The AT Messenger?bringing technology to you Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative (DATI), Volume 14, No. 3, Summer 2006 The AT Exchange Has a New Look and More Features The DATI is excited to announce the launch of the upgraded AT Exchange. Since the debut of www.dati.org on March 2, 2004, the website has helped thousands of visitors find information on assistive technology (AT). One of the frequently visited sections of the DATI?s website is the AT Exchange, where individuals can list AT devices they are either looking to sell/donate or post AT they are interested in acquiring. Launched on August 17, the AT Exchange section of www.dati.org offers a host of new features. The AT Exchange now requires visitors to login. There are two reasons for this. First, we need contact information from you for both communication and security purposes. In the world of the Internet, it is sometimes necessary to verify that people are who they say they are. Second, we are able to bring you the AT Exchange as a free service because we get federal funding for the program, and our funding source requires us to document that people are benefiting from the service. For that reason, we will need to be able to contact you to get your feedback. Please be assured that your personal information will never be known to anyone outside of DATI. We will never identify you by name or other defining characteristics in any report, and we never share our users? information with other organizations or agencies. Setting up a log-in (username and password) is very simple to do. Individuals who currently have listings on the AT Exchange may have already received a call from a DATI staff member describing the log-in process and assigning both a username and a password. This information was also mailed to the user?s registered address. For individuals who do not have a current listing on the AT Exchange, signing up is very easy. Visit www.dati.org, click on the AT Exchange tab, and click on Register Now. You will be prompted to fill out a form with your contact information. You will also be asked to choose a unique username and password (both of which are case sensitive). Once you have registered, you will be asked to login by supplying your username and password. You will also receive an email with your username and password (please keep this email for your records). Individuals without computer access may contact the DATI at (800) 870-DATI or (302) 856-7946 for assistance in navigating up-to-date AT Exchange listings without a computer. Along with the log-in system, the updated AT Exchange offers several new features. For starters, users will be able to post photos of their AT devices along with the ad. This photo option is free to all registered users of the AT Exchange. Individuals who are posting on the AT Exchange also have the option to limit the availability of their AT device. For example, state agencies may wish to make items available, but only to clients of that agency. The AT Exchange also offers a new search option. Individuals will be able to sort the AT Exchange ads by the length of time they have been listed. The AT Messenger This upgrading of the AT Exchange will also affect how the AT Exchange listings appear in the print version of The AT Messenger. Beginning with this issue, readers will notice that phone numbers no longer appear with each ad. Individuals interested in an ad listed on the AT Exchange must now contact DATI at (800) 870-DATI (choose the Sussex ATRC option) or (302) 856-7946 to inquire about an item. A DATI staff member will then provide the contact information for the AT device(s) of interest. Discussion Boards A registered user?s username and password will enable access to a completely new section of the DATI website: a discussion board for those interested in talking about everything from assistive technology and local AT providers to helpful hints and tips for users of AT devices. Logged-in users will be able to read the board?s discussions, as well as post questions and comments of their own. The moderator of DATI?s discussion board is Eden Melmed, the AT Specialist in New Castle County. If you have any questions regarding the AT Exchange upgrades or our brand new discussion boards, please contact the DATI at dati@asel.udel.edu, (800) 870-DATI or (302) 651-6790. Brandywine Student Receives AAC Device To mark the 40th anniversary of the Prentke Romich Company (PRC), the company decided to honor the individuals it serves. PRC, an augmentative and assistive communication (AAC) technology company, started its ?40 for 40? program through which 40 PRC speech output devices will be donated to individuals who lack funding options and would otherwise not be able to obtain a device. One winner of an AAC device through the ?40 for 40? program is a student in the Brandywine School District in Wilmington. Adnan Hemedi was chosen to receive a SpringBoard Plus from Prentke Romich Company after his personal story was submitted to PRC by his family and Marie Azzara, his speech language pathologist. Ms. Azzara also shared Adnan?s story with us. Adnan M. Hemedi was born in one of the urban clinics located in Center City, Nairobi, Kenya on January 8, 1986. Like any child, he grew up in the wealth of love afforded him by his parents and relatives. He attended