Pumpkin Fun

Last weekend, residents of the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome went to a pumpkin patch, and staff member Keysha Torres took a unique and creative approach when it came time for carving one of the pumpkins. Here is resident Lana admiring her work.

When Is It OK To Use The R-Word?

Taking a day out from sharing SmartHome info to share this simple chart explaining when it is ok to use the R-word.

SPOILER ALERT – the answer is never.

Technology Tuesday

Today’s Technology Tuesday comes from Chris Baumgart, Imagine!’s Assistive Technology Specialist. Chris provides us the latest edition of a little segment he likes to call “Chris’s Corner.” Thanks, Chris! 

Chris’s Corner

"Down on the corner…Out in the Street…"

Coming to you straight from Imagine! CORE/Labor Source’s (CLS) own Boulder Adaptive Orchestra: “Give Us a Beat!”

The Adaptive Orchestra, which meets weekly at Imagine!'s Boulder CLS site, focuses on teaching a variety of skills to the individuals it serves. Many of the skills taught are what you’d expect to find in any music class: theory, note recognition, group performance, musical expression, and so many more. These skills can be taught any number of ways, as you can see by the simple adaptation featured below, used to teach specific keyboard keys that apply to specific scales.

Additionally, and this is where I get excited, this class is always challenged to find new and creative ways to engage its students, as well as broadening areas of inclusion for everyone. This has led to a number of new tools, ranging anywhere from iPad apps that allow more individuals to play virtual instruments in an arrangement, to digital drum pads, to MIDI controllers, and more. The newest introduction to this inclusive tool kit now turns DynaVox communication devices into dynamic music monster machines!

Shown below is a traditional MIDI Controller.

These controllers allow participants to press any of the buttons you see pictured, and each button sends a unique signal that is associated with various musical notes (from a range of virtual instruments), in addition to other samples and loops. However, the necessity of physically pressing the buttons presents a challenge to many individuals, and may hinder individuals (especially those using a communication device) from participating.

Now, by using the AccessIt interface pictured below, individuals are able to use their communication devices to mimic many of the same signals that a typical MIDI controller would transmit.

The user page shown above is a basic page set to transmit ten different unique signals that are easy to use and easy to customize, thus taking inclusive music performance and composition to a whole new horizon.

Stay tuned for video of footage of these sessions in action!

Presentable

On Wednesday, November 5, Imagine!’s SmartHomes guru Greg Wellems will be presenting at the 2014 OPEN MINDS Technology & Informatics Institute in Washington, D.C.

Greg will be part of a panel discussing “Community-Based Treatment Through Technology: Remote Monitoring, SmartHomes & More.”

Consumer health monitoring – also known as remote patient monitoring (RPM) – is a valuable form of ambulatory health care that gathers consumer biometric information through mobile medical devices and sends that information to health care professionals. Once collected, that data can be stored and analyzed, and acted upon in real time. The benefits to remote monitoring include reduced use of personnel and inpatient care, as well as increased consumer satisfaction and engagement. In this session, we will explore the benefits of remote monitoring technology and learn about some of the innovative new products on the market. The session will include:

• An overview of the remote monitoring market and future trends 
• A discussion on the benefits of using remote monitoring in community-based settings 
• A look at some of the new remote monitoring technologies available 

Good luck, Greg!

A Visit To The Circus

A couple of weeks ago, several residents of the Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome went to the circus together. Check out some photos from their adventure!

Guess Who’s Touring The SmartHomes?

Last Friday, a group of individuals toured Imagine!’s Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome in Boulder, including representatives from Imagine!’s Board of Directors, from Alliance, and from the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF). As Colorado and other states are trying to learn about how technology can be used to improve the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Imagine! and our SmartHomes have become the destination spot for people to experience first-hand what the future of services could look like. Thanks to all of our “tourists” for visiting.

Mandy's New Book - "Alice's Adventures"

Bob and Judy Charles SmartHome resident Mandy has published another book! This one is called “Alice’s Adventures.” Learn more, including how to purchase the book and support this talented author, by clicking here.