Let's Blog Ability

Everyday Tools for People with MS

MS can manifest with a variety of symptoms depending on the person, but some of the long term effects include:

• Numbness
• Muscle weakness, lack of muscle control
• Vision loss
• Hearing loss
• Difficulty with walking/balance

Many products are available to help cope with these symptoms and make daily living easier for people with MS. Some of the favorite products of people with MS include:

Magnifiers:

Vision loss can come and go with MS, and for some it gets progressively worse over time. Coping with vision loss, especially when it is sporadic, can be difficult. Handheld video magnifiers are convenient: they can be carried in a pocket or purse and used for everyday reading and viewing. Desktop magnifiers are also popular but cannot be transported easily so they are better if you frequently read or view items at home.

Portable Personal Amplifiers:

Hearing loss is less common but still occurs with MS. Hearing aids are sometimes used, but because MS affects the central nervous system, hearing aids are not as effective for MS-related hearing loss as for people with hearing loss from another cause.

Mobility:

Dragon NaturallySpeaking is a voice recognition software that is popular for people with Multiple Sclerosis. For some, the loss of mobility and muscle control can be devastating in their personal and work lives. With Dragon software, the user speaks into a microphone connected to their computer, and the speech is turned into printed text.

For those with less severe mobility restrictions, the Magic Wand Keyboard is an alternative to regular typing and mousing that can be a lifesaver for people who lose some of their fine motor control with MS. With this unique keyboard, a pencil-like wand is held either by hand or in the mouth, and activates keys on contact without any strength or pressure required. It can also be used to perform normal mouse functions to click, drag, and double-click.

2010 EnableMart Catalog is Mailing Now!

After many long hours, a lot of diet Coke and tons of research, I am happy to announce that our 2010 catalog is finally ready here! Of course, there's no way that we could show everything we have to offer in one little book but we have compiled a comprehensive collection of our best selling & most requested items from each of our categories into one easy to use guide available in print or as a downloadable PDF.  The new catalog contains 36 pages of Assistive Technology with vivid full-color pictures and simplified descriptions & explanations, making it a great tool for educators, therapists, non-profit assessment centers and home users.

Download the PDF or request your copy by mail today:
http://www.EnableMart.com/Catalog-Request

Lowest Prices EVER at EnableMart.com!

Happy Holidays Everyone!  I've just posted our holiday specials on EnableMart.com and they're killer!  $75 OFF Senior PC's & ClaroRead Software; 40% off Picture Dialing Phones; GoTalk Communicators from $139, and so much more!

If you've been waiting for the right time to pick up that spare talker or looking for that special gift for that special someone with special needs, now's the time. I can't believe they even let me go this low!  Offers are valid through December 31st only, so hop on over to check out all the great deals @ http://www.enablemart.com/Catalog/Happy-Holidays.

Posted by Michele L. Paley, Product Manager for EnableMart.com

Educators Guide to Assistive Technology

In a world where new technologies and innovations are thought up and released almost daily, finding just the right solution for each specific student can be a pretty daunting task. What we have found however, is that there are some common building blocks that will work across multiple abilities and skill levels and can be built on or tailored to meet individual student's need fairly easily.

To help simplify this process for parents and educators, the Assistive Technology Specialists at EnableMart.com have put together this buying guide, highlighting the products that educators & therapists rely on the most, broken down by critical skill sets. We welcome your comments and questions on this guide and invite you use these links to learn more and to speak to the trained specialists at Enablemart by calling (888) 640-1999 anytime Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm (MST).

Some of our top recomendations and best sellers are listed below.
You may also download this guide as a PDF by Clicking Here.