Visa Oshwal Nursery School (the American equivalent of kindergarten). He grew up expressing his dreams to his teachers and parents...one day he wanted to be a pilot, the next a doctor, a spiritual minister, or he simply wanted to be forever young and play with his childhood friends! Because of his wonderful personality, he became a darling of many at school and wherever he went. In 1992, while attending his grandfather's funeral, six-year-old Adnan accidentally fell head first onto concrete pavement. He was taken to the emergency room, but no accurate diagnosis was done as to the full extent of his injuries. He was given painkillers and his parents were advised to watch and monitor him closely. After four days, Adnan was said to have developed very septic tonsillitis or simply an acute sore throat and was given some antibiotics. His condition escalated. He had a very high fever, and he could not swallow. He became severely dehydrated and soon started having convulsions. He was hospitalized at that point. After receiving some medication, he began to show signs of improvement. This improvement was short lived. Adnan soon became quadriplegic. He also lost his speech as well as his swallowing reflexes completely. In 1994, with the help of passive physiotherapy, Adnan rejoined his friends and teachers at Visa Oshwal School. This reunion, however, was without much fun. He couldn't play or learn as he had before. His friends and teachers urged him to play games and have fun, but to no avail. Those were surely moments of great frustration for him, his family, and friends. In the same year, Adnan started experiencing seizures and was removed from school altogether. In 2002, Adnan was invited to the United States for medical evaluation and recommendations. He and his mother left his father and brothers behind in Kenya and set off on his journey to the US. Adnan has now been in the United States for four years and is still waiting to raise enough money to complete his medical recommendations. In February 2005, at age 19, he was enrolled in public school in the Brandywine School District in Wilmington. This was his first formal school experience since he was eight years old. Over the past year, he has blossomed and shown progress on educational goals. A special ?thank you? to the Hemedi Family and Marie Azzara for submitting Adnan?s personal story and photograph. A Driver?s License Means Independence to Many Eliza Hirst, Staff Attorney Disabilities Law Program In Delaware, public transportation is not always convenient. Not being able to drive can quickly lead many people to feel isolated or dependent on others. Especially for individuals with disabilities, driving can be crucial to their freedom and autonomy. While the standard age to obtain a driver?s license is 16, individuals with disabilities are often confronted with added challenges in obtaining a driver?s license because they must go through specialized driver?s education, obtain medical certification, and install adaptive technology to even operate a vehicle. Student Drivers For school age drivers, the Department of Education incorporates a driver?s education course into the high school curriculum for all eligible students, including those students in special education. The course is a minimum of 44 hours, broken down into 30 class hours, 7 hours of laboratory instruction to practice driving, and 7 hours of actual driving. For students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs), the IEP team may develop an accommodation plan or create specialized instruction for the Driver Education Program based on the student?s IEP needs. Parents of students who receive special education services should begin investigating the accommodations their children might need for driver?s education when they turn 16. Parents should also call an IEP meeting close to when their child becomes eligible for a learner?s permit to document necessary accommodations. According to the Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists, students with ADHD or developmental delays, for example, should be evaluated for visual perception skills; lack of organization; inability to concentrate; and impaired ability to self-regulate behavior, moods, and responses. For other students in special education, multiple areas of functioning should be considered when determining whether the student will be able to drive and what accommodations will be necessary. That way, the IEP team and the school will have ample opportunity to provide the appropriate accommodations for each student?s driver education. Adult Drivers Unlike students, adult drivers do not have the same type of planned driver?s education and testing at their disposal. For adults with disabilities, obtaining a driver?s license can be particularly daunting. Across the country, however, Departments of Motor Vehicles (DMV) employ occupational therapists as driver rehabilitation specialists to evaluate driving skills and provide driver training for individuals with disabilities. Because Delaware is such a small state, the DMV contracts out to agencies with specialization in working with drivers with disabilities. The DMV refers adult first-time drivers with disabilities and individuals who need to renew their license after a change in their physical condition to disability