Symbol Access in the Community

This was shared with me recently. The Philadelphia Zoo has improved accessibility for children.  KidZooU: Hamilton Family Children’s Zoo & Education Center has integrated the ideals of universal design in a wonderfully creative manner.  There are social stories available, picture schedules and quiet spaces. This is certainly a model to look at when improving access in other public and private places.  Here is some additional information on the changes: ABC News.  As parks, museums, zoos etc. are updated, consideration should always be made for these improvements. There really is no reason not to improve accessibility for all. Everyone benefits.

 

UCP – The Case for Inclusion

This year the United Cerebral Palsy Case for Inclusion report indicates that there have been some improvements in how we serve people with disabilities. Each state is ranked across a number of criteria. One of the most striking pieces of information is that the number of people waiting for services has more than doubled. One of the things we must keep in mind is that for the most part, adult services and supports are not mandated. Many are funded through health insurance and in particular Medicaid. One of the great challenges of the adult world is that we are looking at making sure individuals are able to participate and engage in quality experiences and meaningful work for many decades as opposed to addressing educational needs ages 3-turnning 22. We must continue to look for creative and fiscally sustainable ways to support people with disabilities which also promote full participation and independence (given the correct supports and services).

Take a look at how your state compares. This is a sharp reminder that we must remain engaged in the process which makes decisions around funding while always improving the efficiency and quality of the services we provide.  Disability.gov is one resource to take a look at what is already available. The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has a number of projects and resources to look at. Inclusive Education in Action is a comprehensive project which looks at implementing sustainable practices which support inclusive education.  The World Conference on Education will happen in 2014. Making sure we are educating everyone in these issues and including students with disabilities is a priority. Change happens when those who have been the minority develop a strong voice and lead. It is a conversation about the New Voices which emerge, changing the conversation in only a way that can come from those who have been kept in the “needing to be helped” role. Shared leadership, shared voice and shared power must be a part of any sustained change.

 

New Eye-Gaze Tablet for Windows 8 Pro

Tobii ATI has just introduced a new eye-gaze system which allows the user to access Windows 8 Pro tablets.  The portability features and lowered costs are a plus (even though this is still over $5,150 when all is said and done). A smaller portable system allows greater contact between the person who is an AAC user and the person they are engaging with. Many times equipment can be just as much of a barrier as the inability to use spoken language. Technology opens the door but it is always the human interaction that is essential. This eye-gaze system works with the tablet as is. As our ability to find and create compatible increasingly universally designed components emerges, we will have more options which allow us to mix and match, become more efficient and effective, while improving upon the quality of the daily lives of those who require varied forms of accessible communication and language.  

Upcycle….Great Ideas!

We hear a lot about recycling….so what happens when we upcycle?  Upcycle involves reusing materials to create new ones. You repurpose something you might have thrown away into something of use and possibly of even greater value. Thinking green in just a different way….  There are simple to complex projects which students can develop to use as vocational opportunities, to market or as part of a community service project. Great inclusive activities which benefit everyone and allow for unlimited creativity.  Here are some examples and resources.

Duct Tape Art

Great examples of what we can do when we upcycle.  

100 Upcycling  ideas

Upcycle Magazine

Indy Upcycle

21 things made from soda cans

 

Free Assistive Technology Training & Resources

Many times as we have spoken of before, we associate assistive technology with high tech and high cost. Other concerns focus on not knowing how to use or even think about using this technology (all levels).  Below are a number of free and low cost resources to consider when offering trainings, providing resources to parents, and when looking to assess student needs. High quality sometimes does not have to equate with high cost and at times and cost at all. Universal design asks us to look at developing accessible materials, instruction and environments from the ground up. Assistive technology is a piece of this but we have to have the right training and information to make this happen. Retrofitting continues to be the more expensive way of making the world more accessible.

Accessible Computer training for people with developmental disabilities

Assistive Technology Internet Modules

Buffalo AT Project – Online Training

IRIS Center (many different types of training modules)

Michigan Assistive Technology Training Modules

Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology (assessment tool)

Wisconsin Assistive Technology Assessment Tool (very comprehensive)

Low Cost Ideas!

Suggestions for supporting alternative communication

Assistive Technology Solutions in Minutes II (Book is not low cost but the ideas are great)  

Homemade Assistive Technology

Making Low-Tech

A great resource which does cost some money is the University of New Hampshire Assistive Technology Program.   Training opportunities for better long term results.