Reading
click image for larger view	Edmark Reading Program One of our all-time, best selling items, the Edmark Reading Program is designed for students with learning or developmental disabilities and those who have not succeeded with other reading methods. For 30 years, this trusted program has been highly regarded by teaching professionals as "the one that works", allowing most nonreaders to master basic reading skills. This program is available in two levels in both Printed and Software based Curriculums. Click to Learn More... Edmark Reading Program - Print (Choose from Level 1 or 2) Edmark Reading Program - Software (Choose from Level 1 or 2) Edmark Reading Program Bundle - Print (Levels 1 & 2 Inclusive) Edmark Reading Program Bundle - Software(Levels 1 & 2 Inclusive) Price: $489 - 4,329 (depending on licencing options)
click image for larger view	LeapFrog Tag™ School Reading System The Tag School Reading System brings state-of-the-art technology together with good old fashioned teacher-led instruction. This system is comprised of specially designed books and electronic reading pens that allow students to get on-demand pronunciation for individual words or entire sentences, in the voice of the book's characters, creating a multi-sensory reading experience that will lead to a lifetime love of reading. The electronic readers are connected to the teacher's computer where you can assign individual student ID's, monitor student's time on tasks, correct & incorrect answers and even view and print progress reports. The portability of these units also make them perfect for after-school and home-school connection programs. Click to Learn More... LeapFrog™ School Reading System LeapFrog™ Tag School Phonemic AwarenessBook Set LeapFrog™ Tag School Book Packages LeapFrog™ Tag Activity Books (Single Copies) LeapFrog™ Tag Junior Book Pal (For Early Learners) Price: $13.99 - 519
click image for larger view	ClaroRead ClaroRead is a highly effective multi-sensory software solution for supporting individuals who struggle with reading and writing. Designed with maximum simplicity & closely integrated with Microsoft Word & Internet Explorer, ClaroRead can assist users of any age and ability to deliver high quality documents using automatic proofreading, visual highlighting, audible read-back & research capture fuctionalities. Click to Learn More... ClaroRead Standard - Windows ClaroRead Standard - Mac ClaroRead Plus - Windows ClaroRead Plus - Mac ClaroRead Premium - Windows Only Price: $195 - 395
Communicating
click image for larger view	GoTalk Picture Communicators GoTalk Picture Communicators are low cost, introductory recording communication devices which are useful for beginning augmentative communicators. These models are capable of up to 105 messages over a generous 15 minutes of recording time, a built-in handle, and level changing and volume keys on the face of the device. And the GoTalk Overlay Software makes it a breeze to tailor messages and pictures to specific classroom or social/environmental settings and situations. Click to Learn More... GoTalk 4+ GoTalk 9+ GoTalk 20+ GoTalk Overlay Software Price: $79 - 214
click image for larger view	Step-By-Step Communicators Touted as the recorder that gets students in on conversations, these simple yet effective communicators make communicating with friends, teachers & family members a richer, more meaningful experience. Record up to 4 minutes of song or peom verses, steps in a recipe, or short social scripts that encourage conversational turn taking. The Step-By-Step with Levels allows you to record an unlimited number of messages on each of 3 separate levels so you can prerecord grocery lists on level one, knock-knock jokes on level two and the events of the day or any other set of sequential messages on level three. Click to Learn More... LITTLE Step-by-Step communicator BIG Step-by-Step Communicator Step-by-Step Communicator with Levels Price: $160 - 197.33
click image for larger view	BIGmack & LITTLEmack Communicators BIGmack & LITTLEmack Communicators are similar to the Step-By-Step communiators but offer only one pre-recorded message at a time. These simple, easy to use recorders offer up to 75 seconds of recording time over a single message recording slot that can be recorded over and over again as needed. Click to Learn More... BIGmack Communicator LITTLEmack Communicator Price: $115
Writing
click image for larger view	Texthelp's Read & Write Software This award-winning software is an easy-to-use, customizable, floating toolbar that works with ANY Windows or Mac based application and allows students to be more fully included while maintaining their own independence. Integrated tools include auditory feedback, phonetic spell checking, word prediction & homophone support. Read & Write Gold for Windows is also available as a mobile (USB) format that allows students to use THEIR own specifically customized toolbar on any windows-based computer! Click to Learn More... Read & Write Standard - Windows Read & Write GOLD - Windows Read & Write GOLD - Mac Price: $355 - 645
click image for larger view	WordQ 2 & SpeakQ Add-On WordQ is a word prediction software that works with all your standard writing applications including Word, Notepad, Outlook and more. When you type a letter, WordQ predicts what you might want to write and displays a list of words for you to choose from. Individual words can be read out loud before choosing and entire sentences & paragraphs can be read back upon completion. WordQ even learns how YOU use words so that it improves over time! SpeakQ does everything WordQ does PLUS you can write just by speaking! You have the choice at any time to use the keyboard & word prediction or speaking straight into your text. Speech recognition & word prediction work together to enhance each other and improve accuracy. Click to Learn More... WordQ2 SpeakQ (Add-On for WordQ) WordQ2 & SpeakQ Bundle Price: $99 - 199
