Comments for Conover Company

Comment on The Importance of Special Needs Networking by Mike Schmitz

Mike Schmitz — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 16:39:29 +0000

Thanks for sharing Susan! These look like great resources to share with our online community!

Comment on Thoughts on Dedicated Devices by Amy

Amy — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 13:58:51 +0000

I also was at the M-enabling conference which I thought was not too much new information for me personally, but very interesting to see how the “generic” tech folks are beginning to appreciate the disability marketplace.
Re: Dedicated “vs” generic discussion – assuming as Diana reminds us that the process of making the decisions is a solid one, and that there is also a solid planning for implementation, we should keep in mind that we all use multiple forms of communication. For example, I use a fully-featured desk top for work and the creation of large documents; my iPad as an all purpose tool when traveling (so I don’t need my Kindle, or blackberry, or netbook); my personal phone for texting; my blackberry as an “internet appliance” and work phone…so, think also how generic technologies may AUGMENT a dedicated device…vs. replace. One other thought that occurs to me is the ability to do multiple functions at the same time – a challenge for some of the tablets…Lastly, it is often the quality of the software or “app” that makes the difference. Some of the apps sold for “communication” are little more than automated flash cards, not helpful for fully functional communication not to mention language generation and acquisition. Do I think there’s a new generation of tools out there? absolutely! but like any tool, the object itself is not the focus but rather what it does, how it does it, what it takes to learn to use it and who uses it well!

Comment on Thoughts on Android by David Harraway

David Harraway — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 01:36:32 +0000

While agreeing with your comments regarding the general strength of UD Accessiblity in iOS, the practical reality of the pervasive nature of iPads in Ed settings, and some of the difficulties in developing for Android, I would like to point out that there is one significant accessibility option available for Android that opens up the OS to people with very limited movement – the scanning Tecla keyboard. This is still currently in beta though doesn’t seem to be far away from full release. This free keyboard potentially allows full operation of phone and app functions across the OS and is continuing to be developed by the Aegis consortium. The “commercial” version of the hardware switch interface is now available from Komodo Labs. I am not affiliated in any way with the project; other than I’ve been a beta tester. I’m an OT working at an not for profit Assistive Technology service. It would be great to see Apple allowing full access to their OS in the way Google has with this project. I’d also like to see hardware developers making a bluetooth interface that allowed Assistive Touch gestures to be executed remotely from the device eg via 4 way joystick or scanning/step switch interface.

Comment on The Importance of Special Needs Networking by Susan L. Blumberg

Susan L. Blumberg — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 05:55:55 +0000

In fact, the importance of special needs networking has been known for decades. Parent to Parent organizations all across the country are based on the research regarding this type of mutual support and networking, first done at the Beach Center – see http://www.p2pusa.org for relevant information. In Colorado, our parent to parent agency has nearly 1500 members on our listserv, plus many more who use our website for resources and referrals http://www.p2p-co.org.

Comment on Thoughts on Dedicated Devices by Mike Schmitz

Mike Schmitz — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 18:01:41 +0000

Hi Diana! It’s great to hear this kind of feedback from the perspective of an Assistive Technology Professional such as yourself. We agree with you that an app is only as valuable as the research backing it up. Thanks for joining in the conversation, we look forward to hearing from you again soon!

Comment on Thoughts on Dedicated Devices by Mike Schmitz

Mike Schmitz — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 17:55:14 +0000

Hi Ezra,
Thank you so much for sharing your insights on dedicated devices and the iPad. I think you made some very good points regarding the pro’s and con’s of both the iPad and dedicated devices, but like you said, the iPad is growing in popularity among people with disabilities. It is true, no device is without some flaws, but the iPad will only improve in functionality over time.

Comment on Thoughts on Dedicated Devices by Diana

Diana — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 15:57:23 +0000

Without a doubt, the “ithings”- as a professor once called them are a game changer. As an Assistive Technology Professional, I feel many are losing sight of the “process” we need to continue to use before recommending these products. I have seen time and time again the “greatest new thing” over recommended, and under utilized. Additionally, most apps have no research based claims to prove there efficacy (although I recognize that many are based on software research from the past). I would undoubtedly recommend “ithings” for the RIGHT person/s but not before proper formal and informal assessments.
As far as the “dedicated devices” I fought this battle for MANY years. There was at least for a long time in AAC that clinicians would not recommend “integrated devices.” Although I respected their reasons I think that they were missing the possibilities they could have been offering their clients. It is funny to look now at these same clinicians who are “singing” a different tune. Hmmmm? I agree there will always be a place for dedicated, but t underestimate the potential of individuals ultimately limites them. Great article.. keep them coming!

Comment on Thoughts on Dedicated Devices by Ezra Reynolds

Ezra Reynolds — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 13:38:52 +0000

The problem with a dedicated device that costs $8000 (because insurance will pay that for a dedicated device) is when the insurance(including Medicaid/Medicare) doesn’t cover it. We have worked with a lot of people who have been turned down for a device (low vision equipment, speech devices, etc.) because it is “not medically necessary”. Families of a person with a disability (especially a child) tend not to be rich – even with insurance, there are lots of therapies and services that are not fully covered by insurance and thus a lot of out-of-pocket expenses. Hearing “here is a device that will change your life (or your child’s life) and it costs the same as good used car” is a hard pitch to swallow. For people on a fixed income (social security, disability, etc.) the dedicated devices are priced way out of their reach.

The main advantage of the dedicated device is durability. Many of them are sealed to resist drooling and have a case engineered to withstand significant abuse. The second advantage is ease of customization – you can customize the screens easily, but can’t leave the actual program. We had a child using a speech app on the iPad actually erase it from the app from the iTunes account, forcing a repurchase).

These advantages are being steadily worn down. I have seen shock enclosures for the iPad that protect the screen and have a handle or a wheelchair mount. The communication apps are becoming steadily better, and there are parental controls on the iPad that can prevent deletion of apps (found after the above experience). Similar advancements are being made on the droid tablets.

I am seeing a much larger number of people going to the iPad for accessibility. There will always be a need for dedicated devices – for the highly involved drooling child with spastic motion, an iPad will be destroyed quickly. There is not good switch access for an iPad – yes, there are bluetooth switches, but they tend to only work with apps from a particular vendor. However, I see dedicated devices becoming much more of a niche market.

The desktop PC took off because it can do so many things – word processor, spreadsheet, calculator, paintbrush, design studio, internet, email, CD player, MP3 player, DVD player, arcade machine, etc. Tablets are taking off for the same reason. We are particularly fond of the built-in VoiceOver on the iThings that allow blind/low-vision/reading-impaired to use these devices easily.

The logic for dedicated devices is backwards. It should be a device of last resort, not the de facto standard. The proper path should be to consider a multi-purpose, general-use, commodity good first, and only if that is not feasible consider a more niche application.

Comment on Thoughts on Dedicated Devices by Mike Schmitz

Mike Schmitz — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 17:13:44 +0000

Hi Rachel! Thanks for taking the time to read the blog and share your insights with us. We really value your feedback and are happy to see that you have had such a positive experience with the iPad!

Comment on Thoughts on Dedicated Devices by Rachel

Rachel — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 17:25:44 +0000

This is a very interesting article. I have seen the impact of those with disabilities using an iPad and it is tremendous. They are not only more interested, but the information learned through the use of the iPad seemed to be retained. I am excited to see the the iPad used more as a communication device as well for those who are non-verbal. Thank you for writing this.