Texting 911
Did you know you can text 911 now in a lot of counties around the county? http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2014/08/12/nations-911-accessibility/19582/
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Collection Access: To AAC and Beyond!
Date Created: 7/11/2016
Posts: 6
This collection will explore options allowing individuals with physical impairments to access communication devices, computers or tablets, telecommunications, and emergency services.
I am a speech-language pathologist specializing in AAC and other assistive technologies for adults with severe speech and physical impairments. As a researcher with Melanie Fried-Oken's REKNEW lab, I am exploring new assistive technologies, particularly brain-computer interface (BCI) as an access method for AAC. I also do clinical work in AAC at the Portland VA Medical Center. In the past, I served as the assistive technology specialist for the ALS Association Oregon & SW Washington Chapter.
Alex posted this article about text-to-911 service, which allows people to contact 911 by text message instead of a voice call. This provides an important option for people who cannot speak or be understood over the phone. Even people who cannot use a cell phone due to physical impairments may be able to take advantage of text-to-911. Many SGDs have texting capability, and it is possible to send text messages via email. These options would allow an individual to send a text to 911 using her existing SGD or computer access method.
Here is some updated information about text-to-911 from the FCC: https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/what-you-need-know-about-text-911
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Want to learn more about access methods, including switches, eye gaze, and brain-computer interface (BCI)? Check out Kelly's note about the 3rd Annual AAC Access Conference.
3rd Annual AAC Access Conference: Eye Gaze, BCI & Switches
https://aacinstitute.org/aac-access-conference-eye-gaze-bci-and-switches/ The 3rd Annual AAC Access Conference: Eye Gaze, BCI, and Switches, will be held at the Crowne Plaza Pittsburgh South in Pittsb...
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Access, MacGyver style
If you are interested in AAC and computer access, I highly recommend attending a conference presentation or webinar by Therese Willkomm, PhD, of the University of New Hampshire Institute on Disability...
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Multimodal Access
Many people who use AAC can benefit from multimodal access, in which an individual uses different access methods in different situations or for different purposes. One of my favorite videos on multimo...
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State Telephone Access Programs
You may have heard about state programs that provide adapted telephone equipment to people with hearing impairments. Did you know that these programs also provide equipment that can benefit people wit...
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Brain-computer interface (BCI): the next frontier in access
Have you ever worked with someone with locked-in syndrome (LIS)? Individuals with LIS present with anarthria and quadriplegia, and those with the most severe forms of LIS have no voluntary movement wh...
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Statement A
My child doesn't seem to have real control over his body yet.
The only way I know that he wants something is because he fusses or whines when he's unhappy or uncomfortable, and he smiles, makes noises or calms down when he's happy and comfortable. Does this statement describe your child?
Statement B
My child has control over her own behaviors, but she doesn't use them to try to communicate to me.
She doesn't come to me to let me know what she wants, but it's easy for me to figure out, because she tries to do things for herself. She knows what she wants, and her behavior shows me what she wants. If she runs out of something to eat, she will just try to get more, rather than trying to get me to give her more.
Does this statement describe your child?
Statement C
My child clearly tries to communicate his needs to me through gestures, sounds or language.
He knows how to get me to do something for him. He uses some of the kinds of behaviors below to communicate:
- Gestures such as pointing, shaking his head, tugging at my arm or looking back and forth between me and what he wants
- Sounds such as squealing to show you he wants something or fussing when he doesn't want something
- Language or symbolic forms of communication such as speech, written words, Braille, picture symbols, 3-dimensional symbols or sign language
Does this statement describe your child?
How to score your child
Each question you will see is related to a certain message that your child might be able to express using a variety of behaviors. Read the question and decide whether your child is able to express the message described using any of the listed behaviors. If the answer is YES, then you must also decide whether your child has mastered the use of each behavior or whether it is still at an emerging stage. Check either the mastered or emerging box next to any behaviors your child uses to express the message. Use the following definitions to decide whether a behavior is mastered or emerging
Mastered
– Does this independently most of the time when the opportunity arises
– Does this in a number of di erent contexts, and with di erent people
Emerging
– Does this inconsistently
–
Only does this when prompted or encouraged to do so. Only does this in one or two contexts or with one person.
Tips on Communication Devices
Each question you will see is related to a certain message that your child might be able to express using a variety of behaviors. Read the question and decide whether your child is able to express the message described using any of the listed behaviors. If the answer is YES, then you must also decide whether your child has mastered the use of each behavior or whether it is still at an emerging stage. Check either the mastered or emerging box next to any behaviors your child uses to express the message. Use the following definitions to decide whether a behavior is mastered or emerging
