Author Archives: Carol Leynse Harpold, MS, AdEd, OTR/L, ATP, CATIS

About Carol Leynse Harpold, MS, AdEd, OTR/L, ATP, CATIS

OTR/L with more than 35 years experience in pediatrics, school based therapy and adult rehabilitation. Masters of Science in Adaptive Education/Assistive Technology with 20 years experience in AT in education of elementary, middle school, secondary, post secondary and work environments. A RESNA Assistive Technology Practitioner with ACVREP CATIS credentials, servicing adults and students with disabilities in employment, education and home environments. Currently a graduate student in the University of Alabama Birmingham Low Vision Certification Program.

Tips, Tricks & Tech to Reduce Digital Eye Strain

Posted on May 8, 2020

Current Stay at Home mandates due to COVID 19 have resulted in a lot of stress including visual stress from extended use of digital tools used for communication, education, entertainment, shopping and completing business tasks. Our connection to many of … Continue reading →

Posted in Accessories, Android, iPad, iPhone, Vision, Windows | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Voice Dream Reader and Voice Dream Scanner Apps – At Home Special Bundle Price!

Posted on May 1, 2020

Voice Dream Reader app (iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad; Android) has been a long-standing favorite reading app offering text to speech and many customization settings to support individuals with a disability. As a mobile reading app, its advanced and customized settings … Continue reading →

Posted in Accessibility, Adults with LD, Android, Apple Watch, Apps for Special Needs, Assistive Technology, COVID 19, Customizable app, Dyslexia, iPad, iPhone, iPod, Learning Disability, OCR, Reading, Scanning, Text to Speech, Universal Design | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Cleaning Your Assistive Technology Devices — Assistive Technology at Easter Seals Crossroads

Posted on April 25, 2020

The folks at Easterseals Crossroads provide additional recommendations for sanitizing frequently used AT devices for individuals with disabilities. Great cleaning suggestions including devices are provided in the following blog post. Cleaning is more important now than ever before as we … Continue reading →

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The Simplest Video Call Ever-No Touchscreen for COVID-19! — ND Assistive

Posted on April 20, 2020

A huge kudos to Jeanne Krull of North Dakota Assistive Technology for sharing the Amazon Show as a hands free, touch free tool for video conferencing. Innovative methods of setting the devices up are also included to comply with social … Continue reading →

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Connection in the Time of Social Distancing Part 2: Video Calling Apps for Smartphones and Tablets — ND Assistive

Posted on April 19, 2020

Video Calling Apps for Smartphones and Tablets Part 2 – from ND Assistive Technology According to statista.com 59% and 49% of adults age 65-69 and 70-74 respectively own a smartphone. As the ownership of smartphones in older adults above age … Continue reading →

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Connection in the Time of Social Distancing Part 1: Phone Calls — ND Assistive

Posted on April 19, 2020

Although you might not be eligible to access this loan system, it provides great examples of what assistive technology for communication is available to individuals with sensory impairments. Check out the ND Assistive Technology Blog for their ideas. Want to … Continue reading →

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Time Timer Apps – Gone Free

Posted on April 18, 2020

Are you in need of a tool to structure your student’s time?  Many special education classrooms, staff and students are familiar with the TimeTimer clock and app used to visually display time. The developers of the TimeTimer app and TimeTimer devices … Continue reading →

Posted in Accessories, Activities of Daily Living, Adaptive Devices, Android, App Reviews, Apps for Special Needs, Assistive Technology, Developmental Delay, Early Childhood, Elementary School, Executive Function, Focused attention, iPad, iPhone, iPod, Visual Communication, Visual Supports | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

T-Pull Door Closer Makes Opening & Closing Doors Easy For People With Disabilities — Assistive Technology Blog

Posted on April 14, 2020

T-Pull Door Closer Makes Opening & Closing Doors Easy For People With Disabilities For able bodied people, opening and closing a door is something that is never considered a chore. It’s easily done every time without putting much thought to … Continue reading →

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My Experience with AI-powered Digital Writing Assistants: An Illustrated Autoethnographic Study — Peace & Quiet

Posted on April 14, 2020

As an assistive technology practitioner, concerns regarding spelling and grammar are frequent. Of the many grammar editing services, Grammarly is typically recommended to clients for the extended editing tools offered. While MS Office’s spelling and grammar checkers have improved, they … Continue reading →

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OrCam Read – A Handheld Scan and Read Device with Amazing Accuracy!

Posted on April 14, 2020

Artificial intelligence is providing a whole new set of remarkable assistive technology tools. One new device is the OrCam Read device. With similar reading functions as the OrCam MyEye  glasses mounted scan and read device, the OrCam Read device is … Continue reading →

Posted in Accessibility, Activities of Daily Living, Adaptive Devices, Adults with LD, Artificial Intelligence, Assistive Technology, Dyslexia, Reading, Vocation | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment