Transcript Tablet Computers and Deafblindness

iPad, Apps and Deaf-blindness
Gloria Rodriguez-Gil
California Deaf-Blind Services
In collaboration with
Susan Hiscutt, Aaron Hiscutt’s mother
Cristi M. Sailor, DHH itinerant teacher
Content
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Children who are deaf-blind with additional disabilities
Advantages
Disadvantages
Considerations
Video clips with Aaron and his mother Susan
Aaron’s basic information
Video clip with Johnathan
Johnathan’s basic information
Video: Gloria Featuring Several Apps
List of additional apps and new website
Children who are DB with
Additional Disabilities
• Who can use their vision to see the images
on the screen
• Who may also be able to listen –but not
critical if they can see the images- to the
sounds, recorded or synthesized voice
• Who has the dexterity to tap, swipe, pinch,
un-pinch images on the screen
Advantages of the iPad
• Students show interest very quickly when showing
them the iPad
• Immediate response when using it
• Only requires a light touch
• Its use is very intuitive in comparison with other
devices
• Very portable
• Reasonably sturdy
• Easy to change levels of difficulty
Advantages of the iPad (Cont. 2)
• Can use own digital photos that specifically fit a
given activity when app allows it
• The cost is lower than traditional communication
devices and you can do more than just use it for
this purpose
• The size is good - bigger than iPod Touch or
iPhone so you can enlarge things more
• The clarity of the speech is better than other
devices - it sounds more natural and when you
record your own voice it picks up the nuances such
as intonation
Advantages of the iPad (Cont. 3)
• For the children it looks "cooler" and more "like
everyone else" rather than the more traditional
communication devices
• Child can hold iPad as close as she need to
• Present crisp images and well contrasted
• Provides accessibility features (e.g. voice over)
Disadvantages
• The screen is made of glass and its very
glary and reflective
• If you go outside it may be too shiny
• It is thin and light and sometimes it’s
difficult to set it up for the student when she
cannot do it independently
Disadvantages (Cont. 2)
• Keeping the iPad from falling when the child taps
hard against the screen
• It may be difficult for the child to find the icon
when they are several icons on the screen, the
same can happen when she needs to touch a
specific button
• Sometimes the "page" will turn when the student
or the adult points and moves the hand
accidentally
Disadvantages (Cont. 3)
• Sometimes it’s hard to find the right apps in
the iTunes store
• It would be helpful to be able to try out apps
before buying them, so many are so new
that they don't have reviews.
Considerations
• Try to avoid reflection of external light on the
screen. For example, need to be careful with the
reflections on the screen from the lights above
• Make sure the set up of the iPad its appropriate for
the child (e.g., put the iPad on a slant so kids can
see it better and place a non-slip material on the
slant so the iPad does not slip).
• When recording your voice on the iPad make sure
to make it loud enough
Considerations (Cont. 2)
• If the student uses a FM system, place FM
microphone near the speaker so the child
can hear better
• When creating new pictures make sure there
is a good contrast between the picture and
the background
• Be aware of providing just the right amount
of support when the child is using the iPad.
Considerations (Cont. 3)
• When choosing a communication app
perhaps start with the cheaper and simpler
ones, and then go from there
• Encourage the students and the adults
around to use it. A device is only good if
people use it consistently
Videos Clips with Aaron and his
mother Susan
• Aaron with his mother show the following
apps and Internet programs:
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Draw (length of video 2:45)
Times tables (2:12)
Google Earth (1:44)
You Tube/video on elevators (1:34)
Proloquo2go (2:11)
Aaron’s basic information
• Diagnosis: CHARGE Syndrome
• Age: 13 years old
• Hearing: Profound hearing loss in left ear.
Severe hearing loss in the right. Wears
bilateral BTE hearing aids since he was 10
months old, and FM System since 3 years
old.
Aaron’s basic information (Cont. 2)
• Vision: Minimal vision in right eye, good vision
left eye. Has bilateral colobomas of the optic
nerve. Does not receive VI services.
• Main modes of communication: Sign Language,
speech and pictures
• He had experience before using other
communication devices
• Fully included in general education
Draw app
Download video associated with this slide - 20MB .wmv
http://nationaldb.org/documents/products/webinar/video/draw1.wmv
Times Tables
Download video associated with this slide - 16MB .wmv
http://nationaldb.org/documents/products/webinar/video/times tables.wmv
Google Earth
Download video associated with this slide – 13MB .wmv
http://nationaldb.org/documents/products/webinar/video/google earth.wmv
You Tube/Video on Elevators
Download video associated with this slide - 12MB .wmv
http://nationaldb.org/documents/products/webinar/video/elevators.wmv
Proloquo2go
Download video associated with this slide - 16MB .wmv
http://nationaldb.org/documents/products/webinar/video/proloquo2go.wmv
Videos with Johnathan
• Verbal Victor (2:42)
Johnathan basic information
• Diagnosis: Septo Optic Nerve Hypoplasia
• Age: almost eight years old
• Hearing: mild sensory hearing loss in right
ear, mild to moderate in his left ear
• Vision: not clear the degree of vision loss,
he seems to prefer to see with his peripheral
vision
Johnathan’s basic information
(Cont. 2)
• Main modes of communication: receptive:
auditory and pictures. He seems to retain
information better through songs. Expressive
through behaviors. On an occasion he will speak,
rarely he will use a sign.
• Educational setting: special day classroom.
• Started using the iPad this year, at home he uses
her mother’s iTouch.
Verbal Victor
Download video associated with this slide - 20MB .wmv
http://nationaldb.org/documents/products/webinar/video/verbal victor.wmv
Video: Gloria Featuring Several
Apps (11:21)
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Baby Finger
Doodle Buddy
Little Fingers
Flashlight
iLook
Flash Cards
Tap to Talk
Download video associated with this slide – 83MB .wmv
http://nationaldb.org/documents/products/webinar/video/appdemo.wmv
Other Recommended Apps
• Pins – Pins helps you to develop the creativity of
your child with fun (fine motor).
• Mover lite – Quick way to exchange photos and
contacts between iPhones and between iPads via
Wi-Fi.
• Whiteboard lite- Collaborative drawing app for
iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad over local Wi-Fi or
Bluetooth peer-to-peer.
• Old MacDonald - its sings the song and child can
predict what animal is coming next.
Other Recommended Apps
• Pocket Zoo - whole map of a zoo and then
choose an animal and can watch videos
about specific animal you choose.
• Hang Man - good for categories, clues, it
can be used for color recognition.
New Website Coming Up!
• "In about two months a new website that
focuses on using technology to enhance the
lives of children and youth with special
needs will launch. If you would like to be
notified when the site opens and receive a
free enewsletter please send your email
address to Cristi Mercedes
Saylor at [email protected].