October / November 2005

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Do overstuffed binders full of work samples, data collection and photos make you want to pull your hair out? Multi-media projects can be a dream come true in documenting children’s learning individually or as a group. These projects can become a functional and usable computer program that can be accessed and enjoyed by students of all abilities and their families!

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Finding the correct software program to target a specific skill often presents a challenge. An off-the-shelf solution may be available, but getting that program at a reasonable cost can be a problem. Once you obtain the software, you may find that many parts of the program are not useful for the intended student.

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Computer games, like arcade games and Solitaire, are popular pastimes with many people for varying reasons. Whether it is self-satisfaction from beating a score or just passing the time, many of us have our favorite and a few of us can play for hours. During these games we learn the rules and improve our strategy.

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David Niemeijer, CTO and lead developer of AssistiveWare, discusses the accessibility features of Mac OS X Tiger, as well as Tiger-compatible third party software and hardware solutions that further extend the accessibility of Mac OS X Tiger.

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Facilitating friendships at the preschool level among all children is at the core of the Play and Learn curriculum. Based on early childhood research, the authors believe that all young children learn best through movement and meaningful play with friends. This curriculum lays a framework that uses a transdisciplinary model of service delivery as the most effective way to teach young children motor skill development along with language, readiness, and social skill development.

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The field of assistive technology is growing rapidly, exploding with the development of new tools, techniques, strategies and methods of service delivery. If you’re reading this newspaper you already know that! Assessment and decision making in the assistive technology field has become increasingly complex! Our challenges extend far beyond merely keeping up with new developments in technology. We also need to constantly deal with:

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Over one million students with speech-language impairments are enrolled in school systems throughout America. Most are educated in general education classrooms and participate in rigorous standards-based academic curricula. Historically, speech-language therapy was provided to these students using a “pull-out” model.

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This issue of DISKoveries contains reviews of new software programs, adapted books, and related products, developed by companies especially for those with special needs. If you are attending the Closing The Gap conference, visit the Exhibit Center and the booths of many of these companies to see the products first hand. Thank you for producing the quality products that we use in our classrooms, therapy sessions and at home.

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Communication is an essential facet of our lives. Communication empowers and satisfies our existence. Communication is embodied by reception and expression: it is an ebb and flow.

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Ai Squared announces the release of ZoomText 9.0, the most innovative version of ZoomText ever produced. Packed with ground-breaking advancements in screen magnification, screen reading and productivity tools, the new ZoomText 9.0 makes your computer easy to see, easy to hear, and easy to use.

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Freedom Scientific Inc., Learning Systems Group announces the release of WYNN 4.0. WYNN 4.0 is full of exciting new features, including: • Ability to use Highlighting, Text Notes, and Voice Notes in Exact View.

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AssistiveWare announces the release of KeyStrokes 3.6, SwitchXS 2.1 and the AssistiveWareAccess bundle. KeyStrokes is an award-winning on-screen keyboard that providesvirtually complete access to Mac OS X and all standard Mac applications for peoplewho cannot use a keyboard. It also provides advanced PolyPredix multilingualword prediction that can be used with the on-screen keyboard, with the hardwarekeyboard and with SwitchXS 2.1.

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Sendero’s GPS version 3.3 for the BrailleNote is now shipping including versions for the tiny PK and the new mPower. Version 3.3 introduces two huge improvements to Sendero’s BrailleNote GPS, the Cadillac of accessible GPS systems.

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Quillsoft Ltd., manufacturer and distributor of educational software, announces WordQ 2, the next generation word prediction software for education and learning disabilities.

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As more students with Down syndrome and other cognitive disabilities become part of typical classrooms, teachers need to know how to better foster the values of diversity, acceptance and inclusion.

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Lexia Learning Systems, Inc. announces the upgrade of Lexia Reading S.O.S. (Strategies for Older Students) to Lexia Strategies for Older Students Version 4.0.

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Macintosh speech recognition authority MacSpeech announces iListen MX, a newversion of iListen exclusively available from participating Apple Specialistdealers and the MacSpeech Web site. iListen MX includes the latest version ofiListen, the best headset/microphone offered by MacSpeech, and an enhanced listof built-in commands for hands-free control of the mouse, GarageBand, iDVD, iMovie,iPhoto, and iTunes.

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Jerziah, who is eight, was left paralyzed by a motor vehicle accident and canonly blink his eyes and smile. One of his teachers contacted Enabling Devicesto determine if the company could customize a capability switch for Jerziah thatwould allow him to control devices in his environment. Enabling Devices was ableto develop an Eye Blink Switch that is already making a huge impact on Jerziah’slife.

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AssistiveWare announces the release of an amazing video. Marie-France lives in Paris. Ten years ago she was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Motor Neurone Disease (MND) or Lou Gherigs Disease.

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Proloquo is a groundbreaking multi-purpose and multilingual speech solution forMac OS X that provides: (1) a full-fledged communication system (AAC) for peoplewho cannot speak; (2) improves accessibility of Mac OS X for people with visualimpairments; (3) provides speech feedback in any application while typing forchildren and people with learning disabilities; (4) can serve as a talking wordprocessor; (5) provides text to speech for people who prefer listening to reading;(6) can be used as a tool to learn the pronunciation of foreign languages; (7)provides an advanced, multilingual speech engine for our KeyStrokes on-screenkeyboard and our SwitchXS switch access solution.

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DynaVox Technologies announces the release of iChat, an extremely portable, lightweight communication solution. iChat is an extension of the company’s current product line.

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IntelliTools, Inc. <www.intellitools.com>, for 25 years the pioneer in learning solutions for preK-8 classrooms, announces two exciting product releases: • IntelliKeys USB Version 3.0 upgrade • Popular Software Overlays for IntelliKeys “We are delighted to be able to debut both offerings at the upcoming Closing The Gap Conference in October,” notes Arjan Khalsa, President and CEO. “And we will have hands-on opportunities for users to test-drive both products at our expanded booth in Plaza 1.”

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