Teaching All Students

EdCeptional - Alternative Computer Access

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Black) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:00:00 +0000

Check out my latest post on the EdReach Network, Alternative Computer Access.

Patrick

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LFMF - Google Search App

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Black) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

LFMF or Learn From My Fail, today I'd like to share a failure that's happened to me recently. I've stated that I just got some new iPod Touches and an iPad in my classroom, and things have been going well. They've continued to go well, but I have had to uninstall an app, I never in a millions years thought this app would be a problem, what app you ask - Google Search!

So here's the situation, a student is using the iPad during a 5 min break between lessons. I hear a strange sound, one I've never heard from the iPad. Mind you, there are several adults in the room at the time, and the student is probably less than 10 feet from me. So I perk up and crane my neck to see what is happening with the iPad, the next thing I hear is a video playing, not one that I've placed on the device, but I'm pretty sure it's a Youtube video. I decide it's about time I take a close look. As I get to the student and iPad I see 2 women, 2 young men and I hear a word. It's not a forbidden word, it's just a word that I don't think should be said in a elementary classroom. The video is not appropriate for school and I request the iPad, shut down the browser and try and figure out what just happened. The student is aware he has done something I don't like, but at first I'm not able to figure out what he did.

This student is not someone who can type effectively, he doesn't spelling things, so I'm a little confused as to how he was able to search on the Google App (I was able to see the search results briefly before I shut down the app). I decide to move on, but one of my instructional assistants has a brilliant idea, let's just ask him. He is completely honest and show her exactly what he did - he used voice search. For those of you who aren't aware, Google has been integrating speech-to-text capability into all it's search platforms - Android Phones, the web interface, and (you guessed it) the Google Search App on iOS. So all he had to do was push a button and talk, that is when I realize that was the noise I heard.

This is not a big deal I think, I'll just check the settings and see what options I have. Sure enough, I can turn on "Strict" for search results and turn off "voice search". I'll even sign into my classroom account to keep the settings. OK, problem solved...wait...what if they do it in Safari, voice search works there too. Not a problem, 5 iOS devices, sign in on Safari & Google app, change settings good. Ooops, don't forget the 2 laptops, sign in, lock settings, good all set.

Unfortunately, the next day, I found out I was wrong. I again heard the noise, and knew exactly what was happening. The problem is, to get the voice search option back, you just have to sign out of the account, or click settings and turn it on. There is no way to lock the setting completely on the Google App (the web has a lock, but that is another post for another day). So in the end, I had to remove the Google App. It was not what I wanted to do, but in the end it was the best way to manage searching. I'm going to be giving this some more thought in the coming days, maybe I'm missing something, but until I'm able to restrict their searching behavior I will have to leave this app off.

It saddens me that such a powerful tool is not available to my students, and I'm curious have any of you had to restrict something to protect your students?

Patrick

EdCeptional #27 - Making it Happen with Jeannette

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Black) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 23:00:00 +0000

This week we talk with Jeannette Van Houten (@jvanhoutensped) - My Point of View... about alternative ways to access the computer

EdCeptional #27 - Making it Happen with Jeannette

Patrick

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Weekly Diigo Links (weekly)

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Black) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 14:30:00 +0000

Metaliveblogging Apple's Education event in NYC | TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog

tags: apple education event nyc unofficial weblog itunesu ibooks iauthor ibooks author free
Mac App Store - iBooks Author

tags: ipad author mac app iBooks update interactive free easy education
Is CX.com the New Dropbox?

from The Education Technology Blog http://educationtechnologyblog.com

tags: ifttt googlereader The Education Technology Blog
Connective Technology Solutions

tags: ipad IntelliTools technology presenter video free info education ideas switch easy adaptations

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

ICE Opportunities

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Black) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

The 2012 ICE Conference - Innovate, Collaborate, Educate will be taking place February 28 - March 2 in St. Charles, IL (just a little southwest of Chicago). If you have the chance I would recommend checking out this conference as it is full of amazing workshops and sessions. There are quite a few registration options if you can only come for part of the time. Head to http://iceberg.org and click the ICE conference menu at the top of the page.

As part of the ICE Conference I thought I'd take a moment to highlight a couple of workshop sessions that look very interesting for special education and technology.

