Showing posts with label AT for Home. Show all posts
Showing posts with label AT for Home. Show all posts

Thursday, December 05, 2013

Sign up today! Edcamp Access NJ




When: Saturday, March 8, 2014

Where: The College of Saint Elizabeth in Morristown NJ

Time: 8:30 am – 3:00 pm

Cost: FREE!


Eventbrite - EdcampAccess NJ


Carrying on the tradition started by edcamp Access in Boston, EdCampAccess NJ is an unconference devoted to K -12 special education issues and ideas with a focus on reaching all struggling learners. It is not limited to special educators.

Follow on Twitter @EdcampAccessNJ 

or visit the edcamp wiki 

What is an Edcamp?
Do you want to take control of your own learning? Why not try an Edcamp? Started by the Edcamp Foundation with the vision of “ Promoting organic, participant-driven professional development for K-12 educators worldwide.” To achieve that vision, Edcamps follow these basic principles.
According to the Edcamp foundation website, an Edcamp is:
·         free
·         non-commercial and conducted with a vendor-free presence
·         hosted by any organization interested in furthering the edcamp mission
·         made up of sessions that are determined on the day of the event
·         events where anyone who attends can be a presenter
·         reliant on the “law of two feet” that encourages participants to find a session that meets their needs
Want to learn more about the Edcamp experience? Check out this video:


Visit our WIKI page to learn more about the day, our sponsors and add your session ideas onto the Idea Board!

Edcamp Access NJ WIKI


NJCART ( The New Jersey Coalition for the Advancement of Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology) is sponsoring Edcamp Access NJ to promote learning and sharing about Assistive Technology supports for students with disabilities!
We hope you will join us for the day. Better yet – why not share your expertise with everyone else!
Sincerely,
Mike
NJCART Immediate Past President

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Bookshare needs your help!

Bookshare has been a powerful support for people with print disabilities. I don't think a week goes by that I don't recommend it to a consumer as a solution for reading difficulties. I have recommended this service to everyone from 1st grade to college. So many people benefit from Bookshare. Well, this free service needs the community's help so I wanted to pass along this recent email I received. Please consider giving your support to this worthy cause. Thanks!

Dear Mike,

It’s not typical for us to send you an email like this, but we felt this situation was so important it was necessary.

You may already be aware, but for years negotiations have been moving forward on what many have come to call the "Treaty for the Blind." The goal of the international treaty is to make it possible for people who are blind, or have other print disabilities such as dyslexia, to get access to the books they need for education, employment and inclusion in society—no matter where they live. It's something we already do, with great success, in the United States through Bookshare.

However, private interests are trying to alter the treaty in such a way that it would become useless—even harmful. For example, they’re trying to get language adopted that basically says: “if you can buy it, you can’t borrow it.” This is not only an attack on people around the world with print disabilities—it’s also an attack on libraries, like Bookshare, and could have a drastic effect on the number of books you have access to.

Our biggest worry is this becoming a treaty that could stop Bookshare from serving our users in the United States the way we do today.  We need our government negotiating for a treaty that supports a library like Bookshare.

That’s why we’re working with a coalition of disability and library groups, including the National Federation of the Blind and the American Council of the Blind, to fight back against the proposed changes by these private interests. We’ll do everything we can to secure a treaty that both protects the access we have now and that will benefit people with print disabilities around the world—but we need your help.

We’re asking you to take a moment to sign a petition on the White House’s website that urges the President to step up his support: http://ow.ly/lkJVs. If we can get to 100,000 signatures, the White House is required to respond to the petition and will, hopefully, take positive action. With your help we know we can reach that number.  We also recommend the petition at the National Federation of the Blind’s site, which is particularly accessible.

Thank you for your time and support. Together, we believe that our collective voice can make a real impact.

If you’re interested in more background on the treaty, here are some articles and resources you can review:


Sincerely,
Jim Fruchterman & Betsy Beaumon, Bookshare

P.S. Please post the link to the White House petition on your social media to help spread the word and get your friends involved! Again, here is the link: http://ow.ly/lkJVs.

Note: this advocacy effort by Benetech, the nonprofit organization that operates Bookshare, has not been supported or endorsed by Bookshare funders, including the U.S. Department of Education.   

Sunday, April 14, 2013

FREE Webinar - App Smackdown!

Do you want to learn about apps to assist people with disabilities? Sign up for the ISTE SET-SiG webinar this Tuesday, 4/16/13 @ 7PM.

