Advancements | Assisted Disability

Mobile Software for the Disabled

With the advancements in technology, those who are disabled have more advantages than they’ve ever had before. They are able to do more and accomplish more and are no longer tied to their homes feeling cut off from the world. Here are some ways that technology is helping:

Voice Recognition Software

One of the major ways that technology has helped is through voice recognition software. This helps those who are not able to type or use a mouse to use computers. Programs such as Dragon Naturally Speaking have the ability to recognize a person’s voice and follow commands including composing emails. This is very helpful for those who are wheelchair bound to communicate with friends online. It can even be used on websites such as Facebook.

Smartphones

There are many smartphones available with apps that can help the disabled such as Blackberry phones. What is a Blackberry phone? It’s a multi-use communication device that can receive emails, surf the web, and use many applications including games. There are some amazing apps out there. For example, there is one called ThinkContacts. This app uses a headset to measure a person’s brainwaves. While looking at a contact list, the user can choose a person to call by the headset measuring when attention level goes above 80 percent. Other useful apps include LocalEyes and BrailleBuddies for those who are blind.

This is just a small sampling of the many ways technology helps those with disabilities, and more ways are being developed every day. This is just another way that technology is improving the lives of everyone living in this world.

Filed Under: Advancements, Disabilities, Technology Tagged With: Disabilities, Mobile Software

Advancements in High-Tech Assistive Technology Devices

Image by reticulating via Flickr

All it takes is a cursory glance at the world around us to realize that technology is advancing at an alarming rate. Remember when the debut of Apple’s iPhone dominated the news? Only a few short years later, we find ourselves already looking at four generations of iPhones and counting, with each generation bringing advancements and new features previously considered unobtainable.

Assistive technology is no different. It has been around a long time – think automatic garage door openers and the bell that dings when an elevator arrives – but in recent years the advancements and availability of programs and devices have been astronomical. Computers can now be activated by voice, and users with limited vision can listen as their computer communicates with them; touchscreen technology is ideal for users with limited dexterity.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Consider some of these high-tech advancements in assistive technology devices:

Artificial Limbs
Prosthetic limbs have come a long way and continue to evolve. Scientists continue to explore the possibility of recreating the brain impulses used to move natural limbs so that artificial limbs can also be moved neurally.

Health Monitors
These wireless devices not only monitor vital signs and areas of concern, but they can also communicate any issues directly to your physician.

Computerized Pill Dispensers
Gone are the days of having to rely on memory or a manual system for taking medication. Pill dispensers are now available with various technological reminders, including sound and vibrating alarms.

As assistive technology continues to advance, the potential for members of the aging and disabled population to live active lives continues to expand.

Filed Under: Advancements, Technology Tagged With: Assistive technology, IPhone, Technology

Creating Apps for Blackberry Phones

There are those who use their Blackberry just for calls and texting—but there are those who love them for their applications—and they love to install new apps to make their phone even more functional and fun. For those who can create apps for the new generations of mobile phones, phone apps are big business.

People are using applications to help with finances, make travel plans or help with directions if they get lost; they can even entertain themselves with games if they get bored. You may be asking yourself, what is a Blackberry phone? And how do I create an application for a Blackberry? Well, creating applications geared toward what people want or need means that your app will practically sell itself. There are a variety of sites that can help you learn how to create applications for the BlackBerry. Often these sites will refer you to other sites that can assist with the more technical aspects such as writing code for the applications.

Once you come up with a brilliant idea for a Blackberry application and create the program, you should put it through a test run by offering a beta version to people willing to give you feedback. BlackBerry has a wealth of information on how to test your application available online. Once you’ve developed a successful app, market your creation by setting up a website and spreading the word. A good way to do that is to blog about your app on some of the websites devoted to Blackberry apps.

Whatever your reason for creating an application for the BlackBerry—personal use or profit– make sure you do your research so you know what people want. A little preparation and dedication can result in success.

