Category: Communication

Funding Source Directory for Mobile Devices

I am constantly amazed at the multiplicity of apps for smart phones and other devices. Sometimes I catch myself thinking “I never would have thought of that!” when I learn about a particularly ingenious, creative or innovative app.

Individuals with disabilities have benefited from smart technology. A PepNet workshop I attended last year, introduced to me to some of the apps that are popular with individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. Other apps I’ve heard about benefit individuals with vision impairments. The educational environment has particularly benefited from smart technology as there are numerous education related apps available that benefit children and college students with and without disabilities.

BridgingApps.org

The potential for apps to make a difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities is at the heart of an organization I learned about recently. BridgingApps.org was created by parents and therapists who began using the iPad with children who have special needs and discovered the power of this device as a motivation for learning and for improving speech and fine motor skills.

This volunteer community of parents, therapists, doctors, and teachers is committed to sharing information on how they are using the iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch and Android devices to provide access and make a significant difference in the lives of children and adults. These devices, make it possible for individuals to be engaged with the world,  despite challenging language, motor, or other developmental delays.

In response to many questions from the BridgingApps community about how to get a device funded, the organization has created a funding source directory of organizations that grant iPads and similar devices to families who have children with special needs. Individuals are encouraged to use the directory as a guide to explore funding options.

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The Silver Scorpion: The First Ever Cross-Cultural Superhero with a Disability

Every so  often I check out the official blog of Disability.gov.  A recent post was about a new comic book, The Silver Scorpion. This comic book is the brainchild of  youth who attended the “Youth Ability Summit,” held in Damascus in 2010. The youth collaborated during the Summit to create the comic  which tells the story of a Muslim boy named Bashir who loses his legs in a landmine accident and later gains the powerful ability to bend metal with his mind. This comic is the first ever cross-cultural superhero with a disability.

The summit was sponsored by the  Open Hands Initiative (OHI), a nonprofit organization founded in 2009 by American businessman and philanthropist, Jay T. Snyder.   To read the full article visit, Disability.Blog.

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Verizon Developing New Service to Allow Cell Phone Users to Text Message 911

Telecommunication giant Verizon  has announced that by early 2013, a nation-wide system will be in place that will allow cell phone users to text message 911.This service will be helpful for the deaf or hard of hearing who find voice calls difficult if not impossible.  The service will use existing CDMA and SMS networks, and therefore must be available to all customers once finally rolled out.

Verizon says the following about text to 911’s benefit for the deaf or hard of hearing,

” While consumers should always first try to contact a 911 center by making a voice call, this enhanced SMS service, when deployed, will offer an alternative for customers on the Verizon Wireless network who are deaf or hard of hearing and cannot make voice calls or who could be placed in additional danger by speaking.”

If  you are able to make voice calls to 911 it remains the preferred method. Text to 911 service has not yet been deployed so texts to 911 will not be answered.

The following is from  May 3, 2012 press release.

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., May 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Demonstrating its continued commitment to advancing public safety, Verizon Wireless is taking steps toward offering a lot of its customers a brand new approach to communicate with 911 call centers run by public safety officials. The corporate announced today that it has selected TeleCommunication Systems Inc., of Annapolis, Md., to take part in an initiative with the intention to enable customers to send 911 SMS (Short Message Service) texts to the decision centers, that are is named public-service answering points, or PSAPs.

While consumers must always first attempt to contact a 911 center by creating a voice call, this enhanced SMS service, when deployed, will offer an alternate for purchasers at the Verizon Wireless network who’re deaf or hard of hearing and can’t make voice calls or who might be placed in more danger by speaking.

“Verizon is on the forefront of 911 public-safety innovations, and today’s announcement is another step in making SMS-to-911 service available to people who cannot make a voice call to 911,” said Marjorie Hsu, Verizon Wireless vice chairman of technology. “Our company is constant its long-standing commitment to deal with the purposes of public safety and our customers by offering differently to get assist in an emergency by utilizing wireless technology.”

The corporate is operating on plans to make the recent capabilities available to pick out PSAPs by early 2013. Verizon plans to exploit its existing CDMA SMS network for 911 text notifications. The hot service could be offered to Verizon Wireless customers who’ve a text-capable phone and a service plan that features text messaging.

“TeleCommunication Systems has worked closely with the FCC during the last two years to develop its innovative technology for SMS to 911,” said Maurice B. Tose, president and CEO of TCS. “Because the preeminent U.S. supplier of SMS and pioneer in wireless E911, TCS is easily positioned to enable Verizon in advancing its public safety commitment.”

Verizon is operating with others within the communications industry, PSAPs, the Federal Communications Commission and other federal and state agencies within the eventual deployment of this new service geared toward giving consumers new tips on how to communicate with designated public safety agencies.

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