Enabling Technology

BraunerNotes

Christina’s notes on Diane Brauner’s talk.

  • Diane offered to take us to the kids she works with to try out our projects.
  • Braille Writers:
    • heavy
    • have not been updated since their creation
    • many kids are not strong enough to use them, and often get held back

  • Other-senses myth:
    • kids have to be taught to pay attention to their other senses
    • they need to be taught young
    • GB: Are there other factors that could cause children to neglect developing their other senses naturally? Maybe over-protective parents.
  • Skills needed for orientation
    • Everything needs to be named: hallways, rooms, each wall
    • Landmarks are things that are always there.
    • Intersections are important, as is identifying them
    • Directions (left, right…)
  • Tactile markers
    • Used to tell the difference btw doors, etc.
    • When kids are too young to walk on their own, Diane assists them in exploration walks where the child learns to use tactile markers

  • Tactile maps
    • Adding sounds could help make maps fun and easier to learn.
    • Walmart map?
    • iPod attachment to record sounds
    • The kids are intriqued by noisy sounds
    • GB: Intellikeys or a touch tablet could tell where it is being touched and a tactile map could be placed on top.

  • Pictures of some Tactile Cards (same as tactile door markers, just put on 3×3” foam board squares so that the students can move them around to retell routes, learn shapes/textures correspond with the shapes/textures on the maps, etc.)

  • Hark the Sound
    • Gets kids to sit still
    • Teaches skills like math, but also important computer skills

  • Maze Computer Game
    • Can be used with tactile maps, as a game or maybe a live maze of sitterson
    • Currently, does not give enough auditory feedback to know where you are going
    • Can currently add real maps, but not sounds
    • Adding stories and different levels to the mazes would be fun.

  • GB Surround sound
    • record real sounds from different areas
    • not yet added to any games
  • Computer curriculum for blind kids
    • Build up basic skills, familiarity with computers
  • Braille textbooks
    • always 1–2 years out of date
    • no charts/graphs
  • Braille Twister
    • helps build strength in wrist for cane

  • Social Skills
    • learn not to bump into ppl or say “excuse me”
    • maybe a game where you have to move around
  • Other game ideas:
    • games that build on eachother
    • incorporate “sparkle” words (ex velvet instead of soft)
    • Make a story with sounds
    • typing games
    • FLASH
    • Bingo spatial exploration with arrow keys, different sound for each wall
    • Braille positions, maybe with sound matching
    • patterns with sound
  • Resources:
    • Andrews Elementary is really close
    • contact GB for transportation