The webinar is FREE - registration is required. I will be presenting along with:






Hope to see you there! Don't forget to follow me @mmatp

Monday, April 01, 2013

The week in tweets!

Want to know what was happening in the Twitter universe last week? Here are some interesting tidbits.

Don't forget - follow me @mmatp

Enjoy!


Wednesday, March 27, 2013

iPad Use in the Classroom - EduTalk Podcast

For your listening pleasure - this episode of the EduTalk Podcast focuses on iPad use in the classroom. The interview is with Maribeth Lowe from Monroe HS in Virginia.



Listen to internet radio with EduTalk on Blog Talk Radio

Monday, March 25, 2013

The week in Tweets!


Here for your viewing pleasure are my "Top 10" tweets from the last week. I hope you find something valuable here. Enjoy - and if you are on Twitter make sure to follow me @mmatp !










Saturday, March 23, 2013

SETSIG Intro to AT Webinar

This week I had the opportunity to participate in a free webinar hosted by the SETSIG (Special Education Technology Special Interest Group) in ISTE.

The webinar, co-presented with Kirk Behnke from Region 4 ESC in Houston, TX, was an Introduction to Assistive Technology.

Did you miss it? Don't worry, follow the links below for the webinar recording and the chat log between the participants.

Webinar Recording

Webinar Participant Chat Log

SETSIG has many great resources - including an outstanding list of free webinars coming up throughout the year. Visit their page HERE to learn more.

Monday, March 18, 2013

The week in Tweets!

In keeping with my post from last week - I offer up the "Top 10" Tweets of the past week. I hope you find something beneficial here.

Enjoy - and if you are on Twitter make sure to follow me @mmatp !













Plus one extra!


Monday, February 11, 2013

ATIA 2013 Conference


Several of our staff members recently returned from the Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) conference in Orlando, FL (www.atia.org) . Over the next couple weeks, we will all be sharing our impressions on exciting tools / strategies we learned about. 

Today - Erica Kaufmann, Assistive Technology Specialist, shares her top two takeaways from the conference. 


Integrating AAC, Computer Access and Powered Chairs
Presenter: Karen Kangas
Session Description: Integrating the use of an AAC device, computer access and driving a powered chair for ease of use of each of these devices is critical for real independence by the user in managing themselves within their environments. Too often, an individual has all this equipment yet, requires another adult to give them access to each part. The current programmable electronics available on powered chairs allows integration to occur, which put simply, allows the individual to manage all their equipment independently. However, how the chair is programmed and what interfaces are needed are not always considered or obtained for the user. This session will focus on the equipment needed, the programmability needed and provide case study examples of how to create integration within the individual's own assistive technology. Using alternative access, as well as joystick access will be shared. Teaching and managing the integration will also be shared.

Erica reports: 
Karen Kangas talked about dual switch access.  She said that two switches are always better than one when using switches to control a powered wheelchair and communication device because having one switch causes a delay in access.  She also talked about how no one should stop at doing cause and effect.  There is always another step.


E-Readers in the Classroom
Presenter: Mike Marotta (Thanks Erica - flattery will get you everywhere!)
Session Description: With BYOD, we are seeing more e-reader devices show up in the classroom. Everything from a Kindle to a Nook to an iPad. But how can we use these devices to support instruction? This session will focus on e-readers and how we can use these tools to ignite a passion for learning. We will discuss how to find reading materials to support classroom learning and how to modify existing materials to work on these various devices. Resources will be shared via an interactive web presence.
Erica reports:
Something you talked about was readability.  I felt that this was so great for people who are blind or visually impaired because it gets rid of the "junk" on the page and allows someone who is using a screen reader, like JAWS, to navigate the page with the arrow keys or other reading commands more easily.

To learn more about Readability visit their website - www.readability.com 


Stay tuned for future posts related to our experiences at ATIA!

Wish you had attended the conference? Check out the ATIA Conference Recording Options

According to the ATIA website:
Selected Suite of Conference Sessions Available As Recorded Sessions - $300 Single with 5 and 10 Pack Options --- inclusive of CEUs
Recognizing the need to provide quality, affordable group training without travel and lodging costs, ATIA is offering archived, on demand access to 10 hours of conference proceedings post-event. This suite of the "TOP TEN" sessions* highlighting the breadth of educational content offered during the conference program provides affordable training for a group of educators from your school/agency or a district-wide team purchase, which might include teachers, SLPs, OTs and PTs.  



