As 2012 draws to a close.......
by Siobhan Long
It's been a challenging time for many people - and for disability services. This edition of our e zine features a number of free and low cost AT resources which we hope you'll find useful.
Increasingly, we're finding that mainstream products (especially mobile devices such as smart phones and tablets) are offering practical and more affordable solutions for individuals who need voice output communication devices and access to internet/email/social networking, etc. This is particularly welcome news at a time when public funding for Assistive Technology is so limited.
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Launch of Userdrivendesign.org
by Siobhan Long
In October, we launched a new blog in partnership with Dublin Institute of Technology’s Product Design Course. This is a forum where we hope anyone interested in Universal Design might find likeminded people who want to share information/problem solve and debate novel ways of using new technologies creatively. Whether you’re an individual with a disability, a product designer, a service provider, an entrepreneur or a corporate, we hope that you’ll find something of interest to you here. Why not check out the discussions that are going on there right now? www.userdrivendesign.org.
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International Launch of Enable Ireland/IrishJobs.ie Employer Guide
by Siobhan Long
Enable Ireland’s National AT Training Service has partnered with Qatar's Assistive Technology Centre, MADA, to localise our Employer Guide to AT, which was published in October 2012. For employers, ready access to appropriate information on the benefits of AT in the workplace can make a real impact on their ability to support employees, whether new recruits, employees who acquire a disability or significantly, those at risk of acquiring a work related injury, such as Repetitive Strain Injury. AT really is a tool for all, and we hope that this guide may go some way towards increasing its profile and effectiveness in employment. The MADA Employer Guide is available to download here http://www.atprogramnews.com/2012/10/guide-to-assistive-technology-for-employment-yours-to-localize.html
Watch out for the second edition of our own Employer Guide to AT will be published in Spring 2013.
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Smart Home Technologies
by Sean Loughran
Environmental Controls can enable an individual to control devices around their home or place of work with the touch of a button. These controls up until recently have been on expensive dedicated controllers.
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Switching with the iPad!
by Juliann Bergin
There are many differing switch devices available to connect a switch to the iPad, but it can be difficult to know which switch connecter works for the purpose that you require. The following is a short guide to the switch devices currently on the market.
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Mary Cronin, Presenter at National AT Seminar |
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AT Seminar and AT Graduation
by Siobhan Long
December 3rd marked International Day of Persons with Disabilities and to celebrate, we hosted our annual Assistive Technology Seminar in Microsoft. This also coincided with the graduation ceremony of our 2012 Foundations in AT Course.
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Foundations in Assistive Technology 2013
by Siobhan Long
With almost 300 graduates of our Foundations in AT Course, we’re readying ourselves for next year’s intake. This course is aimed at providing a solid foundation in AT for a diverse audience: adults who are AT users, therapists, teachers, IT professionals, families and others. 2013’s course dates are: 13 & 14 February 6 & 7 March 17 April
The course will be delivered in Microsoft over five days with further course content delivered on line. To secure certification, participants must complete a project which focuses on applying AT in the real world. For further information, see http://www.enableireland.ie/products-technology/at-training/courses-seminars or contact: sdeakin@enableireland.ie Tel: (01) 8714000.
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