Assistive Technology Holiday Gift Guide!

Here is just a small sampling of the numerous products available to improve the lives of people

with mobility challenges. Happy shopping and enjoy the holidays!

Tecla Shield DOS

The Tecla Shield DOS by Komodo OpenLab is a wireless device that lets you control smartphones and tablets using  external switches or the driving controls of your powered wheelchair. This locally developed product is a must have for anyone with limited use of hands. A simple out of the box device, takes little time to configure (works with any smart phone), is compact, lasts 4 days per charge and is available with various mounts and accessories. Open up a world of opportunity and independence for a loved one!

Website: Buy It Now!

Price: $349 USD

Tecla Shield DOS

Dragon Naturally Speaking

Dragon, the world’s best-selling speech recognition software, lets you dictate documents, search the web, email and more on your computer — quickly and accurately — just by using your voice. You don’t even have to lift a finger.

NaturallySpeaking uses a minimal user interface. As an example, dictated words appear in a floating tooltip as they are spoken (though there is an option to suppress this display to increase speed), and when the speaker pauses, the program transcribes the words into the active window at the location of the cursor (Dragon does not support dictating to background windows). The software has three primary areas of functionality: dictation, text-to-speech and command input. Dragon is available in Home and Premium versions, in various languages for both Windows and Mac.

Website: Buy It Now!

Price: $99 - $300

Clarity Fortissimo Remote Controlled Speakerphone

Designed for people with limited mobility, The Clarity® Fortissimo™ remote controlled speakerphone offers multiple options for hands-free control. The hands free design allows you to operate the phone by adaptive switches, air switch or by simply using a optional one-button pendant. Additionally, the Fortissimo has 85 dBSPL of amplification and bluetooth connectivity.

Website: Buy It Now!

Price: $550.00

TrackerPro

TrackerPro is a handsfree USB input device that takes the place of a mouse by tracking a small dot that can be placed on your forehead, glasses or the rim of a hat. Simply plug it in and it works just like a mouse (no additional software required). Anything that can be done with a regular hand mouse can be done by using TrackerPro.

Website: Buy It Now!

Price: $995.00

IZ Adaptive Clothing

IZ Adaptive features a line of clothing designed to meet the specific needs of wheelchair users. From formal wear to bath robes, alterations and much more, IZ Adaptive is your one stop shop for Stylish, Functional, Quality clothing.

Website: Buy It Now!

Neater Eater

The Neater Eater by UK's Neater Solutions, Is a electronic device to assist users with limited upper mobility to independently feed themselves. Attached to any table the programable Neater Eater's arm can be controlled with a variety of switches, helping people to regain dignity and independence.

Check out the website for a number of innovative solutions!

Website: Buy It Now!

The Ubi

The Ubi from Toronto based start up Unified Computer Intelligence Corporation is a voice activated environmental control and so much more,  think of it as a hands free personal assistant. Once switched on, connected to a Wi-Fi network and paired with compatible devices, the Ubi (using Google’s speech-to-text software) can change thermostat settings, adjust lighting and control blinds. Want to know the population of Kuala Lumpur? Just say the phrase “OK, Ubi.” and ask away!

Website: Buy It Now!

Price: $299

Xbox One

Ok, I know what your thinking someone wants a new fancy toy... However the Xbox One has many built in accessibility features built around the Kinect motion sensor and camera. Microsoft took the accessory that debuted on the Xbox 360 and revamped it, making it more precise and capable of doing something never before seen in the living room: voice controls. After a brief initial calibration of the Kinect sensor to your voice, you are able to control every feature of the Xbox entirely with your voice. A closer look reveals a robust close captioning menu, that in addition to the voice control goes a long way to dramatically improve the gaming experience for not only disabled gamers but anyone needing hands free control of their entertainment system.

Website: Buy It Now!

Price: $399

VAT (Voter Assist Terminal) or Adventures in "Accessible" voting.

On October 27th 2014, as Torontonians headed to the polling stations, I was eager to utilize the new VAT's (Voter Assist Terminal) that first debuted in Toronto's last Municipal election. After some research my adventure began… Every Ward has one VAT available on voting day (and advanced voting days) and luckily for me my assigned polling station and the VAT equipped polling station where close to each other. With my voter card and passport (which is not accepted as Identification in the voting process) in hand off I went. I arrived at the VAT equipped station and i'm immediately was told I had to go to my "assigned" polling station. when I further inquired about the accessible voting (while gesturing to the VAT) I was incorrectly informed "all polling stations have the machine". So back I go to my "assigned" polling station, AKA my home and of course (as I suspected) there was no VAT. I proceed to inquire about the "accessible" voting machine and the clerks (looking at me like I had 2 heads) commented that there was "no such thing only accessible stations that can be accessed by wheelchair" and that I was mistaken. Although they did offer to help me, I opted to go back to the VAT equipped station as I felt that I needed to see this process through because A) I was curious and B) perhaps I could educate people and make things better for future disabled voters…

VAT (Voter Assist Terminal)

So back I go to the VAT equipped polling station, this time I expressed that I wish to use the VAT and was immediately taken to the head clerk, who started into "you have to go to your…" to which I replied "I'm here to use the VAT" after a few minutes I was introduced to the VAT tech, a pleasant fellow whom tells me I need a ballot transfer in order to vote and he needs to "call in for permission". At this point I'm thinking how crazy is this? that the city offers this service then makes it extremely difficult and time consuming to use? After permission was granted, I head to the… wait I know what your thinking, the VAT? Nope! First I need to fill out the Ballot transfer, I'm shown to another table (w/ the tech) where a frustrated and rude woman, blows us off stating "this is not my job". Luckily the head Clerk intervened and after a conference as to weather a "special ballot was needed for the machine" managed to get me a ballot.

Finally I pull up the VAT, I'm handed a wired remote and given a quick overview. easy right? Well no, I push the button and nothing! after a quick scan I noticed the remote was not fully plugged in, then I further notice that the remote was plugged into the headphone port and the headphones plugged into the remote port, at this time i'm now instructing the tech and thinking who do I send a bill to? With all the cabling issues sorted it was finally voting time. a ballot is inserted into the VAT and as I have limited use of my arms, the tech had to follow the prompts in order to activate the remote allowing you to scan with one button and select with another. After 10 minutes and 3 ejected ballots (due to incorrect candidate selections) I had officially exercised my democratic right…

Overall I would say it was a frustrating experience that offered far less independence and confidentiality (because of all the steps involved) than the old way of just asking the clerk for assistance, I was also surprised at the lack of knowledge about the VAT amongst the clerks.

However don't get me wrong, I appreciate the effort put forth but the city, realize the technology is in it's infancy and look forward to future improvements. I also think / hope that all things considered, I helped educate not only myself but others in the process and that to me is all positive!

The Kinova Robotics JACO Robotic Arm System

The Kinova Robotics JACO Robotic Arm System, is a 3 fingered assistive device that can be mounted to a power wheelchair (using any existing controller) giving users the ability to adapt themselves to a world which doesn't adapt to them.

The Basics: The light weight Carbon Fiber JACO weighs just 5kg, with a 1.5 kg payload. It's 90cm reach allows you to easily pick objects off the floor and open doors. Weatherproof and discreet, it's easy to set up and operate opening up a whole new world to many with upper-extremity impairments.

For more info…