What's New

Wondering what's new in the library lately? Well, you're in luck! Each month, we take a quick look back at the new titles that came in last month and offer them to you to check out. From titles on autism to parenting to transition, take a look at the list at:

https://www.iidc.indiana.edu/pages/whats-new

Quality indicators for assistive technology: A comprehensive guide to assistive technology services

Quality indicators for assistive technology: A comprehensive guide to assistive technology services is a 301-page guide for assessing children's needs and choosing and implementing the right technologies and services for them. Written by a team of education specialists, this book offers help in training education professionals on how to optimize learning.

With examples and case studies found throughout, each chapter begins with a few key points to consider and end with a summary and suggested activities to continue the learning. In-depth exploration of the Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology (QIAT) is covered including the matrix broken down step-by-step.

Want to check it out? Email us at cedir@indiana.edu or use worldcat.org to find it in a library near you.

What's New

A new month is upon us already, and with it, a new season. School has started, nights are beginning to cool, and soon there will be a crispness in the air. Grab the last few days of summer while you can!

But before we start bringing out all those fall decorations, let's first take a look back at the new items that came in to the library last month, from autism to behavior to transition.

Check out the entire list at:
https://www.iidc.indiana.edu/pages/whats-new

Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education

The Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education (CDHHE) works to promote positive outcomes for all deaf and hard of hearing children through information, services, and education. It provides direct services and facilitation of services to children birth through school exit. The CDHHE is available to provide support, resources, and professional development that are specific to Deaf and Hard of Hearing children, adhere to all federal, state, and local laws, follow current evidence-based best practice, and align with national and statewide trends at no cost in the following areas: accommodations, assessment, assistive technology devices, audiology, auditory skill development, direct communication opportunities with peers and adults, eligibility for Deaf and Hard of Hearing services according to state law, equal access in the educational setting, language development, Least Restrictive Environment, provision of educational services and related services, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL).

For more information, please visit the CDHHE website at http://cdhhe.isdh.in.gov

Designing assistive technology

In an article from makezine.com, Brian Goral, the CEO and co-founder of Furenexo, offers his insight on creating technology to use with people with disabilities. His company is manufacturing a device called SoundSense, a small device that people with hearing loss can wear to recognize loud sounds and alerts. In the article, Goral discusses why he decided to make devices for people with disabilities and how to go about learning about their needs.

Read the article at:
http://makezine.com/2016/07/27/why-we-decided-to-make-devices-for-people-with-disabilities/

Assistive Technology

Assistive Technology is a 328-page guide to help educators and other professionals understand how the use of assistive technology can improve the lives and learning of people with disabilities throughout their lifespan, from early childhood through school and into adulthood. The author is an Associate Professor of Special Education at Michigan State University and got her doctorate in special education emphasizing her research and publications on mathematics and functional life-skills education for students with disabilities with a central theme of assistive technology.

This book highlights the support assistive technology can provide to people with disabilities and the purpose for its use rather than assigning technology based on a student's diagnosis. It offers plenty of case studies and activities to do to find the best way to match a person with the technology available. Both advantages and limitations of assistive technology are discussed as well as the range of low to high technology and free to purchasable choices.

Want to check it out? Email us at cedir@indiana.edu or use worldcat.org to find it in a library near you.

Design for a Small (Aging) Planet

Bloomington Farmer’s Market (City Hall Atrium)

Saturday, April 30, 2016

9 am – 12 noon 

This year, Design for a Small (Aging) Planet will feature the creative work of students in two interior design classes at Indiana University. One class is conceptualizing the re-configuration of an empty Shower’s Furniture Factory building as a “senior arts colony.” A second class is working on improvements to the design of everyday products. 

Students will be in place to help explain their work and solicit desired feedback from an interested public. 

For more information, contact Phil Stafford, Center on Aging and Community, Indiana University, staffor@indiana.edu or 812-855-2163.

Eyeglasses for Down Syndrome

Children with Down syndrome often need eyeglasses to correct their vision, but the unique shape of their faces can sometimes make it difficult to find glasses with the proper fit. According to an article in Smithsonian.com, one mother has decided to change that.

To read the article, please visit:
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/designing-glasses-that-fit-individuals-with-down-syndrome-180958672/?no-ist

Windows 10 Accessibility Handbook

Windows 10 accessibility handbook: Supporting windows users with special visual, auditory, motor, and cognitive needs will help you "[l]earn everything you need to know about making Windows 10 easier to use, see, hear, touch, or read, whether you are using it yourself, setting it up for another person, teaching others about ease of use at work or in the home, or working with a variety of people with specific needs in the community."

Want to check it out? Email us at cedir@indiana.edu or use worldcat.org to find it in a library near you.

The ADA, Sensory Disabilities, and Assistive Technology

The Great Lakes ADA Center is announces an upcoming session titled The ADA, Sensory Disabilities, and Assistive Technology: Core Technologies for Non-visual Access scheduled for Wednesday, February 24, 2016 from 3:00-4:30 p.m. (Eastern Time).