driving agencies. The rehabilitation specialists will determine what accommodations are appropriate and whether the individual is able to drive safely and in control. Specifically, the rehabilitation specialists will perform clinical assessments and functional on-the-road evaluations, and also provide recommendations. After a specialized driving evaluation, individuals will often receive accommodations such as adaptive equipment, assistance with coordination skills, adjusted steering columns, hand pedals, or specialized foot pedals. For example, individuals with cerebral palsy may need a specialized driving instructor to evaluate range of motion, muscle tone, coordination, and reaction time. Individuals who have sustained a traumatic brain injury or an amputation after obtaining a driver?s license will have to renew their license with an evaluation of their ability to drive under these new circumstances. Alternatively, individuals who need accommodations for disabilities such as sign language interpreters, larger print, or minor adjustments in the vehicle have the option of taking the driver?s license test without going through a specialized driver?s education agency. Restricted Driver?s License Unfortunately, Delaware does not permit restrictions on driver?s licenses to accommodate various types of disabilities. In contrast, Florida permits individuals to have restricted driver?s licenses. This means drivers are issued a license, but are required to follow certain guidelines in order to legally drive in the state. Some restrictions used by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles include: a person must wear corrective lenses, must wear a hearing aid, or must wear a medical alert bracelet while driving; a person may only drive during daylight hours; a person may only drive a car with automatic transmission; a vehicle must be equipped with a left foot accelerator; or a person may only be permitted to drive to work and while on the job. These restrictions offer Florida some additional options when issuing driver?s licenses to individuals with disabilities. Medical Certification Since the Delaware driver?s license is basically an all-or-nothing proposition, Delaware?s DMV requires a yearly medical certification for individuals with disabilities. The certifying doctor must have treated the individual for a minimum of three months and verify that the individual is capable of safely operating a motor vehicle. The certification includes a thorough evaluation by the physician, considering such factors as ability to read, prosthetic devices, visual status, cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, hearing impairments, drug/alcohol use, psychological assessment, and any medications that affect driving ability. Yet, the process does not necessarily end when an individual is unable to pass the driver?s license test or unable to renew his or her license as a result of a disability. All drivers have the right to appeal to the DMV for reconsideration. They also have the right to take the driver?s license test again. The Conclusion Although individuals with disabilities meet many hurdles when trying to secure a driver?s license, those hurdles are not insurmountable. Parents of children in special education should become strong advocates at IEP meetings to ensure their children receive appropriate accommodations and supports for driver?s education courses. Adults with disabilities, on the other hand, may obtain a driver?s license with accommodations, clearance from a rehabilitation specialist, and a medical certification. Fortunately, those who are not successful on their first try always have the option to appeal or reapply for their license. The end result of obtaining a driver?s license, however, may be well worth the extra effort. Remaining at Home...Priceless Judie Lee, Director North Dakota Interagency Program for Assistive Technology It is widely recognized that people with long-term illnesses and/or disabilities who wish to remain living at home need various types of support. Providers and users of assistive technology (AT) consider AT one of these essential support services and yet realize it is not widely recognized. Thus, the potential impact of AT devices and services goes unrecognized. In 2003, an opportunity to partner in a project funded by Olmstead dollars presented itself to the North Dakota Interagency Program for Assistive Technology (IPAT), North Dakota?s AT Act Program. IPAT?s role was to ensure a systematic exploration and delivery of AT devices and services for North Dakota state residents who were at risk of moving to an institution and/or those living in institutions wishing to move to a less restrictive environment. It was a unique opportunity. Not only would individuals receive an AT assessment, they would receive the devices if the cost was within a specified dollar amount. In addition, they would receive the AT services necessary to use the device, such as equipment set-up and training. Twenty North Dakota residents participated in the program. These individuals represented 10 communities, ranged in age from their mid-thirties to mid-eighties, and had a variety of AT needs. They all had a number of services in place, but were still struggling to remain at home. The provision of AT devices and services had not been