AT Focus A Publication for Local Branches of Pennsylvania's Assistive Technology Lending Library Volume 7, Issue 2 – Winter 2004 Assistive Technology for Young Pennsylvanians -------- Also inside this issue: Kit Update: Helping Tools for Young Pennsylvanians and Their Families Assistive Technology Financing Program Here’s a Tip Related Websites -------- New AT Act Signed On October 25, 2004, President Bush signed the Assistive Technology Act of 2004 into law (P.L. 108-364). To see the text of the law, go to http://thomas.loc.gov. -------- Assistive Technology for Young Pennsylvanians Adapted from an article by Joanne Watson that originally appeared in the July/August 2000 edition of the Assistive Technology Lending Library newsletter. Assistive technology is an effective tool that helps young children participate more fully in their everyday routines. The activities listed below are the ideas of many people who use assistive technology with young children. This list of ways to use assistive technology should be used as a “springboard” that will lead to the creation of new ideas. The goal is always to find ways in which assistive technology can help children participate in “typical” activities, not to contrive situations in which to use assistive technology. When reviewing the ideas, focus on the activity, not on the specific assistive technology application. Participation in the activity is the goal, NOT the use of assistive technology. Try to make the activities fun as well as functional. Waking Up/Dressing: -- Attach a single message communication device (e.g. Big Mack, #SH-BM) within the child’s reach (i.e. near or in the child’s crib or bed) so that she can wake up and call her parents. -- Using a simple communication device (e.g. Tech 4, #AC-TFOUR), encourage the child to choose an activity to start the day, such as “I’m hungry, let’s eat breakfast,” “I need to go potty” or “Can you help me get dressed?” -- Using a simple communication device (e.g. Go Talk, #AC-GOTALK), the child can choose what items of clothing she wants to wear. Mealtime/Snacktime: The child can actively participate in the mealtime preparation by using an environmental control unit, a switch and an electronic appliance to make for example, a milk shake. -- Create a breakfast menu using Boardmaker (#AC-SW-INTBM) or other picture symbols. Laminate to make a placemat or put it on the refrigerator door. Encourage the child to make choices with it. -- Place simple communication devices in easy reach in the kitchen to allow the child to choose what to eat, to express that she needs more help, or that she is done eating. Include descriptive words such as yummy/yucky and other age-appropriate expressions. Bedtime: -- The child can say “Goodnight” and/or “I love you” using the communication device in his bedroom (e.g. Big Mack, #SH-BM). -- Using an environmental control unit (e.g. Ultra4, #ECU-ULTRA) and the desired switch, the child can turn off the bedroom light at night and turn it back on in the morning. -- The child can call his parents at night and ask for another drink of water using a single message communication device. -- The child can participate in singing “good night” songs using a simple voice-output communication device (e.g. Voice in a Box 6/16, #AC-VB6/16). -- The child can read a story by using an electronic page turner or an adapted book (e.g. BookWorm, profiled in this issue). Free Play Time/Group Time: -- During block building time, have children take turns building up the tower and alternatively knocking it down. To knock down the tower, the child can use a switch-operated robot or car (e.g. Barbie Corvette, #RE-CORVETTE) and have the toy run into the tower. -- Using a simple communication device (e.g. Easy Talk, #AC-ET), have the child select a desired toy and desired playmates. -- Many games or toys which may be switch-adapted are appropriate for two or more children to play at one time (e.g. Glowing Bedtime Sulley, #RE-SULLEY). -------- Kit Update: Helping Tools for Young Pennsylvanians and Their Families (#ED-HTYP) The Helping Tools Kit and Resource Manuals, first developed in 2000, are being updated! New items have been added to the HTYP Demonstration Kit. Here are descriptions of a few of them: BookWorm™ Literacy Tool The BookWorm turns virtually any book into a “talking book.” This device has an 8-minute re-recordable module so you are able to record as many as 32 pages, or approximately 4 short books. To adapt a book, you attach a removable sticker to each page of the book and record the story, page by page into the BookWorm. The stickers serve as a guide indicating where to push for playback. Cost: $239.00; AbleNet: 800-322-0956, customerservice@ablenetinc.com, www.ablenetinc.com. ChatBox40 The ChatBox40 voice output device has the capacity