Tuesday, May 21, 2013

DIY AT Accomodations

Build Better Accommodation Solutions for Less


urchasing an adaptive device doesn't mean a student with a disability will reap its benefits. Cost can lead schools to buy ineffective solutions; ideal products procured with training provision can gather dust in a resource room; some equipment goes unused for lack of one accommodating tweak.
Dr. Therese Willkomm has encountered every scenario that prevent products from becoming solutions. She's built a national reputation for innovating home, school, and worksite accommodations that has earned her the nickname, "The MacGyver of Assistive Technology."

AT Professional approach acc. to RESNA cert.

Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA)

An Assistive Technology Professional is a service provider who analyzes the technology needs of consumers with disabilities and helps users select and use adaptive devices. ATPs work with clients of all ages with every type of cognitive, physical, and sensory disability. The solutions provided, whether low- or high-tech, are usually designed to enhance communication, mobility, and access to computers and educational materials.

ATP is a generalist certification covering a broad range of assistive technology, including:
  • Seating and Mobility
  • Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
  • Cognitive aids
  • Computer access
  • Electronic Aids to Daily Living (EADL)
  • Sensory
  • Recreation
  • Environmental modification
  • Accessible transportation (public and private)
  • Technology for learning disabilities.

Components
  1. Assessments of need (27%): Including interviewing consumers, records review, environmental factors and functional abilities assessments, goal setting, and future needs
  2. Development of Intervention Strategies -- Action Plan (34%): Including defining intervention strategies; identifying appropriate products, training needs, and environmental issues; assist consumers' decision making, and documentation
  3. Implementation of Intervention (Once Funded) (26%): Including reviewing and placing orders, training consumer and others (e.g., family, care providers, educators) in device setup and operation, and progress documentation
  4. Evaluation of Intervention (Follow-up ) (10%): Qualitative and quantitative outcomes measurement, reassessment, and repair issues, if necessary
  5. Professional Conduct (3%): RESNA's Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
 More..

Monday, January 28, 2013

Free Communication Symbols and Software

http://www.senteacher.org/Worksheet/6/PECS.xhtml
http://www.photovoca.com/faq/
http://www.mayer-johnson.com/support/pcslibraries/
http://teachinglearnerswithmultipleneeds.blogspot.in/2009/04/free-picture-symbols.html

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Innovative Adaptations (Frugal Innovation)

DIY Party ring adapted mouse http://media.techflash.com/images/mousering.jpg

DIY Party ring adapted mouse

Microsoft user experience designer Mike LaManna remembers feeling like a mad scientist as he tried to design a computer mouse that would let children with cognitive and physical disabilities keep their fingers properly positioned to point and click. He brought home old mice, took them apart, and tried everything from clay to Velcro straps. He even baked some of the mice to reshape the plastic. 
More


Mounting alternative for Handheld Devices 

compact switch, velcro band  rj cooper
compact switch, velcro band rj cooper


image of flopper stopper head helper

Scanning in PowerPoint: Alternative Access from the adapting creatively blog

Friday, January 25, 2013

Types of Switches



  • Pressure switches require pressure on the surface activate.
  • Lever switches require pressure on the end of a lever.
  • Touch switches are activated by touching a projection in any direction.
  • Joysticks can be moved in different directions to provide control of wheelchairs or computers or set up as a switch for four devices.
  • Sip-n-puff switches are activated by pressure changes by soft and hard sips and puffs into a mouth tube.
  • The SCATIR (Self-Calibrating Auditory Tone Infrared) switch is a multipurpose versatile switch that can be activated by eye blink, or eyebrow, finger, head or facial muscle movement.
  • Muscle twitch switches are activated by muscular movement perceived on the skin.
  • An eye blink switch is activated by each eye blink or double eye blink and can control communication devices, toys or computers.
  • Proximity switches operate through electromagnetic force received from proximity to a body part.
  • String switchs are activated by pulling and releasing a three-inch loop of string.
  • Tongue switches use a dental type plate positioned on the roof of the mouth that has variety of pressure sensitive spots activated by the tongue.
  • Directional switches have five pressure spots that operate as separate switches to control different devices or for devices that require more than one switch.
  • Mini-Joystick with Pad or Joystick with Pad switchs are similar to directional switches because they can be used to control any device that requires five single switches or can be adapted to control up to five devices operated with a single switch.
  • Rocker switches are a type of lever switch generally with a left and right side usually allowing the activation of two different switches.
  • Squeeze switches are activated by gripping with the hand onto a cylindrical or other type of handle.