October / November 2002

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Digital video in the classroomBy Patti ReaAs digital video cameras become more prevalent in the educational setting, attention is beginning to focus on appropriate uses of video in the classroom. This article will present effective editing strategies in iMovie and simple techniques for inserting the completed movie into multimedia programs. The intent of these strategies is to clarify presentation of the movie and focus student attention.Up close and personal!Before beginning, one, perhaps obvious, filming technique must be stated.

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The AAC Institute: A resource for evidence-based clinical practiceBy Katya HillAll individuals have inalienable rights to communication regardless of their physical, cognitive, economic, or geographic challenges. The ability to communicate directly impacts on an individual's quality of life and ability to achieve maximum potential. The goal of augmenative and alternative communication (AAC) is to provide the supports and services that result in the most effective communication for the individual being served.

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All Things MattBy Matt Roberts and Matt WangemanColumnistsFree X programs rated!Well... maybe we should say this month we rate free Mac OS X programs. Far be it from us to mislead anyone just to get them to read our column! Oh no..

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DISKoveries for October/November, 2002By Joan Tanenhaus, ColumnistSpecial needs This issue is devoted exclusively to companies that produce software and hardware for children and adults with special needs. Many of the names will be familiar and some will be new. If you are attending the Closing The Gap conference, be sure to visit the Commercial Exhibit areas and the booths of many of these companies to see the products first hand.

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The Linux operating system: Coming to a school near you?Part one of a two-part series on Linux and assistive technologyBy Janet HopkinsWith heavyweight support from IBM, Dell, Sun Microsystems and Hewlett Packard, the Linux OS is fast becoming the operating system of choice for many business and educational institutions worldwide. Described as cost-effective, stable, revolutionary, dynamic and philosophically appealing, Linux is being taken as a serious threat by its more established competitors.Linux proponents view the system as a low cost means of providing access to computer technology. Originating with Finnish developer Linus Torvalds in 1991, Linux has been developed collaboratively over the Internet for the last decade primarily by volunteer programmers worldwide.

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No- and low-tech tools to access the general curriculumBy Deborah A. Newton, Deborah A. Case, and Debra K.

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Using objects as symbolsBy Lori DahlquistAll of us, not just AAC users, communicate messages and represent those messages with symbols everyday. For example, a toddler may bring you his bottle or cup to indicate he wants more juice. We see a red light while driving and know we need to stop.

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Product Feature: Using Stages to create meaningful and effective alternate assessment portfoliosBy Madalaine PuglieseIntroductionAmendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA '97) mandate that all students with disabilities be included in each state's measures of accountability. There are three ways in which learners with special needs typically take part: they participate in the general education assessment methods; they use accommodations or modifications to the general education assessment methods; or they participate in performance-based portfolio assessment.In theory, these strategies represent a hierarchy of assessment options. However, in many states, protocols for creating performance-based portfolios to be used for alternate assessment have yet to be agreed upon.

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Tracking databaseAssistive Technology (AT) Tracker is an easy-to-use database that enables a school, school district, agency, or state to keep track of all points of contact by assistive technology teams. AT Tracker also gives you a simple way to create a complete database of all AT equipment with a built-in check out/check in system for each individual using Assistive Technology. AT Tracker will help you document a variety of vital assistive technology information.

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Increase independence for preschoolersAltimate Medical Inc. has introduced the new EasyStand Mobile Magician-ei, an early intervention standing system for preschool kids from 28- to 40-inches tall. It can be used as an upright stander, desk, anterior tilt chair and a 10 supine stander.

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More freedomSerotek Corporation has announced two new programs that pack a lot more freedom in the FreedomBox SA and FreedomBox Lifestyle. In a joint statement with the Canadian talking software leader, MarvelSoft Enterprises, Inc. of Nanaimo British Columbia, Serotek announces that FreedomBox SA and FreedomBox Lifestyle users can now purchase the Talking Toolbox and Talking Typing Teacher for off-line operation on their FreedomBox stand alone systems.Talking Toolbox provides an easy-to-use talking word processor, address book, phone pad, calculator and an alarm clock with timer functions that cuckoos, chimes, and bongs as well as tells time.

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Scanning and reading softwareFreedom Scientific is now shipping its new OpenBook Version 6.0 scanning and reading software with extraordinary features for blind and low vision users needing unmatched access to text and text imbedded in graphics, including PDF.OpenBook's lineup of features includes the clearest speech available with IBM ViaVoice 6.4 and superior optical character recognition with the new Fine Reader 6.0 engine. With the exclusive Freedom Import Printer, text that is deeply imbedded in graphics is easily extracted and recognized with this extensively redesigned popular software program. In addition, Connect Outloud Web Access Software is included as an optional install for Braille and speech access to the operating system, and to Internet Explorer and Outlook Express, Adobe Acrobat Reader, MP3 Player, and more.

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Help for reading and writingNew Read& Write (v6) is the latest version of textHELP! System's software to help people with reading and writing difficulties. It is an application toolbar that works with any Windows-based application. It can be used with word processors, spreadsheets, databases, e-mail and the Internet.It is a simple to use toolbar that "floats" on top of any open application.

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Software for deaf children and adultsContinuing with its tradition of developing innovative software for children and adults who are deaf, the Institute for Disabilities Research and Training, Inc. announces the completion of three products: Russian Sign Language/American Sign Language Translator, The Ultimate American Sign Language Dictionary, and ASL Tales and Games for Kids 1 - Woof Woof Way.The RSL/ASL Translator is the second in a series of sign language translators on CD-ROM, providing approximately 600 words in four languages: Russian Sign Language, Russian, American Sign Language, and English. It is possible to scroll through the word lists in either Russian or English or type in English words to locate particular signs.

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Special education public domain softwareTechnology for Language& Learning (TLL) announces its newest collection of public domain software/shareware on CD-ROM for Windows. The new collection consists of one CD-ROM with over 650MB of programs for your Windows computer. It includes: Keyboard Bangers (Press any key), Early Education, Math, Favorite Friends (programs with your favorites, such as Barney, Blues Clues, and Elmo) and many more.

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Accessible computer workstationsAD·AS offers the Equity series, a line of accessible computer workstations with hand crank height-adjustment. The Equity series adjusts with an easy to turn hand crank that raises and lowers the work surface from 24 to 34 inches in height to accommodate students of all ages and abilities in K-12 and college settings. At its lower heights, the workstation is ideal for younger children, raised to 34 inches high it accommodates wheelchair users and provides ample knee space and clearance for arm rests.

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UltraView Mirror provides rear/side-viewingWhat started out as an increasingly popular visual aid mirror for sign language interpreters is now being developed as an innovative new piece of assistive technology for persons with disabilities nationwide. Following on the success of the Interpreter Mirror, Clear View Innovations announces the development of the UltraView Mirror - a free-supporting pair of adjustable mirrors that provide a true, non-reversed image of whatever is occurring behind or to the side of the user.The original Interpreter Mirror was developed to help sign language interpreters see the subject behind them and still be able to sign while facing forward, thereby reducing the strain of twisting back and forth. The new smaller UltraView Mirror is designed as an accommodation for persons with restricted or no head or body movement - allowing them to conveniently expand their view of the immediate surroundings."The UltraView Mirror is the only fully adjustable, right-reading mirror that allows a disabled person to correctly see information and activity that are normally outside of the direct line of sight," says inventor Stephen Frank, a Baltimore sign language interpreter and president of Clear View Innovations.

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