Math Skills
click image for larger view	Sci-Plus 300 Large Display Talking Calculator The Sci-Plus 300 is the ONLY large display scientific calculator in the market that also has speech output for visually impaired users. Featuring a large, high contract 8 digit LCD display & long life lithium battery, technical capabilities include mathematical, trigonometric & scientific functions, and even fractions. Click to Learn More... Sci-Plus 300 Large Display Talking Calculator Price: $325
click image for larger view	Show Me Math Software A bundle of three basic math programs appropriate for all ages that features assessment & instructional modes to help teachers assess deficits and write relevant IEPs. Students learn in four basic areas (addition, subtraction, multiplication,division) and problems are presented in numeric formulas or animated 'movies' that help students to visualize solutions and make sense of math! Click to Learn More... Show Me Math CD Price: $99 for one, or $249 for a 5-Pack
click image for larger view	PCI Real-World Math Real-World Math helps students learn strategies for dealing with math problems found all around them in every-day life including how to adjust recipes, calculate nutritional content, figure sales tax & tips, manage schedules, plan travel, determine sale prices, handle banking transactions, manage budgets, and so much more; Putting an end to the inevitable question "When am I ever gonna' use this?" Click to Learn More... PCI Real World Math (Real-World Reading & Writing are also very popular among educators) Price: $51.39
Critical Thinking & Study Helps
click images for larger view	Inspiration, Kidspiration & InspireData Kidspiration was created to help K-5 learners develop confidence as they learn to organize information, understand concepts and connections create stories, and share their thoughts using memorable illustrations and common organizational principles like webs, concept maps & Venn diagrams. Inspiration, created for grades 6-12, helps older students develop ideas and visually expand concepts with diagramming & outlining features designed to help students think, organize, and learn. Highlights include video & sound integration as well as drag and drop multimedia capabilities. InspireData helps students formulate questions and make connections between data and its visual representations to interpret information, solve problems and draw conclusions. Highlights include integrated table and plot view to allow students to move instantly from data collection to data interpretation, and multiple plot types to represent and analyze data including Venn, Stack, Pie & Axis formats. Click to Learn More... Kidspiration Inspiration InspireData Price: $69 - 79
click image for larger view	Leapster Portable Technology Center The Leapster Portable Technology Center (PTC) is part of the Leapfrog School Series which has been rapidly gaining recognition and acclaim from educators everywhere. These handheld units provide engaging multi-sensory instruction that adapts to student's skill levels and rates of progress, allowing students to work at their own pace, in the classroom or at home. Teachers are able to download and monitor students' progress using the included administrative software that comes with the kit. Optional Expantion Kits allow remedial or advanced students to join in the activities and Story Explorers delves further into vocabulary, phenemic awareness, syntax, & comprehension Click to Learn More... Leapster Portable Technology Center Price: $405 - 965
click image for larger view	Leapfrog Crammer Study & Sound System The LeapFrog Crammer is a pocket-sized study system that kids students can take with them wherever they go. New content can be selected and downloaded to the unit including content from today's most popular school textbooks! Teachers & Parents can use the online learning path to track their child's progress and time spend on various subjects and skill areas. A great tool for reinforcing the day's lessons. Click to Learn More... LeapFrog Crammer Study & Sound System Price: $71.25 - 75 (based on qty purchased)
Hand Eye Coordination & Motor Skills
click image for larger view	Magic Touch Add-On Touch Screens These innovative add-on touch screens turn any everyday monitor into an intuitive touch screen. These screens open a world of learning opportunities to students with cognitive and motor disabilities that make using a desktop keyboard more difficult. Click to Learn More... Magic Touch Add-On Screens Price: $169 - 439
click image for larger view	BIGtrack Trackball Mouse The BIGtrack is the largest trackball available on the market. The 3" trackball requires far less fine motor control than a standard mouse or smaller trackballs and the click buttons are located behind the trackball to help avoid unwanted clicks. Also available in a switch adapted model for Mac or PC, these are definitely a favorite among educators & parents too! Click to Learn More... BIGtrack Standard BIGtrack Switch Adapted Price: $75 - 105
click image for larger view	SAM-Joystick The SAM-Joystick acts just like a mouse, only when you push the stick the cursor does not go flying, no matter what the user does. The cursor simply moves at the speed preset by the user or supervisor from a switch located underneath. Available for Mac or PC. Click to Learn More... SAM-Joystick Price: $229-239

