Pennsylvania's Assistive Technology Lending Library AT Focus A Publication for Local Branches of Pennsylvania's Assistive Technology Lending Library Volume 6, Issue 1 – Fall, 2003 Focus on – PDAs and Note Takers A Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) is a lightweight, hand-held computer designed for use as a personal organizer with communications capabilities. A typical PDA has no keyboard, relying instead on special hardware and pen-based computer software to enable the recognition of handwritten input, which is entered on the surface of a liquid crystal display screen. In addition to including such applications as a word processor, spreadsheet, calendar, and address book, PDAs are used as notepads, appointment schedulers, and wireless communicators for sending and receiving data, faxes and electronic-mail messages. (Source: Columbia Encyclopedia). Are PDAs considered Assistive Technology? Yes. For people with disabilities who have difficulty with time management and organizing schedules, PDAs can be very useful. They can also be used to compensate for poor organizational skills, poor handwriting, and/or short term memory deficits. Most devices have a built-in alarm feature, so PDAs can also be used as a reminder system. All PDAs have the following features: Scheduler, Address Book, Memo Pad, and enable the user to transfer, or synchronize their data to a PC. There are also literally thousands of add-on applications made for PDAs, and many of them are free! All PDAs from the Lending Library are sent with a keyboard, if one is available for that model. Please see the Feature Comparison chart in this issue for more information. Note: Because PDAs can be purchased from many different sources, the chart does not list prices, since these change frequently and some reconditioned devices can be purchased for considerably less. ********** THANK YOU to everyone who suggested a new name for the ATLL Newsletter. As you can see, “AT Focus” was chosen as the new name, because we felt it best summed up the purpose of the newsletter. ~S. McNally ********** Helping Tools for People with Mental Retardation A One-Day Train-the-Trainers Workshop November 11, 2003 / Hershey, PA December 3, 2003 / Philadelphia, PA For more information, or to request a brochure and application, please contact Clementine Thaxton: 215-204-5395 (v); 215-204-1356 (v/TTY); 800-204-7428 (v); 215-204-9371 (fax); or cthaxton@temple.edu (e-mail). Funded by Pennsylvania’s Initiative on Assistive Technology, a program of the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University. Sponsored by The Institute on Disabilities—Pennsylvania’s University Center for Excellence in Research, Education, and Service at Temple University. ********** PDAs in the Lending Library Casio PV-S400 Plus Pocket Viewer The Pocket Viewer has all the popular PDA functions, including scheduler, contacts, memo, expense manager, currency converter, and calculator. With 4MB memory, thousands of contacts, schedule items, and other files can be stored. It uses 2 AAA batteries, and synchronizes with a desktop PC using a serial cradle. Inventory code: HP-CASIO; approx. cost: $99.00; www.casio.com. The Handspring Visor Prism is a full-color handheld device. In addition to an address book, to-do list, and memo pad, the Prism Visor features an enhanced date book, advanced calculator, and world clock. The 8MB memory stores approximately 12,000 addresses, 10 years of appointments, 6,000 to do items, 6,000 memos, and 400 e-mails. It is powered by a rechargeable Lithium Ion battery, and uses a USB cradle to synchronize with a desktop PC. Inventory code: HP-VISORP; approx. cost: $498.00; www.handspring.com. Palm IIIc Personal Handheld Organizer is a small, lightweight, full-color organizer. It performs all of the functions of earlier models of the Palm III, and its 8MB of memory gives plenty of storage capacity. Data is synchronized to and from a PC or Macintosh using a HotSync cradle. The power source for this device is a rechargeable Lithium Ion battery. Inventory code: HP-PALM; approx. cost: $415.00; www.palm.com. The Palm m515 Handheld also has a color display and in addition to standard PDA features it has several enhancements, including vibrate and flash alerts and the ability to write Graffiti simultaneously while using the virtual keyboard. The 16MB of memory allows more data storage. The power source is a rechargeable lithium battery, and data is synchronized using a USB cradle. On the bottom of the unit is a Palm Universal Connector, which allows you to connect add-on accessories such as modems and cameras. Inventory code: HP-PALM515; approx. cost: $399.00; www.palm.com. The Dana is a new product by AlphaSmart that combines a full-size keyboard, wide screen, and the Palm OS operating system to provide much of the functionality of a laptop computer. Dana will run over 10,000 existing Palm applications. AlphaWord (a full-featured word processor) and Palm eBook reader give the user the power to read and write anywhere. Compatibility with Microsoft Word compatibility allows easy synchronization with documents on a desktop computer. Date Book, Address Book, To Do List, and other built-in utilities provide convenient access to important personal information. Data can be entered by using the keyboard or by writing with the Dana stylus directly onto the screen. Dana runs on a rechargeable battery pack or AC adapter. Inventory code: