Give a Gift of Assistive Technology

Give a Gift of Assistive Technology Assistive technology can be a great gift for a wide variety of individuals.  E-reader   Jar opener   TV remote Not every e-reader is created equal. Make sure to check that it has the access features needed, such as text-to-speech or larger font sizes. Click here for a comparison chart.   Opening jar lids can be a struggle for individuals with limited hand strength due to medical conditions like Parkinson's disease, arthritis, and strokes. This motorized jar opener from Hamilton Beach is available at home and department stores for less than $30.  TV remotes can be activated by touching large buttons, switches, or voice commands. For individuals with cognitive impairments, TBI, or Alzheimer's disease, a simple remote with fewer buttons can make the TV easier to control. Discount stores like Ross and T.J.Maxx often carry remotes in the men's gift section.

Free Adapting Toys Workshop  @ T.A.S.C., Huntsville, AL Saturday, December 8 Drop in 9 a.m.-noon  Bring a battery powered toy to adapt or choose from one donated by the Margarita Ball. Adapted toys can be purchased from various vendors, including http://enablingdevices.com.

STAR Training funded by STAR, Alabama's Asssitive Technology Resource 1-800-782-7656 Content created by T.A.S.C.   (256) 859-8300    tasc@ucphuntsville.org

SCAAC-N Fall Meeting Notes - 11/15/12

Coming Soon...

AAC Video Modeling - Work, Shredding Paper

Video modeling is one powerful teaching strategy found to be effective with individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Cassie Helland, SLPA, at Villa Esperanza Services' Speech & Language Center demonstrates use of an iPad and the FREE app called Picture Card Maker in videos filmed with an iPad2 and shown to students on that same iPad prior to a work period (not the best resolution, but sufficient for our needs!). 

In Villa Esperanza's Non-Public School Transition Program, one vocational training position involves paper shredding. In the following videos, Cassie models three expressive communication statements related to this student job.

Links to 3 Videos - More, Help, Break

The American Speech & Hearing Association's special interest group on AAC has a brief review of studies that use video modeling to teach requesting using AAC to individuals with autism, CLICK HERE to view the abstract. 

The National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders hosts a body of Evidence Based Practice briefs with one entire unit dedicated to the use of video modeling as a teaching technique for individuals with autism spectrum disorders. CLICK HERE to view the evidence base, PDF. More evidence based practices in Autism, CLICK HERE.

Understanding Assistive Technology: Simply Said

Minspeak E-Newsletter, Issue 62

	Send to Friend November 30, 2012

Pixon Teaching Tip: Pixons® can be used as teaching materials for picturing the metaphors behind Unity® icon sequences. The word for this week is “turn”. Compare the Pixon to the icon sequence . Teach the meaning of the word “turn” using a prop that turns around and around. Then apply that to stirring around and around in a pan. Extend the meaning to turning around on a merry-go-round, turning the page in a book, and turning something on or off. Intervention Planning: Thank you to Christina Dal Santo, Annette O’Connor, and Malia Vigil for the Intervention Plan for teaching the core verb “turn”. Use it with an animated PowerPoint show they developed called Turn! Teaching Materials Exchange: Read Happy Hanukkah and talk about what families do during this holiday. The book is coded with Pixons® and icon sequences from Unity®45, Unity®60, Unity®84, and Unity®144. Pittsburgh AAC Language Seminar Series: Register TODAY for an upcoming seminar series. Go to the Minspeak website for the schedule and registration materials.

FREE Webinar from TASKS on Educational Apps - 12/11/12

Video Contest - Show Off Your AT!

Does Assistive Technology (AT) play a role in your life?

Do you use an assistive device to get things done, or to make your life easier?

Have you modified a device to make it work better, or come up with your own device?

Then show off your AT!

---

Share your ideas and win some cash doing it.

The purpose of the contest is to showcase the creative ways people with disabilities use assistive technology in their daily lives. Many people with disabilities use assistive technologies to accomplish tasks they otherwise could not. Sometimes they modify a commercial device or improvise their own device to meet a specific need. By sharing your ideas and the solutions you created, you can motivate and inspire others who are looking for solutions of their own.
Five finalists will be selected from submitted videos and posted to the AT Network Channel on Youtube. Online voting by the public will determine the winner. The winning video will be featured on the new AT Network website.

The winning Video will receive,

1st Prize   $400
2nd Prize  $150
3rd Prize   $75

How to Enter:

1. Create your video in accordance with the Official Rules and post it to your youtube.com account.
2. Complete the entry form located at http://www.atnet.org/video-contest
3. Include your name, address, email, telephone number, age, a description of your video and the URL to your unlisted Youtube video.
4. Read and accept the Official Rules.
5. No more than 2 Entries may be submitted by any one Entrant.
6. Contest begins at 8:00 AM (PST), Wednesday, November 7, 2012.
7. All submissions must be received no later than 11:59PM (PST), Friday, January 18, 2013.
8. Tell your friends and family to vote for your video beginning February 6, 2013. The Online Voting period ends on 11:59PM (PST), February 28, 2013.
9. The winning entries will be notified via email by March 8, 2013.

* CLICK HERE for official website and entry rules