considered as part of their service plan prior to this project, and yet it was one of the decisive factors in making remaining home possible for them. Over a year later, 17 of 20 people served are still in their own homes. They have delayed, and will possibly avoid, entering an institutional setting. They continue to live with their families, are more independent, and safe as a result of the AT devices and services received through this project. One individual moved away from North Dakota. Two of the individuals passed away approximately one year after receiving their AT devices and services. Their family members stressed what a difference the assistive technology made, especially in helping them to stay home the last months of their lives. The average cost for participants to receive the assistive technology devices and services necessary to help them remain living at home through this project was $1,233. The average yearly cost for an individual to reside in a nursing home in North Dakota is $43,815 and $19,726 for assisted living care. The outcome report titled ?Remaining at Home?Priceless,? gives more details and some anecdotal accounts of the participants. A free copy is available by calling (800) 265-4728. This project demonstrated that when the assistive technology provision is part of the service delivery plan, it can delay or eliminate institutional or other high-cost replacements. This in turn, enables people of all ages with disabilities or long-term illnesses to have a choice as to where they live, which everyone can agree is PRICELESS. This article is reprinted with permission of the author. Thanks, Judie! Interesting New Products Enter AT Market Eden Melmed, AT Specialist New Castle County ATRC There are some wonderful new products that have recently been brought to market that I would like to share with you. The first two products that I will discuss have exciting implications for education, while the third product is more in the realm of recreation. SpeakQ and MathTalk are software applications that must be installed on the user?s computer. The switchPod by Technical Solutions Australia, however, is a portable switch for use with most of Apple?s iPod products. If you are interested in more information on any of the following products, please contact the AT Specialist at your local Assistive Technology Resource Center. Speak Q Introduces Speech Recognition to WordQ 2 Software SpeakQ by Quillsoft is a new software plug-in that adds simple speech recognition to the company?s word prediction software, WordQ 2. It is targeted to students who have strong verbal skills but who struggle with reading and writing and find it difficult to use other speech recognition products because of reading demands and complexity. They have kept SpeakQ simple and easy to use. It has a simplified training process where the computer prompts you, by voice, about what to say. The user can then dictate using one of two modes. In the ?speak and select? mode, spoken words are displayed as a list of choices enhanced by word prediction (see above screen shot). In the ?speak continuously? mode, spoken words are typed directly into the document as they are said. There are no verbal commands available; you can only dictate text. WordQ 2 must be purchased and installed in order to use the SpeakQ plug-in (SpeakQ plug-in $185; WordQ 2 and SpeakQ bundle $350). You can download trial software from the website, www.wordq.com or request a demo CD from Quillsoft Ltd., (866) 629-6737. MathTalk for All Dragon NaturallySpeaking Products MathTalk allows the user to use voice to input math information into a computer. It supports algebra, trig, calculus, statistics?even voicing graphs. It is appropriate for all levels of math, including professional use. MathTalk operates Scientific Notebook with over 600,000 combinations of voice commands. Scientific Notebook will also evaluate, evaluate numerically, factor, combine, expand, simplify, check equality, solve exact, and more (see www.mackichan.com for more details). Dragon Naturally Speaking (DNS) must be installed to use MathTalk ($295; bundled with DNS 8.0, $495). Visit www.mathtalk.com or call (817) 261-1658 to see demos or to request a trial CD. Single Switch Scanning Control for Apple?s iPod Technical Solutions Australia (TSA) has designed the switchPod to allow switch users to control some functions of Apple?s iPod using the iPod?s remote control socket. The switchPod is compatible with the iPod, iPod mini, and iPod photo. TSA is currently working on a version for the iPod nano. All of the iPod?s remote control functions can be controlled by the switchPod. These include: power, play/pause, volume up/down, and track forward/ backward. The switchPod costs around $136 and is available through TSA?s website, www.tecsol.com.au. The AT Bargain Basement Marvin Williams, AT Specialist Kent County ATRC Hello again, my friends, and welcome to the summer edition of the AT Bargain Basement. I?m Marvin Williams and I will be your guide through the world of AT bargains. For those of you who are regulars to the Basement, welcome back! If you are new, I should explain our rules of engagement. First, I try to find all of the AT bargains I can for $100 or less. Second, I try to find bargains available in local stores; however, some of my bargains are