And remember, our specialists are availalble via live chat or telephone during regular business hours to help answer all your questions. Government & School District proposals & bids are welcome. Reach us online at www.EnableMart.com to access our live chat feature or call (888) 640-1999 anytime Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm (MST).

Grab n Go Stimulus Packages from EnableMart

Is your school looking for an all-inclusive package with the tools your students with disabilities need? EnableMart has created five stimulus packages designed for specific areas of your school that include the switches, switch interfaces, programs, touch windows, and more to make it easy for you. Learn more about individual packages: 

Accessible Media Center Package

Ready for Functional Skills Package

Accessible Classroom Package

Accessible Computer Lab Package

Ready for Autism Package

So if your school is looking for the perfect solution with all their classroom, computer lab, or media center needs met in one stop, look no further than EnableMart today! 

EnableMart.com Announces a New Way to Reach Consumers Needing Assistive Technology

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Manufacturers Resource Network, Inc. (parent company of EnableMart) announced June 1st, 2009 that they will provide deeper information & buying assistance to individuals seeking assistive technology products.  EnableMart has been the industry leader in assistive technologies for more than 10 years.

EnableMart will work with Microsoft to provide additional product information and buying assistance to customers browsing Microsoft’s assistive technology page. About 50% of the traffic to http://www.microsoft.com/enable/at will be redirected to http://www.EnableMart.com/microsoft where customers can not only research and shop  the largest variety of assistive technology products on the web, but can also purchase online, over the phone or speak to one of EnableMart’s Assistive Technology Experts directly.

To prepare for this additional traffic, EnableMart will develop new search & sort functions as well as additional customer service & sales support.  Additionally, any customer that has been browsing the same page on EnableMart.com for more than four minutes will be addressed by one of EnableMart’s product specialists who can guide their search through a non-intrusive chat window.

EnableMart’s product offering of over 3,000 assistive technology and assistive living devices from over 200 manufacturers, in addition to their expert product knowledge ,makes it the perfect outlet for this additional traffic.  EnableMart's staff is steadfast in their mission to change the lives of individuals with disabilities and more committed than ever to eliminating barriers and paving the way to independent living.

For more information check out http://www.EnableMart.com/microsoft  or call (888) 640-1999.

Stimulus Package Saves Schools?

How many special needs teachers were already facing dire circumstances such as layoffs, budget cuts, etc even before the economy went kaput? Here are some quick facts about the stimulus that may be heartening for teachers and educators:

• $91.3 billion going to health, labor, and education departments . $600 million 
• $29 billion of that designated for "Education Programs" 
• $600 million which may be available specifically for Assistive Technology upgrades 

In spite of the No Child Left Behind Act passed in 2001, the Bush administration has increasingly moved away from federal support for schools and school programs - opting to leave the responsibility with State and Local governments. The stimulus package changes the course of the federal government by increasing the involvement of federal monies in primary and secondary education.

What does this mean for the teachers? For starters, it means relief for those who are worried about massive layoffs. Some of the money can be used to prevent downsizing school staff. Teachers and other staff will also receive further training including proper use of the latest technologies. And money can go to maintaining and expanding the current Assistive Technology tools and programs available to students with disabilities. 

If you would like to read more, there is an article with details about the education aspect of the stimulus package at eschoolnews.com

AT Stands Out: Embarrassing And Expensive

Ryan Deschamps is a librarian out of Halifax, Novia Scotia who keeps a great blog, The Other Librarian, about issues affecting the modern library. 

I read a post that he wrote back in October 2007 about accessibility in public institutions that still applies today. Will Universal Accessibility at Libraries Even Be Possible in 10 Years? discusses the supply and demand for accessible products like screen magnifiers and screen reading software. 

Let's admit it and get it out of the way: Assistive Technology can be costly. And for organizations and individuals who are already on strict budgets, accessibility sometimes takes a back seat to other necessities. Governments, libraries, and other organizations set up accessible workstations for people with disabilities that are usually more expensive thanks to all the specialty Assistive Technology that goes into them. 

But why do many of these products remain comparatively expensive even though they have been around for years? The answer is lack of competition. Because these products are so specialized, manufacturers enjoy a privileged status with customers who must use their product or go without. And because there are relatively few people with disabilities who buy such products, there aren't a lot of new companies trying to get into the market and compete for sales. He points out that it is nice for libraries that can take advantage of the grants and other monies they get to purchase accessible products, but then the demand for the products is temporarily bolstered and high prices are reinforced. 

How do we bring down the price for those individuals who cannot afford the products that might make their lives easier? Here are some of Ryan's suggestions: 

1. Open source. There are some great open source options out there that are more accessible. 

2. Be proactive. Be an advocate for change by supporting community groups who insist that software is accessible with screen readers and resizers. 