 

 

ABLEVOX Jr. & Something Cool

ABLVOX has come out with a new app – Able Jr. AAC - which also offers extensive multi-language support. There are many different built-in languages as well as customizable symbols and boards. With the diversity of our students continuing to expand, we need to make sure we have the right accessible options available for all ages. Access to language early on is critical and can often contribute to additional delays if not provided early on. Many previously held beliefs added to these delays as we were continuously waiting for children to be “ready” for more language and increasingly complex language systems. These preconceived ideas prevented students from having access to the language and language systems they needed to engage across all environments. Core, high frequency and an appropriate balance of content specific vocabulary is an essential component from day one. Any delay impacts the student’s learning and does such a disservice.

It is essential to remember that language and communication occurs within the context of a social interaction. We need to consistently engage with the student we serve, modeling and using their system with them as they engage with their world. Assume competence, assume capacity for great things….anything is possible as long as we make sure full access exists.  We have to be attentive to never making the technology we use an additional barrier. Life is a shared experience.

Below is just a very cool video shared with me by Crystal. It is exactly the direction we need to continue to move in. We can apply this to anything including AAC. Why not have other students have access to boards & symbols to use with their friends who are AAC users? Why not truly make the world a little more naturally accessible?

Invention Kit for Everyone – Another Great Media Lab Idea!

Eric Rosenbaum and the MIT Media Lab developed this wonderful produce which allows you to adapt a variety of interfaces which can provide creative low cost access for students and adults to the internet and all it has to offer. It is very simple and allows for quick individual adaptations including having students design their own interfaces! This is something that can be shared with families and could certainly be used by students in vocational programs and science labs across a variety of grades and ages. Take a look at this very unique product - MaKey MaKey Invention Kit.

 

Braille Graffiti – More Tactual Art!

Braille graffiti is an interesting concept that is catching on all over. Raised Braille dots combined with other tactual and visual effects make for very unique art which can be displayed and created almost anywhere.  Daniele Bursich has shared some pictures of Braille wall art as well. When we redesign, build or update public spaces, art is always considered as a part of this. As part of this process, we must consider the accessibly of such art to the general population, including those with disabilities. Tactual art allows all people to experience the aesthetic value in a multisensory way. Art involves more than just seeing through our eyes. The world is still designed for the able bodies sighted person. Thinking about everything from a more universal access perspective opens the world up to everyone so much more.

Proposed Changes to Medicare & Medicaid Impact AAC & Power Wheelchair Access

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)  have proposed changes to the coverage of Augmentative & Alternative Communication Devices which include altering how power wheelchairs are accessed and paid for. For AAC devices, the proposals move them to the capped rental category. Access to language and communication as well as independent or semi-independent mobility is an essential life activity. These changes will push back all of the progress which has been made in this area to improve coverage. All of these changes put significant barriers up for the acquisition of equipment which allows for increased participation across all life activities many people take for granted. These changes target some of the most vulnerable people around us.  

The ALS Foundation points out the following:

"Currently, most all SGD's and wheelchair accessories used by people with ALS are purchased by patients, with Medicare covering 80% of the costs.  Under a capped rental system, patients are required to rent these items over a 13 month period, after which time the patient owns the equipment. Medicare pays 80% of the rental fee each month.  If the patient passes away or no longer needs the equipment at any time during the rental period, the equipment is returned to the supplier.   The ALS Association's concerns include:

• Access:  If a patient is institutionalized (extended hospital stay, hospice, nursing home) during the 13 month rental period, Medicare coverage for this equipment will cease.  Potentially, this means that a supplier of an SGD or wheelchair accessory can require that the equipment be returned, leaving patients without access to needed equipment.  By contrast, under the current system patients may keep this equipment when they are institutionalized as long as they own the equipment.

• Cost: If a patient rents an SGD or wheelchair accessory for the full 13 month period, they will pay 5% more out of pocket than if they purchased the equipment up front. 

Quality:  Both SGDs and power wheelchairs are highly customized in order to meet the specific medical needs of individual people with ALS. When they are returned to a supplier, they cannot simply be supplied to the next patient.  They must be readjusted and customized to fit the needs of the next patient.  Therefore, under capped rental, suppliers do not have the same incentives to work with people with ALS or to fully customize these devices knowing that they may be returned to them."

Please take the time to comment and advocate, to prevent these changes from taking place. The comment period ends on August 30th. Here is a link to the commenting form: Regulation Changes .

You can also mail your comments to: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services, Attention: CMS-1526-P, P.O. Box 8010, Baltimore, MD 21244-8010.

 

 

Audio Description App for the Blind

GoTheatrical-AD™ by Captioning Studios allows people who are blind and visually impaired to access theatrical events including describing what is happening when there is no dialogue. The app provides greater access to a variety of events including just simple television for those who may not have traditionally been able to receive the quality and quantity of distance information a sighted person may have had access to. This company also works at making theater much more accessible for the hearing impaired as well. Captioning is a form of universal design that can often be overlooked. Such wonderful innovations to open up the world a little more each day. The app is also available on i-devices (iTunes) as well as Google play!