Welcome!

Our assistive and adaptive technology blog was created as a class assignment to gather information about some of the assistive technology available and to compile it into one place on the web (one blog). We started this blog, each choosing one piece of technology we found interesting, then each created a post to share it. Each entry tells about one assistive device and gives a detailed summary of its function. It should include at least some type of visual (picture, image, video) and a link to another page where more information can be found about each product.

In class we learned about how assistive and adaptive technology helps the lives of many individuals who have either physical or cognitive limits due to disability, age, or other reasons. We watched video of how these assistive devices can help an individual to receive a more authentic education, and a more independent life beyond the realm of school. This technology is important, especially in schools, because it allows a child with a disability or other limitation to have a more independent and meaning educational experience. Without the use of these assistive devices, education for many of our students with disabilities would not be valuable and they would not be able to meet their potential.

We hope you enjoy the information, some of the devices available today are simply amazing in what they can do! Most of all we hope we've help to portray what assistive technology can do for students in a classroom. We would greatly appreciate any comments on the information we have gathered.

Thank you!

Thursday, January 28, 2010

SmartNav by NaturalPoint- A Hands Free Mouse

SmartNav by NaturalPoint is a hands-free mouse that allows individuals with limited movements or the inability to control a computer mouse the freedom to still have control of a computer. The SmartNav technology uses n infrared camera to track the movements of one's body to help navigate a computer. With the SmartNav hand-free mouse, individuals with ASL, Muscular Dystrophy, MS, RSI, and Quadriplegia, can independently move the cursor across an entire screen and click without depending on the use of the hands.
SmartNav runs on a system where the infrared camera tracks the movement of a reflective dot. The camera should be placed on or near the computer facing the indivudal. The reflective dot should be placed upon any preferred part of the user's body or clothing. Reccommended placed for the reflective dot include: head, hand, hat, glasses, or mic boom. This assistive technology is easily adaptable to most individuals needs.

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