More than a third of the sessions are focused on accessibility on the web. Clearly people and institutions are waking up to this important need. In a session on 3rd party apps and VoiceOver. The bug issue is that developers are not doing the minimal accessibility steps as they develop the apps. Pity.
Leveraged Freedom Chair (LFC
Great story on leveraging design for the needs of many. Source : Global Research Innovation and Technology (GRIT) If you are a wheelchair user who lives in a rural area, there's not really a good mobility aid that allows you to travel a long distance on many types of terrains, but is also small and [...]
It’s not just Assistive it is Appropriate Technology
The NATRC has championed the idea that AT users need to have access to the appropriate technology not the cheapest. This idea has been embraced by more and more people, especially by the modern workplace. Appropriate Technology gets people involved and active in the modern world, socially and economically. The unemployment rate last year was [...]
iOS’s impact on those with impairments isn’t just a marketing slide; it’s profound
The Magazine is a new media site that produces 5 mid length articles every two weeks. Well curated and thoughtful articles by respected writers grace its pages. The January 31 issue (9) has a feature on Apple's universal design creedo—the almost gentic drive to balance the user experience for the widest audience. The almost "zero [...]
iPhone accessibility—universal design
Its is not just iPhones. The range of iOS devices from iPods to AppleTV are all accessible from the day of purchase. The ethos of universal design (UD) in Apple's software and hardware engineering is what distinguishes their devices. Training often comes from the people around, visually impaired uses are using the same devices as [...]
White House Announces Audio Descriptions for Public Tours
Great move. However, I wonder if it would be better if the tours were made available online for individual's to use on their own devices. Many visually impaired users are using smart devices (especially the iPhone with its built-in screen reader). This would also make it great for self guided tour for people with out [...]
50+ Reasons to Use VoiceOver
Many Apple users are unaware of the various accessibility features that come built into all Apple products. For example, VoiceOver is a screen reader tool readily available on all Mac OS X products as well as iOS devices. Here are Apple's 50+ reasons for using VoiceOver: If you’re blind or have low vision, you can enjoy [...]
P.A.C.E. Event at Sparks Middle School
The Nevada Assistive Technology Resource Center will be attending the Partnering for Awareness and Community Education (P.A.C.E.) Event on Wednesday, December 19th at Sparks Middle School. The event will take place in the school gymnasium from 5:00-7:00pm. The NATRC will be demonstrating a variety of assistive technology devices and equipment. For more information: P.A.C.E. Event. [...]
Skill Building Apps
The NATRC has recently added three new iPad apps from BinaryLabs, Inc. that help children and adults with fine motor skills, letter reversing, and spatial reasoning. 1. Dexteria - Fine Motor Skill Development Dexteria is a set of therapeutic hand exercises (not games) that improve fine motor skills and handwriting readiness in children and adults. Dexteria’s [...]
Guided Access: The Basics
With Apple's recent update to iOS 6, Guided Access is one of the new features for accessibility and learning on iDevices. iOS 6 comes with even more features to make it easier for people with vision, hearing, learning, and mobility disabilities to get the most from their iOS devices. Guided Access helps students with disabilities [...]
The impact of assistive technology on young children with disabilities
Assistive technology can be a great resource for young children with disabilities who are developing language and literacy skills. The Center for Early Literacy Learning recently published this study to demonstrate just how beneficial assistive technology can be:. The effectiveness of different types of assistive technology for promoting the early communication and literacy abilities of [...]
7th Annual Buddy Walk
The Nevada Assistive Technology Resource Center will be at the 7th Annual Buddy Walk on Saturday, September 22 at Reno High School. The Buddy Walk is hosted by the Down Syndrome Network of Northern Nevada. Come join us to check out some of our latest assistive technology and augmentative and alternative communication devices!
A Video Introduction to Assistive Touch | BridgingApps
BridgingApps has released introduction videos to demonstrate how to access, setup, and use Assistive Touch on iOS devices. Note: AssistiveTouch can be used with adaptive switches! A Video Introduction to Assistive Touch http://youtu.be/zvnTfxUJs8k http://youtu.be/gqgE1P3fdCw http://youtu.be/MtzyphPC7nA http://youtu.be/nhlMm70fls8
iAlertTag—keeping tags on modern iOS AAC devices and AT
While iOS devices are relatively inexpensive compared with older AAC devices and pocket devices; they still represent a substantial investment as well as being very important for the user. One solution for the misplaced device is the iAlertTag. It is one of the new Bluetooth 4 accessories that will change the way we communicate with [...]
Making your iOS app accessible with VoiceOver
As much work and dedication that Apple engineers have put into accessibility and UD in iOS and OS X and even AppleTV many developers never take advantage of the accessibility API's. You probably know that Apple’s range of iOS devices comes with a built-in screen reader called VoiceOver. What you may not be aware of, [...]