Conni Mulligan is an Instructional Technology Facilitator for Buncombe County Schools in Asheville, North Carolina. She is an Intel Master Trainer, QTL Instructor, a STAR Discovery Educator, iSafe Certified and currently hold the position of Chair for the North Carolina Discovery Education Network. I have spent time as a classroom teacher at both the elementary and middle school levels, as well as, an adjunct faculty member at our local college and community college. In my spare time, I work with the Asheville Puppetry Alliance where I enjoy creating, performing and promoting the art and craft of puppetry. For more information about me, check out my Curriculum Vitae. She'll be presenting about Geocaching, you can find the description here.

Curriculum Connections to Geocaching - Tue, Feb. 28, 8:30-3:30

Come learn how to take any curricular area/topic and integrate it with a GPS device to create a very hands-on geocaching experience for your students. We will take the time to go through the entire process from teaching the background of using a GPS device to building a lesson that supports the use of GPS devices with students. We will also look at various print and online resources that provide pre-made lessons for educators to use with their students. Bring a topic or lesson that you would like to integrate with a GPS device and create a geocaching activity.

Cheryl Woolwine is a Special Education Assistive Technology Coordinator at Putnam County School District in Florida and STAR Discovery Educator. She'll be leading 2 workshops that I'd like to highlight.

Empower Students with Accessible Technology (Windows 7) - Wed, Feb. 29, 8:30-11:00

This workshop will help educators learn how to show students how to personalize their PC and use accessibility features in Windows 7. Participants will see how the Ease of Access Center and Personalization Center (Control Panel) can be adapted for the individual learner. Accessibility features in Microsoft Windows 7 makes the computer easier to see, hear, and use. Using accessibility features enables all students to have the same educational opportunities, including students with mild impairments like difficulty hearing or seeing clearly and special education students.

Using Technology to Support Students in the Classroom - Thu, Mar. 1, 8:30-11:00

This workshop provides an introduction to identifying the components of assistive technology, instructional technology, Universal Design for Learning, and accessible instructional materials, and using these components to support students in the classroom. Integrating technology into the classroom to support instruction is not a new concept. However, using technology to support the individual needs of students in the general education population is an evolving pedagogy.

If you know someone you think would enjoy any of these sessions, please pass this info along. If you'd like to see other sessions available at the 2012 ICE conference head to the registration page - ICE 2012.

Patrick

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Sped Apps

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Black) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 02:45:00 +0000

Caroline Musselwhite (www.aacintervention.com), and quite a few other speech therapist have started a great wiki - Sped Apps 2. The purpose of the wiki is listed right on the front page:

The founding members of this wiki consist of "old" therapists, with over 200 years of experience working with special populations and technology. We hope that people will use this site to make informed decisions before downloading. Our purpose in creating this wiki is to foster collaboration around how applications can be used in unique ways to support learning in home, school, and therapy settings. If you have used iPad/iPod applications with special populations, please consider joining and contributing to this wiki by adding information to the charts on the various pages (see navigation pane on the left). You can also contribute without joining by adding entries on the discussion tabs for each page.

I think the last sentence is the best part - Join and add entries! If you click on the discussion link on the top

You can see and contribute ideas on how to use the apps. These reviews are geared toward students with disabilities in mind and they have quite a few reviews done. I can see them adding a lot more in the coming months!

Patrick

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Video Games for All

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Black) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Recently on Assisitive Tech Update Wade Wingler (@indataproject) has spent some time talking with folks who are making video games accessible for all players. On Podcast #25 - 11/18/11 he talked with Chuck Bergen of http://www.vtreellc.com/. In this episode they talked about two very interesting video games developed for PC. The games - My Football and My Golf - are powered by EA Games, which means they use the same code, game engine, etc... as EA football and golf games for popular platforms like XBox and PS3. The games have been modified to allow for adapted controls, slowing of game action, and works with most joysticks, game controllers and keyboard commands. It sounds like a very inclusive game for the gamer with disabilities in your life!

On a more recent podcast - #29 - 12/16/11 - Wade talked with Mark Barlet of the AbleGamers Foundation. This community is a place for gamers from all walks of life to share information, review games (in terms of accessibility), and give back a little. Their foundation has been helping gamers with disabilities afford new systems with adapted controllers and get them back into gaming. Recently they gave 3 Veterans with disabilities a game system and adapted controller so they could play with their families! It's a great community with lots of wonderful ideas!

