schlichting%v70nl.DECnet@NUSC.ARPA ("V70NL::SCHLICHTING") (09/21/87)
Could anyone suggest sources of software for a seven year old boy with cerebral palsy . He has an Apple IIE with mouse, muppet keyboard and two drives. Anythibg that requires fine motor control (ie much typing) wouldn't work. Thanks. C. Schlichting (Schlichting@NUSC.arpa) ------
patth@dasys1.UUCP (09/22/87)
In article <8709210955.aa19768@SMOKE.BRL.ARPA>, schlichting%v70nl.DECnet@NUSC.ARPA ("V70NL::SCHLICHTING") writes: > Could anyone suggest sources of software for a seven year old boy with cerebral palsy . He has an Apple IIE with mouse, muppet keyboard and two drives. Anythibg that requires fine motor control (ie much typing) wouldn't work. Thanks. > C. Schlichting (Schlichting@NUSC.arpa) > ------ Christine, you might want to try the Special Education Software Center in Columbus, Ohio (800) 327-5892 or 327-2711 (voice lines) or their data lines for a FREE software search (800) 772-7373 or (614) 263-1132. If you call them voice, you might ask to talk to Chuck Lynd of LINC Resources; he's also the SYSOP of the Education Forum on Compu$erve; he's very knowledgeable about Special Ed software and I'm sure he'll be glad to make some recommendations if you give him age, grade level and the type (social studies, reading, math, science) of software you're looking for. Good luck! -- Patt Haring UUCP: ..cmcl2!phri!dasys1!patth Big Electric Cat Compu$erve: 76566,2510 New York, NY, USA MCI Mail: 306-1255; GEnie: PHaring (212) 879-9031 FidoNet Mail: 1:107/132 or 107/222
fenwick@garth.UUCP (Stephen Fenwick) (09/22/87)
In article <8709210955.aa19768@SMOKE.BRL.ARPA> "V70NL::SCHLICHTING" <schlichting%v70nl.decnet@nusc.arpa> writes: >Could anyone suggest sources of software for a seven year old boy with >cerebral palsy . He has an Apple IIE with mouse, muppet keyboard and two >drives. Anythibg that requires fine motor control (ie much typing) wouldn't >work. Thanks. >C. Schlichting (Schlichting@NUSC.arpa) >------ I know you asked for software, but this may help and be of general interest-- There is a device on the market called the Eye-Typer which as a keyboard replacement for any computer with a serial port. The housing of the device looks like a keyboard with a lens in the middle. To use it, the user looks at the desired key for a short period of time (adjustable, 1/4 second to 2 seconds, I think). The hardware (solid-state camera) watches the position of the user's pupil to determine at which key the user is looking, and transmits that. I believe auto-repeat is an option. The device was designed for quadraplegics (faster than a mouth-stick) and people with limited motor control. The person to contact about this is: Dr. Mark Friedman Carnegie-Mellon University Robotics Institute 5000 Forbes Ave. Pittsburgh, Pa. 15213 The device is reasonably rugged (designed for use by handicapped children) and moderately priced. It is manufactured by a Pittsburgh outfit called SSI; Dr. Freidman designed it. Say 'hello' for me if you contact him. Steve Fenwick -- \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\//////////////////////////////////////// I refuse to include a quotation, disclaimer, or other byte-wasting message. 8-) E-Mail route: UUCP: ...!pyramid!garth!fenwick (I hope...) USPS: Fairchild, 4001 Miranda Ave., MS 30-606, Palo Alto, Ca. 94306 ///////////////////////////////////////\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
patth@dasys1.UUCP (Patt Haring) (09/28/87)
In article <8709210955.aa19768@SMOKE.BRL.ARPA>, schlichting%v70nl.DECnet@NUSC.ARPA ("V70NL::SCHLICHTING") writes: > Could anyone suggest sources of software for a seven year old boy with cerebral palsy . He has an Apple IIE with mouse, muppet keyboard and two drives. Anythibg that requires fine motor control (ie much typing) wouldn't work. Thanks. --- Chris, You might want to try calling Health Education Electronic Forum (704) 264-0674 (300/1200 baud, 24 hrs); Michael Pejsach, SYSOP, has set up Apple systems and peripherals for people with special needs; if you leave a message on his board perhaps he can give you an idea of what this child would need and any special peripherals required for the software. -- Patt Haring UUCP: ..cmcl2!phri!dasys1!patth Big Electric Cat Compu$erve: 76566,2510 New York, NY, USA MCI Mail: 306-1255; GEnie: PHaring (212) 879-9031 FidoNet Mail: 1:107/132 or 107/222
combs@reed.UUCP (Robert C. Combs) (10/08/87)
For those of you interested in handicapped hardware for your //e you might want to contact Skyline Elementary in Tacoma Washington (the Occupational Therapy wing (it may actually be called the exceptional wing)) and ask for Voski Sprague. This school uses what is called an adaptive firmware card which basically runs via NMI's it works with a large variety of software and can be connected to nearly anything. Currently there are available a large oversized keyboard that works via touch pad cells and can be programmed for any layout. It works with any binary operator such as a variety of large switches and a "sip and puff" it is a truly amazing bit of hardware. All its internal programming is battery backed up RAM which means that the hardware is updated by downloading a disk into it and it will stay there until you pull the batteries off of it. Anyway 'nuff said write me mail if you don't want to call and I'll try to get information for you myself. Bob Combs
tdwest@lion.UUCP (10/09/87)
Note that, in Canada, the Augmentative Communication Service (ACS) of the Hugh MacMillan Medical Center (formerly the Ontario Crippled Childrens Centre) has many O.C.'s working with the adaptive firmware card in conjunction with word processors, children's games, and educational programs. They have used this card for at least 4 years, and are intimately familiar with it (and it's shortcomings). Their can be reached at: Augmentative Communication Service Hugh MacMillan Medical Centre 350 Rumsey Rd. TORONTO, Ontario M4G 1R8 (416) 425 6220 I used to work for the Centre, and can vouch for their extensive testing and knowledge of Apple systems for the disabled. Terry West watmath!lion!tdwest
dr@ski.UUCP (David Robins) (10/12/87)
In regards to the "adaptive firmware card" mentioned, I spoke to the
inventor at the SF Applefest.
The Adaptive Firmware card (with I/O box) is $400, and comes in models for
the IIGS, the //e, and the II/II+.
Available from:
Adaptive Peripherals, Inc.
4529 Bagley Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98103
(206) 633-2610
An expanded programmable overlay touchboard is available from:
Unicorn Engineering Co.
6201 Harwood Avenue
Oakland, CA 94618
(415) 428-1626
I saw this combination demonstrated at the Apple booth, running a
paint application that was designed for a mouse. Using special "keys"
on the touchboard overlay, the appropriate tools ans colors could be
selected with a single touch; no mouse was involved.
--
====================================================================
David Robins, M.D.
Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Foundation
(previously known as: Smith-Kettlewell Institute of Visual Sciences)
2232 Webster St; San Francisco CA 94115
415/561-1705 (voice)
{ihnp4,qantel,dual}!ptsfa!ski!dr
The opinions expressed herein do not reflect the opinion of the Institute!