
The Tobii, ATI website offers products and services for individuals with disabilities. The company is known to be the developer of hardware and software solutions to help individuals with physical, cognitive, and speech disabilities have independent lives. Some of their products include augmentative communication devices, speech-generating devices, assessment software, and services. MiniMerc, Mercury II and L*E*O are few of the many wonderful products that the company manufactured. The website is very user friendly and navigation is quite easy also. There are also user guides for each product offered by the company and can be downloaded for free. Aside from the comfort of being able to order the products online, there is also webinars which is offering product seminar. There is live webinars in which you can schedule with a specialist to know the products that you are interested in prior to buying them. During the webinars, you are being educated on how to use the product and how it would benefit people with disabilities. The free tutorials on how to use the products are a plus to this website.
Visually Impaired and Hard of Hearing
LS & S – Learning, Sight and Sound Made Easier
http://www.lssproducts.com/
The specialization of this company is to manufacture products for the blind, visually impaired, deaf and hard of hearing. Most of the products offered by this company help promote independence, safety and confidence amongst individuals with disabilities. The company is always looking for new products that would be useful to people with disabilities. They are also open to any product recommendations by their customers. Definitely, they carry a lot of products that are beneficial for people under these categories. The font size on this website can be adjusted to aid those that are having difficulty seeing small fonts. The websites does not offer online tutorial about their product, but does include descriptions of each product offered. The clearance center is an eye catcher in this website, for it offers products that are on sale.
Speech and Language Impairment
Emotionally Disturbed
Play to Say Toys – Speech and Language Educational Toys
http://www.playtosay.com/
The website offers toys and games that help improve speech and language skills of children. They classify the toys and games that should be offered for different ages and different abilities of children. Aside from the comfort of doing on line shopping, this website also helps parents to choose the right toys and games that promote learning. The company was developed by a specialist, a Speech Language Pathologist whose expertise is used to develop products that are rich with speech-language enhanced features. The website offers products that parents and caregivers used to promote speech and language skills amongst children. The toys and games can also be used during play therapy for emotionally disturbed children.
All Disability Categories
EnableMart – Technology for Everyone
http://www.enablemart.com/
The website offers a variety of products that cater to all the disability categories. It is like a one stop store that you will be able to find all that you need. The website offers an online help for those customers needing assistance about the products they are interested. Also, each product has a detailed description on what the product is and to whom it is useful. The best part about this website is that it offers discount for government and educational purchases. Since most assistive technology devices cost a lot, the company offers financing for those who cannot afford to pay the product in full payment. The company is not only selling assistive technology devices, but also assisting those that are in financial constraints.
All Disability Categories
Enabling Devices
http://enablingdevices.com/catalog
The company is focused into creating affordable assistive and learning products to help people with disabilities have better lives. The website offers a wide range of products that can aid people with disabilities. The good thing about this site is that it provides free expert guidance given by Dr. Steven Kanor, a Leader in Assistive Technology and Products for the Physically Challenged. Another plus factor of this website is that it provides descriptions for each product being offered. There is also free product demonstration that is helpful in knowing more about the product that a customer is consider getting. If there is a product that you want the company to carry, the customer can also put in a request for the product to be added. The gift certificate is a great idea and is good to give out as gifts on special occasions. You are not only giving a gift, but you are giving something that can be beneficial to that person.
Tobii Assistive Technology, Inc. - Innovation without Boundaries
http://www.assistivetech.com/
The Tobii, ATI website offers products and services for individuals with disabilities. The company is known to be the developer of hardware and software solutions to help individuals with physical, cognitive, and speech disabilities have independent lives. Some of their products include augmentative communication devices, speech-generating devices, assessment software, and services. MiniMerc, Mercury II and L*E*O are few of the many wonderful products that the company manufactured. The website is very user friendly and navigation is quite easy also. There are also user guides for each product offered by the company and can be downloaded for free. Aside from the comfort of being able to order the products online, there is also webinars which is offering product seminar. There is live webinars in which you can schedule with a specialist to know the products that you are interested in prior to buying them. During the webinars, you are being educated on how to use the product and how it would benefit people with disabilities. The free tutorials on how to use the products are a plus to this website.
Visually Impaired and Hard of Hearing
LS & S – Learning, Sight and Sound Made Easier
http://www.lssproducts.com/
The specialization of this company is to manufacture products for the blind, visually impaired, deaf and hard of hearing. Most of the products offered by this company help promote independence, safety and confidence amongst individuals with disabilities. The company is always looking for new products that would be useful to people with disabilities. They are also open to any product recommendations by their customers. Definitely, they carry a lot of products that are beneficial for people under these categories. The font size on this website can be adjusted to aid those that are having difficulty seeing small fonts. The websites does not offer online tutorial about their product, but does include descriptions of each product offered. The clearance center is an eye catcher in this website, for it offers products that are on sale.
Speech and Language Impairment
Emotionally Disturbed
Play to Say Toys – Speech and Language Educational Toys
http://www.playtosay.com/
The website offers toys and games that help improve speech and language skills of children. They classify the toys and games that should be offered for different ages and different abilities of children. Aside from the comfort of doing on line shopping, this website also helps parents to choose the right toys and games that promote learning. The company was developed by a specialist, a Speech Language Pathologist whose expertise is used to develop products that are rich with speech-language enhanced features. The website offers products that parents and caregivers used to promote speech and language skills amongst children. The toys and games can also be used during play therapy for emotionally disturbed children.
All Disability Categories
EnableMart – Technology for Everyone
http://www.enablemart.com/
The website offers a variety of products that cater to all the disability categories. It is like a one stop store that you will be able to find all that you need. The website offers an online help for those customers needing assistance about the products they are interested. Also, each product has a detailed description on what the product is and to whom it is useful. The best part about this website is that it offers discount for government and educational purchases. Since most assistive technology devices cost a lot, the company offers financing for those who cannot afford to pay the product in full payment. The company is not only selling assistive technology devices, but also assisting those that are in financial constraints.
All Disability Categories
Enabling Devices
http://enablingdevices.com/catalog
The company is focused into creating affordable assistive and learning products to help people with disabilities have better lives. The website offers a wide range of products that can aid people with disabilities. The good thing about this site is that it provides free expert guidance given by Dr. Steven Kanor, a Leader in Assistive Technology and Products for the Physically Challenged. Another plus factor of this website is that it provides descriptions for each product being offered. There is also free product demonstration that is helpful in knowing more about the product that a customer is consider getting. If there is a product that you want the company to carry, the customer can also put in a request for the product to be added. The gift certificate is a great idea and is good to give out as gifts on special occasions. You are not only giving a gift, but you are giving something that can be beneficial to that person.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Welcome!
Welcome! I hope you will find my website informative and educational. I am a Special Education Major student and currently attending University of Guam. Hope you will have a great time!
Lenith Atienza
Lenith Atienza
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