Computer

Just as a pilot may learn to fly in a simulator, I've read some intresting stories of how games (e.g. Quake) that allow a user to develop virtual environments, have been, or at least *could be*, used to create environments for people with a variety of problems, to explore safely.
A interesting story regarding virtual reality therapy for Iraq soldiers suffering from acute combat stress can be read here and takes this approach one step further.

"All I can see in every direction is black smoke, with intermittent darts of flame. And all I hear is gunfire, mortar rounds and the rumbling engine of the fortified tank I'm driving to Falluja."

Being developed by a cognitive psychologist, the system will incorporate smell alongside a full 3D environment. Scary perhaps?? Well for anyone not been at war for sure..

In July the press mentioned a article published in the BMJ about the usage of video games in health care. This goes along with a variety of literature including that from OT stating that it can be useful. However, a word of warning perhaps comes from the aptly names article stated "How computers make our children stupid". With computers outnumbering fishtanks in US preschools, there appears to be a growing concern that all this computer usage is really useful, or even that they are damaging for education and perhaps health.

More recently the American Psychological Association (via) have called for a reduction in the amount of violent content in video games, as well as a monitoring of the negative consequences associated with acts of violence depicted in such games; a need which seems to occur in other areas of computer usage too. The use of computer games clearly has its place as a therapeutic tool for certain individuals, and a proper assessment of need and ability will make this tool for more useful. However ongoing assessment of usage for individuals clearly needs to take place - the arguments for computer use for children autism and against it seem muddled for example.

This ICT/SENIT game is new to me so I have been catching up by reading truck loads of material over the last 5 weeks, the results of which I will hopefully be posting up here at some point in the near future.
Much of the websites that I have been looking at can be found in the del.icio.us feed under ICT or something similar - I'll keep adding to it as I go. In essence the field is big with lots of interesting areas - and I have to say still lots of scope for OT to play a bigger role than what is already out there..

Since it seems relevant I thought I would quickly mention a few bits I've seen mentioned elsewhere on the net over the past few weeks..
These two input devices seem interesting and possibly useful for areas where they haven't been particularly designed for..

Septambic Keyboard: apart from a nice little how-to guide in pictures of how to make a splint (!) the site is giving away the source code to the project - perhaps handy (geddit?) for anyone interested in hacking up their own wearable input device.

The Ergodex DX1 Input system, appears to be something particularly designed for the gamer market. In short, its a system that allows you to stick keys in any configuration on the board. I want one..

Oh and lastly, something that may be interesting to you if you liked this post; there is a posting on bbc news regarding a Infrared Sound Touch (IST) switch being used by Stephen Hawking.

The site appears to be written & designed quite poorly but the designs look quite intresting.
Of particular intrest is the In-Bed Computer Desks which lists two types, a wheeled and fixed version.
What is really good is that these are free if you are providing this equipment to people who are "Physically Challenged". Just fill in the form provided.

URL [via]: http://www.charm.net/~jriley/Challenged.html

This one has been doing the rounds on the net with the various geeks but it could play a useful role for those with visual impairments and/or those needing a different keyboard configuration. It will of however likely to be hugely expensive.. (£200?)
See the pictures and article at : Optimus Keyboard

I own a powerbook and make frequent use of the glowing keyboard when the light is a bit dim. This keyboard from logisys, claims to be one the of the brightest on the market. Also has a interesting feature - it flashes when your mobile rings.

This interesting little piece highlights a new head mouse. Uses head tilt and tongue movement for direction and blinking for clicking. looks good.

[via gizmodo]