Category: Information and Resources

Accessibility information for the major mobile device carriers

Mobile device

Here’s a quick list of links to the various accessibility pages for the four main mobile device carriers:

AT&T

Sprint

T-Mobile

  • (I could not find anything online about pricing but did come across this provider that seems to have good prices – Fuse Wireless)

Verizon Wireless

There’s information for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, vision impaired or non-verbal including what types of technology are available – for example, which cellphones are hearing aid compatible (HAC), which have the ability to connect to a TTY, which ones have front-facing cameras,  which ones can have enlarged fonts, flashing screens, etc.

My favorite place to search for a phone with a variety of accessibility options is at Phonescoop.   Be sure to click on “Show All Options” under the
“Simple” tab to see features such as hearing aid compatibility.   You can also search by features such as carrier, style, keyboard, size, data network, etc.

I would also recommend going into a brick-and-mortar store and talking to a salesperson and trying out devices.  That way you can see, hear and touch the various devices and make sure it doesn’t interfere with your hearing aid or cochlear implant, or can be seen with your corrected vision.

Here are some questions to ask:

  • What is the return policy on your products?  (how many days?)
  • What is the fee for re-stocking?
  • Can I return for a full refund or only for an exchange?
  • Do you have any special pricing plans for those who are deaf/hard of hearing/blind/vision impaired/non-verbal? (this is not very clear on the various websites above)

Finally, keep in mind that even after you have picked the perfect phone, with all of the features you want and need…it’s up to the coverage area and this may dictate which carrier you HAVE TO use.   Be sure to talk to people that use mobile devices in the areas you are looking at to see if coverage is good or spotty or non-existent.   This is especially true in more rural areas.

Sign Language Resources

sl-ilyI’m doing a workshop at the end of this month for people that want to use sign language with infants and toddlers (hearing and deaf/hard of hearing), so I compiled this list of online resources, lessons/curriculum, books, media and products.  Many of the links go to Amazon.com but you can find them elsewhere as well.  Enjoy!

Sign Language Resources

Online

American Sign Language Browser

Answers.com

Apps for Kids with Hearing Loss

ASL-STEM Forum

Described and Captioned Media Program

  • http://dcmp.org
  • THOUSANDS of titles on a variety of educational subjects including a nice selection of sign language materials – some are on DVD but others you can stream right away

Facebook

  • www.facebook.com
  • Search “sign language” or “baby sign language” for a variety of pages and groups that discuss using ASL with children

First 100+ ASL Signs

Sign with your baby Yahoo! Group

Signing Dictionary

Technical signs

Lessons/Curriculum

ASL Deafined

ASL University

  • www.lifeprint.com
  • Great resource for those who want to continue their ASL skills, all signs are demonstrated via video clips – first 100 signs, FREE ASL lessons, dictionary, fingerspelling practice, downloadable fonts

Baby Sign Language

Baby Signs

  • www.babysigns.com
  • Program designed for hearing babies, uses mostly ASL signs but they are open to homemade signs, lots of products and activities

Sign2Me Early Learning Resources

  • www.sign2me.com
  • Finding signing classes, network with other instructors, newsletter, products for purchase

Signing Savvy

  • www.signingsavvy.com
  • More great video clips of searchable signs, also the ability to make wordlists, flashcards and quizzes, monthly/annual fee required to access full member benefits including mobile apps (iOS and Android)

Signing Time

  • www.signingtime.com
  • HUGE collection of DVDs and activities across a broad range of ages and topics, information on local classes, newsletter to get Sign of the Week

Start ASL

Visual Language and Visual Learning (VL2)

Baby Sign Language Books and Kits

Baby Signs:  How to Talk to Your Baby Before Your Baby Can Talk, Third Edition, by Linda Acredolo, Ph.D. and Susan Goodwyn, Ph.D. with Douglas Abrams

  • Information from long-term study on signing with hearing babies funded by NIH.  Contains findings and includes developmental information, strategies and signing activities.  This latest edition does incorporate using ASL signs as well as some “baby-friendly alternatives” (not formal ASL signs).

Signing Smart series by Michelle E. Anthony, M.A., Ph.D. and Reyna Lindert, Ph.D.

  • Simple, straightforward technique for signing with babies, compatible with other ASL methods.  Contains fun signing activities and songs.