3. Change your mind. Stop thinking about accessibility as a special add-in and think of it as a necessity for all purchases. Do what you can to only purchase accessible items. 

See Ryan's blog for the full article and for more good information for librarians. 

Got any ideas for how to make accessibility easier for everyone? Leave a comment! 

Assistive Technology Assists Everyone

There was a New York Times article last week about T.V. Raman, a blind engineer who works for Google. Raman has developed several items for himself and for Google with the motto that technology that is helpful to him is helpful to everyone. One of his many current projects is a cell phone that doesn't require sight. He refuses to call it "a cell phone for the blind," because he says the phone would be great for a lot of people without disabilities. Drivers, busy administrative assistants, and others would benefit from the safety and convenience of a cell phone that you don't need to look at to use. 

Raman is a power-user of Assistive Technology; his screen reader is set to 3 times the normal pace of the human voice. But with all the product enhancements out there, he is concerned about the current shift of cell phones and other devices to touch screen technology, which is notoriously difficult for people with disabilities to use. 

The key to Raman's insight about technology is that not everybody uses it in the same way. When products are being developed, Raman asks that developers continually remind themselves to make the products easy for anyone to use in any situation. So, for example, instead of thinking about how to make a product accessible for someone with limited mobility, an engineer might ask, "How could this product work for me if I didn't want to use my hands?" 

Raman is an advocate for change that works for everyone. He insists that technology should be developed with a variety of uses in mind, and that will result in positive changes to benefit everyone. Part of Raman's goal is to get more engineers excited about Assistive Technology. Raising awareness about AT will result in more great products on the market. He says, "If I can get another 10 engineers motivated to work on accessibility, it is a huge win." 

Do you have any ideas for technology that could be improved for people with disabilities that would also help other users? 

ATIA Press Release: ATIA Conference Puts Assistive Technologies for Children and Adults on Display

January 28-31 Conference in Orlando Brings Together 2,400 Professionals and Consumers, and More than 125 Industry Vendors for Networking Opportunities and Almost 300 Educational Sessions

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) announced today that its 10th annual conference on assistive technologies will convene January 28-31 at the Caribe Royale All-Suites Resort & Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. The conference offers a showcase for more than 130 companies and organizations providing technologies designed to assist the disabled with learning, working, and communication, as well as more than 275 educational sessions. It is expected to draw over 2,000 consumers and professionals serving people with disabilities.

Since 1998, ATIA has provided a forum for companies offering innovative technologies and services for people with disabilities to enhance learning, working and their independence.

“As the need to help people with various learning and communication challenges increases, ATIA will continue to raise awareness of the latest innovations for the disabled as well as for the practitioners who work with them,” said David Dikter, Executive Director of ATIA. “Our Orlando Conference offers a wonderful opportunity to learn about technologies to address old and new challenges, including Internet accessibility, learning disabilities, access for the visually impaired, deaf/hard of hearing, physically disabled, and the entire spectrum of age-related disabilities.”

There are 78-million Baby Boomers and 600-million people worldwide living with all types of disabilities. The assistive technology market represents more than $175-billion in discretionary income, making it a powerful, but often under-served, purchasing constituency.

ATIA companies cover all aspects of the assistive technology spectrum, including: augmentative and alternative communication; blind/low vision; computer access/Web accessibility; IT companies; K-12 and higher education technology; deaf and hard-of-hearing; practitioner and educator organizations; distribution and service provider organizations; and local, national and international groups.

In addition to its own work, ATIA also enhances its mission of bringing assistive technologies to those who need them by maintaining strategic partnerships with the following well-known organizations: American Foundation for the Blind (AFB); Assistive Technology in Higher Education Network (ATHEN); Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST); DAISY Consortium; Easter Seals; Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS); Infinitec; The Chicago Lighthouse; The National Assistive Technology Technical Assistance Partnership (NATTAP); The National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID); The Pass It ON Center (PIOC); State Leaders in Assistive Technology in Education (SLATE); The Technology and Media Division (TAM) of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC); and the United States Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (USSAAC).

The ATIA Orlando Conference is open to anyone interested in learning more about assistive technologies for children and adults. For more information on the conference, please visithttp://www.atia.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3280.

About ATIA

The Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) is a not-for-profit membership organization whose mission is to serve as the collective voice of the assistive technology industry so that the best products and services are delivered to persons with disabilities. Members of ATIA include for-profit, not-for-profit, government, or private organizations located across the globe. For more information, visit ATIA’s Web site at www.atia.org.

Press release at http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20090107005428&newsLang=en