Check out both of these great video game options!

Patrick

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Weekly Diigo Links (weekly)

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Black) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 14:30:00 +0000

Adapting Creatively: Use your iPad to control switch toys: Switchamajig!

tags: ipad control switch toys education app adapted
Switchamajig - Control Switch-Adapted Toys With an iPad

tags: control toys ipad education app switch adapted
SpedApps2 - HOME

tags: aac model education free wiki apps ios ipad ipodtouch iphone sped ideas
- The founding members of this wiki consist of "old" therapists, with over 200 years of experience working with special populations and technology. We hope that people will use this site to make informed decisions before downloading. Our purpose in creating this wiki is to foster collaboration around how applications can be used in unique ways to support learning in home, school, and therapy settings. If you have used iPad/iPod applications with special populations, please consider joining and contributing to this wiki by adding information to the charts on the various pages (see navigation pane on the left). You can also contribute without joining by adding entries on the discussion tabs for each page.
http://aacintervention.com/home/180009852/180009852/tips/2008/Modeling.pdf

tags: smartchart aac intervention model show how-to ideas education communication
Share What You're Reading | Scholastic.com

tags: reading book writing scholastic review literacy books language_arts education free
APPitic - 1,300+ EDUapps

tags: iPad education resources Apple ipod ADE list apps iTeach

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

PS3 = Mouse!

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Black) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Looking for an alternative way to access a computer? Have a student who is unable to use a mouse, but is a whiz at video games? Then check out this great post from Jeannette Van Houten on how to connect a PS3 controller to a PC and use it as a mouse. It's actually quite simple!

PS3 Controller as a Mouse

Patrick

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Creative Writing using Calendars

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Black) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

In another shameless steal from Caroline Musselwhite, I've been using calendars to promote creative writing in my classroom. It started last year when I was teaching several students to write simple noun verb sentences. I had been given a ton of old calendars from colleagues and hadn't come up with a way to use them. Then I thought about a tip from Caroline and voila an idea was born.

It was a little hard as I had to find pictures that had some action built in, but in the long run it was worth it. It's been a great way to increase my classroom library, and we've created a ton of fun books. This year we've been focusing on adjectives and the pictures in the various calendars are even better for that. They are full of wonderful colors, shapes, textures and we've had a ton of great discussions on how to describe things. We've even created eBooks of some of them.

So before they disappear, send out a quick email, ask for any 2011 calendars that anyone has laying around and see what you can create!

Patrick

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Best of 2011 - Teaching All Students

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Black) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

I am having a hard time believing 2011 is almost over. It's not been my best blogging year (kinda inconsistent), but personally it's been very rewarding and I am looking forward to continuing that in 2012. In the spirit of the season I'd like to take a look back at some of the most popular posts of 2011.

10. Not Always technology
9. No Limits to Learning - AAC apps
8. Apps by Mayer-Johnson: I'm disappointed
7. 4 ways iPads are helping people with disabilities
6. AAC apps information
5. Google Trick - searching for apps only
4. iAdapter Case with speakers for iPad
3. Guest Post: Orbitouch Keyless Keyboard
2. Building an eBook Library
1. RJ cooper Apps

I look forward to writing more in 2012 and wish you and yours a wonderful New Year!

Patrick

Photo courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons: Sukanto Debnath

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Weekly Diigo Links (weekly)

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Black) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 14:30:00 +0000

SAJE Technology - Home Automation for disabled

tags: assistive assistive technology technology home automation automation education ideas

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Not always technology...

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Black) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

I have to admit, this blog has focused a lot on technology over the few years I've written. Partly because of my belief that it is a way to give children independence they would not have with out it, and also because I'm a geek.

On the other hand, I still have a ton of low-tech materials throughout my classroom. As any special ed teacher will attest Velcro will save your lesson! My instructional assistants and I are constantly laminating (and yes I consider this an adaptation!) and velcroing materials for lessons. I mentioned one such adaptation on Twitter as part of the #eduwin campaign.

Below you'll find pictures of that adaptation. It's really nothing special I just separated the day out into 4 parts, reducing the number of choices when checking the schedule. A very simple adaptation for a student who liked to take from the middle of the schedule, no need for anything digital, but it was not something I thought of first.

