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Presenter(s)
Michael Phillips
AssistiveWare
3923 W. Santiago St.
Tampa, FL 33629
Phone: 813 258-5691
Fax: 813 258-5691
Email: madhatter3112@mac.com
In this unique session, where the presenter is a switch user himself, participants will gain a better understanding of how, especially young people with disabilities can be stimulated to use a computer and develop their skills through fun activities such as playing games and communicating with peers through chat and online gaming. The session will be of interest to any computer user with a disability, parent of a child with a disability, teacher and AT specialist. The objective of the session is that participants become aware of the strong motivation fun activities can provide to develop computer skills that can also be used for more traditional "functional" activities. Equally, the session stresses that switch users if motivated can often use the same software everyone else uses.
My first "real" computer was an Apple PowerBook 3400 with a CD-ROM! I got it by telling my mom and the school district that I needed such a computer and the appropriate assistive technology, in order to independently do homework. However, all I really wanted to do independently was play 2 games, Myst and The 7th Guest.
Whenever I look at a computer, I think of all the fun to be had, not how I'll be able to write essays or operate the lights in my room. A common misconception is that assistive technology can only be used for functional purposes, such as, operating home appliances, doing homework, or becoming employed. While the previous possibilities are true, many don't realize that assistive technology can be used for more whimsical pursuits. Such whimsy is important for younger assistive technology users, as they don't care about essays, they care about fun. I've heard plenty of stories about kids being reluctant to get used to their assistive technology because they found it difficult or boring. Buy-in is very important.
Assistive technology doesn't have to be strictly utilitarian. For example, with my proximity switch and scanning software called, SwitchXS, I can play a multitude of today's highest end games, all on my Power Mac G5. Most games that are mostly mouse based work perfectly. Yes, games like Warcraft III and Age of Mythology can be fast paced, but it was my desire to play such games that made me the highly proficient scanning user that I am today. Gaming taught me speed. Of course, such speed allows me to perform other tasks more quickly, such as writing this article.
Speaking of writing, playing games also helped introduce me to journalism. I took my love of games and knack for writing and began working as a game reviewer. In the beginning, I worked as Senior Editor at Inside Mac Games.com for 2 years. I've also worked as News Editor at MacGamer.com, as well as written 3 chapters for Peachpit Press's latest edition of the Mac Bible. Assistive technology can provide near limitless possibilities, in both work and play.
It is possible to use assistive technology for fun, as well as functionality. Users, parents and specialists need to think outside the box and remember that life is about more than being able to turn on one's bedroom light.
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