Telephone solutions for the eye-gaze user...

Hey Tek-Ninja’s! So one of the high-lights of my time at ATIA was sitting down with Tobii Dynavox's Product Manager David Lee. He shared a number of exciting projects with me which are in the works. There may or may not have been discussion of self-driving cars, and space travel. #NTKB.

A specific concept he shared that I'm super excited about is the pairing of Snap Core First and the AccessIT 3 for utilization of an Android cell phone. This is such a simple, elegant system, and I believe it may be a viable solution for many of our eye-gaze power users. I especially like this solution for eye-gaze users who are not necessarily challenged by the cognitive load needed to make a software supported phone call, but might might not have the “eye-gaze agility” to utilize access methods such as “Computer Control” or “Windows Access”. Take a look at the video.

So a quick recap, this Text Page set is a part of your Snap Core First software. Read more here. The AccessIT 3 is offered by Tobii Dynavox, and should be able to pair to an Android phone or Windows product. I am demoing off of my iPad, just because it was simple and cool to do, but you can pair to it from any current Tobii Dynavox product (check the specs to be certain). 

To my knowledge, the AccessIT 3 is not be fundable in most states, so would need to be an "out-of-pocket" expense. 

Happy Valentines day to you all!

Apologies for the snuffling and raspy voice, I'm at the tail end of bronchitis!

The Sheperd Center Inaugural Adaptive Gaming Series eSports tournament!

Hey Tek-ninjas! Are you interested in gaming? Do you know someone who is? Well, this event may be for you. The Sheperd Center is planning the Inaugural Adaptive Gaming Series eSports tournament!

For those who are unfamiliar, The Sheperd Center (TSC) is a private, not-for profit hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. TSC utilizes adaptive gaming across the Acquired Brain Injury and Spinal Cord Injury programs through their Assistive Technology and Recreation Therapy programs.

Gaming and eSports (gaming competitively) are ideal vehicles for full inclusion as participation is not limited based on functional abilities, location, or age, specifically because customization of equipment is pretty standard. Customization levels the playing field and we see an ever growing body of gamers with all sorts of different abilities.

TSC Adaptive Gaming Series

Pretty sure this guy will CRUSH you at Madden!

are going to be pretty legit. The event will be hosted by local organizations such as evolve and Axis Replay. It's possible to compete or spectate online or in person. 

This is pretty exciting and innovative, and in order help it be the best it can be, TSC  is taking donations at their GoFundMe site. These donations will aid the research, development, and funding of equipment to further the use of adaptive gaming as part of therapy at TSC.

Consider  donating... I'm confident even $10 would be appreciated.

If you are interested in playing or spectating, the event will be held Saturday, April 25 from 1-5pm.

Happy gaming!

Core Tour Follow up!

Hey Tek-Ninja’s! On January 27th I posted the blog below. Very quickly this event has filled to maximum capacity. Since then, we opened the seats from 100 to 125.

As of this morning, there are only 19 available seats! If you are interested, and I’d encourage you to consider attending, get signed up soon. We will not be able to expand beyond 125 seats.

If you are coming, please be sure to say hello to me!

Hey Tek-ninjas! I am so excited by this opportunity! I get to work with some incredibly smart and engaging folks. I’m always wishing more people could get an opportunity to learn from the Tobii-Dynavox Learning Team. Well, here’s your opportunity!

Join the Tobii Dynavox team in person on the 2020 Core Tour here in Chapel Hill, NC, my home town!

What’s a Core Tour? It's a free, full-day session where we will explore evidence-based approaches for supporting both communication and literacy development for children with complex communication needs. We will discuss Snap Core First communication software and associated Tobii Dynavox literacy tools to support symbol-based communicators and their communication partners. We will target specific strategies that can positively impact engagement, literacy, and growth. Following the course, you will have an opportunity to visit our AAC stations for hands-on application.

Who is this event for?
Parents/Family members, Caregivers , SLPs, OTs, PTs, & Assistants Teachers/Special educators/paraprofessionals

Where:

The Event Center at Extraordinary Ventures
200 S. Elliott Road – Great Hall
Chapel Hill, NC 27514

When:

Thursday, February 27, 2020 

9:00am - 4:00pm

Questions?

Contact: Jim Tignor
Email: jim.tignor@tobiidynavox.com
Phone: 919-260-3756

Register now! This event is going to fill up quickly, so don’t wait to register!

Registration will begin at 8:00am. Session will start promptly at 9:00am and conclude by 4:00pm. Learners may stay until 5:00pm for additional time with staff for demos, hands-on time with devices, and Q&A. Lunch will be provided.
Registration on a computer rather than a mobile device is recommended. 
This course will be offered for 0.55 ASHA CEUs (Introductory level, Professional Area)



View invite in browser.

ATIA goodbye, thanks for the good times!

Hey Tek-ninjas! Holy-moly. ATIA. Delivered beyond expectations. So much to process. So many great talks. Exciting vendor booths. And so many smart, and driven people, leveraging intellect and passion to make life better for others. Seriously, the excitement was palpable.

