Is technology replacing sign language for people who are deaf?

The debate about whether to teach American Sign Language to children who are deaf has reached a new height in Indiana, according to an article in the New York Times.

Due to budget woes, lawmakers have discussed the possibility of closing specialized schools for students who are deaf. The evolution of technology (smartphones, tablet computers, etc.) has created communication opportunities that may have not been present a decade ago. Some feel that the students who attend these specialized schools should be included in their local school districts.

According to the article:

“Kids in the mainstream save society, taxpayers, a significant amount of money in the short-term and in the long-term when it comes to being integrated into the hearing world,” said Naomi S. Horton, executive director of Hear Indiana, which supports families who use listening and spoken language to communicate.

“There is a financial benefit, but at the end of the day it has to be a parent’s choice,” Ms. Horton said.

This debate is just beginning. What is your opinion? Leave a comment below.

TLC Spotlight - Tobii S32 Scan

Communicate quickly and easily at a touch of a finger with the Tobii S32 Scan

Communication is key

The Tobii S32 is a communication device that plays pre-recorded messages, activated simply by touch.

The Tobii S32 is available in two models, Touch and Scan. The S32 Touch is for people who have no problem using their hands to touch the symbols and pictures. The S32 Scan is a switch/scan model, made for people who can’t use their hands effectively but instead use switches to navigate to their choice of picture or symbol.

The Tobii S32 can also be used to control the user’s environments such as lights, small appliances, adapted toys, televisions, VCRs, or DVDs.

And every S32 includes a copy of Tobii SymbolMate so that overlays can be made and printed from your computer. 

The S32 can store up to 192 cards at the same time and has a 2 GB SD card that holds over 60 hours of high quality sound. With such a large recording capacity, you can store words and phrases, funny moments, stories, personal information, communication books or even entire music CDs.

The built in bar code reader keeps track of all the 192 different levels and page sets, allowing you to focus on communication.

Built in ECU -  The Tobii S32’s built in IR can also be used as an environmental control unit (ECU) to control lights, small appliances, televisions, VCRs, or DVDs.

Feature Highlights

•  Thin, light weight, yet durable design for ease of use and portability
•  A recording time of over 60 hours, on 192 levels, in full quality
• Enhanced programming features with desktop software – Tobii SymbolMate is included
• Six grid sizes; 1 (for visual scenes), 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32 cells that are easily interchangeable
• Context based speech, which allows for different messages depending on the sequence buttons are clicked
• TiirDA™ Enhanced IR circuit for easy IR recording and to control lights, small appliances, adapted toys, television, VCRs, or DVDs
• Keypad lock to reduce mistakes when in scanning mode, or accidental activation during transportation
• Multiple scanning options and controls on the Tobii S32 Scan: auto, linear step scan, row/column, column/row scan and includes a random scan pattern for assessment, training, fun and games
• Separate volume control for headphones (Scan model only)
• Supports one or two switches (Scan model only)
• User accessible neoprene carry case included

Check it out....
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_eXrAzzmr0&feature=related

 What do you think? Do you want to TRY IT before you BUY IT? Then join our Technology Lending Center. Click here to join today! 

Cool Story for a Hot Day

Just wanted to share an interesting article I found on one of my new favorite sites: Mind/Shift.  It's about an entry into the 2011 Imagination Cup, Microsoft's student technology competition.

Team Note-Taker out of of Arizona State University developed a tool that tackles the real-world problem students who are visually impaired have taking notes in class. See the solution they came up with using a camera and tablet PC.

Oh, and it's not too early to register for the Imagination Cup 2012...

APP Attack! Great Article + FREE APPS!

I know we usually use this post to discuss apps that benefit people with disabilities. But today - I am going to use this space to reflect on the iPad itself. I read a great article on line this weekend titled "What the iPad's Success Says About Us" from C/NET and I wanted to share it here.

What do you think? Leave a comment below.

As a bonus today - check out this link to learn about 7 sources for FREE APPS! Enjoy!


Do you want to learn more about APPS?

Then sign up for our APP Attack workshop on October 5th at our Ewing NJ office.

We are limiting the registration to the first 20 people, so sign up today!

