We are at the beginning of a new era in human history--the cognitive augmentation era. Until now, humans have had to do all of the thinking. The future will make it possible for humans to partner with cognitive systems doing some of the thinking themselves and in many ways thinking that is superior to humans. Together, humans and "cogs"…

Schools have struggled for decades to provide expensive augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) resources for autistic students with communication challenges. Clunky voice output devices, often included in students' individualized education plans, cost about $8,000, a difficult expense to cover in hard times. However, mobile technology is…

Assistive technology offers infants and toddlers with disabilities a set of tools to assist in achieving developmental goals while interacting with objects, materials, adults, and other children in their environment. This article focuses on assistive technology devices that can promote young children's participation in activities and routines in…

This article describes Gemini, an augmentative and alternative communication device that is also a full-featured Macintosh computer. The Gemini is designed to help individuals of all ages with learning, communication, or computer access difficulties to lead more independent lives. The benefits of Gemini are highlighted, including its weight of…

This paper describes the development of a new technique for augmentative and alternative communication text input, commercially known as T9. T9 stands for "typing with 9 keys." The basic T9 technology is designed so that 3 or 4 letters are printed on each of 7 keys, and an 8th key is used as an unambiguous "space" key. Each keystroke designating a…

Most people agree that it is important for children to be able to express their likes, dislikes, needs, and ideas. It is also important for their parents, siblings, peers, teachers, and others to be able to understand them. Yet for children with language impairments, trying to communicate is not only frustrating but can be overwhelming. In…

Project FIT (Full Inclusion through Technology) provides notebook computers for children with severe disabilities. The computers offer many input and output options. Assessing the students' equipment needs is a complex process, requiring determination of communication goals and baseline abilities, and consideration of equipment features such as…

This paper describes how Alameda High School in California is using the Speaking Dynamically Pro v2.0 software by Mayer-Johnson to help 13 special education students (ages 14-18) communicate and make the world more accessible. The students have a range of disabilities and skill levels. This computer program enables the students to make choices,…

These six issues of "TECH-NJ" from winter 1997 to fall 1998 focus on technology and children with disabilities in New Jersey. Featured articles include: (1) "Untangling the World Wide Web" (Kathleen Foster and Gerald Quinn); (2) "Combining Technology with Cooperative Learning: The Great Solar System" (Lisa Gregory);…

This article describes the development of a four-year course sequence in assistive technology (AT). Course participants learned how to assess student needs for AT, what AT devices were available, and how to make decisions within the individualized education program (IEP) team process. Major topical sections were data-gathering frameworks, legal…