This webinar will combine aspects of the ADA as it relates to Assistive Technologies that benefit people with low vision or individuals who are blind.  Presenters include Diego Demaya, Legal Specialist with the Southwest ADA Center, and Curtis Chong, Assistive Technologist with the New Mexico Commission for the Blind. During the presentation we will discuss:

• Recent ADA cases involving access for persons who are blind and individuals with low vision;
• Talk about employment-related technology access issues for individuals who are blind or experience low vision; and
• Go over some examples of auxiliary aids that are useful in places of public accommodation for individuals who are blind or experience low vision.

For more information or to register, please visit:
http://www.adaconferences.org/RESNA/

Questions should be directed to webinars@adaconferences.org or by calling 877-232-1990 (V/TTY) M-F 8:00-5:00 p.m. (Central Time).

A glove for Parkinson's on the horizon

A couple of years ago, we blogged about a spoon that could assist those with hand tremors in eating. http://cedir.blogspot.com/2014/05/assistive-technology-for-hand-tremors.html The spoon has a motion sensor in the handle that helps to cancel out the movements of hand tremors allowing people with essential tremors or Parkinson's to eat without spilling.

Now, a prototype of a glove has been developed that essentially does the same thing. According to CNN, the glove uses physics to cancel out the tremors of the hand, allowing the wearer to use their hands to accomplish many everyday tasks that had been to difficult for them.

To read the entire article, please visit:
http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/16/health/gyroglove-parkinsons-tremors-feat/index.html

Researchers develop Braille Tablet

According to an article at bgr.com, "researchers at the University of Michigan recently unveiled a new Braille-enabled prototype tablet that makes it possible for those with vision problems to read text on a full display. The tablet itself features fully refreshable pages containing raised bumps, a marked improvement from current devices that can only display one line of Braille text at a time."

To read the entire article, please visit:
http://bgr.com/2016/01/14/braille-tablet-prototype-blind/

For gamers with disabilities

Ever wondered how you could modify your Xbox controller for one-handed use? According to an article published on makezine.com, you just need a few tools. Here's the article which features a handy video:
http://makezine.com/2015/12/14/modifying-xbox-controllers-for-gamers-with-disabilities-ben-heck-shows-how/

Assistive technology in the kitchen

According to an article found on npr.org, there are many simple (and not so simple) tips and tricks to help make a kitchen more accessible to people with disabilities. Using a mirror can help those who use a wheelchair see into a pan of food. Not preheating an oven can help those with vision impairments avoid burns. Or simply using a very sharp knife can help everyone avoid accidentally cutting themselves.

To read the entire article, please visit:
http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2015/10/21/448971281/cooking-with-disabilities-an-exercise-in-creative-problem-solving

Open-sourced speech program availalble

According to an article in The Daily Dot, the software that Stephen Hawking uses can now be used by anyone. It has been open-sourced so anyone can use the technology and even change it if they so choose.

To read more about it, please visit:
http://www.dailydot.com/technology/stephen-hawking-speech-program-open-source/

Makeathon Calling for Challenges

TOM, UCP of the North Bay and Google.org will host the Bay Area Makeathon focused on assistive technology and the needs of people with disabilities September 11-13, 2015. "During the 72 hour makeathon we will develop hardware and software product prototypes designed to meet needs that people with disabilities identify are important to them. By bringing together people who understand the needs ('need-knowers') alongside engineers, designers, developers and makers, and providing a space for innovation and prototyping, we will create solutions, make new connections and share unique experiences."

Want to learn more about it? Please visit:
http://www.tomglobal.org/bay-area-makeathon

Assistive Technology 101

Introduction to Assistive Technology:

Assistive Technology 101

June 3, 2015

9:00 a.m. to noon

Looking for a free training that will introduce you to new technology, equipment, and services for people with disabilities? High-tech and low-tech solutions will be shown to help increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

For more information and to RSVP, please contact AgrAbility Coordinator Linda Tarr at 812.849.4447 or ltarr@hoosieruplands.org

Color for Everyone

Ever wonder what it's like to be color blind? Millions of people around the world have some degree of color blindness. For many of these people, even everyday actions such as driving a car could be dangerous because of the difficulty distinguishing between red and green traffic signals.

EnChroma has an answer to that. They have created eyeglasses that help separate signals the eye sends to the brain to bring out each distinct color. It's not a cure for color blindness but an "optical assistive device" that just looks like a pair of sunglasses.

Want to learn more about it? Visit EnChroma at:
http://enchroma.com/

Mobile App Monday - Custard Splodger

Looking for some creative, experimental play without the mess? Need to use a switch to interact with the app? Try Custard Splodger. A simple touch and switch-accessible activity to encourage creative play. Custard Splodger offers a fun way to help children with special needs and others to practice and enjoy their interactions with a touch screen.

Want to learn more about it? Please visit:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/custard-splodger/id922527516?mt=8

INDATA Project Open House

The INDiana Assistive Technology (INDATA) Project, at Easter Seals Crossroads, invites you to attend their open house, scheduled for March 3, 2015 from 2:00-6:00 p.m. at Crossroads, 4740 Kingsway Drive, in Indianapolis.

Check out INDATA’s new space on the third floor, tour the undated assistive lab, and meet ARTI, the Assistive Robotics Technology Initiative, experience some of the latest wearable technology, explore the zero-gravity workstation, and learn how assistive technology devices can be used at home, school, and the workplace.