Transcript Touch the Difference - SWAAAC

Sue Loeffler, M.A., CCC-SLP
Assistive Technology Specialist
Denver Public Schools
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Good:
Motivating
Engaging
Multiple uses
An app for everyone and everything
Lightweight and portable
Touch access
Sharing
Connectivity
Viewing options
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Bad:
Easily damaged and broken (No repairing it, must
be replaced)
Limited battery life (battery not made to be
replaced)
Heat sensitive (will not respond if screen or
user’s hands are cold)
Theft
Challenges for writing purposes
Seen as a toy and fun (struggle to use
functionally and with guided/specific purpose)
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The Ugly
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Overwhelming # of apps and growing by the day
Difficult and time consuming to research and choose
the most appropriate apps for the classroom or
individual student’s needs
Cost versus free. Costs are on the rise! What are you
really getting in the lite versions? Buying in bulk.
To-Date, none of the apps are research/academically
based. Technology changes too rapidly!
Media circus! How to sort through the hype of the
latest and greatest features. What do we really
need?
The nightmare of managing multiple iPads and/or
accounts (school-wide, classroom, loan banks, etc.)
 Protection
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Covers and frames
 Otterbox
– Variety of Choices
 Attainment – Go Now Case
 Fisher Price – Apptivity Case
 InclusiveTLC – Big Grips
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w/ or w/o stand
 Studio
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Proper – Clumsy Case
w/ built-in stand
 Speck
– iGuy freestanding Case
 i-Blaison
ArmorBox Kido Series
 Gumdrop Cases
 KHOMO SAFEKIDS
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durable case for kids
 M-Edge
Cases Supershell
 KaysCase KidBox
No longer about physical limitations. Designs are
driven by the common consumer!
No posted images because the companies have
copyrighted them. To view, visit their websites.
RAM Mounts www.rammount.com
 InclusiveTLC http://inclusivetlc.com
 RJ Cooper http://rjcooper.com
 Ablenet (body mounts) www.ablenetinc.com
 Premier Mounts www.premiermountsstore.com
 Belkin (see list below)
Amazon, eBay, Apple, BestBuy, Overstock, Bing,
Bizrate, Nextag, TheGadgetSite, etc.
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Control your iPad/Tablet from the technology that is
already present
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Wheelchair controls
Computers
Interface w/ TV’s, computers, Whiteboards, Promethean
Boards, etc.
 Tecla
 Toshiba
Satellite
 eInstruction
 MasterTech Solutions
 Mobi
 TouchBoards
 Splashtop
 Komodo
 OnLive Desktop for windows (free app)
iCam – Webcam Video Streaming from computer
webcam or document camera to multiple iPads
 Airvideo – app that plays videos on iPad that are
stored on PC
 Air Playit – (free app for iPad & tablets) select
and play videos stored on PC onto iPad
 Air Display – broadcast Mac computer screen to
multiple iPads (need free iPad app and App on
Mac computer (19.99) running at same time
 GoToMeeting – broadcasts computer screen,
audio and video to iPads
(www.gotomeeting.com)
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Mounting considerations
 Keep in mind protective covers in use!
Switches
 Size, location, interactive capabilities, separate mounting system
Switch Interfaces
 Allows the switch to communicate with the iPad/Tablet, some
offer multiple plug-ins (Komodo Open Lab)
 Connection cable, wireless, bluetooth
Touch options
 Pointers
 Stylus’
 Gloves
 InclusiveTLC
http://inclusivetlc.com
 RJ Cooper http://rjcooper.com
 Belkin (see previous page list of vendors)
 Ablenet
www.ablenetinc.com
 Therapybox
http://therapy-box.com.uk
 Chain stores (Target, Radio Shack, Walmart,
etc.)
 Online commercial sites: Amazon, eBay,
Apple, BestBuy, Overstock, Bing, Bizrate,
Nextag, TheGadgetSite, etc.
 Growing
Fast!
For a comprehensive list compiled by Jane
Farrall and Alex Dunn:
http://www.janefarrall.com/html/resources/Switc
h%20Accessible%20Apps%20for%20iPad.pdf
or visit their websites:
www.janefarrall.com click on iPad & Apps
http://smartinclusion.wikispaces.com and
click on accessibility and/or iPads
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Interchangeable with magnetic closures
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Verbatim
FileMate
Gear Head
iKeyboard lays on top of screen
Cases
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Logitech
Targus
Alurateck
Belkin
Hipstreet
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Bluetooth/wireless
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ZAGGkeys PROplus offers backlit keys
Snugg offers ultra slim keyboard and case
Most come as All-in-One (keyboard, case, stands)
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ClamCase Pro
Logitech
Kensington
Hipstreet
Mutant
Scosche
 Consider
how it will be used
 Consider where it will be used
 Consider who it will be used with
