lifekludger

Lifekludger Responds – Stylus choice

 

On 10 May 2013 15:58, MS wrote:

Hi! Just came across your blog while doing some research for a stylus for my 8 year old. He has severe cerebral palsy, but is just starting to use a mouth stylus to access the ipad.

I was thinking that maybe a head stylus would be better…but noticed you use the mouth. Can I ask why???

Hi MS

I tried a head pointer early on (like 25years ago) and a dentist fitted moulded mouth grip for a stick back then too.

I’d say the #1 reason I use a mouthstick is it’s the least intrusive to my life and it also offers most independence.

eg: I don’t require assistance to start using it, unlike a head pointer or fitted mouth device where I’d need someone to put it on and take it off and I’d be figuratively “tied” to the thing.

With my mouthstick, it sits in its holder (an upturned piston) on my accessible desk and I roll up to the desk whenever I choose, take the stick and use it as long as I choose and put it down and roll away again as I choose.

Things will obviously be different with different people obviously but its more about fitting the correct device to your lifestyle and not the other way around. Life context along with ability is all important. High tech. isn’t always better tech. Look for appropriate technology.

Good luck with your journey.

Dave – Lifekludger

Posted in Input, Lifekludger Responds, Touch

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X-Mouse Button Control Utility

X-Mouse Button Control is a Windows application to remap your mouse buttons and expand the capabilities of your mouse!

Posted in Input, Lifekludger Links, Software, Utilities

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Captioning Telephone

This  Captioning Telephone allows you to “see” the phone calls you cannot hear.

It comes with a large display screen and has free voice-to-caption service to produce the text for the captions. No special equipment is required to make it work*, though a high speed Internet connection is required. One good feature is the ability to save captions for future.

The captioning function can be turned off and the Captioning Telephone will function like any other normal phone, including adjustable volume and an answer machine.

[ via Coolest Gadgets & Firststreet online]

* Some location restrictions may apply. Check captel.com for details.

Posted in Communication, Lifekludger Links, Listening, Livers, Reading

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Wheelchair-accessible version of the NYC Taxi

A universal, accessible taxi fleet is something to aspire to, and IMHO Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s push to standardize the NY city’s taxi fleet with a single, universal vehicle is to be applauded.

This Nissan vehicle looks the ticket. Though I ‘m not sure how most electric wheelchairs would fit in lengthwise. I look forward to seeing a demonstration on something other than a manual push chair.

Here’s video of how the vehicle functions from Nissan’s youtube channel.

via Part Man Part Car blog and details of Nissan debuting the wheelchair-accessible version of the NYC Taxi, the NV200.

Posted in Access, Design, Transport

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Doorbell sends SMS Message when Pressed

Along the lines of the Notifying Doorbell comes another project to enhance a doorbell.

This Project from Martin’s Hobby site has details on a Wireless Doorbell that sends SMS Message when Activated.

Includes the code for you to make your own.

Posted in Devices, Lifekludger Links, Living, Makers, Monitoring, Switching

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Notifying Doorbell

From Notifying Doorbell by ClementStorck on YouTube

“This project will help you to hack your doorbell to send Push notification and an email with an attached picture when somebody’s at the door. It use the free PushingBox service to delegate all the programming part and make things easy.”

“The principle is simple, when someone rings the portal, a push is immediately sent to our phones (iPhone), and just a few seconds later, we received an email (account MobileMe Push) containing a photograph of the person just rang.”

(Translated from clement.storck.me via google translate)

Posted in Automation, Lifekludger Links, Living, Makers, Monitoring

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No. 2 Stylus Pencil

No. 2 Stylus Pencil for all your touch screen devices.

I like that this has removable tips and can put two together to extend the length.

See more at the link below

Posted in Input, Lifekludger Links, Touch

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MedFolio – Electronic Pillbox Alerts

The MedFolio Electronic Pillbox is the usual configuration with times and days sectioned in their container, however the differences come in the electronics the box features.

Each section features an LED light which glows when you are due to take it, and will stop once the related segment has been removed.

The medication can be tracked a week in advance, send audio alarms via email or text message and be synced to a server where carers can monitor the medication taken.

As well, 2013 will see a wireless version become available.

[via Chip Chick].

Posted in Lifekludger Links, Living, Monitoring

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CheatSheet – View Mac Keyboard Shortcuts

CheatSheet: View A Complete List Of Keyboard Shortcuts For Any App On a Mac

Via: AddictiveTips

Posted in Access, Computer, Hints, Input, Lifekludger Links, Type

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Snapvoice – Photos With Audio Recordings

Using Snapvoice you can add an audio recording of up to 90 seconds to a single image.

I came across SnapVoice and it reminded me of an earlier post on a similar app, VoicePic, and some thoughts I had in that post around Mechanical Turk.

I think this would be an excellent way to share images with the Blind or those with poor vision – adding an audio description of the image being shared.

SnapVoice also has some photo filters and effects and features gestures.

You can take a photo or load one from the camera roll, edit it’s look and then add your voice to the image by tap and holding the onscreen button.

The recordings and photos can be shared over the app’s own network as well as on Facebook, Twitter or email.

Download Snapvoice For iOS - (Free)

via AddictiveTips

Posted in Acoustic, Communication, Devices, Input, Lifekludger Links, Voice

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Dynamic Physical Buttons on Touch Screens

World’s first dynamic deformable tactile surface capable of creating dynamic physical buttons that users can actually see and feel in advance of entering data into the device.

Tactus Technology

Posted in Input, Lifekludger Links, Touch

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Lifekludger Quick Links: Hand Stylus; Voice Activated Alarm Clock

The Hand Stylus is a kickstarter-funded project.
It has a retractable stylus tip.
The tip rotates automatically to prevent wearing on one side.

Can speak to it
Able to understand more than 30 simple voice commands
Touchscreen capabilities and volume adjustment
5” LED display, a selection of soothing sleep sounds, 6 alternative alarms and a built-in thermostat.

A standard keyboard – 104 keys including 10 key, function keys and hot keys
Keys are yellow and all letters, numbers and symbols enlarged as big as the key will allow.
Connects via USB.
Limited Mac functionality for OS 9.0 or newer (letters and numbers work, no hot keys).
Good for visual impairments.

Posted in Lifekludger Links, Talking

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