available on the Internet as well. Third, if you send me your bargain ideas, I will present them for my readership to marvel over, and I will credit you appropriately. Finally, I hope we all have fun here and learn about some things we may not have known were out there. Now, with that little bit of business behind us, let?s get to the bargains! My first bargain comes from Uniden. In a previous installment of the Basement, I discussed a cordless Uniden phone with big buttons and increased volume for the hearing impaired. Well, Uniden is back with a nice combo phone for just under $100. The Uniden 5.8 GHz Analog Desktop Handset Combo with Digital Answering System gives you the same large button cordless handset with amplification, along with a large button desktop/countertop unit. Like the cordless hand set, the ?corded? desktop unit has large buttons and a red flasher to alert you when the phone rings. It is also hearing aid compatible and has a spot to plug in a handset or a T-coil neck loop. The answering machine is digital so you don?t have to worry about running out of answering machine tape. However, if you get enough messages, you can run out of recording time. Both phones have call waiting, caller ID, and call waiting ID so you always know who?s trying to reach you. Also, the base unit has caller ID announce, so it will say the number calling you before you pick up. The unit retails for $89.99 and is available at Target. Better rush in and get one before they?re all gone! My next bargain is one of the nicest tub grips I?ve ever seen. The Home Care by Moen Dual Tub Grip is great in that it has two grab bars of two different heights. The locking mechanism fits within the body of the tub grip so it?s not a tripping hazard. The handles are also textured to make them easier to hold onto with wet hands. The only downside is the price of $79.99. However, that is still low given the features and look of the grip. The Tub Grip is available from Sears as well as a few other distributors. My third bargain is a cool item that would make a great gift. The Sportline 353 Talking Pedometer is a nifty little gadget. The name tells you just what it is?a talking pedometer. It also has a radio so you can listen to your favorite radio station while you?re walking. The pedometer will tell you number of steps, distance walked, and estimated calories burned. There is even a volume control on the headset so you don?t have to mess with the unit itself to turn the volume up or down. You can find it at Wal-Mart for around $30. My final bargain for you is the Honeywell Twin Window Fan with Remote Control. This is a great little bargain because it is a nice and affordable way to keep cool during the summer months, and with energy prices on the rise, every little bit helps. I know, you?re thinking, ?A fan? He?s lost his mind!? However, let?s look at it. This fan has a remote control and a thermostat for temperature regulation. The remote control is fully functional so you can use it to turn the fan off or on, up or down, set the temperature on the thermostat, or set the fan?s direction. I know?still wondering what the big deal is? Well, the remote is an infrared remote control. If you use a communication device that has the ability to control the TV or the stereo, you can control this fan too! You would need to know how to do infrared remote training to use this function. If you have any questions about that, feel free to contact me or your local AT Specialist. If we can?t help you with your device, we can get you in touch with your local manufacturer?s representative for assistance. That will do it for this installment of the AT Bargain Basement. Thank you for joining me. I hope to see you again next time, and remember, just because it?s a bargain, doesn?t mean it?s cheap. Low Vision Tools Added to ATRC Inventories Thanks to a partnership with the Tobin Foundation, the Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative has been able to add some wonderful low vision products to its ATRC inventories. The following items are available for demonstration and short-term loan through your local ATRC. After trying a product and finding that it works for you, please ask the AT Specialist about the BOLD Program (Borrow-to-Own Low Vision Devices). Through BOLD, you may be able to receive the item at no cost to you. For more information and the program guidelines, please talk to your local AT Specialist. The following items are available: Microcassette recorder ? Panasonic Color Mates ? Maxi Aids Match Makers ? Star Tech Radio Controlled Talking Clock ? Reizen Royal Tel-Weight Digital Talking Bathroom Scale ? Reizen Talking Blood Pressure Monitor ? Reizen Illuminated Hand Held Magnifiers (multiple strengths) ? Eschendbach Optik of America Hand Held Halogen Magnifier Handle and Lenses ? Eschendbach Optik of America LED Magnifier Handle and Lenses ? Eschendbach Optik of America 13 Watt Portable Magnifier Task Lamp ? OTT-LITE 13 Watt Reading Lamp ? OTT-LITE 18 Watt Floor Lamp ? OTT-LITE Rex the Talking Prescription Bottle Base ? MedivoxRx Personal Digital Recorder ? VoicePro 5.4 Power Hand Magnifier ? Coil Talking Alarm Clock (Pyramid) ? Tel-Time Tel-Time IV Talking Watch ? Ultmost Tel-Time Square III ? Ultmost Talking Watch ? Voicer Talking Alarm Clock ? Ultmost Talking Alarm Clock Key