Filed Under: Advancements, Technology Tagged With: Blackberry, Mobile phone, Software release life cycle

Carrying The Computer Around

Who would have thought just a few years ago that we would have the capacity to carry our computers around with us? There was a time when it took a lot of space to keep a computer. The monitors were bulky, the CPU units were big and a sturdy desk was necessary to handle the weight. Fast forward just a few years and laptop computers are being passed out to high school freshman at orientation. These slim line, light weight, fully functioning computers will fit into a back pack or locker and are small enough to be carried around with you all day. Technology is amazing. Do we really need a computer at our fingertips, available 24/7. Well in some cases yes. Most businesses would be lost without the ability to access their files immediately any time of the day or night. Stockbrokers literally have up to the minute numbers, realtors can let you know immediately if the dream home you want to purchase is still available and what is the going price?

Students are doing their homework on their laptops and e-mailing it to their teachers, thus, even though we are chewing up the electricity at a staggering clip, we are going more green in sparing quite a lot of paper each year. Most colleges across the country have WI-FI, the ability to use the Internet while sitting out under a tree, or in the cafeteria. You can have that homework done before your finish your sandwich.

We can communicate with each other in real time. Bosses can keep in touch with employees, and secretaries and assistants can get information to their bosses immediately, as needed. It makes you wonder what the future holds, and palm computer?

Filed Under: Advancements, Technology Tagged With: Laptop, Mobile device, Wi-Fi

The Latest Technologies – Finding and Purchasing the Best

Technology continues to be one of the fastest industries for consumers. Indeed, as technology keeps changing, consumers keep trying to keep up with the latest trends and take advantage of the best products for their money.

Many of the best technologies at the moment are extremely versatile. For those with disabilities, the ever-popular iPad can function in various capacities, including text-to-speech capabilities, for instance. In addition, users of all kinds can enjoy the mobile dimension of a product like this, and not to mention the growing list of applications that adds to the value of such a device.

E-readers are also a hot market at the moment. The Nook, iPad, and Kindle are among the many choices for users who love to read. Let’s face it: carrying around books isn’t convenient. When you consider the ability for these readers to hold hundreds and thousands of books, and that they have advanced features (bookmarking, notes, etc.), the value is easily grasped for all types of users.

Of course, the normal products are still hot right now. Current trends in computers are seen in tablets, which allow users to be more mobile. For a number of users, writing notes directly onto the device is particularly convenient as well. Tablets such as the iPad and other other products from mainstream PC manufacturers are worthy of attention, if you can take advantage of their benefits.

Purchasing technology online is one of the best ways to do research and get the best deals. If you need a new tablet or other electronic device, take advantage of an available Newegg promo code. It could save you a lot of money from one of the best retailers for all things technology.

Right now is a great time to get a great deal on one of these hot items. Take advantage of current savings to get the latest and greatest in technology.

Filed Under: Advancements, Technology Tagged With: IPad, Personal computer, Technologies

Are There Any Floppy Disks Left?

The computer has come so far in the last ten years. Years ago you needed to have all data that was loaded onto a computer on a disk of some sort. If you needed to add something to your computer, you just put the disk in and waited for it to load the information into your computer. If you were doing some work, you did what you had to do, popped in a disk and loaded that work onto a disk. Moving work within the computer was nowhere near as prevalent as it is today. It seemed genius and very forward thinking to be able to load all of your work onto a thin disk that could be carried in any briefcase, backpack or even in a purse if needed. It was a fabulous way to keep current with the workings of a computer.

Now software is almost obsolete. Anything needed on a computer can be downloaded directly from a computer. Just turn on your computer, use a search engine to find the information you need, click the mouse and download the information immediately. It will load directly onto your computer and it is ready for use immediately, or almost immediately. Some of these applications are copyrighted and you need to agree to terms before using the software, but for the most part this is an easy way to streamline computer use.

The floppy disk, or at least disk will never be completely obsolete. It is still necessary to back up your most important files with a hard copy. Computers can crash and lots of information can be lost in cyber space or destroyed altogether. It is good to know that we do have a way to protect our hard work.

