Technology Tuesday

Here’s a video of Jay, one of our friends at Imagine!’s Santa Fe Group Home. He’s working on developing and maintaining his fine motor skills, and what better way than to play the virtual piano on a tablet. It sounds great. Keep up the good work, Jay!

Can’t see the video? Click here. 

Technology Tuesday

Last week, Imagine! CEO Mark Emery shared some pictures on his blog of a youth group from Branson, MO, who volunteered at Imagine!’s CORE/Labor Source site as part of their “alternative spring break.” Since they were volunteering at Imagine!, you know some technology was involved. Below is a picture of one of the volunteers with Karen, who lives in Imagine!’s Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome, as they practice their multiplication on a iPad.

Technology Tuesday

This week’s Tech Tuesday brings us up the slope to Eldora Mountain Resort, where our friend Scott has been carving up the mountainside. Through the Ignite Adaptive Sports Program, Scott has been going up to Eldora a couple times each ski season, using a sit ski. This last time he went up, however, we changed things up a bit. One of Scott’s major goals for this last year has been to increase his stability and stamina while standing or walking. He practices standing and walking exercises both at home and while attending classes at Imagine!’s CORE\Labor Source. So upon discussing this, Scott and the team decided to try out an A-Frame support stand for Scott to use on the slopes. It gives him plenty of assistance to bear his weight as needed, and as you can see in the video below, Scott had no troubles sailing off into the sunset. Stay tuned for more updates, and special thanks to the Ignite Adaptive Sports program at Eldora.

Can’t see the video? Click here.  

Technology Tuesday

This week’s Tech Tuesday takes us to Imagine!’s CORE\Labor Source (CLS) department, where our Assistive Tech Lab is building new ways to create music and to communicate using MaKey MaKey. MaKey MaKey turns everyday objects into touchpads and combines them with the internet. Here’s their promotional video, which explains more:

Can’t see the video? Click here. 

Why does this matter to Imagine! and the people we serve? Well, some individuals we serve have sensory issues, and being able to use a wide variety of objects to act as touchpads allows them to develop a much higher level of comfort when interacting with technology. Other people we serve have physical disabilities that can make it challenging to access computers and other technologies through traditional access points, but being able to vary the size, shape, texture, location, and portability of touchpads promises to be a real game changer.

CLS is just getting started with the process, but check out this 3D guitar they’ve created, which can be played using buttons made of play-doh (or a banana, if you so desire). And stay tuned to see what else they have in mind for this exciting innovation!

Celebrating Johnny’s Birthday

Here’s a video of the Rusk family (Kristen, Serena, Isabelle, and Jason) celebrating Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome resident Johnny's birthday. The Rusk family has been volunteering at the house for about a year now and have become a vital part of the residents' lives. They usually come in once a week to play games with the residents and bring smiles to the house. Every time a resident celebrates his or her birthday, they bring in a cake and/or ice cream for all the residents and a very nice gift for them (they are extremely generous!). For his birthday, Johnny received a nice Bingo game for his gift (one of his favorite games).
  Can’t see the video? Click here.

We thank the Rusks for their commitment and support! Below are a few more pictures from Johnny’s celebration.

Technology Tuesday

Last Friday, February 26, Simply Home provided an overview and training of the remote supports technology that will be used in Imagine!’s upcoming Tuneberg Remote Supports Project. This project’s goal is to help individuals in the community live safe and productive lives with the assistance of technology. The training provided a brief background and overview of the process and a demonstration of the technology being used.

Two years ago Aaron Tuneberg died at the age of 30, the result of a violent and senseless act. Aaron was on a waiting list for services but that did not stop him from connecting with his community and making an impact on all those he touched. Aaron’s mother, Gale Boonstra, has continued this legacy by working diligently to turn tragedy into opportunity. To help reach that vision, Gale and her family have established Aaron’s Fund to support projects in Aaron’s community that will provide safety, independence, and camaraderie for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Imagine!’s Tuneberg Remote Supports Project is being funded through Aaron’s Fund.

Below is a PowerPoint presentation from the training.
 

Tuneberg Remote Supports Project - Simply Home Presentation 

Here are a few pictures from the event.

And please watch this touching video to learn more about Aaron Tuneberg, Gale Boonstra, and Aaron’s Fund.

Can’t see the video? Click here.