I’m the newbie (intern) within the Yahoo! Accessibility Lab and this year has provided many new experiences. I had plenty of eye-opening experiences at the recent CSUN conference. For instance, it was the very first time I walked into a room where a large percentage of the people had different abilities. I also had the first opportunity to have a conversation with someone using an AAC device.
Exhibition Hall
- TACK-TILES Braille Systems
- Saudi Arabian Airlines
One exhibit that caught my attention was Tack-Tiles Braille System. Tack Tiles Braille System, aka braille Legos, provides people with a fun, interactive, and effective way to learn braille.
Another eye-catching exhibit was Saudi Arabian Airlines. While there was no one attending the booth, the images spoke quite loudly…
AAC Devices
I found a wide array of AAC device options in the exhibition hall. Devices ranged from hand held devices, to larger AAC specific devices, to applications built into the iPad. The iPad is especially interesting because while it is incredible for its affordable and mainstream appeal, it is limiting in its ruggedness and speaker volume. Good news, a couple booths down I came across a solution to these limitations, the iAdapter. The iAdapter protects the iPad and provides an amplifier with loud clear sound.
Communicating with Brandon, an AAC device user
One of the major things that rocked the exhibition hall was meeting and chatting with Brandon, a user / PR rep of the ECO2 device by PRC. As I had never spoke with an AAC device user, Brandon helped me realize the reality in communicating with AAC device users. Reality is that you can speak 100% naturally… Watch the interview below 
Tags: accessibility, assistive technology, augmentative alternative communication, Braille, California State University Northridge, CSUN11, IPad