Sign, Sing and Play!, Baby Sign Language Basics, Songs for Little Hands series by Monta Z. Briant

  • Great board books, activities and music for your infant and toddler

Dancing with Words:  Signing for Hearing Children’s Literacy by Marilyn Daniels

  • Focus on how signing with hearing children enhances literacy and reading skills

Sign with your Baby products by Joseph Garcia

  • DVD series and instructional manual for using ASL with your child

Children’s Books

Baby Signs board book series by Linda Acredolo, Susan Goodwyn and Penny Gentieu Baby Signs by Joy Allen Signs for Me: Basic Sign Vocabulary for Children, Parents & Teachers by Ben Bahan and Joe Dannis Teach Your Baby to Sign: An Illustrated Guide to Simple Sign Language for Babies by Monica Beyer A Beginner’s Book of Signs series by Angela Bednarczyk and Janet Weinstock Baby Signing 1-2-3: The Easy-to-Use Illustrated Guide for Every Stage and Every Age by Nancy Cadjan Early Sign Language Signs series by Stanley Collins My First Book of Sign Language by Joan Holub You Can Learn sign Language! by Jackie Kramer and Tali Ovadia Sign and Sign Along series by Annie Kubler Sign About series by Anthony Lewis Sabuda & Reinhart Pop-Ups: Baby Signs by Kyle Olmon and Jacqueline Rogers Sign Babies ASL Flashcard series by Sign Babies First Book of Sign Language series by Debbie Slier Baby’s First Signs series  by Kim Votry and Curt Waller Simple Signs and More Simple Signs by Cindy Wheeler

Videos/DVDs

Baby Sign Language Basics:  Early Communication for Hearing Babies and Toddlers Instructional DVD Baby Einstein: My First Signs series with Marlee Matlin Baby See ‘n Sign series with Joanna Larson-Muhr Blue’s Clues:  All Kinds of Signs VHS Goodnight Moon Sign Language Gift Set

  • Includes 9 popular children’s books and a sign language poster

Happy Signs Day:  Sign Language for Babies and Toddlers and Happy Signs Night: Learn Baby Sign Language Sign-A-Lot:  The Big Surprise and Sign-A-Lot:  ABC Games

  • Shows elementary age kids signing.

Talking Hands

Sign Language Products

Busy Bee Learning

  • Puzzles, books, DVDs

Deaf Hands

  • Products with hands fingerspelling  – clocks, signs, etc.

Garlic Press Sign Language Series and products

  • For beginners and beyond, books, games and other products

Gallaudet University Press

  • Variety of media for beginners and more advanced signers, information on Deaf culture

Hand Expressions

  • Customized clothing and other novelties

Harris Communications

  • Variety of media for beginners and more advanced signers

Label and Learn

  • Activities online, app, books, DVDs

Name that CI processor and part!

Have you ever wondered what that thingamajiggy is REALLY called on your cochlear implant?

Do you know the name of your CI center? How about your audiologist?

If your car were to break down, would you ever have a conversation like this?

You:               Hi, I need your help. My car just broke down at the gas station.

Mechanic:      Yeah? What kind of car do you have?

You:                Ummmm…I don’t know. It’s a car. It’s red?

Well, there have been times when I’ve met people and they don’t know the manufacturer or the model of their cochlear implant. They’ll say, “I don’t know. It’s my cochlear implant!” 

Students that I work with often don’t know the name of their CI center or their audiologist.

Just as with the car example above, those vague answers would not really be very helpful if you have to do some troubleshooting! How would you know where to start looking?

Test your knowledge and maybe even make a game of it by learning its true name! Here are some tools:

First, I created a page with pictures of the various manufacturers and models of processors so you know their name (click on a picture and go straight to the User Guide). There is also a page with all of the CI manufacturers side-by-side with information and resources that they offer.  You can find all of this at http://illinoisdeaf.org/Outreach/CI.html

Second, I’ve designed some simple worksheets for you to use with your patients (adult and pediatric). They have places where you can not only fill in the name of the manufacturer/model but also a place to fill in information like the name of the CI center and audiologist!

AB – CI processors and parts (blank)Download
AB – CI processors and parts (answers)Download
Cochlear – CI processors and parts (blank)Download
Cochlear – CI processors and parts (answers)Download
Med-El – CI processors and parts (blank)Download
Med-El – CI processors and parts (answers)Download

Happy learning!

NOTE: Updated 01/19 with more recent CI models