#AppMondayTAS - Panther Connect

Each week I will be featuring an app from BridgingApps.org.  These apps are features in the Bridging Apps newsletter each week and are reviewed by Speech Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, and Special Education Teachers.  Come back each week for a new review.  If you’d like more information on how to use the BridgingApps.org website, or to find more app reviews, please click here.

Panther Connect (iPad Only, $24.99)

Reviewer Comments

Panther Connect is an amazing app that converts an iPad to an access tool that is feature and function rich. After a simple set up, the iPad transforms into a huge touch pad with a clean interface that is intuitive and logical.

This app has great potential benefit to people with disabilities as an access tool with multiple and varied access options. With the use of this app, users can access and navigate the computer programs on their computer! This was amazing to see and reflect upon. This means there is a great increase in the options available to people with disabilities who are tasked with accessing a computer for work related purposes, educational tasks and for personal computer related activities.

When we trialed Panther Connect, it was important to connect the iPad to a mount that was connected to a wheelchair, putting the iPad in the range of motion for this individual. The laptop was placed on the wheelchair tray, allowing the individual to visually switch between the iPad and the computer screen. Time was taken to familiarize this individual with features in Panther Connect that were access options for him.

With Panther Connect, this individual was able to swipe to see icons of the programs on the computer, access a word processing program, utilize the word processing program and then a paint program. Through this introduction, it was determined that Panther Connect will now be trialed more extensively with this individual as a potential means to access computer programs.

This Panther Connect app embraces the concepts of Universal Design. Features include dozens of options for computer access, including a basic access mode, two axis, four axis, split screen allowing for fast/slow cursor movement and a mini touch pad option. Panther Connect provides users with menu navigation, editing ability, a variety of mouse controls and access to their music library on their iPad.

Panther Connect is a strong tool in the toolbox of Assistive Technology professionals seeking access options for the people who need to access a computer. Bravo to Panther Technology for developing an app with great potential to support the needs of individuals with disabilities. As always, it is most important to conduct a formal AT assessment to determine the best tool from the toolbox; regarding Panther Connect, seeking the best input methods, of which there are many, within the app.

Disclaimer:

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Mobile Devices

iPad

Embedded Skills

ability to imitate fine motor movements

able to drag and release

able to follow simple directions

able to use accessibility features

able to visually differentiate differences between pictures

able to write complete sentences

can read instructions

child can operate independently, with verbal prompts

executive functioning skills

follows 1-2 step commands

increase independence

keyboarding skills

purposeful touch

requires moderate visual perceptual skills

understands cause and effect

visual discrimination ability

visual memory ability

visual motor skills

Independent Traits

Education

Fine Motor

Memory

Organization

Assistive Traits

Accessibility

Assistive/Independent

Independent

Assistive

iTunes Categories

Education

Medical

BridgingApps Categories

BridgingApps Reviewed App

Fine Motor skills

keyboarding skills

Patrick

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Leap Motion

For just $70 this little device (about the size of a flash drive) says it will change how you interact with your computer.  The Leap Motion is a external input device like a trackpad or keyboard, but it's more like a Kinect for your computer.

The Leap Motion creates a 3-D space around it that allows you to put your hands in and control your computer.  It is supposedly able to distinguish from fingers and thumbs, and would effectively turn any computer you have into a touch screen.  There's a good demo video here at their site - http://www.leapmotion.com/

I've written before about alternative ways to interact with a computer - Alternative Computer Access, Free Switch Accessible Games, 10/GUI, Oribitouch - but there is something different about this option.  Having a device that responds to your hands, using either built in or customized gestures (which you can do) gives you a flexibility when looking at access for all individuals.  I've also mentioned that one of the best features of iOS devices is the touch interface (kids just get it), and this brings that to all computers, at a very reasonable cost.

The only caveat is that, this is not out yet.  It says there will be a limited amount available in the winter. I hope that this product comes to market because I can see it's potential to open up access to many, many individuals.

Patrick

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EdCeptional #27 - Making it Happen with Jeannette

This week we talk with Jeannette Van Houten (@jvanhoutensped) - My Point of View... about alternative ways to access the computer

EdCeptional #27 - Making it Happen with Jeannette


Patrick

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More Keyboard

What do you get when you make a keyboard with wider keys, but not higher?  You increase the font size 3 times a standard keyboard? And include a multiple leg system with tons of options?

The More Keyboard

The More Keyboard was designed for persons of a larger stature (large fingers, etc..), but it is easy to see how this keyboard is perfect for anyone with a disability.  Having larger keys is great, but not having to change the distance you go from front to back would great decrease fatigue in many individuals.  The size of the letters and durability of them seems like a perfect match for a classroom.

As you can see from above it takes up no more space than a standard keyboard, but does move some of the keys around to accommodate the wider keys.   The More Keyboard retails for $69 and is available from the More Keyboard website.

Thanks to Wade Wingler (@indataproject) for featuring this innovative new product on the Assistive Technology Update podcast.




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