Interview: David Niemeijer, Founder & CEO of AssistiveWare

March 21, 2012January 31, 2022 by Shannon Des Roches Rosa

AssistiveWare’s Proloquo2Go is one of the most popular software programs and now apps for people who use AAC — Augmentative and Alternative Communication. They also make the excellent social story app Pictello. David Niemeijer is the founder and CEO of AssistiveWare, and talked with TPGA about the past, present, and future of AssistiveWare and their apps. —- Tell us about AssistiveWare — how it got started, when, and what products you make. AssistiveWare has its roots in 1995 when Giesbert, a friend of mine, had a serious car accident and broke his neck. I developed KeyStrokes, an on-screen keyboard for the Mac so that Giesbert could not only type using a HeadMouse but also access all the keyboard shortcuts in Photoshop (see http://www.assistiveware.com/giesbert.php). Later I released KeyStrokes as freeware but got so many requests for improvements that I decided that if I was to make all those improvements I would…

Disability

The Attitude of Gratitude: A TPGA Xoom Giveaway

November 25, 2011January 31, 2022 by Shannon Des Roches Rosa

UPDATE 11/27: Our Random.org-selected winner is Courtney W.! Congratulations, Courtney. Thank you to everyone who participated, and we encourage you to read the more than 100 wonderful comments left below. -SR —- The good folks at Motorola sent me (Shannon) a Xoom tablet to give away. No hidden agenda, no stipulations — they had simply heard how tablet computers can help people with autism, and they wanted to get two of their devices to people in the autism communities — one to my son Leo, and one to a blog reader. A blog reader who could be you! We TPGA editors had already planned to kick off the holiday season by seeding some positivity: putting up a gratitude post, and asking you readers to leave a comment about something that makes you feel happy or grateful — and we still hope you will. But now, if you like, you can…

Disability

Communication: A Million Little Things

October 7, 2011January 31, 2022 by Jen Myers

Lydia Wayman www.autisticspeaks.wordpress.com If I knew what to say, I’d tell you a million little things that I’ve acquired in my brain over the weeks and months — and lifetime. If I could, I’d tell you that I’m so over age appropriateness. You say Disney and American Girl isn’t age-appropriate for me? Well, excuse my language, but I say you can shove it. I would, if I could, ask you what is the point of encouraging age appropriate interests? Is it to make friends? I have many, even more than I can keep track of sometimes. Is it so that people will like me? Hate to break it to you, but people already do like me (not everyone, but, well, obviously, right?). Is it so that I can be normal? And to what end, I would ask? If I’m comfortable with it, you should be comfortable with it, and that’s…

Disability

The 26th Annual International Technology & Persons with Disabilities Conference

March 4, 2011January 31, 2022 by Shannon Des Roches Rosa

Sandy Plotin Managing Director Center on Disabilities California State University, Northridge The 26th Annual International Technology and Persons with Disabilities Conference (www.csunconference.org) will be held March 14-19, 2011 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel in San Diego. TPGA editor Shannon spoke with Sandy last week about who the conference is for, who will be speaking, and why anyone who can go, should. Can you summarize the goals of the conference for us? Our conference is in its 26th year, and is dedicated to promoting all the things that people with disabilities can do, all the technologies that are out there. The most important feature we like to get across about our conference is the networking aspect — people find out just as much information from talking to other people in the sessions or walking in the hallways as they do from the speakers. This is the place where, if you…

Disability

iPads: Near-Miracles for Kids With Autism

November 26, 2010January 31, 2022 by Shannon Des Roches Rosa

Shannon Des Roches Rosa with Robert Rummel-Hudson www.squidalicious.com www.schuylersmonsterblog.com My son Leo’s life was transformed when a five-dollar raffle ticket turned into a brand-new iPad. I’m not exaggerating. Before the iPad, Leo’s autism made him dependent on others for entertainment, play, learning, and communication. With the iPad, Leo electrifies the air around him with independence and daily new skills. People who know Leo are amazed when they see this new boy rocking that iPad. I’m impressed, too, especially when our aggressively food-obsessed boy chooses to play with his iPad rather than eat. I don’t usually dabble in miracle-speak, but I may erect a tiny altar to Steve Jobs in the corner of our living room. Irony: We hadn’t even considered getting Leo an iPad. They seemed awkward and fragile to me, with oversized touch screens that looked as vulnerable as a hermit crab’s exposed backside. I felt more comfortable with…

Disability

Autism, Apps, and Adults

October 7, 2010January 31, 2022 by Shannon Des Roches Rosa

Corina Lynn Becker http://autisticapp.blogspot.com/ http://nostereotypeshere.blogspot.com There’s been quite a bit of news lately about how Apple’s iPad can assist Autistic children. The stories I have heard are wonderful and hopeful, on how iPads and iPods could bring about a new era of portable supports, learning, and communicative devices, and independence. It has been pointed out that the portable devices, while not cheap, are inexpensive when compared to other specialized devices — which are often too bulky to carry around and be applicable to various locations and situations. With the development of specialized apps, a child, parent, teacher or caregiver can carry a small, slim device filled with programs to communicate, understand how to go places, be prompted on doing tasks, keep organized, learn social skills, filter sensory input, and regain calm from stress. For those with motor control problems, the large screen of the iPad offers more accessibility and opportunities…