Helpful Accessories for the iPad!

     The iPad has become an impressive tool for people with disabilities. New apps for the special needs population are developed daily to help with learning in all subject areas as well as assisting in speech and in the development of fine and gross motor skills. Different accessories are available to enable the iPad to be more accessible to those with limited movement. The iPad accessories include a mounting system,

Apps, Apps and More Apps!!!

An incredible number of iPad apps have been developed for individuals with special needs.  The apps are able to help with anything from communication, to learning to use a switch, to increasing fine motor skills.  Based on feedback we have received from customers we have put together a list of five popular and fun apps for individuals on the Autism Spectrum and five Switch Accessible Apps.

Apps for Individuals on the Autism Spectrum:

1. Tap to Talk- Free, Communication

iPads, Tablets, Accessories & More! Back by Popular Demand, Plus Much More!

Last August we interviewed Vinny our Tech Support Manager/Product Specialist. He enlightened us about all the wonderful tech products that are available. To see the post from last August please click here.

Today Vinny is going to share with us some more new products and he is going to answer questions about adapted electronics.

Enabling Devices Blogger: I know that you sell a touch screen stylus, but do you carry a stylus option that doesn't require hand movement?

Vinny: We recently developed item 9098 Adjustable Touch Screen Mouth Stylus. It adjusts from 8½" to 15". This stylus is controlled by your mouth and does require some head control. The plastic bite has rubber sleeves which allows the bite plate to fit firmly and comfortably in your mouth. We do include an extra set of thermoplastic rubber sleeves with the product.

#9089

EDB: Do you carry software or hardware for the iPad that will control a TV?

V: Similar to item 1041 Switchamajig, we have a brand new product 1042 IR Switchamajig. This interface works in conjunction with a free app and can control anything that uses an infrared remote control such as; TV, stereo, DVD and Blu-ray player or a camcorder. You can select the remote control buttons that you want displayed on the iPad, you can also adjust the size. This is a great item that can give independence to many individuals.

#1042

We also sell item 5161/5162 Mounted TV Remote Control. This remote is universal and compatible with most TV, cable and satellite systems. What I like about this product is that it can be mounted to any wheelchair, tabletop or bedrail.

#5161/5162

EDB: What other adapted electronics do you carry that can either be mounted on a wheelchair or places on a wheelchair tray?

V: We actually just released a brand new item: an adapted DVD player. This item is flying off the shelf! We sell this two ways- 1578 Adapted DVD Player and 1579 Adapted DVD Player w/Mounting Arm. We adapted two functions so the user can select pause and play using their switch. It has a colored LCD widescreen display, integrated stereo speakers, headphone jacks, multiple languages, subtitles and parental controls. There are 2.3 hours of playtime and the device is rechargeable. This item can be used anywhere; school, home or even in the car. We had one customer tell us that this product was perfect for lunch time in her classroom.

#1578/1579

Lastly I want to mention item 5900 Sony CD Control Center. This is a great tabletop CD player. We added six 2½" gumball switches on the device so a user who is visually impaired can use the product. The switches control volume, forward and backward, play and pause, and stop. There is a built-in speaker which has excellent sound quality and also a jack for headphones or ear buds which are included.

#5900

EDB: Thank you Vinny for your time today and for all this great information. 

If you have any further questions about anything we discussed please feel free to email Vinny at customer_support@enablingdevices.com.

"The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will." - Vince Lombardi

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iPad, Tablets, Accessories and more!!!

Tablets are becoming more and more popular and the iPad has more competition than ever! Today we are going to chat with Vinny, our Tech Support Manager, about some of the latest accessories available!

Enabling Devices Blogger: Vinny, which tablet mounts would you recommend?

Vinny: We carry three mounting options for tablets; #1556 iPad Mounting System,  #5905M iPad Sound System and #1568 Tablet Holder with Mount. The difference between the two iPad mounts is that #5905M has a built in speaker in the platform. It also comes with a table-top base. Both products are very popular because they meet the needs of many users.

#1556

#5905/5905M

We also carry #1568 Tablet Holder with Mount. This mount is adjustable so it can accomodate most tablets and e-book readers including the Kindle Fire, Kindle, Nook, Motorola Xoom, Samsung Galaxy, Asus Transformer and Google's Nexus 7. This is a great system for people who need special placement.

#1568

All the tablet mounting systems we carry are sturdy and reliable. I would highly recommend any of them!

One more item I want to quickly mention is #1562 Smart Phone Holder and Mounting Platform. This mount is compatible with most smart phones including the iPhone and the Droid. It can also hold the iPod Touch.

#1561

EDB: What accessory would you suggest for a person that needs the aid of a stylus?

V: We just released a brand new product, #9086 Adjustable Touch Screen Stylus. This device can be worn on any hand or arm. Not only is the length adjustable, but it can be used in many positions. One of my favorite features of this stylus is that the tips are replaceable (#9084). This product was just introduced a few weeks ago and we can hardly keep it on the shelf!

#9086

EDB: Not all individuals can use an iPad right away and some need a prerequisite to train them how to swipe and touch the screen. What would you recommend for them?

V: Definitely #716B iPad Trainer Button. One important skill that you need to use on an iPad is finger isolation, the ability to move and use one finger at a time. This switch is a great prerequisite to being able to point and touch icons on the iPad screen.

#716B

EDB: What switches for the iPad would you recommend?

V: We carry three great switch/interface options for the iPad. We have #1052 iPad Cordless Super Switch, which is a Bluetooth interface integrated with a Jumbo Switch. It also has inputs for up to two external switches. The user can use the built-in button or any other external switch. Most applications use single switch access, however there are some out there that require more.

Another interface we carry is #4101 iPad Cordless Switch Interface. The difference between #4101 and #1052 is that #1052 comes with a built-in switch and #4101 requires an external switch to be inputed. You can add up to two switches. This item would be good for someone who needs a specialized switch, such as; the Sip and Puff Switch, Eye Blink Switch, Ultimate Switch, etc. 

#1052

#4101

We also carry #1041 Switchamajig iPad Switch. This switch turns your iPad into a switch using a Wi-Fi network connection. It can configure the touch pad to act as one to six switches. It also comes with a free app to work the iPad.

#1041

EDB: Are there any other accessories you would like to mention?

V: There is one more product I would quickly like to discuss, #5930 30 Pin Extension Cable. This cable is a great tool, it allows you to connect your iPad into one of our switch adapted iHomes. 

#598

#597

I have had many customers who are teachers ask me how to connect their iPad to the iHome that's in their classroom. This is an inexpensive easy solution! Another great feature of this cable is that it gives you access to the headphone jack when your iPod is docked in the iHome. (This allows for private listening without disturbing others in a classroom or noisy environment.) The headphone jack is located at the bottom of the device and it is covered when it's plugged into the iHome station. This cable permits access to the jacks while connecting the device to the docking station.

#5930

Thank you Vinny for your time today! If anyone has any further questions for our Tech Expert Vinny please feel free to email us at customer_support@enablingdevices.com or call us at 1-800-832-8697.

"All of our dreams can come true - if we have the courage to pursue them." - Walt Disney

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