For more info, click HERE.

Tool for Comparing AT-- TechMatrix

People will often ask us for our opinion on different products- our answer is usually "it depends."  Sounds like a cop out, but really, it's true-- there are pros and cons to each of them, depending on what you are trying to do.  

TechMatrix Logo- AT Tools and Resources for Learning

TechMatrix (www.techmatrix.org) is an online database that helps you compare products yourself!  If you knew of them from a few years ago, you'll be happy to know that they've updated the site.  You can now use the TechMatrix to search for resources and technology tools that support student learning in math, reading, writing, and science, matched to IDEA disability category, grade level (including transition), your role, accessibility features, and more.

One example is comparing technology that supports reading.  Under Hot Topics, you will find Reading for Struggling Students.  There are lots of informative articles, and you can use their Custom Searches link to help you get started in searching their online database of products. 

We think this is a great way to start exploring.  If you need more individualized assistance, talk to us about AT consults or evaluations to help find the right solution for you.  See our website, www.assistivetechnologycenter.org, for more information.  

Audtions for ALL!, Feel Good Fridays

I am a theater appreciator, possessing no talent to act. I am absolutely on board with this newest community theater venture from Angela Anderson, in cooperation with the Theater Alliance of Greater Philadelphia. You can check out the Facebook events page here.

Don't have a profile on Facebook? Well here is all the info you need.

Auditions for ALL!
When: Monday, August 15, 6:30pm-9pm
Where: Philadelphia Room of William Way Community Center
1315 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA
Websites: Facebook Event, Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia
Contact: anderson.angela.marie@gmail.com


From the event page:
"Join the community theatre movement presenting shows that represent our ENTIRE beautiful society.

We want to bring everyone together, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual preference, or physical ability.
We want to see EVERYONE!

...For the audition, we want to see YOUR best performance. After the auditions, a play will be selected and cast based on the abilities of those who auditioned!

Please bring a prepared monologue. (Cold readings will also be available.)

Also, bring your IDEAS!! This is a community theatre movement for *you* - we want to hear what you have to say!

*******
FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES:
Productions will be accessible, both physically and in attitude, for the full participation of people with physical and emotional challenges and disabilities.

William Way is fully wheelchair accessible.

Those organizing the event have extensive education and experience working with people with disabilities in varied capacities.

We speak poor to moderate American Sign Language. (Because of finances, no interpreter will be provided at this event, but you're welcome to bring someone to interpret or volunteer to interpret.)

Please encourage any friends with disabilities in the Philadelphia who want to participate in theatre to attend the auditions. No experience required!!
*******

We are funding this event through Classic Baked Goods by Angela Anderson. Please visit the Facebook page if you enjoy delicious sweets and would like to contribute!

For more information, or if you would like to help out, please contact anderson.angela.marie@gmai​l.com.

Auditions will be open and first-come-first-serve, so if you have a scheduling conflict and must audition at a certain time please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate you."

Enjoy and may the best cast be selected!

TLC Spotlight - G.R.I.P. Solutions

G.R.I.P. Solutions

Enhanced independence is now within your grasp with G.R.I.P. Solutions. Each product that we offer is an ideal tool to aid in performing your ADLs.



The Switch G.R.I.P.™ is an exclusively designed “soft beanbag” that provides easy switch or electronics access while remaining in a stable location on any tray, desk, table top or G.R.I.P. Pad™. The Switch G.R.I.P.™, a versatile stability device, secures any type of switch or electronic item yet lifts off for easy removal thus eliminating table top/tray velcro.

What do you think? Do you want to TRY IT before you BUY IT? Then join our Technology Lending Center. Click here to join today!

ISTE Take Home Message #3

Christopher Dawson - over at ZDNet Education - has been posting his thoughts about the recent ISTE Conference that was in Philadelphia. ISTE is the International Society for Technology in Education. We are re-posting the link back to his site because these are far reaching issues that relate to all of us - special ed or regular ed - concerning the use of technology in the classroom.

Follow the link below to read the next installment of his series of posts:

Message #3: What do you mean you don't have an LMS yet?

