Vision Australia now supports all forms of Print Disability
Vision Australia now supports students with a Print Disability (and now includes Dyslexia, Visual Perception issues, Physical as well as Blind and Low Vision — anyone who cannot effectively read printed material).
To access audiobooks from VA, the parent of the student needs to register online. The service is free and the student will now be able to download the audiobook onto their device. If the text is not available in audio format from VA then VA will format shift the text to audio format for the student (and of course it’s then available to all clients). In terms of copyright, the student downloads the audiobook and is then auto returned at the end of lending period. The service also includes Textbooks. Please advise parents of this additional service: This link will provide a starting point. From here you can browse catalogue as a guest or commence the signup process. http://i-accessonline.visionaustralia.org |
Book Creator helps transform the learning experience of families raising children with a disability
About Plumtree
Plumtree is a not-for-profit organization in NSW, Australia, that provides support for young children with a developmental delay or disability and their families. We help children to grow and develop, reach their potential and participate in the community. Recently, we formed a new team to pilot a program we have developed called Now and Next, which helps families to choose goals and make plans, organize their support and learn from their experience, while staying focused on the next steps. How did we start using Book Creator? Our aim was to radically transform parents’ early experiences of the disability sector, so we searched for technology that could support effective planning and be a vehicle through which we could promote collaboration between staff and families. Above all, we wanted this technology to be easy and enjoyable to use. Book Creator offered the multimedia mechanisms to keep everyone on track to work towards the goals of children, parents and families – to make the plan happen. |
Facebook’s iOS app uses AI and VoiceOver to describe the contents of photos to blind users
At a time when so many Facebook posts comprise a photo and a brief comment, there’s one group of people who get rather left out of the picture: those who are blind and partially sighted. That’s a problem Facebook is fixing, starting from today. The iOS app now uses artificial intelligence to figure out the content of photos, and Apple’s VoiceOver feature to read aloud a description of them.
Automatic alt text, which is coming to iOS today and later to Android and the web, recognizes objects in photos using machine learning. While still in its early stages, the technology can reliably identify concepts in categories including transportation (“car,” “boat,” “airplane”), nature (“snow,” “ocean,” “sunset”), sports (“basketball court”), and food (“sushi”). The technology can also describe people (“baby,” “smiling,” beard”), and identify a selfie. |
AngelSense
When the First Responder Alert was beta-tested in late 2015, it saved the life of a missing 17-year-old boy with autism in New York City by alerting the NYPD to track his location.
Since then, AngelSense helped save the lives of multiple children. That's all of the proof Doron needed to know he was onto something powerful. There are a lot of GPS tracking apps out there. What makes this so special?"AngelSense is much more than a tracker or child locater," Doron told Upworthy. According to the company, AngelSense is the only device designed for children with sensory sensitivities. It is attached to the inner part of the child's pants pocket and can only be removed by a parent with a special magnet key. Additionally, AngelSense learns the child's daily schedule and lets parents see their child's route and locations during the whole day in a user-friendly format. Device info: https://www.angelsense.com Free companion App: https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/angelsense-guardian/id1015546607?mt=8 |
Australian Apple Accessibility AppleCare
Just launched in Australia.
The number to call is 1300 365083
The number to call is 1300 365083
Google Docs to ePub
You now have the ability to download your Google Doc as an ePub.
File > Download As > ePub Publication Why? Students (particularly those with a Print Disability such as low vision, Dyslexia, learning difficulties) can view the document in iBooks and personalise to their reading preference eg change the font, enlarge the font, change background colour, make notes and of course text to speech. The screen will reorganise the text to suit the student’s preferences. |
Twitter Accessibility update
Photos have been at the center of some of the biggest moments on Twitter. As a core part of the Twitter experience, it’s important that images shared on our platform are accessible to everyone, including those who are visually impaired.