Thursday, April 05, 2012

TLC Spotlight - Blue2 Bluetooth Switch

Blue2 Bluetooth Switch

With the Ablenet Blue2 Bluetooth Switch, you will have access to your favorite compatible iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch applications. You simply sync the Blue2 switch with your Apple® device and activate the switch scanning mode.
With two built-in switches, the Blue2 supports both single and dual switch access. Additional switches can be used with the Blue2 Switch by plugging them into the available ports.

Additionally, Ablenet's Blue2 Bluetooth Switch also comes with a USB Bluetooth dongle so you can use it for computer access.

Features:
Bluetooth wireless access up to 30 ft.
No-touch access to compatible iTunes AAC apps
Single or dual switch access
Long battery life
Computer access with the included Bluetooth dongle
Supports five modes of keyboard/mouse commands
Compatible with iPad, iPod Touch (3rd & 4th Generation), and iPhone (3GS & 4).

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! 

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Snap & Read from Don Johnston

Don Johnston Inc, the company that brought us the SOLO suite of tools recently announced their newest product, Snap & Read!

According to the company website:

Snap&Read is an accessible toolbar that reads any text on-screen as it floats over any application. The simple one-button interface reads both accessible and inaccessible text aloud from Flash websites, Word docs, PDFs, web-based tests, images, and even dialog boxes.

If it looks like text, Snap&Read will read it!
The tool can be loaded onto your computer (MAC or PC) or you can run it directly from a USB drive and have access to the tool anywhere!

Cost of the software starts at $79.99 per license or a special introductory price of $399 for an unlimited site license.

Visit the product page to check out the video of the tool in action. Click here!

I am looking forward to getting my hands on this software. Keep watching for a more in depth review.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

TLC Spotlight - Apple iPad Keyboard Dock

iPad Keyboard Dock

The iPad Keyboard Dock combines a dock for charging your iPad with a full-size keyboard, which includes special keys that activate iPad features. The dock has a rear 30-pin connector, which lets you connect to an electrical outlet using the USB Power Adapter, sync to your computer, and use accessories like the iPad Camera Connection Kit. An audio jack lets you connect to a stereo or powered speakers.

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! 

Tuesday, January 03, 2012

APP Attack! College Prep Apps

Today's APP Attack focuses on Apps for college prep. This list was originally published in the TL Advisor Blog at the Tech & Learning website.

Essay Apps
Essay Writing Guide $1.99 holiday sale- By arranging the elements of writing graphically around three wheels (Content, Style, and Organization), teachers and students are better able to visualize how the elements of writing develop style, coherence, and meaning.

SAT and ACT PREP
Complete SAT Free for iPhone or iPad. For complete course $24.99. Free app includes mini diagnostic test and topic videos.

SAT Math Pro Test $1.99 - 80% discount. This app covers 50 topics including detailed videos. 100s of original SAT math practice problems, nine SAT math tests and detailed reports.

Flash of Genius SAT Vocab Free. Use with iPod, iPhone or Ipad Written by Harvard and MIT Professors, this app adjusts the order of the flashcards to suit each user. It also inserts mini-lessons, so users learn the word roots, the connections between the words, as well as the words themselves.

SAT-ACT vocabulary builder $4.99 Phone, iPod touch, and iPad. 500 of the most commonly tested vocabulary words on the SAT® and ACT® exams. 1000 illustrative sentences, spaced repetition feature, automatic statistics, search features, quiz mode and more.

College Guides
College Search Guide Handbook
$2.99 Includes over 3000. Information about each college includes:
  • Degrees Offered
  • Campus Setting (rural, suburb, large city, etc)
  • Campus Housing Availability Information
  • Student population with charts on diversity
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Credit Accepted
  • Estimated Student Expenses for three years
  • Financial Aid Information
  • Enrollment Information
  • Freshman Retention Rate
  • Programs and Majors (students in each major)
  • Varsity Athletic Teams
  • Accreditation
  • Campus Security Information for three years
  • Federal Loan Default Rates
  • User Reviews

Peterson's College Guide Free. Includes over 60 official data points on over 4,000 two- and four-year colleges in the United States. Search for the perfect college by any combination of state, size, tuition, sports majors offered or selectivity.

Budget and Financial Aid
Ace Budget $.99 For iPod, iPhone and iPad. A personal finance app. Users create daily, weekly, monthly, semimonthly, quarterly, and yearly budgets and schedule recurring transactions, set reminders, view graphs, compare historical data, and more.

College Fafsa Finder Free. Provides the most essential information for US college applicants around the world:

  • Freshmen class academic profiles and estimated cost of attendance
  • College contact information, including admission office information and website link
  • Each college’s FAFSA code (public institution) or CSS code (private institution)
  • Three ways to search colleges: by name, by FAFSA code or by CSS code.

