Basic Cell Phone Features You Probably Don’t Know Exist!

Within a short period of time phones have exponentially evolved from a household shared device to portable personalized smartphones that are capable of making calls and sending text messages, navigating through the world, teaching information, entertaining, acting as a personal assistant and so much more. Although these amazing features serve as a great benefit for many people – smartphones aren’t always a smart choice for everyone
 

Many factors come into play in why people choose basic cell phones over smartphones. Often I work with individuals with disabilities who chose basic cell phones because they don’t need or want all of the features smartphones have to offer. Also, smartphone plans are usually more expensive than basic cell phone plans and people, especially those on fixed incomes, would rather pay the basic cell phone plan price.   Continue Reading...

Five Text-to-Speech Apps Make Communication Easier for Individuals with Special Needs

Text-to-speech” is a technology that allows an individual to type out a message and have it spoken by a device, and/or have spoken messages translated into text messages. The following apps allow text to speech functions to go right on a smartphone or tablet, helping those with difficulty hearing or speaking to communicate easily without expensive specialized equipment. Have you used an app that’s not on this list? Tell us about it in the comments. Predictable Website: https://therapy-box.co.uk/assistive-technology/apps/pa-english Manufacturer’s description: “Multi-award winning app for people with speech disabilities who need a sleek, simple and smart way to communicate! Predictable speaks out the messages you type…
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Learn through interaction with the Seven Message Take N’ Talk Go!

Enabling Devices’ Take N’ Talk products aim on learning through interaction. Users take/place an item from/on the device and it plays a word or sentence that corresponds with the item that was selected. Light sensors on the device make this type of detection possible.  http://ndipat.org/blog/learn-through-interaction-with-the-seven-message-take-n-talk-go/ 

A World of Assistive Technology

Whether it is explaining complex topics in easy-to-understand language, demonstrating assistive technology solutions, or featuring role models with assistive technology, this blog has videos of personal examples and valuable information on how assistive technology can improve the lives of people with disabilities in transition and throughout the lifespan. Enter a World of Assistive Technology from the PACER Simon Technology Center's video playlists. Check it out Click HERE

SwiftKey Symbols Aims to Reduce Communication Barriers with New App

Special needs app SwiftKey Symbols aims to reduce communication barriers using predictive technology and symbols instead of text.  http://www.friendshipcircle.org/blog/2016/01/08/swiftkey-symbols-aims-to-reduce-communication-barriers-with-new-app/?utm_source=Friendship+Circle+Blog&utm_campaign=3022af8f8b-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_3ec270b4ae-3022af8f8b-199142745

Tablet case could serve as virtual interpreter

California startup company MotionSavvy is working on a tablet case that can translate sign language into speech and text. The UNI program, which is currently seeking beta testers, is expected to cost $799 for the device plus a $20 monthly subscription when it's released next year. Wired.com (10/21) http://www.wired.com/2014/10/motionsavvy/

Be Heard with Voice Amplification

Communication and being understood is extremely important for an individual’s overall well being. We all have feelings, needs, and information we want to express and share with the people around us. When an individual feels misunderstood or ignored because they have difficulty communicating effectively, feelings of frustration, anger, sadness, or even depression follow.  http://ndipat.org/blog/be-heard-with-voice-amplification/

“A Communication Device will Prevent Speech from Developing” & Other Myths

There are many children and adults in the world with complex communication needs (CCN) who would benefit from Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). Nonetheless, unfounded misconceptions that have existed for decades sometimes prevent people from even investigating the possibility of how AAC might help them or someone they know.

Much has been written over the years discussing these myths.  Just type “augmentative communication myths” or “AAC misconceptions” into Google and you will get a slew of articles and studies. Out of these, the most comprehensive material that I have found is the June 2006 issue of Augmentative Communication News from author and speech/language pathologist (SLP), Dr. Sarah W. Blackstone.  This newsletter covers several AAC myths for adults and children with communication difficulties.  Although it was published over eight years ago, all the information is still very relevant and true today.   http://ndipat.org/blog/a-communication-device-will-prevent-speech-from-developing-and-other-myths/

AAC Text-To-Speech Apps with Word Prediction: Comparison Matrix

Posted by Jeannie Krull on 17 March, 2014

Confused about the features of Text-to-Speech Apps with Word Prediction for communication? Here is a Comparison Matrix showcasing the elements of four apps (Predictable, Proloqu4Text, Verbally, and Assistive Express) to help you with your feature match.  Article at:  http://ndipat.org/blog/aac-text-to-speech-apps-with-word-prediction-comparison-matrix/

Device helps students communicate through pictures

Some students with disabilities in a New Mexico school district are using technology to communicate with others. The district has introduced an electronic device that allows students to create sentences from pictures. Students then can have the device read the sentences aloud. "Instead of screaming or biting or throwing something across the room, we are teaching them to use their words," special-education teacher Megan Garrigan said. Albuquerque Journal (N.M.) (free content) (2/15) http://www.abqjournal.com/353655/news/new-device-helps-children-communicate.html