Starting today, people using our iOS and Android apps can add descriptions — also known as alternative text (alt text) — to images in Tweets. With this update, we’re empowering everyone to ensure content shared on Twitter is accessible to the widest possible audience. Enable this feature by using the compose image descriptions option in the Twitter app’s accessibility settings. The next time you add an image to a Tweet, each thumbnail in the composer will have an add description button. Tap it to add a description to the image. People who are visually impaired will have access to the description via their assistive technology (e.g., screen readers and braille displays). Descriptions can be up to 420 characters. |
Autism Awareness Month — Resources
For parents
Understanding Autism: The Essential Guide for Parents, Professor Katrina Williams (iBook)
The essential reference for parents and carers of children with autism, written by two leading experts in the field, and covering everything from the causes of autism to how it manifests at the various ages and stages of a child’s life, to diet and nutrition, the importance of self-care for parents, how to cope with common behaviours, conditions that can often appear in conjunction with autism (such as anxiety and depression), and how best to manage the transition to adulthood.
ASDetect, La Trobe University (app)
ASDetect empowers parents and caregivers to assess the social attention and communication behaviours of their children younger than 2½ years.
For the classroom
Inside Out - Emotions, Aspect Autism Australia (iTunes U)
This iTunes U course helps students learn about emotional regulation by exploring the popular Pixar movie, 'Inside Out'.
Living with Autism, La Trobe University (podcasts on iTunes U)
How do autism spectrum disorders affect our lives, and what are the developments in diagnosis, treatment and causes? Podcasts from The Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre (OTARC) at La Trobe University.
For lifelong learners
Special Education, The App Store (App collection)
Thanks to the ingenuity of talented developers, the App Store is filled with educational tools designed for people with special needs. Because every learner is unique, we’ve handpicked valuable apps that span a wide range of subjects - from language development to life skills and more.
The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida (audiobook)
The No. 1 Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller. Written by a thirteen year old boy, this remarkable book provides a rare insight into the behaviour of autistic children. Translated from the original Japanese to help others dealing with autism and generally illuminate a little-understood condition. It gives us an exceptional chance to enter the mind of another and see the world from a strange and fascinating perspective.
Aspect Practice Conversations, by Autism Spectrum Australia (podcast)
Interviews a range of experts in the field of autism, with a particular focus on education and building supportive communities
Choiceworks, by Bee Visual (app)
The Choiceworks app is an essential learning tool for helping children complete daily routines, understand & control their feelings and improve their waiting skills. Created with the support of leading hospitals and child development specialists, this app is designed for caregivers to provide clear and consistent support to foster a child’s independence, positive behavior, and emotional regulation at home and in the community. It can also be customised for teachers in a school setting.
Understanding Autism: The Essential Guide for Parents, Professor Katrina Williams (iBook)
The essential reference for parents and carers of children with autism, written by two leading experts in the field, and covering everything from the causes of autism to how it manifests at the various ages and stages of a child’s life, to diet and nutrition, the importance of self-care for parents, how to cope with common behaviours, conditions that can often appear in conjunction with autism (such as anxiety and depression), and how best to manage the transition to adulthood.
ASDetect, La Trobe University (app)
ASDetect empowers parents and caregivers to assess the social attention and communication behaviours of their children younger than 2½ years.
For the classroom
Inside Out - Emotions, Aspect Autism Australia (iTunes U)
This iTunes U course helps students learn about emotional regulation by exploring the popular Pixar movie, 'Inside Out'.
Living with Autism, La Trobe University (podcasts on iTunes U)
How do autism spectrum disorders affect our lives, and what are the developments in diagnosis, treatment and causes? Podcasts from The Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre (OTARC) at La Trobe University.
For lifelong learners
Special Education, The App Store (App collection)
Thanks to the ingenuity of talented developers, the App Store is filled with educational tools designed for people with special needs. Because every learner is unique, we’ve handpicked valuable apps that span a wide range of subjects - from language development to life skills and more.
The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida (audiobook)
The No. 1 Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller. Written by a thirteen year old boy, this remarkable book provides a rare insight into the behaviour of autistic children. Translated from the original Japanese to help others dealing with autism and generally illuminate a little-understood condition. It gives us an exceptional chance to enter the mind of another and see the world from a strange and fascinating perspective.
