iPod Touch

July 7, 2010
Today in class we had the opportunity to test the iPod Touch. For me this was a moment of excitement as I have heard so much about the Touch and yet have not owned or operated one myself. I currently have a Blackberry that is assigned through work and I now see how limiting my Blackberry is.....I believe I am a new advocate for the iPod Touch! It is a very innovative and useful tool, not only for day to day living and use with individuals who may not need such devices to assist them with verbally communicating, but from an organizational and informational stand point. The iPod Touch is a wealth of information and you can tailor yours with your own preferences by adding Applications (APPS) that are of your interest.

Consequently, the Blackberry is very limited. Although you have Internet browsing and a calendar for organization, you are not really able to personalize this in any way to better meet your needs.

With the iPod Touch, you can create and design your own applications that are from your interest areas or in the case of AT support, you can design with Proloquo2go app on the phone, various conversation items that a person who is non-verbal or essentially non-speaking, can use when wishing to communicate with others. This opens up doors for these individuals and assists them in feeling as functional members of society, gives them a voice, allows them to take part in activities that they previously may not have been able to take part in because of their lack of communication ability. This is not even touching on the emotional level where a person feels so much more confident, capable, increased self esteem and pride in who they are as they are finally able to communicate with the world! The iPod Touch is a wonderful tool in assisting individuals in this manner and is also a current technology that is affordable, durable, portable, and does not have any negative stigma associated with it in the sense of making an individual feel different because they have to carry around a large grid in order to communicate or have a laptop in front of them all the time. This offers an option for some individuals and is one that I feel is effective in every realm of a person's being - academically, socially, in terms of communication ability, self esteem, self confidence, pride and sense of accomplishment.

Thank you to our professor for opening up this opportunity for us to engage in such practical, relevant and meaningful work. Hopefully we will have a "mind shift" and realize the importance of AT supports in schools and for our children and their development and not be hung up on the costs, training and availability of such devices. These are limiting factors and we do not want to limit or stifle our children's possibilities and potentials. Instead we want to enhance and further develop these skills and the iPod Touch is one way to accomplish such a wonderful task.