CHARGE Syndrome Canada
Newsletter
Summer 2006
Vol. 1 No.11
Genetic Alliance Conference Review
"Martial Arts Parents" to international tournament
TECHNOLOGY UPDATE
"Ask a computer expert"
Question:
"Can you give us some hints on how to start working on the computer with our 5 year old child? She has retinal coloboma in both eyes, but uses mostly the right eye, and has a moderate hearing loss. We were told by another parent of an older child with CHARGE to start early with key boarding skills as her fine motor and balance remains poor and we are unsure of the future for her writing skills. I have no idea how to begin."
Answer:
There are many good, “off-the-shelf” children’s educational programs on the market starting with babies and progressing up to all ages. However for children with visual or fine motor difficulties, it becomes more challenging to find appropriate programs that peak their interest, are geared to their ability and are still interesting and fun. For specialized software there are many wonderful producers. Listed below are some of them with their websites.
So… go to Softtouch Kidtech http://www.softtouch.com/
RJ Cooper http://www.rjcooper.com/
Don Johnston http://donjohnston.com/
IntelliTools www.intellitools.com
Mayer Johnson for Writing with Symbols http://www.mayer-johnson.com/
Marblesoft Mayer Johnson for Writing with Symbols http://www.mayer-johnson.com/
Judy Lynn Software http://www.judylynn.com/
Simtech Publications http://www.hsj.com/
Keyboarding
The introduction of the keyboard is generally used to begin writing on the computer either by pressing the letter keys to learn letter recognition, fill in blanks, play some computer games or to learn to write. Using an alphabetic, large print keyboard may help some children learn letter recognition faster, the keys are generally larger and easier to activate. This style of keyboard may be the only style they ever use. On the other hand, some children learn right from the beginning on a QWERTY style of keyboard. American Printing House www.aph.org has a program called Talking Typer which is for people who want to learn proper keyboarding and are ready to “work” rather than play.
There are lots of choices in keyboards. Listed below are manufacturers websites that have a variety of styles of keyboards from Alphabetic to QWERTY.
Chester Creek Technologies http://www.chestercreektech.com/
Kidtech keyboard http://kidtech.com
IntelliTools www.intellitools.com for their special keyboard – Intellikeys – which you can program yourself with Overlay maker and add pictures to the board.
Hope this helps!
Aimee Todd, Humanware
aimee.todd@humanware.com
Editor's Note: Visit this reference site soon: Assistive Technology -RJ's Player-Drive Give-away for October 2006 There is a free give-a-way.
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