Some people love trying out new digital devices. Others see only a nightmare plunge into alien territory. But whether approached eagerly or reluctantly, new technology is a fact of life, and few people can ignore it forever. If you tend…
Tag: AssistiveTechnology (page 3)
Assistive Technology for Holiday Events
Typical “holiday fun”—flashing lights, music, big parties—isn’t fun for everyone. With autism, epilepsy, or sensory processing disorder, even grocery shopping can be a trigger-loaded environment in December. And what do you do if everyone in your family is eager to…
How Digitally Literate Are You?
Briefly defined, “digital literacy” is a working grasp of skills needed to navigate the internet, send texts and emails, join video calls, use various apps, and otherwise take advantage of digital technology. But there’s more to it than that. You…
Texas Children’s Hospital, Easter Seals Greater Houston, and the BridgingApps AT Lab
Much of BridgingApps’ work involves helping children and families find the best assistive technology (AT) to meet their unique needs. There are many pediatric MDs trying to do the same, but lacking full information on AT options. Now, BridgingApps and…
It Sounds Just Like You: The World of Text-to-Speech
October is Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Awareness Month. AAC is assistive technology that provides audible voices for people who have disabilities impairing physical speech. There are many reasons a person may not be able to speak physically: The Evolution…
Assistive Technology, Reasonable Accommodations, and Carbon Footprints
It’s much better to do something small than to do nothing at all. Perhaps all the more so when it comes to large-scale problems such as environmental issues. Big change begins with “ordinary” people making “little” changes on their own…
Tech Trends: What Else Is New?
As noted in our recent articles “Let’s Appreciate AI” and “VestLife: The Latest News,” the newest generation of artificial intelligence promises to be a major factor in improving assistive technology. AI can “teach” devices and apps to: AI-Based and AI-Enhanced…
Eye-Gaze Technology for ALS, Part 2
Over 31,000 people in the United States have ALS (full name amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), a terminal nerve disease. The primary symptom is deteriorating muscle control which ultimately leads to respiratory failure and death, usually within five years. It’s quite possible…
Assistive Technology and Helping Others
You may or may not be a technical whiz, or have personal disability experience. However, even casual interactions can make positive contributions to the world of assistive technology (AT) and the lives of its users. Here are a few ideas…
Not Just for Kids Anymore: Joy for All Robotic Companion Pets for Seniors
You could say they “aren’t your grandmother’s toy dog,” except that Joy for All robotic pets are designed for grandmothers and other seniors. These amazingly lifelike toy animals are made to provide some of the benefits of pet ownership, where…