Another point I want to make is that I had help in this adaptation. Yes, it was a simple adaptation, but without the help of my instructional assistant (1 of 4 in my classroom), it never would have turned out this way. I would have done is completely differently, and I'm afraid it wouldn't have been nearly as successful. I know that having extra hands and minds in my classroom makes it a better place.

Patrick

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Weekly Diigo Links (weekly)

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Black) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 14:30:00 +0000

QR voice

tags: QRcode voice qrcodes audio assistive technology education free tools web2.0

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Building an eBook Library

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Black) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

I've just gotten my first iPad in my classroom, and while I've been blogging about their potential for quite a while, I'm truly seeing their amazing possibilities. One area I've found to be especially useful is in create an eBook library.

I've talked in the past about writing simple books with your students to help build your library (Stories in a New York Minute), what I want to talk about today is creating a digital library. iBooks has the ability to work with ePub files, which means the files can include both images, audio & video embedded in the book. I've recently started having my students create the books to include in this library.

We've been using an app called Creative Book Builder ($3.99). This app allows us to create our books, add audio and type in some text with it. You can then publish the book and open in iBooks. We've created 4 easy books in as many days. The app is pretty simple to use, and the kids don't have trouble at all with it. One minor annoyance I'd like to see addressed in further updates is that any images or videos you want to use need to be on your Camera Roll before you can add them in. Some apps will allow you to access the camera and take a picture right there, but not Creative Book Builder. It's best to have all the pictures you want ready before you start working.

Another app we've been trying out is Blurb Mobile (Free). This is a similar app, in that you can take pictures, add text, audio and video, and create simple books. You can share your stories via various social media sites, including email (so easy sharing with parents). The drawback is that they are not available outside of the app. If you want a physical copy you can purchase them from the website, but there are no ePub options to self-publish like Creative Book Builder.

One website I'd like to see embrace ePub is TarheelReader.org. Tarheel has to be one of my favorite websites of all time. I use it weekly with my students and we write ebooks every week. We also download them and print them out to have a copy in the classroom library. While Tarheel is a great webapp on an iOS device (just head to the website using the Safari Browser and you can read any of the over 20,000 books available with speech). You do need an internet connection to use it. If books were available in to download in ePub, then the speech could be maintained and available offline.

I don't know exactly where this mobile education stuff is going, but I do know that having a digital eBook library is going to be a growing trend!

Patrick

Photo courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons: jblyberg

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Google Trick - Searching for Apps only

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Black) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

If you've ever searched for an app on Google, there can be some difficulty if you don't have the right name and such. While listening to the latest episode of TWIG they mentioned that you can limit your searches in Google to just applications! Head to Google and type in your search term, then look on the left hand menu and click more (see screenshot below).

After clicking more, you should see an link for "applications", click it and Google with search all the major App Stores for the app (iTunes, Android, CNET, etc...). You can see an example below:

Happy Searching!

Patrick

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EdCeptional #25 - Kickin' it with Kevin

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Black) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 14:05:00 +0000

This week we talk with Kevin Honeycutt (@kevinhoneycutt) - http://kevinhoneycutt.org about internet safety.

EdCeptional #25 - Kickin' it with Kevin

Patrick

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Soft Clothes

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Black) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Recently I saw a post on the QIAT list about an interesting piece of low-tech AT. While I guess not specifically AT, it is interesting and might be useful to students with sensory issues.

Soft Clothes are a brand of clothes that are stylish and fun with super soft fabric, no labels, and special tailoring like seamless underwear. Here's what the designer says about the line:

Itchy, clingy, stuffy clothes are a nightmare for any little one—but when a child is Autistic, has ADHD or is extra sensitive to texture, the discomfort can be debilitating. Enter Soft Clothing. Using specially developed fabrics and tailoring, this label makes kids happy with comfy apparel that looks great, too.

I like that there are quite a few choices including dresses and a blazer for a boy. Definitely worth checking out if you have a child with sensory issues.