Filed Under: Advancements, Technology Tagged With: Backup, Disk Management, Floppy disk

Parental Controls For The Internet

If your child is computer savvy and can navigate the Internet, they can literally see anything they want or ask for, and sometimes even things they do not ask for. It is really important for a parent to police what their children are accessing on the Internet. Using parental controls of whatever means are tantamount to protecting your child from unauthorized video viewing or being lured into a chat room or to watch something questionable.

Unfortunately there are many pornographic websites enticing under age children onto their sites by using names for their domains that a child could actually look for. Obviously expecting to maybe find a research site, they are immediately bombarded with pornographic images. With the correct parental controls, this questionable site would not have been able to be viewed by the child. If you have allowed your child to have an e-mail address, you can also place a parental control on that, as there are also millions of e-mails with questionable content delivered to e-mails of minors every day, not to mention the viruses that are passed from computer to computer through this route.

As with anything else we do with or for our children, parents must be responsible when setting up a computer for the home. If you are having the computer set up professionally let the person know that you are interested in keeping children from any questionable sites or sites they do not know. This can be done for you. If you are setting up your own computer, again use the computer. You can search for ways to prevent this information from getting to your child. It may be that you need a blocker placed on the child’s e-mail account or a warning given before opening any site. Whatever the case may be, take whatever precautions are necessary to protect your child. Preventing the information from getting to them is the first step.

Filed Under: Advancements, Technology Tagged With: Child Safety, Mobile phone, Parental Control

Gadgets For The Computer

Most people use their computers for work or for communication with other people. Most have a computer, monitor, keyboard, mouse and speakers, the computer basics for communication. The keyboard obviously for directing your computer where you need it to go, the monitor to see where it is going, the mouse to help with the direction. However, there are so many gadgets that can be added to your computer, to complete your cyber experience.

The beginning of gadgets came with the wireless technology. No longer did we have to have wires everywhere. Both keyboard and mouse can be made wireless, and with the technology constantly changing and growing, the quality that displays on the monitor is really very good. There are countless numbers of speakers that can be added. Most people just require speakers in order to listen to music or watch a video on the computer. However, if you want it, you can get it. You can add speakers to create the personalized Internet experience you are seeking.

Of course the latest and greatest addition, the web cam. With a web cam, you can speak and see people in real time, and they can see you. Everyone is sky-ping these days. You can talk to the guy next door or someone in another country half way across the world. Your computer is capable of this. There are storage devices that can be plugged into your computer, you can load whatever you want onto it, and then this small device can be carried from computer to computer, holding the data that you have loaded onto it.

Obviously you do not require a lot of gadgets for your home computer if you using it solely for recreation or communication. However, you can technically run an entire business from your computer, and at that point, you might require some gadgetry. Luckily, there is plenty out there for you.

Filed Under: Advancements, Technology Tagged With: Computer monitor, Gadget, Wireless

The Advancements In Computer Technology

Computers have come a long way from the entire room full of tubes with flowing information. A complete computer can be held in your hands in a laptop, fully functional and capable of all that a room full of tubes was. After the large computers of the early years, there were large CPU units, with bulky monitors that took up entire desks, so that you had to have a separate table just to hold your computer, and you thought this was the greatest invention ever, and it quite possibly is. Computers in their earliest version were used for not much more than data entry, a sort of files on film. Businesses loaded all of their receipts and paperwork into the computer in order to store the data and save space.

In the 80s and early 90s computers came into full being. This is where most people learned the vast ways in which a computer can be used, from researching literally anything to communicating with people all over the world. New sites and applications were born daily, and the computer was changing from day to day. Each year a newer, smaller, faster version was unveiled, usually more than one brand from rival companies. Stock markets were going crazy with what these machines were producing. People could not get enough of them and by the end of the 90s you would be hard pressed to find a household without at least one computer.

Today, the computer is such a part of school that children as young as grade school are being taught how to navigate the Internet. By the time our kids are in high school, they are being given laptops as part of their initial book purchase. Many teachers are giving lessons on the computer, and your grades can be accessed at a glance. With how far the computer has come in just the last few decades, it is thrilling to think what it is capable of in the future.

Filed Under: Advancements, Technology Tagged With: Laptop, Personal computer, Technology