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A T in V TAssistive Technology in Vermont
Volume 2, Issue 1Fall 2012
AT Tryout and Access Center at CDCI
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
A Bike for a Child? VT Ambucs 1
Low-tech AT 2
AT4all Database 2
AT Equipment Available for Loan
3
Autism Puzzle Foundation 4
Interested in Helping a Child Receive an Adapted Bicycle this Holiday Season?
The VT Friends of AMBUCS has been working for 5 years to give VT children with disabilities the chance to pedal with their able-bodied peers. Our solution is the AmTryke therapeutic tricycle. The VT Chapter is all about supporting children’s abilities. Properly balanced and safely supported almost any child with a disability can ride an AmTryke. To date, over 150 Vermont children have been outfitted with an AmTryke. Our next bike fitting will be Spring of 2013.
The Vermont AMBUCS Friends Chapter was started in 2007 and is a 501 (c) (3) public charity with the mission of "creating mobility and independence for people with disabilities." All members of the Vermont Friends Chapter AMBUCS are volunteers; we have no paid staff. Many of our members are physical therapists, occupational therapists, family members, bike enthusiasts, and private business people dedicated to making a difference!
We accomplish our mission by purchasing AmTryke therapeutic tricycles for area children and adults with disabilities, especially those in need of charitable intervention. Children that require charitable intervention are placed on our “Vermont Wish List” until the funds are raised for their bike. We work to raise funds needed to purchase AmTrykes all year long.
You can help us, the Vermont Friends Chapter of AMBUCS, make the wish of mobility come true for children with physical or developmental disabilities by providing funding to purchase AmTrykes. To donate online go to: www.active.com/donate/vtkidbikeDonations can also be mailed to VT Friends of AMBUCS 46 Wallis Drive Waitsfield, VT 05673, or contact Marie MacLeod at 496-5399, or email [email protected].
Check Out This App!
myHomework
by Rodrigo Neri
myHomework is a free app that allows students to keep track of their classes, homework, tests, and assignments. It has a calendar display and supports time, block, and period-based schedules. It is compatible with the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad and requires iOS 5.0 or later. FREE
Available at www.iTunes.com
Authors/Editors:Leslie ErmolovichMarie MacLeod
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Upcoming Events, Trainings and WorkshopsCDCI AT Tryout CenterOPEN HOUSE!Thursday, January 17, 2013Come on in and explore the Assistive Technology we have available for demonstrations and loans at our CDCI AT Tryout Center, UVM, Mann Hall, Room 302.12:00pm – 6:00pmMark your calendar!
SAVE THE DATES!“Keeping it Together! Organizers, Schedules & Apps to Support Memory, Productivity and Daily Life!” Webinar Series for TBI or Cognitive ChallengesPresented by Michelle Ranae Wild. Each starts at 3:30pmFebruary 21, 2013“Utility & Reference Apps that Can Really Help”March 21, 2013“Memory & Organization Apps for Smart Devices”April 18, 2013“Using Your Smart Device as a Note-Taking and Memory Aid”May 23, 2013“Using Visual Aids for Improving Productivity”More information coming soon at www.uvm.edu/~cdci/at
Low-Tech Adaptations You Can Make Yourself by Leslie Ermolovich, CDCI AT Tryout Center
What’s new at www.uvm.edu/~cdci/at
The Periodic Table of AAC by Kate Ahern, M.S.Ed. A good tool when thinking about AAC. Check this out under Resources on our website!
You can now view our inventory and request loans online from our new AT4All database! Check this out under Resources on our website!
A T in V T
Remember the popular board game Candy Land? Well, here’s an easy way to make an adaptation for this game. Eileen Haddon, from the VATP in Williston, came up with this brilliant idea! First, reinforce the back of the game board with a strip of duct tape (the part that bends). Then glue a small cookie sheet to the back of each half of the board using a spray adhesive, and magnets to the bottom of the (sanded) playing pieces with Gorilla glue. Now the playing pieces can be slid around on the board instead of having to pick them up to move them. This is a great adaptation for children with fine motor challenges.
Did you notice how “busy” the face of the Candy Land game board is? Typical children have no problem with this. For a child with a Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI) however, the unadapted game board to the left would be overwhelming because of too much complexity. They would not be able to distinguish the game-piece path from the rest of the board. A further adaptation to the game board, done by Leslie from the CDCI AT Tryout Center,
allows this path to stand out. Notice the difference between the board in the picture above and the picture below. To make this adaptation, clear transparency film was used to trace, and then cut, the game-piece path on the board. This clear path was then used as a template to trace the path onto black poster board. The path was cut out of the poster board and the entire sheet was laminated using a non-glare laminate. Red sticky-back foam pieces were used for the castle and shortcut paths.
The adult supervising the game would change the time on the SLAT for each child so that the pointer stops on a different card each time the switch is pressed. There is also a $.99 app called Candy Cards for selecting a playing card available for the iPad/iPod Touch/iPhone.
The playing cards were also adapted for CVI and fine motor challenges. They were copied and glued to black poster board mounted on a Clock Communicator by Enabling Devices. A Switch and Latch Timer (SLAT) and a switch are used to select a playing
The New VATP AT4all Database is Here!by Amber Fulcher, VATP Williston
We are proud to announce the launch of our new site, AT4All Vermonters, which can be found at https://vt.at4all.com or via a link on our VATP website, www.atp.vt.gov, or CDCI Assistive Technology Tryout Center’s website, www.uvm.edu/~cdci/at . AT4All Vermonters provides site visitors with an online inventory of all of our equipment that is available for loan or demonstration. This inventory is searchable by keyword, location, category, and function and includes web-links and item descriptions. Not only can you view our program inventory, but you can register for a free, secure account to request 30 day loans of the equipment, which can be shipped to you at no cost! Instructions for registering for a user account and requesting a device loan can be found on the home page at https://vt.at4all.com, or you can contact our VATP Central Office directly for assistance at 1-
Latest ATChordBuddy
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The ChordBuddy is a lightweight adaptation that attaches to the neck of an adult-sized, acoustic or electric guitar. All you have to do is push a button and strum, and voila, you are playing music!