College Tools
College Survival Kit $1.99- Programs in the app help ease the stress of applying to schools. Users touch the control panel, choose the "Brain Wave" desired to improve their mental state. Also included are a personal alarm and memo pad.

iStudiez-Pro - $2.99 I have recommended this app before as a back-to-school app. Helps users organize their schedule, follow up with homework, and summarize what has to be done.

Complete Class Organizer $4.99 Take notes while recording lectures and the audio syncs to the text. Manage homework and exam dates, store and calculate grades, and organize info for every class.

To see the original post, plus two extra apps that cost more that $10, visit the post HERE.

Do you know of other college prep apps? Leave a comment below and share your resource.


Do you want to learn more about APPS?

Do you want to learn how to implement iPads in your school?

Contact us - we can help! We will work collaboratively with your team to determine an effective course of action for your specific situation.

Email Mike Marotta, Assistant Director, ATS Dept. at mmarotta@advopps.org

Monday, December 19, 2011

APP Attack! Apps for Public Speaking


Our APP Attack for today comes from Gregory Swanson's Apps for Education Blog and focuses on Teleprompter apps for public speaking.

The main feature of these apps is the ability to load in your speech and the app with scroll the text on the screen as you speak.

Check out the list HERE.

Do you want to learn more about APPS?

Do you want to learn how to implement iPads in your school?

Contact us - we can help! We will work collaboratively with your team to determine an effective course of action for your specific situation.

Email Mike Marotta, Assistant Director, ATS Dept. at mmarotta@advopps.org

Monday, December 12, 2011

APP Attack! Switch Accessible Apps

Today's App Attack come from Clair Judas, Special Education Technology Specialist, Assistive Technology Team, Area Education Agency 267 in Cedar Falls Iowa.

Clair compiled a list of switch accessible apps for the iOS devices. While not meant to be all inclusive - this is a great starting point for apps that allow for alternative access.

Apps with switch access…


  • SoundingBoard: AbleNet: www.ablenetinc.com ; (iPhone/iPod/iPad) Access devices: AbleNet Blue2
  • Predictable: TherapyBox www.tboxapps.com ; (iPhone/iPod/iPad) Access devices: RJ Cooper iPad or Therapy Box
  • Scene & Heard: TherapyBox < www.tboxapps.com > (iPhone/iPod/iPad) Access devices:


Thanks Clair for this list! If you would like to contact Clair, his email is cjudas@aea267.k12.ia.us

Do you know of other switch accessible apps? Leave a comment below and share your resource.


Do you want to learn more about APPS?

Do you want to learn how to implement iPads in your school?

Contact us - we can help! We will work collaboratively with your team to determine an effective course of action for your specific situation.

Friday, December 09, 2011

Professional Development Webinars


Would you like to learn about AT without going to a national conference?

ATIA has just announced their schedule of webinars for the first half of 2012.

Learn for nationally recognized speakers without having to leave home! The schedule includes:

  • Assistive Technology & UDL in a Multi-Tiered System of Supports
  • Core Vocabulary: Why Use It?
  • Family Experiences with Autism and Speech Generating Devices
  • and many more!
For more info, click HERE.

Thursday, December 01, 2011

TLC Spotlight - Franklin Language Master

Franklin Language Master
Photo of Franklin Language Master LM-6000
Franklin Language Master is great for individuals of all ages who are challenged by blindness, visual or speech impairments, learning disabilities or dyslexia.


A lightweight hand-held dictionary offering full speech controls to read screens or speak individual words at the speed you choose. At less than 6" square, it is also lightweight.  Low vision users will appreciate the large-type display option, high-contrast screen and black-on-white QWERTY keyboard. For blind users, orientation features include active screen announcing and raised dots on location keys.  Headphones can be used for private listening and without disturbing those nearby.

130,000 words and 300,000 definitions, 500,000 synonyms (words with similar meanings) and over 10,000 antonyms (words with opposite meanings)

11,000 Classmates (category words - for example with tiger you might also find cheetah, lion, cat) - A Franklin exclusive!
Features Phonetic Spell Correction (type the word like it sounds)
Installed grammar guides enables you to write or speak with confidence
Large screen, 3 font sizes showing up to 8 lines of text and adjustable screen contrast
Hear the pronunciation as needed with the press of a button
Port for Headphones (sold separately) so you can listen to your device in private and without disturbing those nearby

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! 

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