iStoryTime Releases App for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children

iStoryTime, the app developer for DreamWorks Animation’s “How to Train Your Dragon,” among other audio-visual children’s stories, now will offer the option to view it in oral, manual, or sign-language.

"iStoryTime brings the joy of a children's book to the convenience of your iPhone, iPod® touch, or iPad. Our books are illustrated and narrated, so your child can enjoy them even when you’re busy. Best of all, the app is drop-dead simple to use because it’s actually designed for a 2-year old."

"Danny the Dragon Meets Jimmy." is the first story to offer these new options and can be downloaded for $2.99 on iPad or $.99 on iPhone.

This is only the beginning, with more such stories to come...

"iStoryTime cofounder Woody Sears said that his company is busy trying to “spread the word about our new product.” Deaf people are still underprovided for by media, he said, but new technology, including user-generated apps, is facilitating the development of content for this niche market."

I do not own an iPhone or iPad, but can anyone try it out and tell me how it went? I would love to know?

Links:
News Article
istorytimeapp

Verizon Awards $55,000 to Nonprofits That Use Technology to Help Individuals With Disabilities

Verizon Awards $55,000 to Nonprofits That Use Technology to Help Individuals With Disabilities

"Technology is the pipeline to opportunity, especially for people with disabilities.  That's why the Verizon Foundation, which is committed to improving access to information and services that address the needs of people with disabilities, is awarding $55,000 to five Massachusetts nonprofit agencies that are dedicated to improving accessibility."

5 Non-Profit Organizations that received grants are:

1. Lowell Association for the Blind
1.  Help the Visually-Impaired children to do radio shows
2. Children's Hospital Deaf and Hard of Hearing program
1. Develop a series of webcasts that cover a wide range of topics important to caregivers and parents of children with hearing loss.
3. Easter Seals Massachusetts
1.  Enable people with disabilities to participate in all aspects of their lives through the use of assistive technology
4. National Braille Press
1.  Develop a refreshable Braille PDA (personal digital assistant) that will give blind students of all ages access to e-mail, the Internet, text files and digital textbooks.
5. New England Homes for the Deaf
1. Train individuals, all of whom are over the age of 50, have minimal experience with computers and are not comfortable with technology. 

I think it's awesome for those organizations to focus on incorporating technology with our everyday lives. Technology has already changed some people's lives, but at same time there are still millions of people out there who still are not exposed to all the benefits technology can offer. We need to improve that. Right!?

For more details; 
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/verizon-awards-55000-to-nonprofits-that-use-technology-to-help-individuals-with-disabilities-101378594.html

A series of children books translated into American Sign Language (ASL)

While hearing children and adults are being exposed to ASL in ever increasing numbers, an ever decreasing number of Deaf children are given that same opportunity. What a powerful, yet scary statement! Unfortunately, it’s true. As much as statistics have proven that American Sign Language does indeed help children develop better, their exposure has been decreasing. (Babies)
I stumbled onto this website; http://www.asltales.net. I am impressed with what they are doing. I watched a few of their video clips and enjoyed watching  them.

They designed a series of children books and translated them into ASL. 

“We aspire to get your child excited about seeing and describing things visually - the foundation upon which all sign languages are formed. We have provided tools to send the motivated ASL learner on the path to understand and use the nuances of this beautiful language. And future signer or not, all readers will delight in the whimsy available in ASL and be exposed to why the American Deaf Community is so proud of its language.”

Check out one of their clips and see if you find them as interesting as I did.