HP-DANA; Cost: $411.00; 888-274-0680, info@alphasmart.com, www.alphasmart.com. These are only a few of the devices available from the Lending Library. For a complete listing, please refer to the Equipment Catalog: http://disabilities.temple.edu/atlend/catalog.html ********** Note Takers PAC Mate BNS is an accessible Pocket PC device for persons who are blind. It provides access to everyday Windows-based desktop data and software applications, and uses JAWS® for the Braille and speech output. Pocket PC versions of popular software programs can be used to manage information internally or sync and share data with other devices. There is a USB port for connection with desktops, laptops, printers and other devices, as well as an infrared port that allows users to transfer files between PAC Mate and other PC products. Dimensions: 9.75” wide, 5.25” high, weighs 1 lb. 13 oz. with user-replaceable battery installed. Inventory code: NT-BNS-PAC; approx. cost: $2,336.00. Freedom Scientific: 800-444-4443; info@FreedomScientific.com; www.FreedomScientific.com. PAC Mate TNS contains the same basic features as the PAC Mate BNS, except it uses a keyboard interface. Dimensions: 12” wide x 6” high; weighs 2 lbs. with battery installed. Inventory code: NT-TNS-PAC; approx. cost: $2,336.00. Freedom Scientific: 800-444-4443; info@FreedomScientific.com; www.FreedomScientific.com. ********** Pocket Coach PC Pocket Coach is a software program designed to provide job coaching or reminders for persons with mental retardation. This software runs on pocket PCs that use the Windows CE 3.0 operating system. One or more series of step-by-step audio instructions for tasks can be recorded and played back as needed, and it allows the user to play back instructions in several different ways to suit their needs and the needs of the situation. For a detailed overview and demo, visit www.ablelinktech.com/SelectProduct.asp. Inventory code: HW-POCKET; approx. cost: $699.00. AbleLink Technologies: 719-592-0347; support@assess.net; www.ablelinktech.com. ********** November is Assistive Technology Awareness Month. Plan an event to celebrate! ********** Related Websites: www.techconnections.org/forum - online forum that gives users access to product reviews, discussion boards, and links to consumer and disability-specific groups. Individuals are able to discuss what they did or did not like about specific systems or devices. www.biausa.org/Pages/AT/ - Catalog of Portable Devices for Memory and Organization. This Catalog provides a partial listing of commercially available portable electronic devices recommended by persons with cognitive disabilities, that may have potential to be used as memory and organizational aids. This site includes names and descriptions of devices; links to websites and other manufacturer contact information, as well as selected information on device features that their “consumer panels” said were especially important. www.washington.edu/accessit/faqs.php - National Center on Accessible Information Technology in Education – Frequently Asked Questions contains an article titled “Are Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) accessible?” www.palm.com/about/corporate/pap/ - Palm, Inc.’s accessibility program. www.palmgear.com - One of many online sites for PDA applications. There are applications available to buy, but there are many free titles too. ********** Assistive Technology Financing Program, a program of the Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation (PATF), is a way for people with disabilities to buy the assistive technology devices and services they need through affordable loans. This unique program offers lower interest rates than those you can get from most banks, and help from the PATF to get a loan if our bank will not approve your loan application. Any Pennsylvania resident with a disability or older Pennsylvanian who needs assistive technology may be eligible for a loan. Family members may apply for children or other family members with a disability. For more information, contact: PATF, 102 Pickering Way, Suite 200 Exton, PA 19341, 888-744-1938 (V) 877-693-7271 (TTY) Email: PATF@amexcenters.com http://www.assistive-technology4pa.org ********** Local Branches in the News: Schreiber Pediatric Center of Lancaster County and PA’s Assistive Technology Lending Library were featured August 4, 2003 on Fox 43 News (Lancaster area). Fox 43 included a link to the Lending Library on their website! The Arc of Lehigh & Northampton County featured Lending Library news in two newsletters: the May-June 2003 issue of the “Bi-County Observer” and the June 2003 issue of “The Arc Advocate.” Do you have any news to report about your local branch activities? Please contact us – we’d like to let everyone know about it! ********** Pennsylvania's Assistive Technology Lending Library Institute on Disabilities Temple University 423 Ritter Hall Annex Philadelphia, PA 19122 Call toll-free: 877-PA AT LEND (voice/TTY) www.disabilities.temple.edu/atlend E-mail: atlend@temple.edu This publication is available in alternate formats, by request. Photos courtesy of the manufacturers. PA’s Assistive Technology Lending Library is funded by the Commonwealth of PA, with partial support from the US Dept. of Education (through PA’s Initiative on Assistive Technology) and through the contributions of AT vendors, manufacturers, and users of the Lending Library. Next Issue: AT for Independence