May 2020
Know AT with the Help of MoAT (vol.11)
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY,
SO MUCH MORE THAN COMES TO MIND
When you think of Assistive Technology, you may think of a communication device, a magnifying device, or an amplifier. In this issue of our newsletter we would like to expand your vision of AT. It is so much more than those things listed. It is word prediction of medical dictionaries for med students. It is a hydraulic crib with powered locks for the parent positioned in a wheel chair. It is a robot that allows a teacher to roam the halls and teach a class in her school while receiving medical care at home. Assistive Technology is any device that enhances learning, working, and daily living for anyone, not just those with disabilities. AT can make tasks easier for all of us.
The video below introduces an extension that can help those with reading and writing challenges while pursuing a career in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematical (STEM) fields. In 2017, the National Science Foundation’s published data gathered, by the United States Census Bureau, ( Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering, 2017) , published findings which stated of the 4,383,095 disabled United States citizens between the ages 18-34 years of age only 6% were in or preparing for a career in the STEM fields. Data such as this proves the need for AT to help in the pursuit of such careers.
Spellex introduction video
Spellex is a literacy toolbar for Chrome that provides assistance with features that may be familiar to you, such as word prediction and abbreviated expansion. However, this application offers much more. This tool provides functional assistance for the individual who struggles with reading and writing tasks, while pursuing a career in or while working in the medical or bio-science fields.
Missouri Assistive Technology is partnering with Spellex in their search for beta testers for this new tool that helps individuals improve reading, writing, and speech comprehension. If you work in the bio-sciences or medical fields or if you are preparing to study these fields, please contact Laura at Missouri Assistive Technology (lhoffman@mo-at.org) to become part of this beta test team.
Features of Spellex include: 
-Advanced Spell Checking and reports to teach spelling improvement.
-Word prediction to support typing efficiency.
-Speech-to-text to allow for voice dictation across the web.
-Text-to-speech offers human voice read back of any text that can be highlighted.
-Ability to highlight notes by color and extract.
-Zoom reading ruler to allow improved reading comprehension by focusing in on only the selected text.
-Grammar and definition support.
-Specialized vocabularies for healthcare, law, bio-sciences, veterinary studies, and more.
-Picture dictionary to aid with word comprehension.
-Collaborative audio notes in Google Docs.
-PDF support which includes built-in OCR support.
  MoAT CAN HELP YOU TO
KNOW WHAT YOU DIDN'T KNOW EVEN EXISTED!
Assistive Technology can look a bit like "The Jetson's". Do devices exist to help you to mow the grass, cook a pot roast, or even pull your pants up? The answer is undoubtedly "yes". Missouri Assistive Technology is here to introduce modern solutions to common challenges. Let us help you to brainstorm solutions through the use of assistive technology.
Did You Know That They Have That at Moat?
Missouri Assistive Technology is here to help you to find solutions for even the most unique challenges. This week Scout will showcase three devices that we have available through our Equipment Technology Consortium (ETC): the PENfriend 2, the Guardian Alert 911, and the GrandPad.
Scout introduces an AT tool for the visually impaired called the Pen Friend
In this video, Scout introduces the PENfriend 2. This voice labeling system is designed to aid those individuals who are blind or visually impaired in finding specific items around their homes or work environments.
This video introduces the GuardianAlert 911 system
The Guardian Alert 911 system is a wearable device that allows the user to call 911 with the push of a button. During this video, Scout introduces this device to viewers.
Scout holding the Grand Pad tablet in both hands in front of his chest
Scout introduces more features that are available on the GrandPad tablet. This smart technology allows a moderator to help to control what information the user has access to, while providing them with a calling platform and web access with unlimited data. This device is a great tool for anyone who wants to stay connected but can get overwhelmed by the typical smart phone or tablet.
 Assistive Technology Webinars
BUILT-IN ACCESSIBILTY FEATURES
A brief introduction to the Pedia Lift Crib. There is no spoken text in this video.
The PediaLift gives parents, who are positioned in a wheelchair, access to their sleeping baby. This assistive technology provides more independence to the parent while caring for their infant.
Video on the Worx robotic lawnmower
Robotic lawnmowers can make the household chore of mowing the grass easier for many of us. This website helps to figure out which one may be best for you.
The Pants Up Easy Logo

The Pants Up Easy AT devices can dramatically reduce the amount of time that it takes someone who uses a wheelchair or has spinal weakness to independently pull up their pants.
What’s “App-ening”at MoAT?  
MoAT's Apps of the Week
Chore Pad HD app icon
Chore Pad is a great tool to help someone stay organized and getting their daily tasks accomplished. The user can take an active role in maintaining their home.
A chore chart in Chore Pad is able to be customized to the user, who can check off chores throughout the week and see a tally of their completed chores.
The app uses artificial neural networks, in such a way as to recognize different objects in a house, objects on the street, clothing, food, animals, plants, mushrooms and more. This application is intended for use by blind or visually impaired people to help them navigate in space, find the right objects, and also explore our world in more detail.
I Can See World
Missouri Assistive Technology is here to help you to explore
even the most obscure assistive technology solutions.
Email Laura Hoffman at lhoffman@mo-at.org to make an appointment to see the assistive technology that is available to you. Appointments can also be scheduled to give facilitators the opportunity to "play" with AT in our demo center in Blue Springs, Missouri.
.