Utilizing Technology to Live a Well-Balanced Holistic Lifestyle

HoMedics® sleep solutions™ Sound Soother
The HoMedics enterprise, established in 1987, is one of the leading manufacturers in health and wellness merchandise. Their products include massagers, sound machines, and fitness trackers. Their Sleep Solutions Sound Soother machine is like no other of its kind. The machine is travel friendly, reasonably priced, ($50) and has a variety of twelve different earth sounds.

Since the sound machine has a placid effect, individuals with a variety of disabilities and needs can benefit immensely from this technology. Individuals with depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, and attention deficit now have another alternative to using medication. Adopting this holistic approach allows users to manage their symptoms effectively without the harmful side effects of prescription drugs. In order to reap what it has to offer, the machine should be used on a consistent basis in conjunction with light exercise. People who utilize this tool in recreational settings do so for yoga and meditation to better be mindful of their surroundings. When the mind, body, and soul function at their full potential, people live healthy constructive lives engaging in lucrative tasks.

Given people’s hectic, chaotic lifestyles, I profoundly endorse the sound system for anyone who needs a peaceful and calming environment to decompress and have time to themselves. One of the qualities that is most crucial is its compact size, since units like these tend to be quite cumbersome. Whenever overwhelmed with melancholy, I put the device on campfire and I drift off into sleep that lasts for hours. Individuals with dexterity issues might have difficulty manipulating the device. These consumers can use the Amazon Echo, which is voice controlled and discussed in one of my previous blogs.

If you are interested in listening to the intricate sounds or learning how to operate the device, please check out the video: https://youtu.be/aiecNXcQuF8

Switch Adapted Play with Pups and Pals!

With our Fall FUN Fest coming up on Sunday Oct 15 (9am-1pm), we decided to have some fun switch adapting a GoDogGo ball launcher for our favorite Canine Companion in training, Midnight! Connecting an adapted switch, like the red one in the pic, to the remote enables anyone to use any body part to throw a ball to their favorite pup or friend!

This adaption can be completed in three simple steps:
The first pic shows everything you need:
a soldering iron, solder, wire cutter, battery interrupter, and adapted switch.

1) Peel back the sticker face to unscrew the remote box
(don't even ask what we tried before we saw this!)












2) Use a wire cutter to clip off the  copper end of a battery interrupter cord,  and then strip/expose the wires at the end that you cut off -
(alternatively, you can make your own receiving jack/wire less expensively by using speaker wire and a 3.5 female jack -http://www.instructables.com/id/No-Solder-Battery-Interrupter/)

3) Solder the wire to the terminals shown below inside the remote- You can test the connection by simply holding the wires on these terminals before soldering.We snaked the wire back out the top screw hole (before soldering, but maybe after we had cut that screw trying to get into the box ;/

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That's IT! Put it all back together, connect any adapted switch, and HAVE FUN PLAYING BALL!

If you need more specific instructions or help, feel free to contact us at: kvanden@wihd.org

Service Dogs and Technology Collide As One

With today’s assistive technology, Canine Companions for Independence collides with technology in that service dogs can be used with a variety of different power chairs and scooters. Service dogs can facilitate individuals with disabilities just like assistive technology.

Canine Companions for Independence (CCI), established in 1975, is a philanthropic organization that provides service dogs to individuals with disabilities. They provide four distinct types of service dogs (service, assisted service, hearing and facility) for individuals with a plethora of disabilities. The dogs are proficient in an array of different commands and tasks that coincide with the client’s specific needs. Some examples include, but are not limited to, opening doors, retrieving items, and pulling a wheelchair. One of the most beneficial features of being paired with a service dog is its ability to provide emotional support.

Applicants who may qualify for CCI services can enlist by requesting an application online. Those who qualify must undergo a phone and in person interview to receive a dog. Once approved, in order to become more acclimated with the dog, recipients must attend a two-week training with the dog at a CCI facility.

Having the privilege to know a CCI volunteer puppy raiser and having done my research has given me the credentials to understand what the organization has to offer. I’ve had the opportunity to meet a CCI dog in training named Midnight. She is a Labrador retriever with a docile demeanor who is extremely obedient. She answers to a variety of commands and engages in basic skills in order to facilitate her future companion.

 I strongly recommend this organization to anyone who is in need of the service dog. It is the oldest and most reputable organization that provides dogs free of charge. Individuals who are disabled do not have to compromise their independence or security when having a service dog.

For further information on how to obtain a dog or offer to volunteer for CCI please contact CCI at 631-561-0200 or you can visit the website at www.caninecompanions.org

Alexa has ‘skillz’

Since, the Amazon Echo is such a conducive and sophisticated tool it is serviceable in so many different outlets. This allows for spontaneous and lucid access. In order to reap the advantageousness of the Echo, the user must download the Alexa app to their phone, which features an infinite amount of skills. Users who have difficulties accessing their phone may have trouble adding skills. The Echo skills are similar to phone apps. They can do a plethora of tasks such as; rehash data, notify people, play music, and give direction among an incredulous amount of other capabilities.

