Touch Technology Helps Kids Find Their Voice
Silicon Valley giant steps in after theft at school
By SCOTT BUDMAN
Updated 7:12 AM PST, Tue, Mar 31, 2009
Three months ago, Jordan could not speak.
Today, he took time to thank Hewlett Packard, in perfect english.
Jordan is autistic, and a student at the Hope Technology School in Palo Alto. He, and many of his classmates, have been using computers to find their voices. Among the computers that seem to work the best is the TouchSmart from HP. Big screen, large fonts, and much easier for students like Jordan to use than a traditional keyboard. Back in January, when we first met Jordan, he was making progress, typing words onto the TouchSmart's screen, and hearing them read back. Pretty cool. He, and his parents, were able to "hear" Jordan for the first time.
Then, the Hope school was robbed. All computers taken, along with printers, cameras, and scanners. For a school that relies on technology to help its students, this was a crushing blow. Add in the economic collapse, and things were bleak.
But some HP executives got wind of how their technology was being used at the school, and they stepped in to help. Big time. Replaced all the computers, scanners, printers, and cameras. Then, on top of that, they donated another five TouchSmarts. This is a machine that starts at 1,200 dollars. Yes, a drop in the bucket for a firm like HP, but a cavalcade of riches for a school like Hope Tech. Now, instead of waiting in line to get a shot at a computer, Jordan can pretty much sit with one whenever he wants. And the results have been dramatic: When we re-visited the school, Jordan played back a recording of his own voice this time, not the computer's. The message: "Thank you, Hewlett Packard."
And that's the beginning. Other Hope Tech students have learned to edit on the TouchSmarts, and are putting together videos that rival any commercial you see on TV. They play "Jeopardy" on the big screens, and create avatars to move, fly, and yes, even talk.
The Hope School may not be the most traditional way to learn, but it's hard to argue that the technology isn't making a difference in the lives of its students. Spend a few minutes there, and you'll see -and hear- the changes taking place.
One touch at a time.
First Published: Mar 12, 2009 5:23 PM PST
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