Patrick

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Weekly Diigo Links (weekly)

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Black) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 14:30:00 +0000

I Education Apps Review - I Education Apps Review - App of the Week: Stuck on Earth

from I Education Apps Review http://www.iear.org/iear/

tags: ifttt googlereader I Education Apps Review
iPad Apps for Administrators

from The Education Technology Blog http://educationtechnologyblog.com

tags: ifttt googlereader The Education Technology Blog
Apps in Education: Screencasting Apps for the iPad

from Apps in Education http://appsineducation.blogspot.com/

tags: ifttt googlereader Apps in Education
#ATchat archive 12/7/2011 · tchrmom2boys · Storify

tags: archive #atchat 12_7_11 december iPad AT education web2.0 tools
Snowflake Workshop | Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione

tags: snowflake snowflakes interactive fun holiday holidays winter web2.0 education free iwb
App Store - i Tell a Story

tags: app store story education ipad itunes aduio tools iTeach free
Intellipad for iPad on the iTunes App Store

tags: ipad itunes store education word prediction notepad writing keyboard
Podcasting: Tips for Teachers

tags: podcasting Podcast education web2.0 classroom Technology resources teaching
Selection of switch activated games great for learning early switch skill for older students.

tags: selection switch games learning students assistive technology free education switch accessible
AAC Apps for Android | AppsForAAC

tags: aac android AT assistive technology education tools apps
Accurate Word counter, word count, character counter, character count, typing speed, WPM, letter count, change case

tags: word counter count character typing speed letter change case education free
Windows Speech Recognition

tags: free windows speech recognition assistive technology education tools
iaza: Free Online Image Conversion - Simple & Easy Converter (Images, Graphics, Avatars, Anime ...)

tags: image tools graphics photos converter conversion convert editor education free

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Featured Interview on Assistive Technology Update

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Black) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

I recently had the opportunity to be interviewed by Wade Wingler of the INData project for his podcast, Assistive Technology Update. If you haven't checked out this podcast I highly recommend it for your weekly dose of AT news, questions, and interviews. The podcast is live with my interview and you can find it in iTunes at Assistive Technology Update or at their blog - http://blog.eastersealstech.com.

Patrick

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No Limits to Learning - AAC apps

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Black) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Lon Thornburg (@lontee) from No Limits 2 Learning just posted a 2 part series about AAC apps for mobile platforms. Take a look at his thoughts on these apps.

Apps for AAC Part One

Apps for AAC Part Two

Lon will be presenting a 3 hour break out session on these apps in Portland, Oregon at the AT Now! Conference March 1 and 2. (The breakout session day is March 2). If you are in the area and might be interested in attending, there are 2 other presenters doing sessions on iPads that day so there will be a lot covered. For more information go to the Oregon Technology Access Program website and check the conference page. They don't have the actual conference info up yet, but it should be up in January sometime to register.

Patrick

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EdCeptional #24 - The Sweet Spot

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Black) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 01:34:00 +0000

The latest episode of EdCeptional is up on the EdReach Network. In this episode we talk with Larry Ferlazzo about some of the great resources from his blog - Larry Ferlazzo's Website of the Day.

EdCeptional #24

Patrick

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AAC Apps Information

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Black) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

With the proliferation of iOS devices and communication apps, I thought it would a good time to share some resources for researching the best AAC apps.

Jane Farrall of the Spectronics Blog has an amazingly complete list of all the AAC apps available for iOS. She has lots of information about what the app includes, what features it has, switch compatibility, along with her rating. This is one of my first stops when checking out any AAC app.

iPhone/iPad Apps for AAC

If for some reason Jane does not have an app, or if you are looking at an Android or web app, I would suggest checking this great AAC Checklist from Scott Marfilius & Kelly Fonner. The AAC Checklist is a wonderful tool to evaluate apps and see if they would fit your need. It also includes a very extensive list of AAC apps and what platforms they run on (iOS, Android, Web, etc...)

Sorting Through AAC Apps

Patrick

Photo courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons - Bindaas Madhavi
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Weekly Diigo Links (weekly)

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Black) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 14:30:00 +0000

