mHealth: Remote Patient Monitoring Is on the Rise, with Smartphones Leading the Way
Early last year, PEW Research was already reporting that 17 percent of mobile phone users were using their devices to look up health and medical information, and Juniper recently estimated that 44 million health apps were downloaded in 2011. In turn, the amount and availability of health data is exploding in tandem with the growing adoption of health and medical apps and devices, thanks to the increasingly wearable and user-friendly devices that use smart sensors to capture and transmit a variety biometric data.
From http://techcrunch.com/2012/02/08/mhealth-remote-patient-monitoring-is-on-the-rise-with-smartphones-leading-the-way/, February 10, 2012
Call for Irish Government to Meet Educational Needs of Children with Hearing Disabilities
Mary Byrne from the National Council for Special Education said children with hearing disabilities should be able to reach their potential in the classroom. “Research is also telling us that children with hearing disabilities can achieve better academic outcomes, in line with their potential ability, if they have the right supports in place. “Our paper is outlining what sort of supports should be in place, and where the focus of these supports should be.”
From http://globalaccessibilitynews.com/2012/02/06/call-for-irish-government-to-meet-educational-needs-of-children-with-hearing-disabilities/, February 09, 2012
Students with Disabilities in Ghana Want Legislative Instrument to Enforce Disability Act
Students with disabilities of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), have appealed to Government to put in place a Legislative Instrument to enforce the National Disability ACT (ACT 715) of 2006 to enable them access free education. Mr. Mark Akubire Attia, President of the Association, made the appeal when he addressed a forum to celebrate the world Disability Day at Winneba last Friday. It was under the theme: “Together for development for Better World including persons with disabilities on development.”
From http://globalaccessibilitynews.com/2012/02/06/students-with-disabilities-in-ghana-want-legislative-instrument-to-enforce-disability-act/, February 09, 2012
Motorola Mobility Foundation and Autism Speaks Partner in a Technology Project for Children with Autism
The unique technology project is increasing the level of communications among children with autism. The Motorola Xoom tablets were distributed last year to 25 families in San Diego and Chicago.“We put together the top 10 apps that are most frequently used and the ones that the kids seem to enjoy most. Among them, is Talking Tom. I’d say that’s number one, and Angry Birds is actually another one that children love because it’s got counting, it’s got a game, you know, coordination that’s needed to use it. And they can do it with their family,” said Eileen Sweeney, director of Autism Speaks.
From http://globalaccessibilitynews.com/2012/02/01/motorola-mobility-foundation-and-autism-speaks-partnered-in-a-technology-project-for-children-with-autism/, February 09, 2012
Assistive Technology devices distributed to help students with disabilities in UAE
When Taleb Al Murri received his Braille Sense Plus 32 note taker last year, he was thrilled, thanks to the Abu Dhabi Education Council’s (ADEC) scheme to help mainstream school students with disabilities. This year the scheme has been widened to include more equipment and teaching software as well as training teachers to help students.
From http://globalaccessibilitynews.com/2012/02/06/assistive-technology-devices-distributed-to-help-students-with-disabilities-in-uae/, February 09, 2012
Tutorial: How to Caption A YouTube Video
YouTube is an extremely popular way to share videos online, with anyone able to upload a video once they have a free YouTube account. You can easily caption your YouTube videos to make them accessible to a wider audience, particularly the Deaf and hearing impaired, and increase your video’s search engine optimization. You can also add captions to an online video that is not your own on the Overstream website.
From http://www.mediaaccess.org.au/online-media/caption-online-videos, February 08, 2012
Apps That Aid the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities
A strange thing happened when the menus arrived at the table during Ilene Berman's 48th birthday dinner. It involved 10 women, five smartphones and an application called Mag Light. The dimly lit atmosphere at Cibo E Beve in Sandy Springs was momentarily interrupted as the women whipped out their phones to illuminate the very tiny light brown print on the cream-colored menus.
From http://www.ajc.com/lifestyle/apps-aid-aging-and-1326805.html, February 03, 2012
USA: JAN Adds Second Installment to a New Series of Just-in-Time Training Modules
JAN announces the second in a series of fully-accessible training modules. The second just-in-time module is titled "Understanding and Applying the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Amendments Act and Its Regulations." The ADA Amendments Act of 2008 significantly broadened the definition of disability, leaving many employers unsure of how to determine whether an employee has a disability. This 43 minute training module and accompanying transcript and handout provides an overview of the changes made to the definition of disability, a summary of the guidance provided by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's regulations, and practical ideas for applying the new definition in the workplace.
From http://AskJAN.org/training/library.htm, February 03, 2012
South African Blind Researcher Develops Notetaker Device for Blind People
A portable voice-based computer for blind people, developed by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), has been shortlisted in the South African Breweries (SAB) Foundation inaugural Innovation Awards. The notetaker device is the first invention of its kind in South Africa and was developed by Willem van der Walt, a blind researcher at the CSIR. Fellow researcher Gerhard van den Berg was also involved in the development of the product.
From http://globalaccessibilitynews.com/2012/02/01/south-african-blind-researcher-develops-notetaker-device-for-blind-people/, February 01, 2012
Cinema Opens Up for Morocco's Blind
As Aziz Bouallouchen walks into the foyer of a plush cinema in the Moroccan city of Marrakesh, he is given not a pair of 3D glasses that one can expect to find in many cinemas around the world but a pair of headphones. Mr Bouallouchen, in his 20s, is no ordinary cinema-goer and this is no ordinary cinema. Every seat is equipped with special devices to enhance the enjoyment of blind and partially-sighted film-lovers. The film being shown is Lalla Hoby, a popular Moroccan comedy about a man who crosses the Straits of Gibraltar in order to look for his wife who has left him for another man and gone to live in Belgium. Released in 1996, it is the only North African film to have been adapted to carry audio description.
From http://www.africareview.com/Special+Reports/-/979182/1317840/-/yspiqhz/-/index.html, February 01, 2012
