Team of Advocates for Special Kids
Technology E-Newsletter

May 2013

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We are looking for a name for this new publication. Please e-mail your suggestions to [email protected].
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 Upcoming Assistive Technology Workshops

     

Reading and Writing Solutions through Assistive Technology

Tue., June 4, 9:30 am-12:30 pm

Parents' Place, West Covina

Call (626) 919-1091 to RSVP. 

 

APPsolute Fun: Apps for Early Learning

Tue., June 11, 9:30 am - noon

TASK Anaheim

Call (866) 828-8275 to RSVP.

  

APPsolutely Amazing: iDevices and Apps for Kids w/ Special Needs

Thu., June 20,

9:30am - 12:30 pm

South Central LA Regional Ctr.

Call (213) 744-8882 to RSVP.  

 

For more workshops, including our workshops on special education and parental rights and responsibilities under the law, please visit the full workshop schedule on the TASK website.

  

  TASK Membership 

 

Please consider joining TASK as a member! Members receive the following benefits: 

  • Free TECH Labs and access to our lending libraries
  • Bimonthly 28-page TASK newsletters 
  • Membership is tax-deductible

Membership is as low as $35.00 per year, per family. We need your support to continue to provide a central resource center for legal rights and responsibilities information and to continue providing TECH Center services. You can join online; visit the Membership page on our website for more information.  

 

TASK Needs Board Members

 

Are you the parent of a child with special needs? Has TASK helped you in the past? Perhaps you are a professional that has worked with TASK advocates or attended one of our many workshops? TASK is currently recruiting members for our Board of Directors. Make a difference by helping to guide our organization into the future.  Please note that board positions are on a volunteer basis. Board members must be willing to participate in our monthly board meetings via toll-free conference call. Call Marta Anchondo, our Executive Director, at (714) 533-8275 for more information about this exciting opportunity or to request a board packet. 

Greetings! 

 

 

Hello there! I hope you have been having a good month of May. I know many of us are looking forward to June graduations and the end of the school year. In this issue, I have lots of interesting stuff to tell you about.

  

First things first: are you a current TASK member? If so, thank you for your support! If not, please think about joining TASK to show your support. TASK membership is $35.00 for the entire year, per family (or professional). If you are interested in joining, please visit our membership page.

 

 

Now, for some great assistive technology info:

 

 

AT in Action Video Series: Meet Jared

The newest AT in Action video, brought to you by FCTD and PACER, introduces Jared, a young man with cerebral palsy who controls his computer using a sip and puff switch. That computer access allows Jared to run a business creating dynamic graphics and websites. We invite you to view and share this video with your colleagues, friends and families.

 

Amazing EyeWriter

Read about this amazing technology called the EyeWriter that was developed by a wonderful man named Mick Ebeling.

 

Top 10 Tips for Managing Your iPad's Memory

Good ideas for managing app storage on your iPad, brought to you by Smart Apps for Kids.  

Notable apps and app-related info:  
 
 
TapTapSee Turns Photos into Answers
There's a new app in town for blind iOS users. TapTapSee lets you take a picture with your device and get a suitable description in just a few seconds, spoken by iOS's VoiceOver. TapTapSee uses a combination of a database algorithm and cloud-based crowd-sourcing to identify images and return the most useful information. More than 10,000 people downloaded it in the first three months of 2013, and it won the Royal National Institute for the Blind's App of the Month award for March.
  
Kindle for iOS Will Now Turn Your Favorite Books into Audiobooks
The Kindle App now has the ability to read books aloud! Amazon hopes that the introduction of these features will help the visually impaired enjoy Kindle's vast variety of titles.
  
Oceanhouse Media Books
These apps have been around for a while, but I wanted to make sure you are aware of them, because they are wonderful! There are many titles to choose from, including Berenstein Bears, Dr. Seuss, Little Critter and hundreds more. They also have a Smithsonian Collection that features great animal stories with beautiful animations. One of my favorite features of these books is the ability to record your own voice reading the story. This is great practice for kiddos who need to work on their fluency skills. The prices of these apps vary by title. They offer apps for iOS, Android, Google Play and Nook.  
  
Smart Apps for Android
Hooray! Just launched: Smart Apps for Android, a brand new site from the funky bunch at Smart Apps for Kids, the number one kids' app site on the web! Sign up on the website to join their new Android mailing list.
Online tools for students:
  
 
Stop Bullying
StopBullying.gov has launched a Tumblr page as a way to engage youth from across the country to take a stand against bullying in their schools. The page features messages of empowerment, encouraging teens to engage with each other in a positive way in an effort to stop bullying.
  
Sandbox Learning
This is a great website for creating your own personalized social stories. There is an option for a free, customizable book about waiting. Other stories focus on other social, safety and communication skills. You have the option of subscribing to these other personalizable stories for $8.99 each.
  
Cool Tools for Schools and Students
I am a huge fan of FREE resources. Check out this wiki for an extensive list of writing tools. You won't believe how many there are! 
  
Julia's World Project
This website has great free visuals that you can download, as well as some helpful resources for deafness, autism and other challenges.
  
Start Learning American Sign Language
The fun way to learn ASL for free! Free online courses, printables and much more!
  
  
Two more important things:
  
  
Camp TECHie Registration Is Now Open
For more information about TASK's assistive technology summer program, visit the Camp TECHie page on our website.
  
A Special Thank You to Mr. Ron Williams
Last, but certainly not least, I just want to say THANK YOU SO MUCH to Mr. Ron Williams from the Opportunity Foundation of America. He came and spent the day with us on May 16 and worked with one of our TASK members. We all had such a great time! See our Facebook page for pictures from his visit and a great video of one of our TASK members trying out EagleEyes.     
If you have specific questions about assistive technology, feel free to e-mail me at [email protected].  Happy APPing!

 

Laura Simmons-Martinez

Technology Project Director

Team of Advocates for Special Kids

TASK is a nonprofit Parent Training and Information Center that serves all ages and all disabilities. TASK is funded in part by grants from the U.S. Department of Education and the California Department of Education. The views expressed in this e-mail newsletter do not necessarily represent those of TASK, the U.S. Department of Education, the State of California or any other funding source, nor are they an attempt to aid or hinder the passage of any bill before congress. Advertisements or refernces to trade names, commercial products or organizations do not constitute endorsement by any of the above.