Switch Scanning Made Easier!

Hey Tek-ninjas, today I want to share a new resource that I am excited about. Many folks struggle with the variables of, and teaching of Switch Scanning as an access mode. Recently Tobii Dynavox rolled out a Core First Scanning Page Set Implementation Guide which is available for free. By design it focuses on scanning in Snap Core First, but as usual, many aspects generalize to other tools.

This is timely, as the company also recently rolled out significant upgrades to the scanning options for the software. If you've not taken a look, I suggest you do so.

If you don't have a copy of Snap Core First, a free "editing" version can be downloaded here. There is also a Professional version available for speech therapists, occupational therapists, and other professionals working with AAC users, which you can read about here. The software by itself retails for only $49.95.

The guide is a digital file, which you can save on any computer or print out. The contents include a thorough introduction to scanning, scan types and patterns, and switch positions. There is also a review of switches and accessories. The guide covers teaching scanning, both within a page and between pages. A section covers auditory scanning, and another looks at modeling and training. Snap Core First allows users to edit a scan group, modify scan settings, and both functions are clearly covered in the guide. Finally, the guide offers troubleshooting, resources, and even references.

Clear, articulate, free, and evidence based. What more could you ask for.

If you have further questions about the software, reach out to your Tobii Dynavox Solution Consultant.

Happy therapy!

Attaching the AAC Device to a Wheelchair

Hey Tek-ninjas! In this post I want to talk about wheelchair mounting. This is often the bane of many speech therapists. A colleague from a large mounting company made the observation in regards to slps and mounts, that "those drawn to language, may not necessarily be drawn to building". Essentially, assembling a chair mount to a chair is like building with an Erector Set from my childhood.

So not everyone is drawn towards building, and your friendly neighborhood Physical Therapist or Occupational Therapist may be out of the picture, or have limited mounting experience themselves. None-the-less, wheelchair mounting is also a key factor supporting your end-users being able to consistently access their equipment, no matter their access modality. Unfortunately, there really is not an "industry standard" among wheelchair manufacturers for attaching AAC devices.

Often I sell the same chair mount, but there is an attachment piece necessary to join the mount to the chair. And those parts vary significantly. 

Regardless of which AAC vendor you are working with, your Sales Rep should be able to help you, but will be better able to do so with some specific information.

If the Rep has not been involved in choosing/selecting the appropriate device (because you are such a comfortable veteran AAC therapist) you will need to tell them what device your client wants, and what the access methods are.

Some wheelchair manufacturers are pretty cut and dry when it comes to recommending attachment parts. For example Permobil and Quickie Power Chairs have a version of channel nuts. Once I hear we are mounting to those chairs, I really don't need much other information or photos. Other manufacturers might require a 1 inch tube (side clamp, or tube clamp) and other manufacturers require different dimensions.

Photo Angles

The Rep may need pictures of the chair. I cannot tell you how many times I've asked for a picture, and received a lovely picture of a smiling child or adult suitable for a holiday card, but offering no insight regarding the chair! So, take a look at the "Photo Angles" picture to see what your Rep is likely looking for. Smiling pictures of your clients are always welcome, but not always helpful in this situation.

Other considerations may include: does the end-user have a lap tray? Is there a preference for which side the mount is on? This can be dictated by pre-existing equipment on the chair (ie: joy-stick). Or maybe a caregiver needs to do chair transfers to one side due to their own health/medical issues.

I hope this post facilitates acquiring the correct mount for your clients.

Happy therapy!

Bragging rights...

Hey Tek-ninjas!

So, last Thursday I hosted a Tobii Dynavox Core Tour event in my home town, Chapel Hill. I have to say, it exceeded my expectations. And I know... I'm a Tobii Dynavox "fan-boy", but the feed back on-site was wonderful, and then, several clinicians emailed me the following day to say the following...

"I am an SLP who attended the seminar in Chapel Hill yesterday. I learned so much - thank you!"
SS, SLP

"Thank you for bringing the Core Tour to Chapel Hill. The course was very helpful and I’m excited about “playing” with the system and the app to become more familiar with it."
MG SLP

"I learned so much and thoroughly enjoyed the experience... and really appreciate the opportunity yesterday."
BBJ, SLP

"I loved the workshop!"
NH, SLP

I'm sharing this, well, partly to say, we rock... but also to suggest that you to find a Core Tour or an Implementation Workshop in your neighborhood. If it's a few hours away, get some colleagues you like and drive there.

Follow this link for a listing of current on location training sites all over the world.

If you still can't find a seminar, reach out to your Solution Consultant and ask them to help. Chances are, they have one in the works!

You will not regret it. 

Tar Heel Gameplay - just ANOTHER great thing from UNC...

Hey Tek-ninjas! I've blogged a few times about the wonderful Tar Heel Reader site, made at my almamater, the bastion of all that's good, UNC - Chapel Hill.

Today I want to share with you a sibling site, Tar Heel Gameplay.

Tar Heel Gameplay, is an online platform which offers a collection of free, easy-to-play, and accessible games, as well as the platform to create your own games.

Each game is speech enabled and may be played using multiple access modalities, including touch screens, 1 to 3 switches, AND eye gaze.

Games are created using videos from the huge collection at YouTube. Users can play their own games or choose from the vast number of pre-made activities.

In the video below I create a simple activity with a Dead & Friends song, and play it using a Tobii Dynavox PCEye Mini and Gaze Point software for access. The music doesn’t come through, as I was also recording my talking.

According to the developers, Tar Heel Gameplay is being developed and tested in the Google Chrome browser, and they caution that it "may work in other modern browsers but save yourself some confusion and try it with Chrome".

These are simple games, and there-in lies the beauty. It is so easy to create a new activity, and with the endless variety of video available on Youtube, likely you can find something to interest everyone!

Tar Heel Gameplay has tremendous therapeutic value as an engaging way to hone switch or eye gaze access. Also, they are just plain fun.

Happy Therapy!

——————————-
Addendum: 02-19-2020: 7:10 pm

Hey Tek-Ninja’s, so this afternoon I received an email regarding the Tar Heel Gameplay site from one of the graduate students working on the site’s development. It read as follows;
“I'm a UNC student working on my honors thesis... I'd like people's feedback on the games we developed last semester so I can include it in my paper”.
When was the last time anyone in the weber-net had a program developer reach out and ask you what you think about their software? So, if you’ve used Tar Heel Gameplay, here is your chance to offer feedback that can potentially make a significant difference. 

I plan on completing the survey, once I’ve had a chance to play these new games.

Thanks!

Delivering Voices: a level of prestige, realness or official-ness

Hey Tek-ninjas! Here is something kind of cool! Since the merger between Tobii and Dynavox, the company has officially empowered 100,000 individuals across the globe with a voice.

Fredrik Ruben, President of Tobii Dynavox writes that "we are all super proud and should take a moment together to show each other appreciation for the hard work behind this number.", and perhaps with more grand-eloquence, Tara Rudnicki, President, North American Tobii Dynavox was quoted as saying "Woooohooooo!" 

I'm proud to have a part in this work. According to the Urban Dictionary (where the best definitions live) 100,000 is a level of prestige, realness or official-ness that people claim. Also used to rejoice in celebration of something positive.

Let's celebrate, and then let's get back to the the good work of delivering voices. Do you know someone who is unable to communicate? Maybe you ought to reach out to your local Tobii Dynavox Solution Consultant. If you are a speech therapist, they can help you, and if not, they can probably connect you with a speech therapist who knows the business of AAC. 

Happy Therapy!

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!