A technology treat

Hi readers,

I realise that it has been a while since this fabulous blog has been updated, but there has been alot of happenings in the IDEAS office as of late. I'm not sure whether it's because the leadup to the silly season has begun, or it's just because we have so many new things happening.

Over my work on the newsletter I came across a really fabulous, new technology that I wanted to share with you. It's designed for people with vision impairment, and it's a program to be used on a Wii console. The great thing about this new technology is that it recognises that ok, adaptive technology that helps people lo live is great and essential for individuals, but this type of equipment allows people to live their lives with a greater level of enjoyment through participation with a technology that has become common to other children. It's all about forgetting difference, and remembering that inside everyone is exactly the same. Check out this little snippet we recieved:

Wii Sports is believed to be a new technological phenomenon that is getting children moving and encouraging activity. The combination of a video game with physical activity has left children and parents happy with video gaming. But what about people with vision impairment?

A video game research project at the University of Nevada, Reno, is in the process of creating Wii
Sports-based PC games that don’t require eyesight to play.

Dr Eelke Folmer and Tony Morelli of the University of Nevada in Reno, Dr John Foley of the State University of New York Cortland and Dr Lauren Lieberman of SUNY Brockport collaborated on the project. They had the goal of creating a gaming device that increases the participation of users with visual

impairments in physical activity, as a means to improve the health of those individuals.

The two games in the VI Fit line are very similar to Wii Sports games. Both VI Tennis and VI Bowling mimic their respective sports through use of the Wii remote. However instead of seeing the ball and visually lining up the strike, visually impaired players interact using their hearing and feel the games through the use of sound and vibrotactile cues.

VI Bowling uses the Wii remote’s vibration motor to help the blind narrow down when to bowl the ball. Voice effects relay how well the player has done.

Both games are available now for free at the Vi Fit website. Both require a Wii remote and a PC with Bluetooth support to play. If you have problems setting up the game or you have feedback, do not hesitate to contact the makers through the email: feedback@vifit.org.

For more information visit the website www.vifit.org/

Note: the article was taken from Vifit

A Little Unconventional

Hello all my lovely followers.

I am taking a step towards being a tad on the unconventional side today with a posting that does make mention of IDEAS NSW. Bear with me! The posting is about an up-and-coming event which amazingly tentalises all the senses, allowing people with hearing impairment to be able experience the thrills and excitement of a musical event. Once informed of the premier of the event in Sydney 2010 - that's right, it's a once in a lifetime event that shows nationally but is making it's special way to Sydney - IDEAS pounced on the chance to be a sponsor. So how are we sponsoring the event!!?!? We are giving away 10 FREE VIP DOUBLE PASSES to the event to make sure that you don't miss out. Read the below to find out how to get the passes and to discover more about the event.

TEN DOUBLE VIP PASSES TO BE WON FOR AUSTRALIA’S PREMIER OF SENCITY

Ideas NSW announces their competition for the hottest inclusive night club event in New South Wales, happening on the 27th August at Home Nightclub, Darling Harbour.


SenCity is a multi-sensory, multi-faceted, special event for people who are hearing impaired and deaf and with any other ability or disability.
 During this spectacular event the emotions and passions of music are converted to all
senses.

Special techniques employed at this event include an imported vibrating dance floor, so that people can really feel the music. The vibrating dance sensors are attached to the amplifiers so that the entire dance floor responds to the frequency of the music. Sign singers interpret lyrics.

Visual Jockeys Food Jockeys and Aroma Jockeys are on hand to provide aroma
compositions to interpret music for other senses.
 The chill space has side performances to engage other senses like hairdressers, makeup
artists and masseurs.
 To be part of the 1000 (over 18yrs) people attending this one-night-only experience you can win tickets sponsored by Ideas NSW by:
 1. Registering your email at http://sencitywin.wordpress.com/ so that we can keep you updated on the event and announce the winners. This website will be your access to insight into the spectacular event.


2. Provide one of two entry options:


(a) Submit a video of an original dance off which incorporates the IDEAS SMS number which is 0458 296 602, interpreted however you would like. Your entry must then be uploaded to SENCITY WIN Facebook fanpage at www.facebook.com/sencitywin.


