Imagine!’s latest SmartHome newsletter is available online.
Check it out here.
Wish List Wednesday
7 years ago
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Technology Tuesday
Welcome to “Technology Tuesday.” Imagine!’s SmartHomes team has moved fully into the second phase of our project, where we are using the SmartHomes technology and taking it into other settings and sharing it with clients beyond just those living in the homes. We want to share those stories with you, hence the new feature. We hope these stories will be short and easy to read insights into how technology is changing the lives of everyone served by Imagine!, not just those living in the SmartHomes.
Imagine!’s Assistive Technology lab is currently hosting two advanced classes for clients who are using a variety of online educational software programs that track user data. Using these programs has two distinct advantages. One, the data tracking allows us to demonstrate measurable data, and two, having the software online means that clients are able to access the systems from anywhere that they have a computer and internet – so they can start doing the courses independently at their home, or at the library, for example. These two advantages mean that the educational software is more easily adaptable to different individual needs, and they also have the potential to create a sense of ownership and excitement among the clients as they get to see how far they can advance.
Imagine!’s Assistive Technology lab is currently hosting two advanced classes for clients who are using a variety of online educational software programs that track user data. Using these programs has two distinct advantages. One, the data tracking allows us to demonstrate measurable data, and two, having the software online means that clients are able to access the systems from anywhere that they have a computer and internet – so they can start doing the courses independently at their home, or at the library, for example. These two advantages mean that the educational software is more easily adaptable to different individual needs, and they also have the potential to create a sense of ownership and excitement among the clients as they get to see how far they can advance.
Monday, July 29, 2013
SmartHomes In The News
There was a really great story about Imagine!’s 50 year anniversary in yesterday’s Daily Camera, including a nice photo of SmartHome resident Gerald at work.
Click here to read the article.
Click here to read the article.
Friday, July 26, 2013
Celebrating 23 Years of the Americans with Disabilities Act
Today marks the 23rd Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). While much progress has been made, much remains to be done in our workplaces, schools and communities. Check out the video below to learn more.
Can’t see the video? Click here.
Can’t see the video? Click here.
Thursday, July 25, 2013
Guess Who's Touring The SmartHomes?
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Lana's Jewelry Making
Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome resident Lana enjoys making her own jewelry. Here’s a nice picture of her hard at work on her latest creation.
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Technology Tuesday
Welcome to “Technology Tuesday.” The SmartHomes team has moved fully into the second phase of our project, where we are taking technology out of the SmartHomes and getting it in other settings and into the hands of other clients beyond just those living in the homes. We want to share those stories with you, hence the new feature. We hope these stories will be short and easy to read insights into how technology is changing the lives of everyone served by Imagine!, not just those living in the SmartHome.
For today’s “Technology Tuesday,” we’d like to share a little about the skills screening tools we have created for clients with significant disabilities who have spent most of their lives reliant on others for support in almost every activity of daily life.
The skills screening tools help Imagine! staff members determine which reinforcing activities would be most effective for individual clients. For example, one client may be motivated by being able to choose his or her favorite music, while another may be more interested in controlling which video he or she would like to watch, or another may find a different sensory input motivating (like being able to turn on a massage chair).
These skills screening tools provide us with the information necessary to develop individualized teaching programs for clients so they can learn how to control equipment themselves, and take the first steps toward making independent choices and establish control over their environment. Knowing which outcomes will be the most motivating for each individual increases the chances of success versus a “one-size-fits-all” approach that may work for some, but not others.
Our hope is that by increasing the odds of success at the early stages of learning how to make independent choices will eventually lead to the acquisition of more advanced communications skills.
For today’s “Technology Tuesday,” we’d like to share a little about the skills screening tools we have created for clients with significant disabilities who have spent most of their lives reliant on others for support in almost every activity of daily life.
The skills screening tools help Imagine! staff members determine which reinforcing activities would be most effective for individual clients. For example, one client may be motivated by being able to choose his or her favorite music, while another may be more interested in controlling which video he or she would like to watch, or another may find a different sensory input motivating (like being able to turn on a massage chair).
These skills screening tools provide us with the information necessary to develop individualized teaching programs for clients so they can learn how to control equipment themselves, and take the first steps toward making independent choices and establish control over their environment. Knowing which outcomes will be the most motivating for each individual increases the chances of success versus a “one-size-fits-all” approach that may work for some, but not others.
Our hope is that by increasing the odds of success at the early stages of learning how to make independent choices will eventually lead to the acquisition of more advanced communications skills.
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