[blindkid] Technology and Little Kid

[Richard Holloway]

I just re-read Dave's question.

I think some of us (myself included) may have missed part of his  
original question. The child's peers, assuming they have typical  
vision, are most likely seeing technology constantly. It will take a  
lot more than only a slate and stylus to "keep up". I guess it sort of  
begs the question as to what in particular she wants to keep up with  
the most, but obviously there will need to be braille and presumably a  
cane introduced if they are not already in use. (I assume the child is  
able to travel typically.) My point being not to overlook the obvious--

If the kids are playing stories or music, it might be a library of  
congress tape player or their newer digital system, or it might be an  
mp3 player, and that could be a typical player with tactile buttons  
(as in the exact opposite of an ipod touch) or something more extreme,  
like a victor reader.

If the kids are enjoying videos, it might be playing described videos  
or even conventional ones in a way the child can manage on his/her  
own. The technology in this case might be the adapted media itself or  
simply an accessible player-- maybe it is marking controls with  
tactile tape and avoiding flat, smooth controls. If other kids are on  
the computer, it might be using a screen reader like Jaws, and on and  
on.

I would again suggest something like her looking at the list I posted  
to get a better idea of what she's really trying to accomplish:
http://www.gopbc.org/gopbc_technology.htm

There are doubtless more comprehensive lists with even more ideas  
(please post them if you have them), but the answer to keep up with  
peers across the board in technology is going to involve long-term  
exposure to many different adaptations and technology solutions  
because that is what all the other kids have around themselves  
constantly...

Richard




On Feb 17, 2010, at 10:01 PM, David Andrews wrote:

> I got asked a question, the other day, and since most of my  
> experience is with blind adults -- I didn't know quite what to say.   
> A woman said she had a four year old totally blind daughter, and she  
> wanted her to keep up with her peers in technology, so what  
> assistive technology/technology is there  -- should she start using  
> with her child?
>
> Dave
>
>
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