ability anyware

winter 2016

ability anyware wishes you

happy holidays and
prosperity in the new year!

founded
2015
Ability Anyware Digital Quarterlys mission is to disseminate assistive technology
(AT) news that facilitates the accessibility, inclusion, safety, employment, quality
health care & housing, self-determination, recreation, creativity, and
dignified recognition of
persons with disabilities.

52

From the Editor

AT World:Putting AT on the Map Ability Anyware

AT Survey

3
44

Editor's Pick of AT

Disability Conscious Holiday Gift Ideas

AT for Daily Living & Safety

Disability Friendly Businesses

Noteworthy Books & Films

15

We are on Twitter! @AbilityAnyware

From the Editor

Ability Anyware Virtual Workshops
(Please request at least 2 weeks
in advance)
My safety matters:
Technology for Safety

At Ability Anyware, we work diligently to find and distribute assistive

technology (AT) news. This includes technology and personal products, as
well as disability-related services and training for persons with disabilities
across gender, ethnicity, cultural background, and age. We consider
disability diversity (hearing, visual, cognitive, ambulatory, self-care,
independent living). Not all information shared by Ability Anyware reflects
the opinion of individuals involved with or featured in our publication.
Individuals with disabilities contribute to the content and design of our
magazine.

Accessibility in Windows

Tanya Maxwell
Editor-in-Chief

Accessibility in iOS (Mac)

Alternative formats of this publication (audio, large prints, simplified language)

are available upon request.
Please submit your request to ability.anyware@gmail.com

Accessibility in Adobe

Accessibility on YouTube
More than 37 million individuals
with disabilities are reported
living in the U.S.
(2012 estimate by DisabilityStatistics.org).
We offer advertising opportunities for startups, nonprofit organizations, and
exceptional individuals to be featured in our publication. For more
information, contact us at ability.anyware@gmail.com
2

To register for workshops, contact

us at ability.anyware@gmail.com

AT World: Putting AT on the Map!

Your Input = Output

Accessibility in the
Google Universe

What is Assistive
Technology (AT)?
AT is any form of
technology (high or low)
that aids individuals with
disabilities in mobility,
daily tasks, personal care
and safety, communication,
job duties, medical
treatment, exercise,
recreational activities, and
creative expression. With
possibilities afforded via
AT, developers continue to
create apps and devices with
the disability community in
mind.

YOUR BUSINESS
AD HERE

Google is the most

widely used search
engine. With Google,
users can retrieve the
information they seek
quickly and easily.
Google is well aware
that individuals with
disabilities need access
to information too. They
make information and
technology accessible to
individuals with
disabilities through
Google Accessibility
features.

Ability Anyware would

like your input on which
AT you use. We are also
interested in stories about
barriers encountered in
your life (tasks, equipment, surroundings).
Ability Anyware
Assistive Technology
Survey will gather
important data like this
to share with developers
in updating, creating, and
releasing AT.

a11ynyc Accessibility
Camp 2016
allynyc (Accessibility
NYC) is kicked off its
Accessibility Camp
2016 on Saturday,
September 17, 2016 in
Brooklyn, NY.
According to allynyc,
The goal of the camp is
to share information on
"digital accessibility for
users with different
disabilities, cover
digital accessibility
topics from the web
(technical to tactical),
desktop software,
mobile apps, eLearning,
online gaming, open
source innovations, and
everything in between."

You can request a

copy of the survey and
assistance with
completing the survey
or audio & alternative
formats of the survey
by emailing us at
ability.anyware@
gmail.com.

