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Accessibility Minute - Assistive Technology Tips and Tricks for Everyone


Apr 29, 2016

181-04-29-16 Emergency Chat

Hey there! Welcome to Accessibility Minute, your weekly look at Assistive Technology, those clever tools and devices designed to help people who have difficulties with vision, mobility, hearing or other special needs!

Have you ever felt completely overwhelmed by everything around you and just needed the world to pause for a moment? This happens far too often for many individuals with anxiety disorders, as well as those on the autism spectrum. New environments, crowded spaces, social situations and much more can skyrocket stress for these individuals--and may result in a panic attack, loss of speech, or an inability to move. The app Emergency Chat was developed for such situations, but can benefit many others.

According to the developer's website, the app is useful in "any situation where speech is impossible but communication is necessary." The app's home screen features base text that explains to the person you gave your phone to that you can't use speech and want to use the app to communicate. The default text is written for individuals with autism experiencing a meltdown, but the text is fully customizable and can be used for individuals who are deaf, having an asthma attack, panic attack, and more.

Emergency Chat is available for free on both Apple and Android devices.

For more information, to read our blog, or to drop us a line, visit EasterSealsTech.com. That was your Accessibility Minute for this week! I¹m Laura Medcalf with the INDATA Project at Easter Seals Crossroads, in Indiana.