Aspect Practice Conversations, by Autism Spectrum Australia (podcast)
Interviews a range of experts in the field of autism, with a particular focus on education and building supportive communities
Choiceworks, by Bee Visual (app)
The Choiceworks app is an essential learning tool for helping children complete daily routines, understand & control their feelings and improve their waiting skills. Created with the support of leading hospitals and child development specialists, this app is designed for caregivers to provide clear and consistent support to foster a child’s independence, positive behavior, and emotional regulation at home and in the community. It can also be customised for teachers in a school setting.
Voice Dream Reader — Updated
- VoiceDream Reader — Probably the best App available for those with a Print Disability particularly Secondary students with Dyslexia. An update will be released this week with amazing innovations. eg these are just some of the new features
- Pac-man reading mode. The latest research at MIT and Harvard shows that everyone can double their reading speed with no loss of comprehension. The new technique combines audio, visual, and attention propulsion that's counter-intuitive. The words disappear from the page before they're spoken by text-to-speech, forcing the reader to read ahead visually with audio arriving a fraction of a second later. With some practice, the results can be staggering.
- Finger reading. Some readers, particularly emerging readers, struggle to follow even the slowest speed, which is also distorted. With finger reading, the reader traces the words on the screen with a finger to hear each word, much like how a parent reads for a child.
- Scanning. On an iPhone 6s or 6s plus, you can press firmly on the fast forward button while the app is reading -- also called Force Touch -- to double the reading speed. Release it slightly to return to normal speed.
iPad Tips & Tricks (Updated for iOS 12)
Click here to download
iPad Tips & Tricks is a step by step guide for those who are a new iPad user or wish to explore their iPad further. It covers the basics as well as a few little known tips.
The iPad has made a big difference to anyone with a disability, so I have devoted a Chapter which explores the Accessibility features of the iPad such as VoiceOver, Switch Control, Guided Access. Other Chapters focus on the following areas. • Keyboard • Safari • Photos • Siri • Organisation • Control & Notification Centres • Security • App Support |
Dyslexia: Supporting Students (Updated for iOS 12)
Click here to download
The information in this Multi-Touch book is designed to demonstrate how a teacher or parent can utilise the built-in Accessibility features can support a student who has Dyslexia (or Print Disability such as low vision).
You will learn how to:
• Create documents using Text Styles which may help a student with Dyslexia (while also providing a nicer reading experience for all students
• Use Dictation on both Mac and iPad
• Use Text to Speech on both Mac and iPad
• Create a Pages Template for both Mac and iPad
• Find Accessible books
• Locate Apps which will provide support
• Safari Tips
You will learn how to:
• Create documents using Text Styles which may help a student with Dyslexia (while also providing a nicer reading experience for all students
• Use Dictation on both Mac and iPad
• Use Text to Speech on both Mac and iPad
• Create a Pages Template for both Mac and iPad
• Find Accessible books
• Locate Apps which will provide support
• Safari Tips
Apple Watch Accessibility
Apple's Accessibility Page
dedicated to the Apple Watch iMore Apple Watch and Accessibility: First Look AppleVis An In-Depth Look at Apple Watch Accessibility Features AppleVis 13 Reasons Why I Want an Apple Watch AppleVis Hands-On With the Apple Watch Vision Australia Apple’s Smartwatch Offers Full Accessibility to Users Who are Blind or Have Low Vision |
Minecraft in your classroom
We present lesson plans, learning activities and work samples for utilising the iOS version of Minecraft across all learning areas in the Australian Curriculum. As well, we provide lesson ideas and work samples for core competency goal areas for students with additional needs. It's the culmination of a lot of fun Minecraft iOS experimentation we've been doing at Autism Spectrum Australia for the past few years
Link to iBooks Store (Free) |
SnapType for Occupational Therapy
SnapType helps students keep up with their peers in class even when their penmanship holds them back. Students can easily complete school worksheets with the help of an iPad or iPhone.
