So you have an iPad and you want to let your child with special needs play with it. Here is a good checklist to have for your iPad before you hand it off to your child. It maybe a good idea to let your child navigate with an iPad there are a lot of cool things to do with an iPad.

1. Pick the Right Specs
One of the biggest differences between the iPad 2 and the new iPad is retina display, which can create an incredible visual experience. Most special needs iPad users will not appreciate it at all, Rahman says, unlike artists or photographers. The reason to choose the new iPad would be if you want or need 4G connectivity.

The iPad can help your child in the classroom. where a teacher can create content on the go without going back and forth to the computer.

2. Volume Control
You will want to make sure that the iPad isn’t too loud for your child. Maybe put a case around it to help muffle the sound.

3. Explore Accessibility Features
You will want to check out the different features that the iPad has, the ipad does have a voice over feature for the visably impair children and adults,  which reads what you swipe out loud when it’s switched on. You can also try “white on black” view, zoom (for the visually impaired) and assisted touch (press a button instead of shaking your iPad).

4. Try an External Keyboard

While some special needs users are great with the touchscreen keyboard, there can be two advantages to attaching an external keyboard to the iPad. First, it’s easier for people with fine motor issues to get an accurate touch.

Second, if you’re trying to work with multiple languages with different alphabets, you can attach character stickers on to keys rather than flipping between the iPad’s language options.

5. Make Time for FaceTime

For people on the autism spectrum, learning to make eye contact can be incredibly challenging — it’s also one of the first warning signs that a child may not be inputting social interactions correctly.
Using FaceTime to chat with friends and relatives outside of your home can be a great way to build those skills. The facial close-up forces kids to look into the eyes of the person with whom they’re chatting.

6. DIY Keyguard
Keyguards are a very inexpensive way to give a voice to people who are uncommunicative and can be purchased cheaply for $20 or made by hand from foam board and an X-Acto knife.
Rahman recalls visiting with a non-verbal student in one school who used a two-button keyguard to communicate yes and no. After answering a sequence of yes or no questions, expressing his preferences for different needs and likes, the boy told a joke. Humor is, of course, a huge indicator of intelligence, Rahman notes.
“Do you have fun in school?” Rahman asked, expecting a yes, following a series of correctly answered questions.

7. Set Boundaries
It should come as no surprise that iPads can be lots of fun for the special needs population, so parents need to set boundaries from the start.
“The iPad is totally useless without a plan,” Rahman says. “Everyone owns a hammer but few people can use it to build a building.”

8. Make Photo Albums

Learning to associate pictures of objects with concepts can take years for some people with special needs, but the iPad can be an important learning tool if you take pictures and organize photo albums. The tablet can become a great communicator when you view 16 icons at once, and allow the user to choose what they want.
You can give people who are non-verbal and partially non-verbal the ability to express preference by showing them, for instance, pictures of foods that they can eat for a given meal. You can also show options of activities, clothes or people.

9. Keep Cleaning

While iPads can be great babysitters, if you want to use the tablet for therapy or education you’ll need to frequently mix up the types of apps your child is using.
“If you’re not removing apps on a regular basis, you’re focusing on entertainment, not education and therapy,” Rahman says.
Parents almost always tell Rahman that they’re not removing apps from their children’s iPads, meaning they’re not letting their children flex their muscles or learn new skills.

10. Lock Screen

The constant rotation of the screen can be incredibly frustrating for some individuals with special needs. You can choose to lock the screen to prevent the display from reorienting as the device moves. This will give the user a greater feeling of control over their experience.
Rahman notes that for his own son, after two years with his iPad, it was a big moment when he learned to navigate with an unlocked screen.

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St. John’s Shelter for Women & Children”Simply Mad for Tea,” a Mad Hatter’s tea party, will be May 10 at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium, 1515 J St. The Mother’s Day gift boutique and raffle will begin at 2 p.m. with the program, live auction and special presentations from 3 to 5 p.m. The 2012 honorees will includeSharon Aprea, Marva Moore, Joyce Raley Teel,LaToya Harris, Cassandra Pye and Donna Trumbo. The Maddest of Hats contest will be held. For tickets and more information, go to www.StJohnsShelter.org. Tickets are $75. For sponsorship information, call Teri Bennett at (916) 202-6608 or Kathy Metzger at (916) 835-3340. Valet parking will be available.
• United Cerebral Palsy of Sacramento and Northern California. The 19th annual UCP humanitarian of the year award dinner will be from 6 to 9 p.m. May 10 at the Sheraton Grand Hotel. In the spotlight will be Chevo Ramirez, regional vice president of the Wells Fargo Foundation for the Northern and Central California region. Ramirez, a regular at community and charity events, recently reported that he has Parkinson’s disease. The event will include dinner, live and silent auctions, and Fund-A-Success. Single tickets are $150; contact Brooke Poggi at (916) 283-8317 or bpoggi@ucpsacto.org.
• Safetyville USA. Taste of the Little City from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. May 10 at 3909 Bradshaw Road will feature a firefighter cooking challenge, diverse cuisine, wines, microbrews and a silent auction. Dave Thompson of Mix96 FM and Mark S. Allen of Channel 31 will emcee. Firefighters from Sacramento Metro, Sacramento City and Folsom will be the challenge cookers. Tickets are $40 ($50 at the event); go to http://safetyvilleusa.org or call (916) 438-3352. Proceeds benefit children’s safety and health education programs at Safety- ville USA.
• California Waterfowl Association. Fundraising events are planned by area chapters. The Gold Rush crab feed will begin at 5:30 p.m. Saturday in Auburn at the Placer Hall Building on theGold Country Fairgrounds, 1273 High St. Tickets are $50, $40 sprig or $90 couple. Call (530) 263-0680 or (530) 637-9111. The Folsom-Gold Hills banquet will be at 5:30 p.m. May 17 at the Folsom FOE 929 Hall, 215 Scott St., Folsom. Tickets are $50, $30 per life member. Call (916) 648-1406 ext. 133. For information about the California Waterfowl Association, call (916) 648-1406 , ext. 122.
• International Academy of Design & Technology. Student-created designs from the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and race T-shirts will be presented during two fashion shows. The first will be from 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Arden Fair mall on the first floor near Nordstrom andAnn Taylor. The second will be on Komen race day from 9 to 10 a.m. May 12 at Cal Expo. The public will be able to bid on all items including jewelry made from recycled educational materials with proceeds going to the Komen Foundation. For academy information, call (916) 830-3322.