I’m sitting in the Orlando airport, waiting to fly home to Chapel Thrill where I will head to Mattamuskeet with Sweet-L to watch birds, and rejuvenate before delivering voices again on Monday. Once I’ve had time to synthesize some of this amazing content, I’ll try to distill a little of what I’ve learned in another post or two... for now - pictures!

Rehadapt- makers of Connect-It Mounts

Main Walkway Vender Booth

Adina Bradshaw of Shepard Center

Tobii-Dynavox Solutions Consultants - passion and smarts!

The one and only - Linda Burkhart

Origin - maker of the best switch interface on the market imo

Ben Henry & Adina Bradshaw: Multi-access, gaming, ecu, computer control. #megaknowledge

Super-smart presenters, and a room filled with years of experience: OT’s, Engineers, SLPs, and others

Robin and Mary of Oak Park School, dropping knowledge and experience.  Powerful combo!

Rubbing shoulders with Tara Rudnicki: President of Tobii-Dynavox NA,  ATIA Board President... and  friend 🤓

Mark Sauka: Tobii-Dynavox Solutions Consultant, PA... and a Chocolate Martini

Tobii-Dynavox: AAC and Ed team. Work hard, play hard. This is the  latter. 

ATIA excitement) + (ATIA exhaustion)  + lotsa coffee + Sugar Factory = Katy Henry Traveling Solutions Consultant

I hope to be back next year!

ATIA: First Time Attendee

Hey Tek-ninjas! So, I'm in Orlando, FL right now. And I'm really stoked! I am officially a "First Time Attendee" of ATIA. It says so on my name badge.

ATIA is billed as the conference "Where the Assistive Technology Community Meets to… Network, Learn, and Share". Right up my alley. In a few minutes, I will be going down to look at all the vending booths and see the latest and the greatest offerings.

I'll let you know what amazes me. And of course I'll post pictures. I have already gotten to take a sneak peak at the Tobii Dynavox booth as was very impressed. If you are a long time reader, you'll not be surprised by that!

If your here, and you see me, come say hello!

For those of you back in your clinics, schools, or homes... happy therapy!!

Help with wheelchair mounting

Hey Tek-ninjas! Here is a slightly technical offering which may be helpful to some of you. When pursuing AAC equipment for individuals, one of the most daunting aspects for many SLPs is considering wheelchair mounts.

Often, your sales representative can help you discern what mount and attachment parts you need.  Sometimes though you may need to make some decisions independently.  Typically, there are only a few variations for the mounts themselves. The issue that confounds people is finding the correct attachment piece.  In the video below, my colleague, Chris Kovach does a really great job of making this topic more manageable.

Chris highlights theses points for you to consider as you make a recommendation:

• Eye gaze device = 20-22 inches from user’s face
• Is the chair a “tilting chair?
• Are there obstacles? (Cup holders, joy-stick, brake levers, etc
• Some manufacturers include a mounting rail. Is this one?
• Tubing size? (Tube circumference x 3.14 = diameter).

Incidentally, Chris has a very robust YouTube channel and you can find a lot of great videos on the many different software programs as well as hardware offerings from the company. Take a look at his channel and be sure to click subscribe.

Happy therapy!

2020 Core Tour here in Chapel Hill, NC!

Hey Tek-ninjas! I am so excited by this opportunity! I get to work with some incredibly smart and engaging folks. I’m always wishing more people could get an opportunity to learn from the Tobii-Dynavox Learning Team. Well, here’s your opportunity!

Join the Tobii Dynavox team in person on the 2020 Core Tour here in Chapel Hill, NC, my home town!

What’s a Core Tour? It's a free, full-day session where we will explore evidence-based approaches for supporting both communication and literacy development for children with complex communication needs. We will discuss Snap Core First communication software and associated Tobii Dynavox literacy tools to support symbol-based communicators and their communication partners. We will target specific strategies that can positively impact engagement, literacy, and growth. Following the course, you will have an opportunity to visit our AAC stations for hands-on application.

Who is this event for?
Parents/Family members, Caregivers , SLPs, OTs, PTs, & Assistants Teachers/Special educators/paraprofessionals

Where:

The Event Center at Extraordinary Ventures
200 S. Elliott Road – Great Hall
Chapel Hill, NC 27514

When:

Thursday, February 27, 2020 

9:00am - 4:00pm

Questions?

Contact: Jim Tignor
Email: jim.tignor@tobiidynavox.com
Phone: 919-260-3756

Register now! This event is going to fill up quickly, so don’t wait to register!

Registration will begin at 8:00am. Session will start promptly at 9:00am and conclude by 4:00pm. Learners may stay until 5:00pm for additional time with staff for demos, hands-on time with devices, and Q&A. Lunch will be provided.
Registration on a computer rather than a mobile device is recommended.
This course will be offered for 0.55 ASHA CEUs (Introductory level, Professional Area)



View invite in browser.