With SnapType, students can take a picture of their worksheets, or import worksheets from anywhere on their device. They can then use their iOS device keyboard to add text to these documents and print, email, or share their creations. Link to iTunes Store |
Wrise
Accessible word processor designed to support reading comprehension and text composition.
Wrise is a word processor that makes reading and writing accessible for everyone. Designed to support reading comprehension and text composition it can also be beneficial for individuals with dyslexia. Read Article |
How Intel gave Stephen Hawking a Voice
Hawking lost his ability to speak in 1985, when, on a trip to CERN in Geneva, he caught pneumonia. In the hospital, he was put on a ventilator. His condition was critical. The doctors asked Hawking’s then-wife, Jane, whether they should turn off the life support. She vehemently refused. Hawking was flown to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, in Cambridge, where the doctors managed to contain the infection. To help him breathe, they also performed a tracheotomy, which involved cutting a hole in his neck and placing a tube into his windpipe. As a result, Hawking irreversibly lost the ability to speak.
Read article |
Read and Focus
Just like you might use an index card or bookmark to help you stay focused on the text you are reading, Read and Focus helps you do this and more on your Mac. A transparent, coloured window shows you the line of text to be read. The surrounding card blocks out distractions, keeping you focused on the text you are to read.
Link to Mac App Store ($5.99) |
AssistiveWare Keyboard updates
Update your keyboard now to have access to much more customization options in Keeble, Keedogo and Keedogo Plus.
Keeble also adds more accessibility options, such as Speak As You Type, optional spoken cue for Select on Release and a configurable backspace key repeat delay and rate. Check all the new features now! http://bit.ly/1xB4lLd |
GhostReader
Love this new version of GhostReader, nice clean interface with all the great features of the previous version plus some very cool additions like the new Tags feature. Tags provide added support for students by having control over the way text is spoken aloud. However, this inclusive feature gives ALL students the ability to ‘get creative’ with text! Students type their text and then add Tags to change the speed, language spoken, add silences between words, even change volume within their narrative! Export text as an MP3 and student now can insert into their projects!
Check out the new features and buy now with an introductory discount! http://bit.ly/1y84rYK |
Accessible Keyboard for iOS 8
Now available on the App Store: AssistiveWare's accessible keyboard Keeble!
Keeble offers Word Prediction, Hold Duration, Select on Release and more features. The keyboard can be used in any app on your iPad. Discover it now: http://www.assistiveware.com/product/keeble |
Onscreen Keyboard with Dyslexic Font
Lowercase Keyboard is a custom keyboard that uses both lowercase and uppercase letters, as well as a simplified set of numbers and special characters. The keyboard has been designed with elementary students in mind. Lowercase Keyboard follows the layout of the default keyboard closely so it is easy to use. The font of the Lowercase Keyboard is “OpenDyslexic” which has been created to increase readability for readers with dyslexia. Absolutely no information from using this keyboard is collected or stored. You can use Lowercase Keyboard without worrying about your privacy or the privacy of your children being compromised! Link to App Store: $1.29 https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/lowercase-keyboard/id923861801?mt=8 |
The App Pencil
Good habits that begin in the early years will last a lifetime. Holding a pencil correctly prevents fatigue and makes handwriting and drawing a fluid and enjoyable experience. App Pencil's unique triangular shaped grip teaches young fingers to find their perfect spotwhile using their favourite device.
$15ea
http://www.edugrip.com.au/#about
Learning how to use the iSwitch in iOS 8
"I'm more powerful than you think"
Christopher Hill's presentation at Spectronic's Inclusive Learning Technologies Conference 2014
Dr Luis Perez interviews Christopher Hills
'Built-in accessibility doesn't set apart a person with a disability because you're using the same devices everybody else is.' ~ Luis Perez
Read&Write for Google & Web Page Support
How do I use a switch with an iPad? iOS 7 Overview by Jane Farrall (Jane Farrall Consulting)
Click the above image for an up to date overview of Switch Control in iOS 7. Jane has done an amazing job of explaining everything you need to know about using a switch in the latest iOS update.
