More Webinars for 2012

Bridges is scheduling a full slate of new webinars for 2012.

For the new year we’re adding two more to our regular slate:

Communicate: SymWriter – Write with Symbols and more!

educATe – Web delivered AT support Service

Repeating again :

Equals – Age-Neutral Math Curricula for Students with Special Needs:

Symbolize IT with Communicate InPrint: Affordable Symbols for Inclusive Teaching

Web Accessibility with Point & BrowseAloud:

There are lots of dates and different time slots to chose from that will hopefully accommodate all time zones right across the country.

All webinars run approximately one hour and are free.  Make sure you not only have speakers connected but a microphone (or phone in) if you want to ask questions verbally.

Can’t wait to meet you in the cloud!

Equals Alignments to Provincial Math Standards, Now Available

Tables that demonstrate how the Ablenet special needs math curriculum, Equals, aligns to provincial standards are now available on the Ablenet website (under the tab, Province Standards).  These alignment documents for Ontario, Quebec and the Western Protocol spell out explicitly the connections between Equals and these curricula.

One of the qualities that has made Equals so attractive to educators right across Canada, is the fact that it reflects the breadth of the mathematics curriculum covered by provincial standards.

Equals Math Curriculum

Alignments are done very broadly to include the needs of students with significant disabilities and reflect the common core standards formulated by NCTM (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics).  The NCTM standards and recommended teaching best practices are the foundation of Canadian math teaching practice.

Equals was Canadianized by Bridges and was published in mid-March of 2011.

The Equals Canadian alignment documents are in Equals Math Lesson order.  But because these documents are spreadsheets, visitors can sort them by grade level, among other headings.

Erickson, Koppenhaver Literacy & AAC Course – Back in 2012

Registration for Karen Erickson and David Koppenhaver’s course, Literacy and Alternative Augmentative Communication Course, is now open. This is the third time Bridges has presented this course.

This is an intensive five day course on teaching literacy to children with severe communication impairments.  Speech Language Pathologists, teachers and other educators who work with students using AAC, Occupational Therapists, Communication Disorder Assistants and others would benefit from this comprehensive examination of assessment, instruction, classroom problem-solving, and best practice use of assistive technologies to support these students

The course runs from May 14 – 18, 2012.

The reviews from past offerings of this session have been glowing.  It is a lot of intense work — essentially packing a semester of learning into a single week — but has proven to be an extremely valuable and satisfying experience for participants.

Please note that there are only 30 spots for the course. The last time it was offered, we ended up with a substantial waiting list so register early!

For more info and to register, visit http://bridges-canada.com/BTL2012/literacy-and-aac-course.aspx.

Clicker 6 is Coming!

We were lucky enough to get a visit from Anne and John Crick and Neil Andrew from Cricksoft a couple of weeks ago and saw a preview of Clicker 6.   And while we were sworn to secrecy and non-disclosure then, we can now let at least a couple of paws and whiskers of the proverbial cat out of the bag.  And boy….  were we  impressed!

Some of the stuff that made our team oooh and ahhh:

• Built-in painting tools – Crick’s popular painting program, Clicker Paint, is now fully integrated into Clicker.
• Webcam support – Students’ photographs instantly appear in their Clicker documents which are then easily edited with the integrated paint tools.
• Clicker wizards – Follow the step-by-step instructions to quickly create personalized reading, writing, matching, labelling, speaking, and listening activities.
• New editing tools – When you click on a cell, the toolbar instantly changes to display only the tools relevant to the item being edited.  The overall look of the editing area’s user interface (UI) has the look and feel of professional office and productivity software (eg. Power Point, the new Paint, Word etc.) making it a lot more familiar and easy to navigate.
• Quick start word processor – Children are able to start working right away!
• Built in word prediction – This intelligent predictor suggests words that fit the context of the student’s writing., much like the Write Online Word Predictor.
• Getting to activities: students favourite folder and login-free access to Learning Grids, makes it so much easier to get to the activities your students need immediately.

This above list is just a quick summary — there was a lot to get excited about.  The overall user experience both for the student and the teacher – editing, navigating, creating activities from scratch—seems so much more intuitive in Clicker 6.

We have no pricing or upgrading info yet.  It looks like the software will be launched with pricing info sometime in January.  Crick is planning launches at BETT and ATIA 2012.  Look out for Clicker 6  webinar’s in the new year.

SymbolWorld — Free Symbolized Articles on the Web

www.SymbolWorld.orgis a FREE website for symbol readers from Widgit, who make Communicate: In Print and Communicate: Symwriter.  It’s been a much loved resource for years.

SymbolWorld, by Widgit, homepage.

Now it’s been totally redeveloped with a new-look
and improved accessibilty features.

Over 400 articles and growing, Symbolworld is for users of all ages with a huge variety of articles and stories on:

• Science (Nature, Technology, Health)
• Time And Place
• Lifestyle       
• Entertainment      
• People                    
• Sport               
• Stories

Plus the eLive section contains timely current event articles.  Updated weekly, eLive always has current news stories and new articles on news from around the world, movie reviews and feature articles.