#ATchat Archive 11/30/11 · tchrmom2boys · Storify

tags: archive atchat #atchat assistivetech education free web2.0 twitter twitterchat AT
ATIAiPad - home

tags: apps education ipad assistive technology iTeach iOS
Safe n Sound Mobile

tags: harness assistive technology education ipad apps tools web2.0 iTeach ipodtouch iphone
http://www.ocali.org/up_archive_doc/AAC_Apps_Good_Bad_Ugly.pdf

tags: archive apps aac education free iOS ipad ipodtouch iphone assistive technology pdf
Learning Wheel

tags: udl wheel interactive assistive technology education free web2.0
Autism Apps - home

tags: autism iOS education free ipad tools apps
Point To Pictures for iPad on the iTunes App Store

tags: point pictures itunes app store education RJCooper practice assistive technology ipad iOS
Spell-A-Word for iPad on the iTunes App Store

tags: ipad itunes app store education spelling practice RJCooper assistive technology tools
Ngfl : SEN : Online Activity Index

tags: switch Switches cause_effect software cause Online effect education free switch accessible
Create timelines, share them on the web | Timetoast timelines

tags: timeline web2.0 timelines tools visualization calendar time history education free
Home – TagMyDoc

tags: assistive technology tools education free qrcodes iOS accessibility

Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.

Guest Post-OrbiTouch Keyless Keyboard: Breaking Barriers

noreply@blogger.com (Patrick Black) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Today we have a guest post from Elizabeth Rissman from orbiTouch. The orbiTouch is a wireless, keyless keyboard that requires no wrist or finger movement to work. I've not had the opportunity to try it out, but it seems like a very interesting system for some students. Check out the success story below!

Patrick

OrbiTouch Keyless Keyboard: Breaking Barriers
By Elizabeth Rissman

Devin Spangler was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome when he was 7 years old. When you sit down
with Devin, now 13, it is evident he is an articulate and bright young man. In fact, he speaks more clearly and cogently than many adults. However, according to his mother Allie, self-expression hasnʼt always been easy.

Only years earlier, completing school work was a daily battle. Devin became increasingly reluctant to
handwrite school assignments because his hands would fatigue quickly. Standard keyboards didnʼt go
over much better--their QWERTY layout seemingly had no order, something individuals with Autism
Spectrum Disorder crave. OrbiTouch helped him break through communication barriers. This is Allie and Devin Spanglerʼs orbiTouch story.

Questions For Devin:

Which features about orbiTouch did you like best? For example, alphabetical order,
corresponding colors with characters, comfortable design, etc.?
Well, personally my favorites, or my top three favorites, are alphabetical order, comfortable design, and I love the mouse. The fact that it has a mouse in it. It just makes it less cluttered. You have a desk and an orbiTouch. It makes it easier to have it all there.

Did using orbiTouch make typing more comfortable?
I think using the orbiTouch actually led me into typing more. Now, I'm writing five paragraph essays and the whole nine yards.

Before orbiTouch, when you would sit down at a computer, what kind of feelings did you
experience? After using orbiTouch?
Well, before the orbiTouch, I would experience the feeling of discomfort, unhappiness. It was very tedious, like math. After the orbiTouch, it was better. I felt a little more comfortable approaching a keyboard, because I knew how it really worked, the basics of typing. The keyless keyboard led me into typing.

Did using orbiTouch have any effect on your self-confidence when completing school work?
In a way, I think it's just cool! I could show off. Back when I first started using it, they were hardly around. I could say that I have a keyless keyboard. I could type without keys. It was just fun to show it off. And yeah, I did feel complete about getting school work done.

If you had to change something about orbiTouch, what would it be?
One, I would make a portable version. Smaller, maybe foldable somehow, something you could carry with you. And I'm not saying the orbiTouch is bad in any way, but if I could change one thing it would be size and weight. If you could make it smaller or portable so it could fit in a backpack, it would be perfect. On the portability, I always think of those roll up keyboards. A very small thing you can have in your hand.

We have a wireless orbiTouch coming out in early 2012. We also have software coming out for
Android tablets in early 2012 and then iPad later on. You use the same sliding directions as with
original orbiTouch but you use your thumbs on a tablet. Once we get that out, I'm sure we'd really
like to have to to try it out and give us some feedback.

What other kinds of assistive tech tools do you like to use?
I use touchscreen. I love touchscreen. I mean, talk about technology. I use it for games. If I can say one
thing, it’s hallelujah for technology!

Questions For Allie:

What did you first think about orbiTouch when you were approached to try this product?
When we were first approached, we were at UCF CARD [University of Central Florida Center for Autism and Related Disabilities] with Marliee Emerson and Teresa Daly. They wanted to put him in a pilot program for orbiTouch. When they first pulled the orbiTouch out of the box, I was like, “Oh, that's interesting looking.” You know, it's not your typical looking keyboard. But when you have a child who's not wanting to communicate or to write, you use anything you can find. You start going outside of the box. You start thinking of different ways to get your kids to do what they need to be successful, in academics and in life in general.