One skill of Alexa that behooved me was the enormous amount of meditation skills. I found them to be quite relaxing, therapeutic, and enjoyable given that I do yoga on a daily basis. I highly recommend the meditation skills Peaceful Meditation and ZenMood to anybody who is depressed or overwhelmed with anxiety.

Ask My Buddy is a complementary service that works on the Amazon Echo, similar to a ‘Life Alert’ emergency contact system. People who are physically impaired can now live independently and alert their personal contacts with the sound of their voice if in need of help or medical attention. The app will send an expedited message via phone and/or email. When I first accessed Ask My Buddy, it had a difficult time understanding my voice, but as time progressed it became familiar with my voice. When my contacts were alerted, they were flustered since I did not explain the program ahead of time. I strongly recommend you do!!! Overall, I think it’s a wonderful service in which people do not have to compromise their independence or security. Please be advised that Ask My Buddy should not be used in place of 911.

These are two of many skills that Alexa has to offer. Do you use any Alexa skills that you find interesting or beneficial and would like to share?

Let’s meet Alexa!!!!!

The Amazon Echo and Echo Dot are intricate devices that use smart technology and a personal assistant named Alexa to carry out a plethora of mundane tasks. Some of the positive attributes include news, reminders, time, alarms, music, calculators, and more. The system is controlled entirely by the user, primarily by saying the word Alexa. In order for Alexa to run properly you must have an Internet connection and an Amazon account.

When the Echo first permeated the market in November 2014, people were not cognizant of how it would facilitate disabled people in their everyday agenda until individuals were able to try it out for themselves. For example, my uncle who is blind uses Alexa in everyday life. The Echo helps him with a myriad of tasks such as listening to the news and getting the date and time. At first he was very reluctant to explore Alexa but after he used it he felt it was the best thing he ever tried. He now has everything at his fingertips which was once a struggle.

Based on my voluminous research and ongoing experience I can honestly say that I strongly recommend the Echo to anyone who’s interested in the technology. Given all its functions and features, the only setback that I find with it is the quality of the speakers. What entices me the most is its ability to send reminders to my phone given my hectic lifestyle.

If you are interested in what the Echo has to offer please click below to check out my video:
Fallon meets Alexa!

Learning the basics of Dragon Naturally Speaking

Dragon Naturally Speaking voice recognition software by Nuance is like no other application of its kind. It enables the user to manipulate the computer entirely by voice. This program allows you to effortlessly compose documents, send emails, and surf the web among many other things. What makes Dragon more reputable than its competitors is its capacity to be almost one hundred percent accurate and work on a myriad of different platforms that are compatible with all types of technology. The three predominant features the assistive technology has to offer is speech to text, text to speech and recognition of voice commands.

Dragon facilitates individuals with an array of disabilities by ameliorating their weaknesses and focusing on their strengths. By opening the door to many different opportunities, it allows people with disabilities to get the most out of life. Depending on your disability you can use Dragon in a multitude of ways. It can help as an alternative to typing, spelling, and reading text you have dictated.  Dragon is compatible and convenient it’s widely used in schools, nursing homes, offices, and hospitals.

Since I’ve been using this software, I became more confident and self-reliant in my skills and abilities. It has allowed me to effortlessly articulate my thoughts freely, helping me become an avid writer. One of the features that I find most paramount is its ability to accurately edit and make corrections. From my ongoing experience with the software, I can honestly say that doing work is no longer an austere task, but a pleasure that I look forward to every day. I highly recommend this program to anyone who is interested in assistive technology. 

Click her to watch someone using Dragon first hand!
https://youtu.be/JvgUx9tu-0g

Introducing, Fallon, our new blog author!

Hello, my name is Fallon Marie Hughes. I am an avid researcher and computer enthusiast in the realm of assistive technology.  I’ve been physically disabled since birth; therefore, I use assistive technology called Dragon Naturally Speaking to facilitate me in my everyday life. It allows me to be self-reliant and confident in my skills and abilities. This past December, I started technology training at Westchester Institute for Human Development (WIHD) to make my skills more marketable   in the public sector.

 WIHD accommodates individuals with a broad spectrum of disabilities and needs to meet their desired endeavors.  The assistive technology department provides training and evaluations, fostering support in areas such as academics, computer access and communication skills. Their loan program allows clients to try out various distinctive types of technology free of charge. The dedicated zealous staff works in the office and out in the field to educate individuals from all walks of life about the imperativeness of assistive technology.  If you’re interested in learning about what WIHD has to offer please contact Jessica at ATP@WIHD.org

As a tenacious consumer of Westchester Institute for Human Development, they have bestowed upon me the privilege to share in their mission.  I will provide lucrative information on various types of assistive technology for individuals with disabilities, in blogs that I will post twice a month. If you are interested in a specific topic or have any questions please don’t hesitate to email me at techblogspot89@gmail.com