Friday, September 9, 2011
Friday, May 7, 2010
There Is No Such Thing As Goodbye, Just New Beginnings - Part 3
As I stated in an earlier post, I am very optimistic for the future of assistive technology for the disabled community. We have already progressed by leaps and bounds but there is still much that we can do. One of the greatest things about technology is that we are never content with our current devices. It appears that we are constantly searching for the next best thing, which in a way has pushed us to develop so many innovative inventions. Assistive technology is no different. For example, from the time humans could walk we have been using prosthetics. In the beginning we molded these prosthetics from materials like sticks, animals bones or even clay. However, as time has progressed we have developed prosthetics that work and look almost like a real limb. This is only of the hundred of different types of technology that is currently available. One of my favorite posts was a video that talked about how scientists in Europe are currently working on a device that allows individuals with disabled motor skills to actually play video games with their thoughts. In essence, a helmet was designed to read the brain waves of the individual wearing the helmet which would then transfer the electric waves to the device. Unknown to most of us, every time we think of something, we are transmitting electric signals and scientists in Europe have figured out a way to actually capture and read these signals. Before watching the video I thought that devices like this could only exist in movies or science fiction shows. However, this is no longer just an idea but has become a reality. Although there is stll a lot of research that needs to be done before this device is perfected, it is still exciting to know that some day in the near of future, individuals who are significantly disabled will have the ability to play a video games, turn a light switch on and off or even operate a computer or cell phone just with their thoughts along. It is devices like this one that make me feel optimistic that scientists will not stop trying to come up with better and better devices.
There Is No Such Thing As Goodbye, Just New Beginnings - Part 2
I cant say that I actually have a least favorite blog post because I truly enjoyed each of the posts I wrote. I love that I was able to learn so much each week and could apply what I had learned to my own blog. It served as an outlet to express myself while educating other to the type of technology there is for the disabled community.
I hope that readers who come across my blog will put their fears and stereotypes aside and read my blog with an open mind. Sadly is sometimes appears that many of us have stereotypes about the disabled community which often stems from our lack of understanding and knowledge. I feel that once we get past that, we can truly understand the steps that we need to take in order to help these individuals live as normal a life as possible. I hope my blog serves as a example to others of the types of technology that are already in place to improve upon the lives of the disabled community.There Is No Such Thing As Goodbye, Just New Beginnings - Part 1
I started this blog four months ago as a requirement for my class. Having no prior experience with blogging I did not have very high expectations in the very beginning. However, my initial opinions drastically changed as the semester progressed and I become more knowledgeable about my topic. Although I have had prior experience with working with the disabled community, I was quite oblivious to the types of assistive technology that is readily available for them today.
One of my favorite blog posts was actually the one of gaming. When we addressed the topic in class I had a hard time coming up with a way to relate what we had talked about in class to my personal blog. I think this is because up to that point I had only considered the difficulties disabled individuals face in terms of using every day technology like a computer of telephone. I hadn’t thought of how assistive technology can help these individuals have fun through activities like playing video games. After doing a little bit of research I learned about several different types of assistive technology that help the disabled community participate in past-times that most of us take for granted. I found it quite fascinating to read about the different things that have already been developed and it makes me optimistic about the future because I’m sure even more technology will be developed.Saturday, April 24, 2010
Apple Helps the Disabled Community
For a good portion of my life I had considered myself to be a “PC person” and never imagined myself going to the “dark side.” However, after I started creating website for work and as a personal hobby I came to realize that switching to a Mac was the only way to compete in the very competitive market of web designing. After purchasing my MacBook I cannot imagine my life without it!
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Games Can Totally Be Fun and Educational!
I personally feel that a game can be both entertaining and educational. However, the secret to keeping a child’s attention and getting them to actually like the game is to weave the “educational” aspects throughout the game without making it obvious to the child that they are actually learning. If I were to design a game for a younger audience I would make an adventure type game where the child will have to complete various levels and tasks. It would be an educational game because the child will have to read what their tasks are, they will have to communicate with the other characters in the game, and will have to use math in order to buy tools or weapons. Although this might not be your traditional educational game I think a child would learn more and at a quicker pace if they are having fun and doing something their enjoy at the same time.
Gaming and the Disabled Community
In class last week we talked about how gaming can have quite a significant affect on young children especially when it comes to their academic performance. It is a proven fact that students who spend hours each day playing video games don’t do as well in school. This left us wondering why games cannot be education and entertaining at the same time.
Why? Well other than being a self-professed geek who loves playing video games, I am also a self-professed geek who loves playing video games living with a disability. Being able to participate in social games with my peers and friends is even more meaningful, because otherwise (in real-life) I am not able to do it as easily…The barriers of the physical world that were preventing me from playing side-by-side with my friends were now virtually and literally removed…I believe that my online achievements in Pac Man and Asteroids made me seem “normal” to the other kids. So it also helped my self-esteem. Now, they could finally see me as real competition and not just someone in a wheelchair…To conclude, for me, as someone who lives with a disability, computers, games, the Internet and social media (social games in particular) have opened many doors. These social spaces have allowed me to keep in touch with old friends and to make new friends.”