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AbleNet, Inc. – USA’s Vice President of International Business, Adam Wing, will be making two presentations in Dubai. The Dubai Autism Center and the Dubai International Rehabilitation Forum have Wing presenting on March 16, 2010 on assistive technology solutions for those with a broad range of disability.

Dubai Autism Center

Wing will present ‘Great Assistive Technology Tools in the Classroom for: Communication, Self-Regulation, Work Skills, Social Skills and Academics’ at the Center in the evening of March 16. The Dubai Autism Center was founded in 2001 and is now the largest, most innovative and comprehensive non-profit organization in the United Arab Emirates serving children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

“With autism being one of the fastest growing childhood developmental disorders, we welcome the opportunity to help the Dubai Autism Center continue its mission,” states Adam Wing, Vice President of AbleNet, Inc. International Business. “Children with disabilities often require assistive technology tools to meet the same academic and life skills that their counterparts achieve. We have seen wonderful results using these tools and are delighted to share the power of assistive technology.”

The 7th Dubai International Rehabilitation Forum - REHAB Dubai 2010

The REHAB Dubai 2010 presentation by Wing is titled “Assistive Technology Tools in the Classroom for Inclusion” and will be presented on Tuesday March 16 at the Dubai International Exhibition Center. The presentation will focus on achieving core access, communication and environmental control through many assistive technologies.

This conference is the only platform in the Middle East that links investors, technology providers and consumers at one event to address the many needs of those with a broad range of disability. It is estimated that there are over 10 million people of the Arab population that are severely disabled.

“It is my honor to discuss technology solutions available to help children and adults with even profound disability gain unheard of access and control in their homes, communities and schools,” said Wing. “REHAB Dubai is doing tremendous work bringing awareness of the many technologies, services and research available. AbleNet is enthused about adding our voice to grow understanding and knowledge of the wide range of easy to use, yet powerful technology tools available.”

Remarkable Idea Gallery - Assistive technology ideas from around the world will be showcased at the conference in the AbleNet Remarkable Idea Gallery. AbleNet is also requesting submissions of ideas that innovatively use AT. The ‘Remarkable Idea’ submissions will also be collected online throughout the year at www.ablenetinc.com. Written and/or video submissions are encouraged.

“AbleNet has seen thousands of creative applications of our products making tremendous contributions in improving learning and quality of life for even the most severely disabled over our 25 years of business,” said Wing. “The ‘Remarkable Idea’ program is a tribute to the innovation of these professionals, educators and parents worldwide. We invite all to visit our booth to tell us about your innovations and also get other great ideas.”

The featured ‘Remarkable Idea’ examples include educators using a combination of AbleNet access, communication and environmental control products to stimulate learning and offer new opportunities for involvement. The demonstrations include the following examples of creatively helping children with significant disability.

• Hironori Komatsu, educator from Japan, adapted several assistive technologies to allow children to assist in weeding the garden and harvesting vegetables.
• Tony Jones, M.Ed., B.Ed. from the UK, created a fun learning and developmental experience by giving the children the ability to make their own bubbles.
• Raquel Rodrigo, Special Education Teacher from Spain, gives students the capability to make hot chocolate, regardless of their ability levels.
• Raquel Rodrigo teamed up with Physical Education Teacher, Jose Luis Capilla, also of Spain, to help kids throw a bowling ball and enjoy the activity with their friends and family.

Featured AbleNet Products at REHAB Dubai 2010

The AbleNet products that made these fun and innovative activities possible will be available to demonstrate and learn more about their capabilities. These products and the ideas from the Remarkable Ideas Gallery can be viewed by visiting AbleNet distributor, Consort World, at booth 22 and 23 outside the Sheikh Rashid Hall D. The products include the following.

PowerLink® 4 Control Unit

This is AbleNet’s newest product enhancement bringing AbleNet’s wireless technology and expanded functionality to an easy to use device controlling electrically driven appliances, learning tools, toys and more.

The PowerLink is a worldwide market leader in delivering switch access to electrical appliances. It is also a powerful tool for clinicians and educators. The new version offers additional modes of control, a simplified setup process and AbleNet wireless technology. These new modes of control include ‘Count Mode’ which records and displays the number of device activations. The ‘Two-Switch Mode’ requires two switches to be activated simultaneously to turn on any appliances; encouraging cooperative learning activities.

iTalk2™ with Levels

The iTalk2™ with Levels is a three level communicator giving users the freedom to choose between sets of communication messages as desired. It has improved digital sound and 80% more recording time than the original iTalk2™. The increased power, combined with the added convenience of three levels, allows pre-recording a number of choices for use throughout the day or for recording and storing choices that are used on a regular basis. It also helps the individual with speech impairment ask and answer questions, tell jokes and make comments in social situations. A toy or appliance can be added for immediate positive reinforcement and message enhancement.

Jelly Beamer®

This wireless switch is available with four interchangeable twist tops in the colors of red, green, yellow and blue. Switch tops are also available in more colors which are sold separately.

The Jelly Beamers include a wireless transmitter and receiver giving the ability to plug the receiver into any switch adapted toy or device. Beamers are paired with their own receiver, giving the ability to use multiple devices in the same room at the same time, without interference. The effective range is up to 30 feet.

SuperTalker™ progressive communicator

The digital technology inside SuperTalker provides crystal-clear sound and up to 25% more battery life. This easy to learn and use device is powerful enough to be the only voice output device many users need. It can be used as a single message communicator for beginners and progress to a two-, four-, or eight-message communicator as the user’s needs and abilities change. SuperTalker also offers eight levels so as many as 64 messages can be recorded and stored.

SuperTalker features 16 minutes of recording time and a total of eight levels of messaging capability. Every message location is accessible via external switch and is equipped with a special "Step Ahead" jack allowing a single switch to activate SuperTalker's messages in-order. AT Specialists find SuperTalker particularly useful as a portable assessment tool.

LITTLE Step-by-Step™ communicator

The new technology inside LITTLE Step-by-Step provides better-than-ever digital sound, 40% more recording time and 25% more battery life. Any series of messages can be recorded into the LITTLE Step-by-Step Communicator. Press its activation surface once to hear the first message. Press it again to hear the next message in the sequence, and so on. Two full minutes of recording time allow recording as many messages as needed. LITTLE Step-by-Step features an angled base and 2½-inch activation surface.

BIGmack® communicator

The BIGmack communicator allows the recording of any single message directly into the BIGmack communicator. It is activated by pressing the activation surface for playback of up to two minutes in length. Connecting a toy or appliance is made possible for additional motivation. With its large, 5-inch activation surface, BIGmack is well suited for persons with visual impairments and persons with physical disabilities who require a larger target area.

String Switch

The String Switch is ideal for persons with limited finger and hand mobility and those with minimal strength. It only takes a slight pull to activate and has a one-year warranty.

About AbleNet

AbleNet is an international company and industry leader in providing educational and technical solutions to help children and adults with disabilities lead productive and fulfilled lives. This includes a complete line of communication aids for nonverbal individuals; access aids, such as switches and wheelchair mounting devices for people who require physical supports; and special education classroom curriculum and software that both enhance and help ensure learning progress. The products are represented in more than 60 countries and used in hundreds of thousands of classrooms in the United States and across the globe. AbleNet is an ESOP company located in Roseville, Minnesota. For more information visit www.ablenetinc.com.