Why not become a contributor? Most of the materials in these sections are sent in by symbol users, their parents or teachers.

Symbolworld is also a great model for anyone making symbol resources of how to create effective symbolized material.

Zingui and MegaBee Approved for ADP in Ontario

Both the Megabee manual eyegaze communicator and the Zingui have now been listed in the Assistive Devices Program Catalogue in the province of Ontario.  This means that both of these technologies can be purchased using ADP funding.

Codes are below.

The MegaBee  is a simple-to-use assisted assisted writing tablet used in face to face communication for literate eye-gaze users.

It is ideal in a hospital, clinic or assisted care setting as it requires no calibration or set up for individual users.

The MegaBee delivers, immediate, efficient supported communication for a literate user with minimal training for either the communicator or assistant.

Clinicians have really embraced the MegaBee, recognizing that it fills a need that isn’t addressed by any other device.  This is a great stepping stone to a full computer eyegaze system and an easy light tech back up for an existing high tech eyegaze system for any literate user.

Visit http://www.e2l.uk.com/megabee/Megabee.mov to see a video of the MegaBee in action.

Zingui 8" Dynamic AAC Device

The Zingui is a dynamic display AAC device with a tablet form factor.   But the Zingui has all the robust communication power (battery life, programming flexibility on computer or off, durability, bilingual) that you expect from Jabbla, the folks who build the other portable multilingual marvel, the Tellus Smart.

See all the details on a previous post we did about the Zingui.  http://bridgesontario.wordpress.com/2010/06/08/zingui-%E2%80%93-big-screen-light-weight-dynamic-communication/

The Zingui configuration for ADP includes extended warranties, dual language, carrying case, PCS symbols and other optional accessories.

MegaBee ADP Listings:

MegaBee:        Communication Aids (Clinics); SGD/VOCA Access Hardware – Lease;   CC0000342

MegaBee:        Communication Aids (Clinics); SGD/VOCA Access Hardware – Purchase;   CC0000343

Zingui ADP Listings:

Zingui:  Communication Aids (Clinics); Speech Generating Device SGD/VOCA – Lease;      CC0000344

Zingui:  Communication Aids (Clinics); Speech Generating Device SGD/VOCA – Purchase;      CC0000345

Why use the Mount `n Mover for Eye Gaze

It seems counter intuitive: a mount designed to be movable by the client for users that, presumably, have little reliable mobility issues.

However  we’ve heard from many clinicians across the country that the Mount `n Mover makes sense for their clients using an eye-gaze system.

1) The Mount ‘n Mover is easy to move in and out of the correct position for that individual. 

Typically when they have to move a client out of the chair, they have to mark the position of the mounts with a marker or something to make sure they put everything back the right way.  A painstaking process that requires someone who knows there way around this equipment. With a Mount ‘n Mover set up, they just set the locks to the right position.  They swing the mount in or out of the correct position by just pushing down the paddle to release it.  Presetting the locks makes re-positioning easy and reliable.

2) Safety of the device and client.

With other mounts, to move the device or the client, it takes at least 2, maybe 3 people to do it safely.  Eyegaze systems are at least 15” screens and they’re powerful computers – i.e. heavy.

Letting the device  mount fall on the ground or on the client from any height would be catastrophic.  With most mountains you have to be very careful that gravity doesn’t impose its will.  Mounts are designed to be tightened so that they don’t move or completely loose so that they move.  With a device that ways several pounds, this means that gravity can easily an unexpectedly take over if you loosen a joint to reposition the mount.

The Mount ‘n Mover has so much dexterity on the horizontal, it means you can move it without releasing vertical support.  Explained without the engineering lingo – you can get the device out of the way without it dropping.

3) Less specialized support:

If you’re using a traditional mount, both of the above scenarios suggest you have someone with specialized skills on hand:  you need to remember steps to move the mount and get it back to the right place, you might need a tool to unlock it, you may need someone with strength to support the device while the other loosens or moves it etc.

With the Mount ‘n Mover you need one person who knows to press the paddle to release and that’s it.  Now, of course in the initial set-up you need to have the expertise to set up the Mount ‘n Mover to the best position.  But after the Mount ‘n Mover is positioned and the locks are set,  virtually anyone can help the eye gaze user with their mount.

To see a video with the MM in action, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9WjzGFe6Ek

New Improv: Breakthrough AAC Tool Powered by Co:Writer

The soon to be released Improv communication software from Don Johnston Inc., got a lot of attention at the Closing the Gap conference this year. Improv is text based communication software.  But because it uses the amazing prediction capability of Co:Writer, it is astonishingly intuitive and easy to use for both communicator and those who support the communicator

We think that for many clients who can’t communicate verbally, Improv will prove to be a a great way to communicate while building literacy skills.  And really speed up and drive novel communication.