So my first impression was, “OK, let's see how this goes.” And Devin took right to it. He can see
something once or twice and know right what to do. He just picked right up on it. I'll never forget. One of the first things he said is, “It's in alphabetical order.” He saw how it went and he thought that was the best thing ever.

He liked the colors. He liked how it was organized. He liked how it fit his hands. I think that was important too, because he has a lot of sensitivities in touching things. Clothes, tags, belts, buckles, zippers, for example. To have something that was comfortable to touch was important. I think the orbiTouch did accomplish that.

He took to it right away and learned very quickly how to use it, which was a good thing. And it wasn't
before long before long he was starting at a young age to make Power Point presentations with the
orbiTouch. They were very basic because he was in the second or third grade. But it was the fact that he didn't want to use the regular keyboard at all. He didn't like the way it felt. It didn't make sense to him.

Did you see Devin change the way he viewed computer use after using orbiTouch? What kind of
emotions, as a parent, did you experience?
Absolutely, I did. I immediately saw that spark and that love of learning come back. Because we were
getting to the point where he was losing that zest for learning because it was becoming so tedious, having to sit there and type on a keyboard. Physically writing is very difficult for him. It still is til this day.

He has low muscle tone in his fingers so when he writes, everything gets tired. And it's painful. It gets up all the way up into his shoulders. So we had to find an alternative. His first grade teacher was fantastic. She was open to allowing him to use different forms of technology in the classroom.

He got that zest, that zeal for learning again. And that's so important. That spark in his eyes came back.
And I have to tell you, that sealed the deal for us to continuing to use the orbiTouch. It brought him back. It got to the point where he didn't like school anymore. He didn't want to go to school. He didn't want to have to write papers because he wasn't looking forward to it at all. What a great thing it did for him. So absolutely it helped. The emotions were that he was happy to do school work. He was happy to get on there and do a Power Point presentation. But he was definitely inspired.

Allie, you’re an AT professional. Do you see orbiTouch fitting into a classroom setting? What other scenarios?
I'm not really an AT professional. What I have experience in is using different technologies that Devin has used in the classroom and advocating for him in his IEP meetings to get different uses of technology in here. I absolutely see having alternate uses of different forms of technology in the classroom. I think you have to. Because you may have one child that can use this one, but another child can use a different form of technology. You might have one child using an AlphaSmart, another child using the iPod Touch or Proloquo, and then having an orbiTouch, and then several voice prompters.

As we know, kids with ASD or Asperger Syndrome are incredibly gifted, talented, and anything but typical. However, what do you see as the typical profile of someone who would benefit from using orbiTouch?
What I think is beautiful about the orbiTouch is that it is a broad spectrum keyboard. You can use it for the child who is first learning how to type, or if they don't take to the standard keyboard. I think the uses are for everybody, not just ASD. Our son has Asperger’s, and he took to it finding what made the most logical sense for him, which is the alphabetical order. But, I think everybody can benefit from using the orbiTouch.

Devin: If you think about it, anybody who has low muscle tone, arthritis, autism. All the people who can't use a regular keyboard. You see the people who do the pecking. This is better. Frankly, you don't even have to memorize it. You can memorize it if you want to, but you don't have to. It works for just about everybody. I could not think of anybody on this earth who could not use an orbiTouch.

Allie and Elizabeth together: Well said, well said! [Laughing]

Tell me about Bright Feats.
Bright Feats is a magazine I started with a friend of mine. Actually, one of my best friends. Her and I were neighbors, and we lived across the street. And both of us have children who have special needs. We put together a community resource. When my son was first diagnosed, finding resources that he needed was very difficult. The doctor gives you a diagnosis and says, “These are the things you need to do. Good luck.” And you pretty much go out there. Rori [Becker] and I created a magazine that had a list of all of the community resources we started in Central Florida. So it lists all of the community resources that are available for families with children of any medical, educational, or special needs. It's a little magazine that fits in your purse and in the index portion it lists all of the resources: Doctors, dentists, therapists, support groups, therapy centers...you name it, its in there.

For more information on orbiTouch, please visit our website.

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