To be an effective communication device, it
must be seen that way. Dedicated-versusmultiple use causes friction, resistance and
refusal to use as a functional communication
option.
My money’s on, and in, the app!
Most apps that come with the option for custom
programming and offer enough vocabulary to
make it functional in a variety of settings – cost
$. The cost increases the more they offer in
programming features and vocabulary.
Decent apps run between $50 to $300
Keep in mind that not all communication apps are
developed by linguists, speech pathologist, etc.
*This is one area where you get what you pay for
 Will
it work on iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch,
and/or Android?
 Cost
 Customizable
 Symbols or pictures it incorporates
 Message window option
 Voice
 Navigation
 Text-to-Speech
Typing capabilities
 Tech
Support
 Available demo’s for function, features,
programming
 Read comments from other consumers!
Contact SWAAAC (StateWide Assistive
Technology, Augmentative and Alternative
Communication) at http://swaaac.com
 Will
be specific to the communication app
 Are not typically interchangeable
 Some companies will create custom ones
Access? iPad, iPhone or both
Note: ebook technology is also compatible with
software or tablets
For classroom use/textbook access, both
options below offer free apps and computer
software for accessing textbooks
 Bookshare (Android app free, Apple cost)
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Digitized voice
 Learning
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Ally (Apple app free, Android cost)
Voice recorded voice
 Book
Creator – ebook PDF creator
 epubBud.com – free children’s ebooks
 Zinepal.com ebook creator from webpages @
http://dotepub.com
 Dropbox – store ebooks & converts
 Use QR Code Readers to convert classroom books.
One of the best is the QR Code Reader and Scanner
found in the iTunes Store or at www.qrstuff.com
Note that Microsoft also uses similar technology but
it is called TAG Reader
Free App? Be aware that some require book
purchases!
The top 10 most recommended:
 Amazon Kindle
 iBooks
 Stanza
 Free Books
 Wattpad
 Toy Story Read-Along
 Barnes & Noble Nook
 eBook Reader
 Bookman
 Weakest
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Promotes hunt & peck
Keyboard option promotes bilateral dexterity and
tactile feedback
Debatable method for composing lengthy
documents
Word prediction and abbreviation methods
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link in the iTouch Evolution
“Pedictable” app ($160)
Challenges to saving documents and forwarding
*Google Docs is storage but it isn’t private
 Useful
for:
 Isolating
finger movements
 Tracing
 Tracking
 Eye-hand
coordination
 Pressure measurement
 Motor planning for letters and numbers
 Split keyboard screen for typing while
holding/stabilizing hands
 Connect
a Braille keyboard (but no support if
student reads Braille)
 VoiceOver feature
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Tap the “settings” icon
Tap the “general” option
Tap “Accessibility” option
Tap “VoiceOver” option
Slide the toggle switch to “on”
 Requires
different gestures and commands
 Comes in many languages
 Reading speed is adjustable
 From
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the Accessibility section
Turn on White-on-Black to invert the iPad’s colors
and increase contrast
 Set
up a video call
 Download dictation app (like Dragon Dictate
or Google Voice Search)
 Set up repeating alarms in iCal to be
reminded of tasks, time, etc.
 Use a noise cancelling/sound isolating
headphone or earphone for best quality and
sound adjustment options
 Self-Advocacy apps
 Self-regulation (Talking Tom) apps
 Cochlear-related apps
Linx Audio by ableplanet
 Word-of-mouth
is often best
 Research who developed the accessory or
app. Consider the company’s history with
special needs or the individual’s background
 Find reliable sources that think like you and
perhaps have similar experience with your
student(s) or child
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Peer groups
Bloggers
Specialists
Educators
Need some guidance for special education related
apps?

Free webinar at www.ablenet.com
“iPad in Special Education: Why you want one &
what to do with it” with Diane Gerads-Schmidt, SLP
and Jason Backes, OT

“iPad in Special Education Rubric” by Harry
Walker
Common Sense Media’s site:
http://www.commonsensemedia.org/guide/specia
l-needs
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 Apps
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to help you find apps
www.momwithapps.com
www.speakingofspeech.com
www.youtube.com
www.bestappsforkids.com
www.mobilelearning4kids.com
App shopper – notifies you of sales
Free app finder
Autism Apps – categories, all are free
Discover Apps – search by related apps
ABA website – alerts you when autism-related
apps are free during the month of April
Sue Loeffler, M.A., CCC-SLP
Assistive Technology Services
Denver Public Schools
Smedley, room 164
4250 Shoshone
Denver, CO 80211
720-424-4076
[email protected]
http://denver.co.schoolwebpages.com/atrt