Apps for children who are visually impaired.

WonderBaby.org has listed what they consider to be their favorite iPads apps for children who are disabled or visually impaired in conjunction with 'Paths to Literacy'. The divide the list into categories. Some have a charge, some are free.
Here are the categories with some of the apps.
Vision:

"Tap & See Zoo": The developer of this app calls it "the first app for iPad and iPhone created specifically for children with cortical visual impairment." Find the app on iTunes.
"My Talking Picture Board": This app helps children with CVI learn how to locate and recognize two dimensional images. Use your own images of people or favorite objects! Find the app on iTunes.

"iLove Fireworks": This app makes big sounds and big visual displays with a simple tap of the finger. It’s also great for teaching cause and effect as well as increasing visual attention. Find the app on iTunes.
"Art of Glow": Simple drawing app with very responsive screen. Helps to build visual attention and cause and effect (no audio). Find the app on iTunes.
Motor/Cause & Effect:

"Baby Finger HD": The tap of a finger causes movements and sounds on the screen. Very easy to use and geared toward younger children. Find the app on iTunes.
"Cause & Effect Sensory Light Box": This is a really well made cause-and-effect app that creates sounds and lights when your finger is on the screen, then stops when you remove your finger. Perfect for children with low vision or CVI. Find the app on iTunes.
Communication:
"Talking Tom Cat": This animated cat repeats words and sounds in a funny voice. Encourages vocalization and interaction with the iPad. Find the app on iTunes.
"Answers Yes No": A simple yet extremely versatile app that turns your iPad into a communication switch that allows for an array of customizations. Find the app on iTunes.
Relaxation:
"Pocket Pond": Listen to birds chirp and frogs croak in a peaceful pond. Touch the screen to make the water splash or just watch the koi swim by. Find the app on iTunes.
Stories:

"Tickle Finger in the Jungle": In this highly interactive story, the reader has to help Tiny Tinga the monkey get home by "tickling" various predators along the way. Find the app on iTunes.
"Dr. Seuss's ABC": All the Dr Seuss story apps from Oceanhouse Media are very well done. The stories are interactive, include sound effects and add a whole new layer to classic Seuss tales. Find the app on iTunes.
Check for 'i' accessibilty features here.

Mom or Dad want to play a game with Elvis?

(picture from ROS site) The ROS Play Therapy System now has Elvis on its variety of games designed for those disabled with Alzheimer's, Parkinsons, and other cognitive or physical issues. Read more here..

Ticket to Work.

(picture from the SSA website)
I received a phone call from the Social Security Administration today. The person wanted to see if Willie wanted to be a part of the 'Ticket to Work' program - something I had not heard of. I stated that he is still in school and we will look into it later in the fall, since he will be out in December. In the meantime, I wanted to take a look at it. As the woman from SSA said, since Will receives SSI, he pretty much qualifies for Ticket to Work. People aged 18 through 64, who receive benefits, qualify. "The career development services and support you need are unique to you. The Ticket program can connect you with the right mix of free employment support services and approved service providers that will best fit your needs." There are work incentives that will help the disabled person keep their cash benefits and health care --
.you may keep your Medicaid/Medicare while you work.
•You have access to individualized support services.
•You can select part-time or work-from-home alternatives to help you reach your goal of financial independence.
•You can try work with confidence, knowing your benefits continue during your transition period.
To find help in your state, please click on search for help.
There are webinars to gather information, both upcoming and archived, please click on WISE , Work Incentive Seminar Events.
The document library will have materials to read for the program, click here.
In the meantime, I think I will be calling ORS (Office of Rehabilitative Services) to get their take on this since they too offer job help and employment.

A Couple of Good Websites For People With Disabilities.

I was checking around for sites to help disabled citizens with employment and found 2 organizations that help, not only with employment but one even with basic life issues. They deserve looking at if you need any information -- good places to start.

THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: the areas they cover are employment, housing, health, interfaith, technology, international concerns, veterans, to name a few. "The American Association of People with Disabilities is the nation's largest disability rights organization. We promote equal opportunity, economic power, independent living, and political participation for people with disabilities. Our members, including people with disabilities and our family, friends, and supporters, represent a powerful force for change" is their mission. They even offer a discount healthcare benefits program. It has 3 levels covering pharmacy mail-order, durable supplies, dental, hearing aids, etc. This is called Medivest; click on the name and you can see what they cover.