By pressing on the blue, green, red, and yellow buttons of the Chord Buddy you can play the G, C, D, and Em chords allowing you to play hundreds of songs with just these 4 chords.
It comes with an Instructional DVD, a Lesson Plan Book, and a song book with the color words printed for each chord. We have also adapted these books with color stickers for non-readers.
For more information on the ChordBuddy, please visit www.chordbuddy.com
The ChordBuddy is available for $35.82 from www.amazon.com
The ChordBuddy is also available from the CDCI AT Tryout Center for a 30-day loan.
Note: The ChordBuddy
AT Equipment Available for Loan from our AT Tryout Centers
Rifton Activity Chair (Medium)
The Rifton Activity Chair is intended to provide comfortable seating with adjustable support for children and adolescents with disabilities in the classroom or at home. The chair allows for growth, multiple users, and is available with various accessories that are easily removable as the person gains independence. Features:
Tool-free adjustments Adjustable tilt-in-space Hi/lo base foot pump Arm and head supports Tray attachment
Rifton Dynamic Stander (25” frame)
Call us at 656-4767 to reserve any of the above Rifton products.Note: A qualified professional, such as a physical therapist, must assess the appropriateness and safety of all equipment for each user.
The Rifton Dynamic Stander provides new independence and standing mobility for children and adolescents who use a wheelchair. This mobile stander helps strengthen critical motor skills so a child can progress toward independent standing.
With the Rifton Dynamic Stander’s removable large wheels in place, children can self-propel in a standing position – free to explore their surroundings alongside (and often ahead of!) their playmates.
Pop off its removable large wheels, and the Rifton mobile prone stander easily rolls right up to a table or a counter for participation in crafts and other stationary activities.
The Rifton TRAM is a transfer and mobility device designed for the safety, convenience and dignity of both the user and the caregiver. It offers three powerful functions in one device: seated transfers, sit-to-stand transfers, and supported ambulation.Features:
an ultralight compact frame that’s easy to maneuver in tight spaces
intuitive controls and adjustments, making it simple for a single caregiver to operate
a body support system that eliminates any lifting by the caregiver, reducing back strain and workplace injuries
350-pound weight capacity and a powerful battery drive that can
Rifton
BurlingtonAT Tryout and Access center
Center on Disability and Community InclusionUniversity of VermontMann Hall, 3rd Floor208 Colchester Ave.Burlington, VT 05405
Phone: (802) 656-4767Fax: (802) 656-1357
E-Mail: [email protected]/~cdci/at
Waterbury (main office)103 S. Main Street – Weeks Bldg.
Waterbury, VT 05671-2305802-241-2620/800-750-6355
Rutland190 ASA Bloomer Bldg.
Rutland, VT 05701802-786-5936 Fax: 802-786-5078
RandolphP.O. Box 85
Randolph, VT 05060802-595-2831 Fax: 802-241-2174
Sell, Buy, Loan or Donate Toll Free 888-827-2714
Have You Heard of the Autism Puzzle Foundation? by Emma Cobb, VATP Williston
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In partnership with
AT Resources “Attainment Company” www.AttainmentCompany.com 800-327-4269
Attainment Company is an independent, family owned business based in Verona, Wisconsin. Since 1979 Attainment Company has been dedicated to helping people with disabilities succeed at school, work and life. Their products include low-tech communication devices, products for elementary and older students, an Early Literacy Skills Builder program, aging resources, and professional resources. Check them out!
Funding made possible through a grant from the Vermont DAIL, Division of Vocational
Rehabilitation, Agency of Human Services
www.atp.vermont.gov
Young people on the autism spectrum up to age 18, who live in Vermont, can receive $400 in assistance for the following: educational and sensory equipment, social skill classes, recreational therapies and other autism related needs. There is no income eligibility required. To access the brochure and application you can visit the website. http://www.vtautismpuzzle.org
For any additional questions, please contact Emma Cobb at the VT Assistive Technology Program, State of VT, 103 South Main Street, Weeks Building, Waterbury, VT 05671-2305. Phone: 1-802-871-3353. Fax 802-871-3048 or [email protected]
SAVE THE DATE!!!!Once again, The Autism Puzzle Foundation will be holding their annual Casino Night fundraiser event to benefit both Autism Speaks and the Autism Puzzle Foundation. The funds raised through this event will go directly to national scientific research, as well as education grants and assistance for the Vermont autism spectrum community.
Come join the festivities and help us enhance the lives of children and families living with autism!Date: Saturday April 6th, 2013Time: Doors open at 5:00pm Dinner: 6:00pm Where: Barre AuditoriumTickets: Visit the VT Autism Puzzle Foundation RSVP web page:http://www.vtautismpuzzle.org/rsvp.html
Silent Auction * Live Auction * Blackjack * Craps * Roulette * Raffle prizes * Speakers
Every ticket has the chance to win a cash prize, as well as other prizes.Meet your favorite ACT drivers and parents of children with autism. Come join us for a fabulous evening!Please RSVP by April 1, 2013 (please include money with RSVP to reserve your place!)
The VT Assistive Technology Reuse Project helps parents, grandparents and schools to locate items that enhance the social and learning experience or provide easier daily living at home. Take a look at www.getATstuff.com and, for VT schools, www.Vermont.ATschoolswap.comEmail us at [email protected] or call Toll Free 1-888-827-2714 or directly at 802-498-4740