Chain ? LS & S Women?s Braille Watch ? ILA Men?s Braille Watch 4 Power Bright Field Magnifier ? LS & S Illuminated Magnifier (multiple powers) ? Coil Large Address Book ? Big Type Co. 20/20 Easy to Read Pen ? Sandford Bold Line Paper Tablet 2006 Low Vision Calendar ? South Dakota Industries for the Blind Check and Deposit Register ? Independent Living Aids SunShields (multiple colors and absorption percentages) ? UVShield MP3s?Not Just For Music Anymore Dan Fendler, AT Specialist Sussex County ATRC Almost everyone?s heard of them, and many people use them for entertainment on a daily basis. MP3 files, another term for compressed audio files that can be used on computers, small portable players, and most new stereo equipment, have been around in the public domain since 1995. Most people are familiar with MP3 files as music. The files are compressed in order to minimize the space they take up on a computer?s hard drive. This compression makes them ideal for distribution across the Internet via services like iTunes and Napster. If you are curious about how the files are compressed, check out the website How Stuff Works (www.howstuffworks.com). There?s lots of great information about compression and MP3 files in general. If you look around today, it is easy to see that MP3 files are everywhere?people all over the world are using them. While not the first commercially available MP3 player, the iPod is certainly one of the best known, yet there are dozens of companies that make hundreds of different models. And the prices can range from $20 for the low-end models to $400 for the higher-end models. There is a player available for almost any budget. If you create your own music CDs on your computer, the songs you put on a disk may be in MP3 format. If you download music off the Internet, then the songs you download are most likely in MP3 format or in a similar compressed format. Many of today?s car and home stereos are able to play both uncompressed CDs and compressed MP3 audio files. Many Other Powerful Uses ?So what,? you might ask? What do music and MP3 players have to do with assistive technology? Well, since so many people have the ability to make MP3 files and play them on any number of players they already own, it opens up a whole new world of possibilities that can help students with a variety of educational needs. One of the applications that I have touched on in previous AT Messenger articles is the use of text-to-speech software to create voice output from digital text. Think of it like books-on-tape for any printed material?if you can get text in digital format, you can have it read aloud. Text-to-speech output can be particularly useful for middle school and high school students not reading at grade level. Imagine if you could make the content of a science or social studies text available as an MP3 file that could be downloaded onto a portable player. The student would be able to listen to the text being read aloud?repeatedly if necessary?which may help with comprehension. Instead of struggling through the reading process at the cost of comprehension, the student could focus on the information being conveyed. Although one should never give up on literacy development, the inability to read at grade level should not prevent students from accessing literature, science, social studies, or other academic content. A strategy that focuses on both increasing reading skills and promoting successful comprehension of academic content can significantly boost student achievement. A tremendous variety of text-to-speech software packages are available, and the number is growing rapidly. They range in price from about $1,800 for a fully functional version of Kurzweil 3000, complete with all the bells and whistles, to $29.95 for TextAloud. Both will easily create MP3 files out of digital text. If you haven?t heard the quality of the newer computer voices, check out the NextUp website at www.nextup.com. The newer voices are much more lifelike, and the variety of voice types grows daily. If you don?t like the sound of a computerized voice, you can record your own voice and convert the resulting recordings into MP3 format. If you already have a computer, you can do it for free. This means that you can create your own recordings of any printed material (books, web content, magazines, newspapers, etc). With the use of a freeware program called Audacity (available at http://audacity.sourceforge.net), you can record yourself reading, easily edit the sound files to eliminate any ?ums? or ?ers,? and create your own high tech version of books on tape. The results can be converted into MP3 files and used just as you would use a song file?burned onto CD, downloaded onto an MP3 player, or played on a computer. Audacity can run on Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, and GNU/Linux. But if you have an Apple computer, Garage Band may work well for you. It will effectively do the same thing and it?s included in the newer OS operating systems. Podcasting is another application of Audacity in an educational setting. Podcasts are basically recordings made available for distribution through the Internet. Many audio-only podcasts are available in MP3 format. One of the middle schools in the Cape Henlopen School District wanted to record a classroom lesson in order to