Does you school already use a Learning Management System or are you planning to implement one? Share your experiences with us by leaving a comment below.

ISTE Take Home Message #2

Christopher Dawson - over at ZDNet Education - has been posting his thoughts about the recent ISTE Conference that was in Philadelphia. ISTE is the International Society for Technology in Education. We are re-posting the link back to his site because these are far reaching issues that relate to all of us - special ed or regular ed - concerning the use of technology in the classroom.

Follow the link below to read the next installment of his series of posts:

Message #2: The Flipped Classroom Makes Sense

What do you think about the Flipped Classroom? Share your thoughts and experiences below.

APP Attack! Bamboo Paper APP and Stylus

Apple just announced in a press release last week that they have reached 15 billion APP downloads! This incredible number is spread across 200 million users - which works out to an average of 75 APP downloads for each user!!

This weeks post focuses on an APP and a piece of iPad hardware.



The Bamboo Paper APP allows you to write on your iPad screen with either a stylus or your finger. You can create virtual notebooks on your iPad with notes, sketches, etc.

Once you create these virtual notebooks you can browse through thumbnail images of the pages, bookmark individual pages and email all / or part of a notebook.

This APP is FREE so try it today!





While you can use your finger with this APP, why not try writing on your iPad with a stylus! There are many options out there, but why not try the Bamboo Stylus. Due to the capacitive screen of the iPad, you can't just use any pointer to access the screen (such as a pencil, etc.).

Capacitive Screens require the small electrical charge - like from your finger - in order to recognize the area of the screen you are accessing.

The stylus looks like a pen - but has a special tip to interact with the screen of the iPad. For someone who struggles to isolate a finger to access the iPad screen - this would be a great access method. of course, you could modify the stylus with straps, velcro or a molded body to assist someone with holding the device. While it might be difficult to do lots of writing with the stylus - the tip is fine enough to allow writing on the screen of a fairly small size.

The stylus is more expensive than most others - at around $30 - but seems to be more durable and should withstand the rigors of your iPad use!

Have you used either this APP or stylus? If so, leave a comment below and share your experiences.



Do you want to learn more about APPS?

Then sign up for our APP Attack workshop on October 5th at our Ewing NJ office.

We are limiting the registration to the first 20 people, so sign up today!

For more info, click HERE.

Cure for the Summertime Blahs

It’s bound to happen sooner or later this summer.  Maybe it’ll come when the sun has strayed too long behind a cloud or when the humidity reaches its sticky zenith; eventually some young one will mutter, “I’m bored.” 

We’ve got the perfect antidote: Sheppard Software.  Their website, www.sheppardsoftware.com features hundreds of wonderful educational activities for learners of all levels. There are a slew of colorful activities for the pre-school set and a variety of games and quizzes to help older students tackle things like world geography, the Periodic Table of the Elements and SAT and GRE vocabulary. 

Many of the games offer different levels to accommodate a variety of learners – from the L Level for learning to the Master Level.  Times and scores are available for competitive players. 

Games are free – although you’ll find some advertising on the site. Subscriptions are available and allow ad-free access.  There are rates for schools and families. Don’t miss the section where teachers can download some games free of charge.

ISTE Take Home Message #1

Christopher Dawson - over at ZDNet Education - has been posting his thoughts about the recent ISTE Conference that was in Philadelphia. ISTE is the International Society for Technology in Education. We are re-posting the link back to his site because these are far reaching issues that relate to all of us - special ed or regular ed - concerning the use of technology in the classroom.

Follow the link below to read the next installment of his series of posts:

Message #1: It's All About the iPads!

What do you think about iPads in the classroom? Is your school considering a 1:1 deployment of iPads for students? Share your thoughts and experiences below.

CEO's that are approachable - Feel Good Friday

Have you ever sent a letter, either of complaint or complement, and never recieved a reply? How annoying is that? Well, if you send a letter/email to Steve Jobs, you will get a reply.

A mother of a 9 year old girl in Australia wrote Jobs to tell him what a difference the iPad has made in her daughter's life. He not only responded, but asked if he could share her daughter's success story.

