picture of Mindview's box

MindView Assistive Technology – Mind Mapping Software Helps Improve Reading & Writing

by Brandon Conrad, Assistive Technology Specialist, MatchWare MindView AT addresses key learning objectives for students with reading, writing and learning difficulties and is based on the principles of mind mapping.  MindView helps to identify, process and present information visually.  It is helpful to many learners with reading and writing disabilities, including children and adults with…

2016 assistive technology photo contest

Vote For Your Favorite AT Photo!

Our inaugural 2016 Assistive Technology (AT) Photo Contest was a huge success! We received many great photos that show individuals with disabilities living independently and using AT. We are sad that all of them cannot be winners, but our committee had to narrow it down to the top ten finalists.  From here, we  will leave…

CSUN Conference in San Diego 2016

by Emily Flynn, Information & Advocacy Specialist Along with my Ability Tools colleague Rosemarie Punzalan, I had the pleasure of attending the 31st Annual Conference for People with Disabilities in San Diego from March 23rd-25th of this year. We had a fabulous time at this wonderful annual event and so this week I would like…

Tecla – A Hands-Free Device That Connects to Switches

by: Rachel Anderson, Marketing & Communications Manager for Ability Tools In the field of assistive technology (AT) we talk a lot about switches.  We usually bring one or two switches to our tabling and outreach events as some simple and portable examples of AT, since they are a popular item that we loan out for…

Meet Milo, a Social Robot Like No Other…

 by Rachel Anderson, Marketing & Communications Manager for Ability Tools Recently at the international ATIA Conference, I had the opportunity to meet Milo, a new robot designed for children with autism.  I had never seen anything quite like him… and, although robotics are still a science that needs some perfecting, I was quite impressed with…

Comparing Bluetooth Speakers for AAC Use

Comparing Bluetooth Speakers for AAC Use by Heidi LoStracco, MS, CCC-SLP, Speak For Yourself AAC In the beginning of this school year, I purchased some iON Clipster portable Bluetooth speakers. Over the months, I’ve left them with students who do not have amplified cases. When you’re working so hard to learn to use augmentative and…