(b) Submit an original still photo shot of yourself displaying the IDEAS SMS number which is 0458 296 602, at the most creative spot that you can think of. Your entry must then be
uploaded to SENCITY WIN Facebook fanpage at www.facebook.com/sencitywin.

To upload images/video simply go to the write a comment area at the top of the SENCITY WIN Facebook fanpage site and click on the photo/video link, browse for your photo/video and click share. All entries must be uploaded before the end of the promotion period. The promotion will end at 5.00pm (AEST) on the 20th of August 2010.
 There a five double passes for each category. Please make sure you read the terms and

conditions available at http://sencitywin.wordpress.com/ before you enter. For more
information call IDEAS NSW on 1800 029 904 or email prmedia@ideas.org.au.
 

Guest Posting from Alison Richardson

After contacting the Coordinator of the First Flight Crew I have come back with a prompt response from Ms Alison Richardson herself!!! Not only did she offer a bit of information about the fantastic group, but she also offered some wonderful pictures to be put on my blog. Special mention to the verse offered by Ana Nguyen at the end of the post. I highly recommend you check them our yourselves!

Alison Richardson

First Flight Crew are an eight piece hip hop outfit from Sydney managed Accessible Arts’ Creative Program Coordinator for Western Sydney, Alison Richardson. “First Flight Crew is about reaching new audiences outside of the disability sector & bringing to them an explosion of beat boxing, rap, dance & projections exposing the talent an spunk of this unique group” says Alison.

The crew are taught by legendary Aussie hip hop artist, Morganics & sprung out of their strong desire to dance, create original music, rap and beat box. The crew was formed in late 2008 & have performed from Bondi to Blacktown including Sydney’s largest Hip Hop festival, Platform 3 at CarriageWorks, Hip Hop projections 5 at Parramatta Riverside & as part of Powerhouse Museum’s recent 80s exhibition.

First Flight Crew member, Ana Nguyen says of being in the crew, “We want tell stories & we want to give the voiceless a chance to say so. We want to do something that will stand out from the crowd. We want to give the crowd the best impression as possible.”

For more information on the First Flight Crew contact Alison on arichardson@aarts.net.au or call 9251 6499 (ext112) or check out the Facebook site or website.

More from Ana:

I hope that this is a way to educate others in some way

And this proves that we can do anything.

We'll break the rules and the stereotypes...

And by being part of the First Flight Crew,

I'm going to prove the critics wrong

That yes, we can do anything.

This is the record of the truth, I can tell you to be honest.

We want tell stories & we want to give the voiceless a chance to say so.

We want to do something that will stand out from the crowd.

We want to give the crowd the best impression as possible.

That’s what I want.

What a great sneak peak : )

First Flight Crew - Disability and Dance

Hi everyone,

I couldn't resist but to share this with you as I think it is quite an amazing and fabulous thing to recognise. The First Flight Crew are a group of hip hoppers with disability. The crew is made up of seven unique individuals with so much talent in all things entertainment. The crew picture themselves as representing people with disability whilst also showing off their hip hop skills to a wide public audience.

The group was formed in late 2008 by the Accessible Arts Creative Programs Coordinator, Alison Richardson and Club Wild. The offer of four workshops grew to two fabulous tracks of dance with an accompanying music video clip. The tracks included 'The Wild Ones' and 'Music Makes Me Happy'.

After these great new performances the group were offered the opportunity to perform at the Beach Road Hotel as part of a hip hop night with interstate and international artists.

In 2009 most of the orginal group returned (with some newbies) to take part if a song creation workshop with Morganics, creating their first original song called Funky Guitar Style Noises. The Group, then called the Funkeze is now called the First Flight Crew.

They have some fabulous videos and great bios on the group members on their website.

What I love about this group is the fact that these individuals have not been limited by their disability and have really shown the world what they are made of through creative dance and entertainment. Their story is all about overcoming a challenge but at the same time representing people with disability in creative arts.

I always keep my eyes peeled for amazing stories of individuals and groups. If I've missed anything that should be mentioned or you have a story to tell, let me know! It helps to share your experiences because you will find that they are shared by many. Email prmedia@ideas.org.au to share your story on the blog.