The National Organization on Disability (NOD) is a private, non-profit organization that promotes the full participation of America’s 56 million people with disabilities in all aspects of life. Today, NOD focuses on increasing employment opportunities for the 79 percent of working-age Americans with disabilities who are not employed" is what they do. Their mission is 'to expand the participation and contribution of America’s 56 million men, women, and children with disabilities in all aspects of life. Our current focus is on improving employment prospects for America’s 33 million working-aged Americans with disabilities'. The organization 'researches, develops and demonstrates creative approaches to employment issues'. They work with the Wounded Warriors as well.

There is a lot of information on both these sites -- too much for me to try and dissect. I would suggest you take the time to look at them both to see if they can offer any help. The site mentions 2 program design projects to help disabled people get into the workplace: Bridges to Business is an ongoing collaboration with corporations across the nation to design effective approaches to recruiting, training, and retaining career-seekers with disabilities and Start on Success (SOS) is an innovative transition from school-to-work program, which gives high school students with disabilities workplace experience while educating employers about the benefits of hiring people with disabilities.

Possible Options for Making a Safer Home: Part 1.

I AM OFFERING SOME OPTIONS THAT I FOUND IN A BOOK FROM 'AARP' (AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED PERSONS). THERE IS NO DATE ON IT, I COULD NOT FIND IT ON THEIR WEBSITE. THOUGH I FIND THE SUGGESTIONS WORTHWHILE (AND A CARPENTER DID DO SOME FOR MY MOM), I WILL ASK THAT, BEFORE DOING ANY OF THESE, YOU CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL CARPENTER, HOME IMPROVEMENT BUSINESS, BUILDING INSPECTOR, OR ANYONE FAMILIAR WITH CURRENT REMODELING/BUILDING THAT WHATEVER YOU DO IS TO CODE. I WILL NOT GIVE DIMENSIONS OR HEIGHTS OR ANY SPECS -- I AM JUST PASSING ON SUGGESTIONS.

Another book I came across from AARP is called 'THE DO-ABLE RENEWABLE HOME - MAKING YOUR HOME FIT YOUR NEEDS'. They start out by stating that 'according to most gerontologists, personal happiness in later life is the direct result of an individual's continued physical activity and involvement in everyday life'. I think we can all find someone we know, an elderly person, who wants to stay in his/her home for as long as possible, being independent. There may be things we can do in our home or parent's home to make things easier. If you or your parent lives in an apartment, there MAY (check with the landlord or your local housing agency) be a way to make changes, as long as you change them BACK to the way they were when moving out. I also think that many of these options also work with any disabled person, regardless of age.

Some people have mobility issues, some experience vision loss, others hearing loss. This first part will just go over some basic ideas to make things easier at home. I will get into detail at another time (have to read the book more!!). Most of these are pretty self-explanatory and evident.

* for those with mobility issues - relocate bedrooms or living spaces onto the same level; establish convenient storage areas; remove hazards on paths between commonly used rooms; store frequently used household items where they can be retrieved with a minimum of bending, reaching, lifting, & carrying; limit times going up & down the stairs.
* for those with vision issues - clearly mark (with white or reflecting tape) hazardous changes in floor levels; position furniture away from areas where you walk or move around most often; adjust illumination throughout the house by using higher wattage bulbs & distribute light evenly, avoid shiny surfaces to minimize glare; check the home's color scheme - yellows, oranges & reds are more easily distinguished; avoid using closely related colors together - use contrast colors between doorways & walls, dishes & tablecloths, the risers & flat surfaces of steps; keep a consistent light level in bedrooms & bathrooms, & use nightlights.
* for those with hearing issues - for easier communication be in a quiet corner of a room or in a side room away from a group; position yourself so you can hear easier; carpet the floors and put curtains in the windows to reduce noise & echoes; purchase devices such as hearing aids, vibrating alarm clocks, amplified TV sets, flashing lights to announce information & warnings; ask your local telephone company for amplified headsets, signal devices, TTYs, & extension bells.

Sometimes with all the above comes frailty, disorientation, & dizziness;
*use furnishings that are stable & without sharp corners to minimize the effects of a fall; remove scatter rugs, sharp objects & clutter BUT keep the layout of the familiar furniture & pathways the same; place barriers at dangerous locations to prevent unstable or disoriented people from falling down stairs or entering unfamiliar rooms where hazards may be present.

Just remember: places have to be ACCESSIBLE & to make them so, they must be made ADAPTABLE. Since 1992, the Americans with Disabilities Act has made many public places accessible, most important being an accessible route to travel (this would include home corridors too connecting important areas). This as well as other parts of the home can be ADAPTED to fit the person's needs by making adjustments. Adjustments to sinks, baths, doors, etc.

The book goes into these adjustments -- will be discussed in another post.