October / November 2006
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Editorial Feature
The importance of student preference, human rights, and dignity
By
Frances R. Duff, Sherry Jones, Elizabeth B. Keefe and Veronica M. Moore
Preview:
When designing educational services for students with disabilities, how often do educators really remember to include the students' perceptions or preferences in the planning and implementation process? Our work as educators has taught us to pay close attention to our students' wishes and desires since they are the ones who are ultimately left with the consequences of services that well-meaning professionals deem as "best practices".
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Curtain call: the show - and the voices - go on!
By
Patti Murphy
Preview:
Thanks to their use of augmentative and alternative communication technology, scores of young people know the joy of entertaining a live audience. Yet the rewards of integrating the technology into theatrical productions go beyond moments of fame for those who use it. Uniquely challenging, AAC use in theatre arts can promote teamwork, literacy, self-confidence and appreciation of the gifts each actor brings to the performance regardless of age or ability – or character, setting and plot.
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DISKoveries
By
Joan Tanenhaus
Preview:
This issue of DISKoveries contains reviews of new software programs, adaptive computer equipment and related products, developed by companies especially for those with special needs. If you are attending the Closing The Gap conference, visit the Exhibit areas and the booths of many of these companies to see the products first hand. Thank you for producing the quality products that we usein our classrooms, therapy sessions and at home.
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Expanded continuum of assistive technology for people with visual impairments
By
Jaroslaw Wiazowski
Preview:
Technology has been a companion of humanity since pre-historic times. The invention of the wheel improved the life of ancient people and led to further inventions, many of which are present in our times. Microtechnology has particularly influenced the world in the late 20th century and is progressing towards being more versatile and omnipresent.
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Product Feature
On the job, on the move
By
Jonathan Mosen
Preview:
In my present job, I'm required to travel the world extensively, attending conferences and meetings. While I'm away, I need to be in easy reach of co-workers and family. Those long 12-hour international flights can be used to make a substantial virtual dent in the electronic paperwork that inevitably builds up.
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"Phonetic Typing" to help childern with learning disabilities spell more accurately
By
JIm Schroeder
Preview:
Do you remember asking your parent or teacher how to spell a word and the frustration that followed when she/he told you to “go look it up” – how can I look it up if I don’t know how to spell it? A child with a learningdisability involving spelling difficulties must experience similar feelings whenworking on a writing assignment – I know the word I want, but how do Iget it down on the paper (or into the computer)? Two new products available fromApplied Human Factors, Inc. (AHF) were created to address questions like these.
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Making Connections
How a company collaborates to create new assistive technolgy
By
Adam Wing
Preview:
“The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have thegreatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don’t playtogether, the club won’t be worth a dime.” – Babe RuthAdam Wing.
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Solutions for Inclusion
Interactive sensory teaching and learning
By
Lisa Brown
Preview:
Every day, we use a combination of our senses to learn more about the world around us. However, some children find it difficult to decide which sense to use in order to gain the information they need. Lisa Brown, consultant for inclusion publisher, SEMERC, offers some practical advice on how we can use assistive technology to identify and develop sensory needs.
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Product Spotlight
NEW! Five Finger Typist 2.0
Preview:
A major upgrade of the one-handed typing tutor Five Finger Typist has just been announced by SoftDawn Software. The new Version 2.0 is for Windows computers with development of the Mac OS X version still underway.
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Single switch accessibility for mobile phones
Preview:
VoIP with nohandcom: making completely free phone calls
With Voice-over-IP, there is a technology that currently completely revolutionizes the mobile service market for the benefit of its everyday users. Having been in the pipeline and talked about for so many years, it is finally mature enough to be used on mobile devices too.
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KPR announces Compass Software for access assessments
Preview:
Koester Performance Research (KPR) has announced the release of Compass, a powerful new tool for professionals who provide computer access services. Compass is software for access assessment that measures users' skills in various kinds of computer interaction, including keyboard and mouse use, navigation through menus, and switch use."Compass helps practitioners provide the highest quality service, from selecting appropriate input devices, to tracking changes over time, to measuring outcomes and goal achievement," said Heidi Koester, president of KPR.
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HumanWare announces the Victor Reader ClassicX series
Preview:
HumanWare is proud to announce two new exciting DAISY digital talking-book CD players, which allow blind
and learning disabled people to access books, manuals, magazines, etc. Replacing the popular Victor Reader Classic desktop player series, the new ClassicX and ClassicX + models are enhanced with additional usability and reliability features, which continue to distinguish them as the premium DAISY desktop CD players.
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KeySoft 7.2 release
Preview:
HumanWare has released KeySoft 7.2 making your BrailleNote or VoiceNote even more useful and efficient.Whether you have a BrailleNote or VoiceNote mPower, a BrailleNote PK, or a BrailleNote or VoiceNote Classic, there is a version of KeySoft 7.2 that will be available for you.
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One blind man, a passport and only his talking PDA for guidance
Preview:
Registered blind, slightly eccentric, but definitely mobile, Dave Williams is embarking on a four week grand tour of the US with only his talking PDA for company. Single handed, Dave will negotiate 25 venues, 10 states and meet over 1000 visually and print impaired people with the aim of demonstrating and furthering their independence.
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VisioVoice gives Mac OS X new voices and low vision support
Preview:
AssistiveWare announced that together with Acapela Group it has introduced two new products for Mac OS X: VisioVoice and Infovox iVox. There are also some very attractive introductory offers.VisioVoice is a product for blind and vision impaired Mac users, providing a number of speech and vision related features to enhance access to Mac OS X.
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Crick Software will showcase the new Clicker Paint at Closing The Gap
Preview:
Crick Software will announce the release of Clicker Paint at the Closing The Gap conference in Bloomington Minnesota.
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New ZoomText Large Print Keyboard - now shipping!
Preview:
Ai Squared is pleased to announce that the new ZoomText Large-Print Keyboard is now shipping and available for purchase.
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General News Item
The S.L.A.T.E. Board (State Leaders of Assistive Technology in Education)
By
Joan Breslin-Larson
Preview:
What do you get when you fill a room with statewide and national leaders with a shared vision for supporting student access to assistive technology? In August, 2006 we found out. Last year, Jeff Diedrich from the Michigan Assistive Technology Resources (MATR) suggested that state department of education specialists meettogether informally at Closing the Gap.
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