American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults
Future Reflections Fall 2016
ODDS AND ENDS
BRAILLE
Using Nemeth Code within UEB Contexts
<http://www.pathstoliteracy.org/resources/guidance-transcription-using-nemeth-code-within-ueb-contexts>
This free downloadable document can be of help to parents and teachers of students who are making the shift to Unified English Braille (UEB).
TECHNOLOGY
TactileTalk Toolkit and Guidebook for iPad: Strategies for Functional Communication and Literacy
Attainment Company
<www.attainmentcompany.com/tactiletalk-toolkit>
504 Commerce Parkway
PO Box 930160
Verona, WI 53593-0160
Contact: (608) 845-7880
This is the first tactile communication and literacy system utilizing voice output to be developed for the iPad. It was designed for students with visual impairments who have additional disabilities or for very young visually impaired children. The complete TactileTalk Toolkit contains the GoTalk Now app, TactileTalk Communication and Literacy book, twenty-five premade tactile overlays, five customizable overlays, and a comprehensive 116-page TactileTalk guidebook in large-print and electronic formats. The guidebook includes information about the development of TactileTalk, appropriate instruction in the use of tactile symbols, and ideas for additional tactile symbol overlays.
Sci-Voice Talking LabQuest 2
Independence Science
<independencescience.com>
This new product from Independence Science offers internet connectivity, a larger hard drive than earlier versions, faster processor, on-demand published Vernier lab manuals in electronic format, statistical analysis data, and more. It includes the Sci-Voice Talking LabQuest; a USB keyboard; and three sensors: stainless steel temperature, differential voltage, and current. Additional sensors will be available from Independence Science on a case-by-case basis, determined by individual customer needs.
BridgingApps
<www.bridgingapps.org>
BridgingApps is a program of Easter Seals-Houston that provides access to educational and therapeutic tools--anywhere, any time. It allows parents, teachers, and therapists to use mobile devices and apps effectively to target and improve individual skill development to help children and adults with disabilities reach their highest levels of physical and cognitive development. Available research and success stories reflect the potential power of using touch-based technology and proper training to have a significant impact on the lives of people with disabilities. BridgingApps is a community of teachers, parents, therapists, and doctors who share information on how they are using the iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, and Android devices with people who have special needs. The goal is to provide professionals and caregivers with the best resources for choosing apps for people with disabilities and sharing their successes with others. The app review system focuses on skills rather than age, diagnosis, or developmental level to help improve skills.
Tactile Caliper
National Braille Press
<www.nbp.org>
Contact: (617) 266-6160
The Tactile Caliper is a simple to use, accurate, low-cost measuring ruler for the blind and visually impaired that provides a Braille output to 1/16 of an inch. Developed by Squirrel Devices (a past winner of the Louis Braille Touch of Genius Award), the caliper allows its user to measure with accuracy and speed. It displays readings directly in Braille. It is a simple mechanical instrument that can be used anywhere by people of all ages.
HIGHER EDUCATION
College Success Program for Students Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired
Learning Ally
<www.learningally.com>
Learning Ally has established a new, research-based program to help blind and visually impaired students succeed in college. The College Success Core Curriculum helps students learn about the right and wrong ways to communicate with faculty, assess their technology skills, and determine where to invest their time. Learning Ally's mentoring program pairs college students with blind/visually impaired mentors who have completed their postsecondary studies and moved on to their careers. In order to get access to the College Success Program and to use Learning Ally's extensive collection of recorded textbooks and other materials, a student must sign up to become a Learning Ally member.
BOOKS
Great Expectations
National Braille Press
<www.nbp.org>
The Great Expectations program brings popular picture books to life by using a multisensory approach--songs, tactile play, picture descriptions, body movement, engaged listening--all designed to promote active reading experiences for children with visual impairments. Parents will learn how to describe a picture in a book, how to explore a book's visual concepts, and how to play and have fun telling "the whole story." Children will learn to listen carefully to words and feelings (voice, actions, scene, plot, and character development)--elements that they might otherwise miss by not seeing the pictures. The most recent addition to the Great Expectations series is Iggie Peck, Architect, by Andrea Beaty.
Oskar and Klaus Books
<www.oskarandklaus.com>
Oskar and Klaus: The Mission to Cataria
ISBN: 978-0-9907843-1-9
Oskar and Klaus, 40 pages, 2016
Oskar and Klaus: The Search for Bigfoot
ISBN: 978-0-9907843-0-2
Oskar and Klaus, 40 pages, 2014
Available in print, Braille, and audio formats, the Oskar and Klaus books relate the adventures of a feline odd couple for children ages four to nine. Oskar, blind since birth, seeks out new adventures at every turn, while Klaus prefers to play it safe by lounging around the house. Their first adventure begins with a camping trip in the Pacific Northwest, and their second takes them on a quest into outer space.
Tactile Picture Books Project
<www.tactilepicturebooks.org>
UCB 430
Boulder, CO 80309
Contact: Tom Yeh, [email protected]
The Tactile Picture Books Project has been developed by a team of academic researchers at the University of Colorado/Boulder to create 3D printed tactile picture books for children and to study the scientific and technical questions that arise. The first 3D-printable titles are available for free download.
PUBLISHING
Interconnections
<www.teamaroundthechild.com>
Contact: Peter Limbrick, [email protected]
(0044) 01497-831550 (UK)
If you are looking for a publisher for your book on work with children with disabilities, Interconnections may be able to help. Interconnections seeks to disseminate theories, ideas, research findings, and innovative practice in print. Once your book has been accepted, Interconnections will edit, print, and design it, in full discussion with you. Interconnections will bear the cost of publication and will pay modest royalties.
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