This paper analyzes the reliability and validity of a questionnaire designed by Archbold, Lutman, Gregory, O'Neil, and Nikolpoulos (2002) for the assessment of pediatric cochlear implantation. Parents of 61 youngsters (age range 5 to 16 years), who had the implant for at least 3 years, responded to the questionnaire and to an interview. The alpha…

Human beings both sense the immediate environment and navigate beyond the immediately perceptible environment to find their way (Golledge, Loomis, Klatzky, Flury, & Yang, 1991; Golledge, Klatzky, & Loomis, 1996; Blasch, Wiener, & Welsh, 1997). People who are visually impaired (that is, are blind or have low vision) often lack the…

Patients with cochlear implants have the ability to exercise auditory control over their own speech production and over the speech of others, which is important for the development of speech control. In the present investigation three groups of 10 subjects were compared. The groups comprised: (1) cochlear implant users, (2) profoundly deaf using…

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act requires every school to provide its special needs students with whatever technologies are necessary for a "free and appropriate education." Yet many schools struggle with the task of identifying which technologies will actually work for this population of students. Outside consultants can…

This paper examines young children's working styles when they are engaged with a peer on a computer-based reading task. Two types of pairing were investigated: (i) "Equal pairs", where the children were of equal reading attainment and (ii) "Unequal pairs", where there was a disparity between the children's reading attainment. The results suggest…

Although word prediction software was originally developed for individuals with physical disabilities, little research has been conducted featuring participants with physical disabilities. Using the Co:Writer 4000 word prediction software, three participants with physical disabilities improved typing rate and spelling accuracy, and two of these…

In recent years, parents of children with hearing loss and various additional disabilities have shown increasing interest in cochlear implants. This article describes how the program in Hanover, Germany is attempting to respond to this interest. It discusses the selection process for children who receive cochlear implants who have multiple…

This study examined the benefits of the combined used of a hearing aid and tactual aid to supplement lip-reading in the reception of speech and for the recognition of environmental sounds in an adult with profound hearing loss. Speech conditions included lip-reading alone (L), lip-reading + tactual aid (L+TA) lip-reading + hearing aid (L+HA) and…

The importance of early intervention for children with hearing loss has been demonstrated persuasively in areas including speech perception and production and spoken language. The present research shows that feelings of loneliness, a significant emotional outcome, are affected by the age at which children receive intervention with cochlear…

In this short article the author describes ways that technology can help children with disabilities communicate, participate in activities, and be more independent in the classroom. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration between families and professionals who work with children as well as matching technology to each child's needs and…

This article profiles John Kuniholm, a 34-year-old PhD candidate in biomedical engineering at Duke University and has master's degrees in mechanical engineering and industrial design from North Carolina State University. He has worked in the research and development of tools for robotic cardiac surgery for Cardiovations, a Johnson & Johnson…

This study examined variations in English complex onset realizations by children who use cochlear implants. Data consisted of 227 productions of two-segment onset clusters from 12 children. In general, onset cluster realizations of children with cochlear implants did not differ markedly from those reported for children with normal hearing: null…

This article describes methods that have been developed to provide augmentative and alternative communication communicators with better access to narrative conversation. It begins by highlighting the need to provide access to conversational narrative for people with complex communication needs, arguing that this type of conversation plays an…

Many types of technology support caregiving: (1) Assistive devices include medicine dispensers, feeding and bathing machines, clothing with polypropylene fibers that stimulate muscles, intelligent ambulatory walkers for those with both vision and mobility impairment, medication reminders, and safety alarms; (2) Telecare devices ranging from…

The present study examined links between physical activity and quality of life experienced by individuals with physical disabilities recruited from a wheelchair user's basketball tournament. The participants included 12 male and 14 female adults between the ages of 18-54 (M = 31.12, SD = 10.75) who all reported one or more condition(s) that…