Siftables

Let’s repost this with the video.

Does an AAC device have to be a single device? What about an array of devices?

I look at this and think of blocks that are also an AAC device. Embedding communication into the play context is the key to authentic interaction. Dividing attention between the play context and a separate communication device is a barrier.

Interactive toys

Now this is a toy with clever design!

TED talks

PDF from MIT Media Lab
As an AAC person, I am always thinking about modalities of communication and contexts for interaction. In addition, we need to be looking at new interfaces for humans and computers to communicate. This toy rethinks the way that people interact with the computer.

New York in Lego

Any New Yorkers reading this blog? (Pete?)
New York in Lego

a constructed sense of place

Things to think about:

How we construct our understanding of the world out of the tools we are provided with.

What tools (cognitive/linguistic or material) are given to kids with significant disabilities for constructing?

How much of assistive technology does all of the work of constructing for the user and what are the long-term effects of that on learning?

AAC toys 1

When I was a boy–and I don’t see any indication that kids have changed any–violent shoot-’em-up play was quite prevalent. I spent my childhood being a Jedi, soldier, superhero, survivalist resistance fighter behind enemy lines, and giant robot mecha pilot.

How might I have engaged in that sort of thing if I used a wheelchair and AAC?

I probably couldn’t. But kids today can. The beauty of the newer AAC devices is that they are fully functioning tablet PCs. The Mercury, ECO-14, and DV all have USB ports just like any laptop.

Oh the possibilities!