I thought that was pretty cool. Many app developers are like that too. They value feedback from consumers and want to improve their product. Lesson learned, it never hurts to give feedback and who knows, you just may get a response.

To read the full article, click here.

Enjoy and Happy Friday!

TLC Spotlight -Jensen JiPs-250i Speaker and Dock/Stand

Jensen JiPs-250i Speaker and Dock/Stand

Play and charge your iPad, iPhone 3GS, iPod nano, iPod touch, iPod classic, iPhone, and iPod (5th generation) with this Jensen docking station. An auxiliary input jack allows you to connect your iPod shuffle, MP3,or other digital audio players as well. Free APP download for enhanced clock alarm, voice message, calendar, EQ setting, music player, nature sound, photo album, internet radio, play anywhere ready, Facebook connect and Twitter integration. Rotating dock for landscape video viewing on iPad. Video line-out for playing videos from your device on a TV. Digital volume control, two built-in high fidelity speakers, and remote control.



What do you think? Do you want to TRY IT before you BUY IT? Then join our Technology Lending Center. Click here to join today!



Web 2.0 Wednesday! LinkPocket

Are you looking for an easy way to collect URLs while you are on line? Do you want to share those links with someone else? Then you should try LinkPocket

Simply create an account and now you have the ability to copy/paste any link into the website. Now, you are able to see your links and click on them.

Looking for a way to make this more interactive? Give your user name to classmates, colleagues, etc and they will all be able to see the links you have collected. They can click on them to visit the websites, but will not be able to edit them.

Try it out and let us know what you think by leaving a comment below.

Activity from Inclusion Conference 2011

Last week, we attended the annual Inclusion Conference, hosted by the New Jersey Coalition for Inclusive Education. It was a good conference with many ideas and strategies shared to help support students with special needs in general education.

I attended a session called "Literacy Success for All: A Balanced Approach" with Tara DiBattista and David Smith from Cherry Hill School district. They do an activity on the first day of school called "The Band Aid activity". It is taken from Toby Karten's book Facilitator's Guide to More Inclusion Strategies That Work!

Here's how it works:

Each student gets a card with a different ailment written on it (broken arm, bloody nose, cut, ect.). The teachers pretend to be doctors who will be taking care of the students. For each ailment, everyone receives the SAME fix, a band aide. The purpose of this activity is to start a discussion about how the same thing doesn't work for everyone, everyone learns in different ways and some students will need different supports to be successful in the classroom. This activity sets the tone for the rest of the school year to promote acceptance and tolerance.

I thought it was very cute and clever and wanted to pass it on. Do you use this activity in your classroom or something similar? Share it!

APP Attack! Reading that responds to touch

For this week's entry - I wanted to point you towards an article from the NY Times titled, " For the iPad, Books the Respond to a Child's Touch"

This article talks about the new breed of interactive books designed to engage children in the reading process - by providing a very interactive experience.

Included in the article is a discussion about the book " The Fantastic Flying Books of Morris Lessmore" (see left) where pages of the book actually become mini-movie scenes.


Do you know of any interactive books that would engage a struggling reader? Leave a comment below and share your experiences.


Happy 4th of July!


Do you want to learn more about APPS?

Then sign up for our APP Attack workshop on July 12th at our Ewing NJ office.

This is a new date because the first two sessions sold out! We are limiting the registration to the first 20 people, so sign up today!

For more info, click HERE.

Power Up What Works - Reading Initiative

PowerUp What Works-Reading

The U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs, funds the Center for Technology Implementation’s PowerUp What Works-Reading initiative. This online resource is designed to improve teaching and learning for students with disabilities and their classmates using evidence-based and technology-enhanced practices.

District and school partners are needed to field test PowerUp What Works-Reading in elementary schools. Selected partner schools will receive ongoing implementation support along with a financial award.

If your school would like to become a field test partner, please complete and submit the application by July 8, 2011. The application and additional information about PowerUp What Works-Reading can be found at www.PowerUpWhatWorks.org. If you have any questions, contact Cynthia Overton at cti@air.org or 202-403-5058.