• Diane Dawson Foundation and Wellness Within. “Crusin’ to the Blues” themes the fundraiser at 6 p.m. May 12 at the California Auto Museum, 2200 Front St. Included will be rhythm and blues music, food and wine, raffle prizes and auction, plus the opportunity to tour the museum. Tickets are $50 (21 and older only, please). The charity organizations presenting the event have been organized to make a difference for cancer patients and their families through mind-body-medical services for cancer patients. For tickets and information, visitwww.dawsonfoundation.com or http://wellnesswithin.org.

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/05/02/4457100/helping-others-upcoming-events.html#storylink=cpy

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The 35-, 50- and 100-mile bike rides will start at 8:30 a.m. The 10- and 25-mile rides and the one-, three- and five-mile walks will begin at 10.

The cost of the event is: Registration before May 28 is $35, $50 for families, and $85 for teams of four, with an extra $20 for each additional member. On-site registration is $45, $65 for families, and $95 for teams of four, with an extra $20 for each additional member.

What is included: Registration includes morning snacks, beverages, lunch and a T-shirt.

If you have any questions about this event, please call call the Cerebral Palsy Association’s Githens Center in Mount Holly at 609-261-1667 or register online athttp://www.githenscenter.dojiggy.com/.

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Hot Hash Tags for Free Comic Book Day

#nationalfreecomicbookday
#Freecomicbooks
#comicbooks
#comicbooksfree
#comicbookday

This is the kind of stuff that makes you smile when you see it. This was at a Fenway Park for Disability Awareness Day!

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But I do however, have something cool to share and that is the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is having a Contest Design Challenge for 2012it is for charity to help save lives because I do know that Cystic Fibrosis takes a lot of kids lives and we need to try to make a difference in a childs life.

Cystic Fibrosis Submit A Design

if you have ever wanted to help someone with a disability now is the time to shine. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation does some amazing fundraiser events not only throughout the United States but worldwide. The foundation number one goal is to find a cure for this degeneration of the lungs, pancreas, and digestive organs that kills thousands of people.

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Utah/Idaho Chapter is requesting the help of the public to submit their design of choice to become the trademark for an upcoming event this fall 2012 and will be featured on posters, flyer’s, t-shirts, and an award will be given to the winner!

This event is to gather the youth in the area to participate in a silly event that the proceeds benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Registered people received a free t-shirt, hot dog, drink, and a stress foam hot dog to squeeze when needed.

If you don’t know what Cystic Fibrosis is than you can find out in many places and the internet is the best known tool for that.

If you’d like to contact Minuteman Press or use them for your next printing need, here is their contact information:

Minuteman Press
work phone: 801-431-0991
563 N 1200 W
Orem, UT 84057

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For more details, visit www.disabledgolfsociety.com or call Mr Robertson on 07932 061680.

This golfing event is a good excuse to get out of the house and get some fresh air. So I encourage you to go out and have fun with a sport that is good exercise for Cerebral Palsy.

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Dina parents say she gets overwhelmed with certain procedure so the parents told them to try and introduce themselves to the 7 year old. But the just treated her like everyone else that goes through a pat down.

I have never been patted down at the airport but I hear that they are not fun. She went through the detector at the airport and got flagged because Dina walks with the aid of leg braces and crutches.

The Family says that it can be hard to travel  due to Dina disability, now I totally agree with the father  Frank and I think that the TSA should consider checking people with disabilities a little different. Here is the TSA   statement defending their decision to pat-down the girl.

On a good note TSA also stated that they have changed the  screening procedures in conducting a pat down for children.

The family however, did miss their flight from New York to Florida.

Maybe the TSA should go through training to know how to deal with people with disabilities because apparently they don’t know how to conduct themselves around people. I understand it’s a job but you also want to make people feel comfortable when they are going through security.

What do you think should the TSA have some sort of train for people with disabilities?

Source: http://washington.cbslocal.com/2012/04/25/family-misses-flight-after-tsa-gives-pat-down-to-girl-with-cerebral-palsy/

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I wounder if that will hurt her future with her fans. I know that I wouldn’t want to support a musican that just up roots her fans. No more trending topics of Nicki Minaj on Twitter.

Now what do you think of Nicki Minaj’s decision to not come back to Twitter?

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