Access on Main Street

We’ve been thinking a lot lately about designs that would help a couple of clients who have arthritis but are adamant about not giving up their long fingernails. So we’re thrilled to see the TAD, which slips over any finger and provides a pointer that at least makes accessing cellphone buttons and touch screens easier. Comes with three interchangeable tips, available in your choice of three sizes and six fashion colors, and will only set you back about $6.

TAD Accessories

Designer David Chacon has come up with a small remote for controlling devices all over the house. Besides the convenience for people with mobility disabilities, we particularly like the large, intuitive iconography–no reading capability required–and the potential for creating custom icons for specific products.

Dvice: Universal remote concept reminds us of the all-in-one gadget dream

One of the problems for some would-be speech output users is that most speech output strategies require tricky or intense use of the keyboard, mouse, or both; this can be a particular problem for seniors. Some German researchers have come up with a pretty cool solution involving use of facial recognition technology: just close your eyes, and Microsoft Word reads back the “current” sentence (presumably the one where the cursor is located). Ein guter Start; we’d love to see additional features, such as the ability to blink slowly to have the speech output move to and read the next line.

ACM Digital Library: Spoken words: activating text-to-speech through eye closure (summary)

What’s better than a mainstream product with accessibility features? Why, a whole Microsoft competition full of promising designs, of course. We particularly like the electronic music stand that allows score pages to be turned via touch screen or foot pedal, the bracelet that wirelessly uploads information, and the neck-worn PC that automatically captures exciting events on tape (audio or video?) whenever the user’s heart rate increases–all of which could be useful to people with various levels of dexterity disabilities. Also submitted was the previously-noted ZEN PC with its tactile interface.

Gizmodo: Next-Gen PC concepts include laser screens, tactile interfaces, glossiness

Portable electronic dictionaries have been around for some time to help kids (and adults), particularly those with learning disabilities. Now Sharp has released their own version imbued with that trickiest of product features–coolness. Besides providing word definitions (in adjustable font sizes? with audio output?), it also functions as an MP3 and video player, and throws in twenty audio books too. So we assume the next time a hit tune includes words like “truttaceous” in its lyrics, it should be trivial for listeners to get a definition on the spot.

Gadgetell: Sharp’s RD-CX310 PMP turns you into walking, talking, rocking dictionary

The BodyBeat is a new type of metronome: instead of having that annoying pendulum and ticker, it sends silent electronic pulses directly to your body. Beethoven would’ve loved it, and we’ll bet the Gallaudet Dance Company will be pretty interested, too.

Sweetwater.com: Peterson BodyBeat Metronome

Brookstone now has a photo watch that can display up to 60 pictures on a reasonably good-sized screen and has the option of superimposing the time in either analog or digital format. We could see a variety of uses for this as a cognitive aid–what if you brought up the picture of the place you’re going to or the person you’re meeting before you leave the house, so that you’ll remember when you get there? If it had an alarm option that you could tie to a specific picture, that would be even better.

Everything USB.com: Digital photo watch (great grandpa gift?)