Cynthia Overton, Ph.D.
Senior Research Analyst
American Institutes for Research

Education, Human Development, Workforce
1000 Thomas Jefferson Street, NW
Washington, DC 20007-3835
www.AIR.org
Tel (202) 403-5058
Fax (202) 403-5001

Bookshare and HumanWare Simplify Access to Bookshare Books

Direct Connection to Bookshare Facilitates Transfer of Books to Devices
Palo Alto/Longueuil June 30, 2011 – HumanWare and Bookshare are pleased to announce a new version of the FREE HumanWare Companion Software that simplifies the process of finding, downloading, and transferring Bookshare books to the Victor Reader Stream digital talking book player. “Many of our customers appreciate the free HumanWare Companion software with its simple intuitive interface to transfer books and files from their computer to the Stream.” Says Gerry Chevalier, Victor Reader Brand Manager at HumanWare. “It seemed only logical to work with Bookshare to add the access to their web service. Now, our Companion users can not only transfer their Bookshare book to their Stream but they can go online to find and download the book as well.” “We developed an interface that connects to Bookshare from within devices and applications precisely for uses such as this – making it easier to find and read books,” says Betsy Beaumon, Vice President and General Manager of the Literacy Program at Benetech. “Bookshare members who use the Companion software with their Stream have direct access to our online book repository of more than 114,000 DAISY digital talking books.” With the latest version, 3.4, of the free HumanWare Companion software, VR Stream users can now select the Bookshare Web Service from the Online Books menu, log into their Bookshare account, and search by title, author or ISBN. Simply select the desired title from the search results list and the Companion will download it, and transfer the book to the Stream. It couldn’t be easier! Victor Reader Stream users can obtain the HumanWare Companion version 3.4 from: www.humanware.com/stream_software Or, users who already have Companion version 3.3 can just use the Check for Updates item of the Help Menu. To learn more about the popular Victor Reader Stream DAISY MP3 player and recorder visit: www.humanware.com/stream For more about Bookshare books and membership visit: www.bookshare.org About Bookshare Bookshare is the largest online accessible library of copyrighted content for people with print disabilities. Through its technology initiatives and partnerships, Bookshare seeks to raise the floor on accessibility issues so that individuals with print disabilities have the same ease of access to print materials as people without disabilities. In 2007, Bookshare received a five-year award from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), to provide free access for all U.S. students with a qualifying print disability. Bookshare serves more than 145,000 members and is an initiative of Benetech, a nonprofit which creates sustainable technology to solve pressing social needs. About HumanWare HumanWare (www.humanware.com) is the global leader in assistive technologies for the print disabled. HumanWare provides products to people who are blind or have low vision and students with learning disabilities. HumanWare offers a collection of innovative products, including BrailleNote, the leading productivity device for the blind in education, business and for personal use; the Victor Reader product line, the world's leading digital audiobook players; the SmartView family of handheld and desktop electronic magnifiers; and myReader2, HumanWare's unique "auto-reader.” Bookshare Media Contact: Valerie Chernek- 410-960-4060 valerie.c@bookshare.org HumanWare Media Contact: Nicolas Lagace - 450-461-1717 nicolas.lagace@humanware.com

Panera Bread doin' Good - Feel Good Friday

I live in a part of the state that doesn't have a lot of big box stores or chain restaurants. Over the last two years we joined the ranks of the rest of the state with new commercial development that led to BJ's, Costco, Olive Garden, IHOP and Target. Before this we had to travel about 30 minutes either north or south to shop at one of these stores or eat at one of these restaurants. This did not bother me, as I hate shopping, and would rather cook 9 times out of 10 than go out.

However, when I read this article, it made me wish I had access to this specific Panera Bread (St. Louis Bread Company).

Basically, this store a community cafe and their business model is designed to help people in need. It works like this. You order your sandwich. You are told what the "suggested funding" is (regular price) and you can pay that price or you can pay whatever you want or can, less or more. All additional proceeds beyond overhead and expenses are donated. They offer vouchers for volunteers to work for an hour and recieve a free meal. It looks to be a vibrant community gathering space.

You can see a video of it below:



I hope they are able to implement this model in their stores around the country; maybe even in my corner of the state.

Enjoy and Happy Friday!