for 30 minutes of recorded (digitized) speech across as many levels and buttons as desired, and has been redesigned to be more child-friendly. A single key can be programmed with over three minutes of speech. Lights on each key provide the user with a visual cue. Digitized messages can be programmed to include text that appears in the 2-line LCD display, so an individual can compose messages using multiple keys. The sentence is then spoken as a single message by selecting the Speak Message button. This device supports single switch, dual switch, and joystick scanning. Cost: $895.00; Saltillo: 800-382-8622, aac@saltillo.com, www.saltillo.com. VoicePal 8 Up to eight natural voice messages can be recorded and played back on this device by touching a Taction Pad or other switch. Cost: $159.00; Adaptivation: 800-723-2783, info@adaptivation.com, www.adaptivation.com. Other items added to the Demonstration Kit are: Chubbi Stumps crayons, a three-piece wooden puzzle with knobs, and a paint brush with a knob-style handle. -------- 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, 1004 West 9th Avenue, 1st floor King of Prussia, PA 19406, 888-744-1938 (V) 877-693-7271 (TTY) Email: patf@amexcenters.com http://www.assistive-technology4pa.org Please note their new address! -------- Here’s a Tip: Looking for a quick way to search through Lending Library Equipment Catalog online? If you are a Windows user, while the Equipment Catalog is open on your screen (and you can see the listing of equipment, not just categories), hold down the [Ctrl] key and press the letter F. A “Find” dialog box appears. Enter the text you want to find and click on “Find Next” until you arrive at the desired location. Use the other available buttons in the dialog box to refine or modify your search. Happy hunting! -------- Happy New Year! -------- Related Websites: www.afb.org/ - Search for “toys” on this site to find “Let’s Play,” a guide describing toys especially for children who are blind or with low vision. Most of the toys are readily available through retail stores. http://letsplay.buffalo.edu/ - Visit the Resources section of this website to find booklets and one-page idea sheets on emphasizing play with infants and toddlers. Learn about battery-operated toys and games and how to select and use switches for play and communication purposes in a variety of environments. Explore computer play software and adaptive peripherals that help young children participate independently. http://tnt.asu.edu/ - Tots n’ Tech is a federally funded program to explore the use of assistive technology for infants and toddlers with disabilities. There are a variety of resources for families as well as providers, including FAQs and ideas and activities capitalizing on the application of AT. www.projectparticipate.org/ - This project provides families, educators, administrators and therapists with simple strategies to increase the active participation of children with disabilities. There are several pages on “Gadgets & Gizmos” that present inexpensive, “do it yourself” solutions for reading (e.g. turning pages), writing (e.g. drawing with markers), play, and home. -------- New Local Branches: Fulton County Catholic Mission 110 South 3rd Street, McConnellsburg, PA 17233 Contact: Sister Martha Burbulla, CCW — 717-485-5917 (v); 717-485-3855 (fax); fccm@cun.net (e-mail) Serve: All — County: Fulton Hours: M-F 8:30-4:30 pm Tri-County Patriots for Independent Living 560 Coolspring Street, Uniontown, PA 15401 Contact: Rose Yaniga — 724-439-1434 (v); 724-438-4571 (fax); dutchrose@excite.com (e-mail) Serve: All — County: Fayette Hours: M-F 8:30-4:30 pm Potter County Education Council 35 Main Street, Galeton, PA 16922 Contact: Cheryl James — 814-435-9490 (v); 814-435-9491 (fax); cherylj@pottercountyedcouncil.org (e-mail); http://www.pottercountyedcouncil.org Serve: Adults only — County: Potter Hours: M-F 9:00-5:00 pm Potter County Education Council PO Box 5, 227 N. Main Street, Coudersport, PA 16915 Contact: Carol Spaulding — 814-274-4877 (v); 814-274-4887 (fax); carol@pottercountyedcouncil.org (e-mail); http://www.pottercountyedcouncil.org Serve: Adults only — County: Potter Hours: M-F 9:00-5:00 pm Welcome! Do you know of an agency who would like to become a Local Branch? We are looking for more Local Branches from ALL counties to add to our Lending Library network. Contact Zona Jackson (zjackson@temple.edu) to request a copy of the Local Branch Application. -------- 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) http://disabilities.temple.edu/atlend E-mail: atlend@temple.edu This publication is available in alternate formats, by request. Photos courtesy of the manufacturers. Editor: Sandra McNally smcnally@temple.edu 215-204-3370 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. [end]