This blog also contains excellent video tutorials as well as links to other sources of information on switching in iOS 7.
This blog also contains excellent video tutorials as well as links to other sources of information on switching in iOS 7.
Just an Ordinary Day
Lisa is single mum to Hunter, her 6-year-old son. Lisa lost her speech when she was a child. She did not start using a communication device until Hunter was 2 years old and started asking really profound questions. She started using Proloquo2Go first on an iPod, and then on an iPad.
Just as so many others, she takes her son to school and then goes to university, where she is studying Business with three Minors. “Being non-verbal is a challenge, but when people understand how I communicate they realize I have a brain, and something to contribute.”, says Lisa.
Just as so many others, she takes her son to school and then goes to university, where she is studying Business with three Minors. “Being non-verbal is a challenge, but when people understand how I communicate they realize I have a brain, and something to contribute.”, says Lisa.
Updated Apple Accessibility & Special Education Links
Both these sites have been completely redone to bring them up to date and more in line with the rest of the larger Apple site: Both sites have separate links for Mac OS X and iOS
- Accessibility: https://www.apple.com/accessibility/
- Special Education: http://www.apple.com/education/special-education/
Auslan Signed Books
The Very Cranky Bear
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QsoglLzKtQ&sns=fb
Feathers for Phoebe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZT4BiMWrNSI&sns=fb
Kangaroos Playground
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqkdN-qTjYs&sns=fb
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QsoglLzKtQ&sns=fb
Feathers for Phoebe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZT4BiMWrNSI&sns=fb
Kangaroos Playground
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqkdN-qTjYs&sns=fb
News-2-You App for iPad
AssistiveWare and N2Y announced today the launch of, News-2-You, the first symbol-based newspaper app for the iPad. The News-2-You app is a collaborative offering between AssistiveWare and N2Y bringing N2Y’s national newspaper for special education to the iPad.
The News-2-You newspaper is designed for teaching and expanding literacy skills, from basic awareness of symbols and print to reading fluently with comprehension. Each edition includes current events, a recipe, a joke page, sports news and a variety of interactive games and puzzles for some fun while learning. News can be read using natural sounding Text to Speech voices, providing word and sentence highlighting.
"We strongly believe in the benefits of having a symbol-supported newspaper for beginning readers and kids with special needs,” said David Niemeijer, founder and CEO of AssistiveWare. “AssistiveWare is extremely proud to have had the opportunity to work together with N2Y to create the News-2-You app, so more kids can benefit by having access to News-2-You content for learning”.
The News-2-You newspaper is designed for teaching and expanding literacy skills, from basic awareness of symbols and print to reading fluently with comprehension. Each edition includes current events, a recipe, a joke page, sports news and a variety of interactive games and puzzles for some fun while learning. News can be read using natural sounding Text to Speech voices, providing word and sentence highlighting.
"We strongly believe in the benefits of having a symbol-supported newspaper for beginning readers and kids with special needs,” said David Niemeijer, founder and CEO of AssistiveWare. “AssistiveWare is extremely proud to have had the opportunity to work together with N2Y to create the News-2-You app, so more kids can benefit by having access to News-2-You content for learning”.
Switch Access for iPad
If you have a student who finds it difficult to tap the iPad Screen (particularly for writing using the onscreen keyboard) due to physical disability, a switch maybe worth trying. Please contact me if you wish to trial. I will supply both iPad and switch.
Education Category open in Australian iTunes Store
- The Australian App Store today launched the curated Education category page on desktop, iPhone, and iPad. We've worked with our Apps team to highlight quality educational apps for K-12 and Higher Ed educators, students and lifelong learners. The category will be fully refreshed every 3 weeks. Stocked with apps selected by our editors, it pinpoints helpful study aids, essential learning guides and more apps that help the iPhone and iPad become better tools for learning and teaching.
- This is a fully Australian edited app site.
- Education for iPhone and iPad
Textbooks, iBooks Author and iTunesU
Information can be found on this link
http://www.apple.com/education
http://www.apple.com/education