Communication App Breakdown

by Rachel Anderson, Program Coordinator There are many different reasons and ways for people to use AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) devices.  There are high-tech and low-tech communication devices utilizing graphics, text or a combination of both. With all of the new and ever-advancing digital communication options, choices and cost can be overwhelming. Are you…

I seriously need a cell phone: Best bets for people who are blind

by Rachel Anderson, Program Coordinator Rachel answers many calls from individuals who contact the AT Network with questions about assistive technology. Below is a Q&A based on a call she received from an individual who contacted the AT Network’s toll-free phone line (800-390-2699). Dear AT Network, I have low vision and have recently started shopping…

Smartphone Accessibility

Disability.gov shared a very interesting resource for folks in the market for smartphones. Click here to learn about accessibility features of the latest smartphones. You can also watch a 45 minute video on smartphone accessibility. You must have Adobe Flash downloaded on your computer to watch the captioned video. How accessible is your smartphone? 

Cool New AT Found at the CSUN Conference

by Rachel Anderson, CFILC’s Information & Assistance Advocate During CSUN’s annual International Technology & Persons with Disabilities Conference in San Diego last week, we were exposed to so many cool new AT devices and software. Below are just a few inexpensive assistive technology options we learned about at the conference. Interact – AS Interact – AS by Auditory Sciences demonstrated…

Autism Apps–is there a benefit?

An article titled “Despite Popularity, Benefit of Autism Apps Questioned” posted earlier this week over on DisabilityScoop explores the benefits of autism apps designed for iDevices and Android platforms: “Apps designed to help those with disabilities are all the rage, but it remains unclear how effective such new technology really is. Hundreds of apps have come on…

Beyond the Apps Store!

10 Web pages with apps for special education and adults with disabilities Thank you to the AT Program News for sharing the resources below. As the volume of apps for mobile devices explodes, websites are cropping up to help us learn, review, and share about them. Below is a selection to help you get started:…

A 5 minute request from people with speech disabilities

By Dr. Bob Segalman, President, Speech Communications Assistance by Telephone, Inc. People with speech disabilities are asking others to help urge the FCC to update technology regulations to improve their telephone access. The FCC is considering whether Speech-to-Speech (STS) should be upgraded to include a video component, called Video Assisted Speech- to-Speech (VID-STS). The information provided…

Telephone Access For People With Speech Disabilities

by Bob Segalman, Ph.D. Do you have a speech disability and live in the USA (including the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico)? If so, you can now use a free telephone service 24 hours a day. “Speech to Speech” (STS) provides communication assistants for people with difficulty being understood by the public by telephone. The Federal…