Physically Challenged Action

Foundation (PCAF) in Ghana,
as featured in The World's
Worst Place to be Disabled?,
needs your support! They
provide a nurturing home to
youth with disabilities, who
were ostracized in their
villages. PCAF teaches these
youth skills necessary to lead
independent, productive lives.
Please click here to support:
http://www.pcaf.com.gh

Assistive Technology (AT))

Act of 2004 established a
total of 56 AT centers across
the nation under the RESNA
Rehabilitation Engineering
Society of North America)
Catalyst Project. The
centers, funded via a
Rehabilitation Services
Administration and
U.S. Department of Education
grant, provide employment
services, such as job traning.
To find out more about these
centers, please visit RESNA
Project website:
http:www.resnaprojects. org/
allcontacts/
statewidecontacts.html

Editor's Pick of

AT Apps

WWorld Institute
on Disabilities
(WI)
"The World Institute on Disability (WID
is a nonprofit that works to fully
integrate people with disabilities into
the communities around them in a
variety of different ways." The center
was Co-founded by Ed Roberts, the
disability advocate responsible for curb
cuts in sidewalks at intersections
which benefit millions of people in the
U.S. alone. WID is based in Berkeley,
California. Whether moving in a wheelchair, pushing a stroller, riding a bike
or skateboard, or crossing an
intersection with luggage, we all feel a
sense of relief at the sight of a curb cut!

FreeRider SEN HID

WWirefree Bluetooth
Joystick

Ideal for use with AAC (Alternative and

Augmentative Communication)

Ed Roberts, Co-founder of WID &

inventor of the curb cut

The Portset FreeRider SEN Wirefree

Bluetooth Joystick provides the ability to
simulate a mouse from a 4 way switch
with the addition of 3 additional switch
inputs. These additional switches offer
right and left click and a toggled
highlighter for drag and drop.

WID's program include Health and

Wellness, Employment and Benefits,
Climate Change, Disaster
Preparedness, and International.
WID's CAPE (Curriculum on Abuse
Prevention and Empowerment) is a
"comprehensive training curriculum
for consumers and trainers to educate
services providers, people with
disabilities, and family members
about abuse awareness and
prevention strategies, with a focus on
self-protection for people with
disabilities living
independently" (https://wid.org).

The Bluetooth Joystick also incorporates

the facility of quick flick left and right to
provide mouse clicks. This feature can be
selected or disabled via a rear control
switch...Indicators are provided for
Bluetooth connectivity, battery charging
and battery level, works with all versions
of Microsoft Windows and selected
tablets (http://www.portset.co.uk).
4

* disability conscious gifts

WHEELCHAIR
ACCESSIBLE DESK

AMAZON
ECHO

..
3E Love: Embrace,
Educate, Empower, Love
Life. Comfortable, durable T-

shirts, hoodies,sweatshirts, and

accessories all embossed with
the well loved, world reknown,
highly reputable 3ELove
disability conscious logo!

SURFACE PRO 4 BY
MICROSOFT

Microsoft Surface Pro 4

"includes features that make it
accessible to a wider range of
users, including those who have
limited dexterity, low vision, or
other disabilities."

Infogrip's "adjustable
desk...a cost-effective
solution for creating
accessible desk space in
schools. The laminate top
provides ample workspace
and the comfort curve
enhances accessibility for
students who use
wheelchairs. The desk
adjusts in height to
accommodate multiple age
groups and variations in
wheelchair sizes and
styles. Convenient book
storage is placed on the
side to maximize knee
space. There is a Standard
version as well as the Tilt
version which tilts from 0
to 50, offering various
positions for accessibility
and for rehab activities
that require a tilted
surface."
(http:/www.infogrip.com).

Hands-free, wireless, voice

activated speaker that
helps make requests for
information, online
research, playing music/
access-ing entertainment,
shopping. Click image
above for more
information.

DONATION TO A
DISABILITY
RELATED
ORGANIZATION

ADVERTISEMENT IN
ABILITY ANYWARE
DIGITAL
QUARTERLY
Gift Wrap a special
advertisement in Ability
Anyware Digital Quarterly.

at for daily living & safety

Digital Literacy

instructors sensitive to the individual needs of our

students.

What is digital literacy? How can one get it? When do

we need it? Digital literacy is the ability to understand/
use digital devices and interpret digital content.

On campus, Pathway students attend classes and

participate with UCLA students in the many
social, recreational, and cultural activities of a
major university."

Digital literacy is required on a daily basis for tasks such

as communication, work related activities, school
assignments, shopping, travel, recreation. Digital literacy
can fill a communication gap for individuals with
difficulty speaking or articulating words.