make it available for repeated use. Repetition of a lesson can be an effective teaching strategy for students with a variety of learning challenges. By recording the lesson with Audacity, the resulting MP3 files were then available to provide struggling students with limitless access to the content of that lesson. The students could load the recorded lesson onto their portable players and replay important concepts to reinforce the learning process. The recordings can also be made available to students who, due to absence, missed the lesson. Using another free software package, MAGpie, you can also caption audio (or video) files to make them accessible to students with hearing impairments. MAGpie?s available at the National Center for Accessible Media?s website, http://ncam.wgbh.org/webaccess/magpie/. Beyond Audio If audio alone wouldn?t meet your needs, you may want to consider vodcasting. According to Wikipedia, a vodcast (or video podcast) is an emerging term used for the online delivery of video on demand video clip content via Atom or RSS enclosures. With vodcasts, you can create video broadcasts of lessons, presentations, guest lecturers, or anything else worth recording. If you want to learn more about vodcasting and podcasting, check out an article on the www.masternewmedia.org website titled Podcasting and Vodcasting in Higher Education: How Disruptive Will They Be? The article is available at http://www.masternewmedia.org/news/2005/04/16/podcasting_and_vodcasting_in_higher.htm. As always, if you have any questions or need further information, give your local ATRC a call. To download this article as an MP3 file, visit our website, www.dati.org, and click on the News tab. Stay Home to Go on Vacation As the weather warms up and the sun?s rays start to beckon you out of your air conditioned home, the DATI thought we would supply you with some local ideas of how to spend those long summer days. Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes has an inventory of beach wheelchairs available for visitor use. The chairs are intended for the transportation of a visitor to and from the parking lot to the beach, and are not for all-day use. For more information, contact the Park at (302) 645-8983. Lums Pond State Park in Bear features a sensory trail which encourages visitors to experience the forest using senses other than sight. The Park also has barrier-free boat docks for fishing and accessible cabins in the Park?s campground. For more information regarding the accessible cabins, call (877) 98-PARKS. For more information about Lums Pond State Park, call (302) 368-6986. If you are more interested in staying in the comforts of the air-conditioned indoors, The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia may be right up your alley. Most exhibits and all of the high-tech theaters and live demonstrations are accessible by wheelchair. The planetarium shows are closed captioned and scripts are available for the IMAX? Theater shows. Assistive listening devices are also available. Sign language interpreters can be arranged with three business days advanced notice by calling (215) 448-1226. For more information regarding The Franklin Institute, call (215) 448-1200. Whatever you do this summer... ENJOY! To Contact DATI?s Central Site office or the ATRC closest to you, call 1-800-870-DATI Press #1 for English or #2 for Spanish, then press #3 for the Central Site office #4 for the New Castle County ATRC #5 for the Kent County ATRC #6 for the Sussex County ATRC TDD callers: Do not press #1 or #2 and your call will be answered on a TDD line at the Central Site office. DATI Resource Centers Throughout the State? 1-800-870-DATI dati@asel.udel.edu New Castle County ATRC Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children 203 Administration & Research Bldg. 1600 Rockland Rd. Wilmington, DE 19899 (302) 651-6790; (302) 651-6794 (TDD); (302) 651-6793 (fax) Kent County ATRC Easter Seals Kent County Center 100 Enterprise Place, Suite 1 Dover, DE 19904-8200 (302) 739-6885; (302) 739-6886 (TDD) Sussex County ATRC New location to be announced! (302) 856-7946; (302) 856-6714 (voice or TDD) The AT Messenger is published quarterly by the Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative (DATI). Dissemination of this newsletter to other people, association newsletters, and electronic mailing lists is encouraged. Information contained in this publication may be reprinted without permission, although attribution to the author and DATI is required. Delaware Assistive Technology Initiative Center for Applied Science & Engineering University of Delaware/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children P.O. Box 269, 1600 Rockland Road Wilmington, DE 19899-0269 Phone: (800) 870-DATI or (302) 651-6790 TDD: (302) 651-6794; FAX: (302) 651-6793 E-mail: dati@asel.udel.edu; www.dati.org DATI is funded by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) of the U.S. Department of Education, Grant #H224A050008 to the University of Delaware. This publication does not necessarily reflect the position or policy of RSA/ED, and no official endorsement of the materials should be inferred. The University of Delaware is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, age, national origin, marital status or disability in conformity with applicable laws.