With Improv, your augmentative communicators won’t be limited to the words programmed in their devices or to the words they can spell. Because its powered by Co:Writer, there is no programming required for Improv.

Think about it.  Communication software that delivers without programming – what a boon to clinicians.

Users have the precise word or phrase available to them by just entering a few letters—whether it’s their favourite movie, restaurant, hobby, or current social studies topic. Even phonetic or inventive spellers can communicate with Co:Writer helping out. These supports help communicators transition into literacy-based communication. And as they communicate, Improv learns new vocabulary, phrases, and stories then auto-adapts to improve communication.

We hope to be able to show Improv at our upcoming Bridges LIVE! events in Ontario and Alberta. Improv should be shipping before Christmas, 2011.

Some of Improv’s Innovations:

Instant Topic Dictionaries:  Type any topic name and instantly have access to all of the vocabulary.  The topic generator developed and proven in Co:Writer pulls out necessary vocab in seconds.

Auto-learning:  Improv learns new words, phrases and stories, then auto-adapts to speed up communication

Saved Stories and Script: Quick access to stories used time and time again

Quick Chat:  Quick greetings, positive responses, negative responses, farewells

Phrase Prediction:  Typing “tra dow” will prompt phrases like “Let’s take the train downtown!”

From CTG 2011: Grid Player for the iPad!

The creators of the fabulous Grid II dynamic screen communication software were showing off their new Grid Player for iPad, iPhones and other iOS devices.  Unlike other portable device communication software, the Grid Player is a free extension to the already proven, robust Grid II communication software.

As users of the Grid II already know, it’s a great, easy, full featured environment to author in. The Grid Player lets you create communication boards in the Grid II and then send the completed communication board(s) to the i-device.

The Grid Player on an iPad from the exhibit hall floor of Closing the Gap 2011 conference.

Without needing all that authoring functionality on the portable device (although you can do on the spot editing), it means that the player device isn’t overloaded with unnecessary functionality to slow it down or use up premium memory.  Also the Grid will reformat pictures automatically so that they’re optimized for the Grid Player.

The Grid Player could prove to be a real game changer for clinicians and other professionals supporting individuals using i-devices for face-to-face communication.  Clinicians will be able to:

• Create boards in the clinic and push out via the net to clients they support
• Easily support many users using i-Devices
• Use existing boards on i-devices – no need to create new communication boards and double up work.

The folks at Sensory are looking to support other portable devices too.

It looks like the Grid Player will come free with purchases of Grid II and current owners of the Grid can get the Player for free too.  Grid II owners will use one of their install tokens for an IPad version.

See the step by step below with my shots from CTG’s exhibit hall floor.

The UK will see their version first – sometime in the next couple of weeks.  North America will have to wait until January 2012.

Shot of Grid II software on the laptop. The drop down says Ipad – you can change that to iPhone/iTouch and, in the future other devices. So when you create the Grid (or edit an existing one) only the functions that are possible on the iPad will port over. Even better, all the images will have resolution that’s best for an iPad or whatever device you’ve selected.

On the iPad you refresh your grids and voila! (sorry about that nasty glare).It’s downloaded from the cloud. Each user has their own account where the grids are swapped and stored. No futzing with iStore either – its all done via Sensory own cloud-space.

Kurzweil 3000 Version 13 Announced

Kurzweil V. 13 Licenses simplified and consolidated

Important changes now make managing and implementing K3000 licenses so much easier.

In the new Kurzweil 3000 V.13, the three license types – Professional Colour, Professional Black and White and Learn Station – have been consolidated into one license type, simply Kurzweil 3000.

But in simplifying the license structure they’ve also brought down the price of Version 13 compared to the old V.12 professional colour.

So every new Kurzweil 3000 licence will now have the complete functionality of the old Professional Colour but at a lower price.

Plus Kurzweil 3000 now ships with a single dual-layer DVD containing both the Macintosh and Windows software. You no longer have to specify Mac or Windows for new orders.

To find out how this simplified license structure affects you, contact your Bridges sales consultant.

Version 13 – Functionally the Same as V.12

The same great mix of features in v.12 is in Version 13. From a software functionality standpoint, there is no difference between version 12 and 13.  The changes between version 12 and version 13 are in the new licensing and pricing structures outlined above.

Implementation for All

Unlimited Site Licenses of K3000 web start for as little as $3,995 for K-12 school and Higher Education sites. Pricing is based on the enrolment of the institute.  This yearly subscription will include the new Firefly web delivered version of K3000 for free (coming in January 2012).  This means anytime and anywhere access to the best literacy support software available for everyone in your education community

with the introduction of Unlimited Site Licensing, you can now individualize support for students at all tiers of intervention — from those in need of limited support, to students that require intensive assistance.  And in V.13 all the Kurzweil features are always available to you.

Multi-year, multi-site pricing for schools and higher education is also available.
Contact your Bridges consultant for all the details.

Kurzweil 3000 V.13 should start shipping in 6-8 weeks.