For more information or request a tour, please

contact UCLA Pathway at (310) 794-1235 or
pathway@uclaextension.edu .
It's Time To GET SAFE!
Nationwide reports of missing persons with
disabilities calls for greater safety training.
Programs like Project GET SAFE in hospitals,
schools, day treatment programs, and residential
facilities helps reduce safety risks and protect the
vulnerable segment of our population. This
includes individuals with disabilities, children, and
seniors. Please visit the online Project GET SAFE
Training & Resource Center for access to webbased safety lessons.

Autism Expressed provides specialized training/lessons

to help adolescents develop their digital literacy/life
skills. They have different modules for understanding
the Internet, safety, daily activities, education, and
professional development.

UCLA, a Pathway of Study for Students with

Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

UCLA Extension offers a variety of courses for adults

with diverse interests. This includes Pathway, a specialized curriculum for students with intellectual and
developmental disabilities. "Pathway at UCLA
Extension is a two-year certificate program for students
with intellectual and other developmental disabilities,
offering a blend of educational, social, and vocational
experiences, taught and supervised by experienced

Common shortage of manpower in hospitals,

residential facilities, and day treatment programs
can lead to insufficient monitoring during moments
that are critical to personal safety. Furthermore,
individuals with disabilities have challenges
reporting abuse, neglect, or danger. Assistive
technology is a safeguard and can be ubiquitous
when humans are not.

VISIT OUR STORE:

10930 WEYBURN AVE LOS ANGELES, CA 90024 (NEAR UCLA)

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BEST DAY
FOUNDATION

Best Day Foundation is a volunteer organization that helps children with special
needs build confidence and self-esteem through safe, fun, adventure activities like
surfing, bodyboarding, kayaking, snow sports, and more. Please join us in creating
special days for children with Autism, Down syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, blindness,
cancer, spinal cord injuries, and other physical and developmental challenges.
Learn more about Best Day Foundation at www.bestdayfoundation.org.

10

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11

A special education teacher partnered with an

experienced brewer to train and hire
unemployed adults with developmental
disabilities to
brew beer.

BEER = CAREERS

WWW.BREWABILITYLAB.COM
12

accessible phones &

Devices sold here!
iPad

=:=stackBerry

ti 1iMHihi
iPh

hTc iPod NOKIA

CD

smart mobility

MOTOROLA

13

one

Noteworthy

Books

Ability Anyware encourages

the promotion of disability
related literature in
accessible formats. This can
include large print, digital
format, audio books. Readers
can access thousands of
books via phone, tablets, and
personal computers. An easy
to use audio book app is
Amazon's audible and
audiobooks available on the
Windows Store, Google
Play, and iTunes.

"Shawn McDaniel's life is

not what it may seem to
anyone looking at him. He
is glued to his wheelchair,
unable to voluntarily move
a musclehe can't even
move his eyes. For all
Shawn's father knows, his
son may be suffering.
Shawn may want a release.
And as long as he is unable
to communicate his true
feelings to his father,
Shawn's life is in danger."

"To the world, Shawn's

senses seem dead. Within
these pages, however, we
meet a side of him that no
one else has seena spirit
that is rich beyond
imagining, breathing life."

14

"Friends come in all colours and sizes;

they can be funny or serious, musical
or athletic, outgoing or quiet. This
book reminds children to celebrate
their differences because that is what
makes each of us so special."

N
noteworthy Films

Disability Related
HHoliday Music Videos
"Little Girl Sign Christmas
Songs for Her Deaf Parents"
on

(Films continued on next page.)

15

In

Loving Memory of Gene Wilder

June 11, 1933 - Aug 29, 2016

16

17

For over 25 years, Infogrip has been the

world leader in assistive technology,
ergonomics and special education
solutions. Our extensive experience and
product knowledge enables us to match
you with the best product that fits your
needs. We know that every person with a
disability requires something unique and
that "one size" never fits "all" in our
industry. That's why our customers
receive the individual attention they
need to find the product that is right for
them. We truly believe there is a solution
out there that can make using a
computer possible for every person with
any ability.
www.infogrip.com