Devices, apps engage students with disabilities

Aldebaran Robotics has created a device called "ASK NAO," a small, human-like robot that can model and talk to students with autism about emotions. "This helps children get used to communicating and interacting ... so they feel more comfortable using those skills with a person," says Alia Pyros, Aldebaran's autism marketing and community coordinator. Besides this device, applications such as Popplet and iThoughts can help students with attention deficit disorder organize their ideas, says Andrea Prupas, of inov8 Educational Consulting, which specializes in assistive technology. District Administration magazine (7/2013)  http://www.districtadministration.com/article/robots-apps-support-special-ed-students

Speech Devices can Help Build Language in School age Children with Autism

Minimally verbal schoolchildren with autism gained spoken language earlier and faster when their play-based therapy included a speech-generating device. Preliminary study findings presented at IMFAR.  http://www.autismspeaks.org/science/science-news/speech-devices-can-help-build-language-schoolchildren-autism

Device gives students with limited mobility control over tablets

Georgia Tech engineers have created a device, called Access4Kids, to help students whose disabilities prevent them from performing the pinching and swiping motions needed to access most tablet computers. The device straps to an individual's arm or wheelchair and uses a sensor system to translate users' movements. Engadget (12/11) http://www.engadget.com/2012/12/11/access4kids-input-device-tablet-control-disabled-video/

iPad helps Canadian teen with autism to communicate

 

Before she was able to type on a keyboard, Carly Fleischmann, a Toronto teenager with severe autism, couldn't even tell someone she felt sick. Now, with the iPad, she can use its applications to communicate with her family, teachers and peers, using pictures and words she can tap on the screen. An added bonus, her father said, is the iPads's "coolness" factor, since the tablet does stand out like other assistive devices. CNN (11/14) http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/14/tech/mobile/carly-fleischmann-mobile-autism/index.html

Students who are nonverbal learn to communicate with iPads

 

Over a three-year period, students with autism, who are nonverbal, increased their attention span up to five minutes by using free and low-cost mobile applications on iPads and other tablet devices to communicate with teachers and peers. Students used the apps to point to pictures and words to communicate ideas ranging from what snack they wanted to answering "yes" and "no." Some critics warn that such devices are a good starting point but could further isolate children who already struggle to socialize. The Toronto Star (11/12) http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/1286058--ipads-speak-for-non-verbal-autistic-kids

High-tech aids assist individuals w/ disabilities, access lacking

A new national charity group in Britain is working to fund and provide new and emerging technology that enables communication for individuals with cerebral palsy and other conditions that can interfere with their ability to communicate clearly. Today's augmentative and alternative communication technology allows users to control assistive devices in unique ways, but access remains limited, says Anna Reeves of the ACE Centre. "The funding's a mess. It falls between education and health, and most local authorities don't have specific budgets for it," she said. The Guardian (London) (9/16)   http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2012/sep/16/technology-helps-people-speech-impairments

Students invent gloves that turn signing into speech

A group of Ukrainian students competing at the finals of Microsoft's Imagine Cup have created a pair of gloves called EnableTalk that use technology to turn sign language into text and then into spoken words. The creators say the hardware costs $75 per pair, and users can modify the systems to account for regional variations in sign language. TechCrunch (7/9) http://techcrunch.com/2012/07/09/enable-talk-imagine-cup/

Students with autism benefit from social media

Educators and experts increasingly are touting the benefits of social media in helping students with autism. They say the technology, such as YouTube, helps such youth gain confidence and relay their stories to a digital audience. While researchers say they are unsure why social media has been found to change the behavior of students with autism, one theory is that technology triggers a motivation in students with autism in a way that human interaction does not. The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (6/20)

Engineer, father creates assistive software app

"Verbal Victor" is a new mobile application for the iPhone, iPod Touch or the iPad tablet computer that uses a combination of pictures and words to help users communicate. The app was created by Paúl Pauca -- a computer science engineer and associate professor at Wake Forest University -- whose son, Victor, has Pitt Hopkins Syndrome, which limits his ability to communicate. Star-News (Wilmington, N.C.)/Endless Options for All Disabilities blog (5/29) http://disabilities.blogs.starnewsonline.com/11945/wake-forest-university-engineer-gives-back-to-disability-communitty-through-app-creation/

App facilitates communication for children with autism

Purdue University students have created the SPEAKall! iPad application designed to help children with autism communicate by choosing pictures and symbols to construct sentences. Since its debut on iTunes in November, the app has been downloaded nearly 3,300 times, said Oliver Wendt, a speech professor involved in the app's development. United Press International (3/28)  http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2012/03/28/App-may-help-autisic-children-speak/UPI-76671332989409/