Adapted iPod System
With the proliferation of MP3 players and other handheld devices, most of us take for granted how easy it is to access music today. But for many people with dexterity, vision or even cognitive challenges, having direct control over their music has never been possible.
Now, an exciting technology from CanAssist, called the CanPlay podWiz, has provided a whole new level of independence for dozens of young people with disabilities across British Columbia.
In mid-2009, Carl Spani, an electrical engineer at CanAssist, took an off-the-shelf Apple iPod and created an adapter for it. The unobtrusive adapter (the podWiz) attaches to the iPod and allows the music player to be controlled by a single button or switch - the location of which can be determined by the user. Users can select functions such as Play, Pause and Skip Forward/Backward, as well as making volume adjustments, all by pressing a single, large button.
By the end of February 2010, the system had been sent out to more than 160 youngsters, ranging from a four-year-old girl to students in their late teens.
"We delivered it to some local schools and some of the kids were figuring out pretty quickly out how to use it," says Carl. "They were listening to everything from Mary Poppins to Miley Cyrus. It was pretty neat."
The system includes either rechargeable external speakers or special headphones, depending on each user's preference. In addition, there are five modes of operation - from simple to more complex, as well as a training mode - so that the podWiz can be tailored to meet each individual's needs.
The CanPlay podWiz also provides voice prompts for the main functions, eliminating the need for visually-impaired people to read the iPod's display.
Typically, the system attaches to a lanyard that hangs around the user's neck; but it can also be fastened to a wheelchair or armband. Some users are able to use two switches to control the iPod's more advanced functions.
Carl says it's exciting to know that so many young people with special needs are now able to use the same technology as their able-bodied peers. He also points out that the project has been helped enormously by Jay Dyke, who works part-time at CanAssist and who himself faces challenges through having muscular dystrophy.
Jay has been instrumental in preparing the system for delivery. He loads the program code, assembles the parts, tests each podWiz and, finally, boxes the entire system.
Recently, CanAssist secured an agreement with AbleNet Inc. that will
make the Adapted iPod System, along with the new iPad Adapter System,
available for sale to customers around the world. To learn more, please see click here.
(CanAssist greatly appreciates the generosity of several donors and partners in the helping make the adapted iPod project a success. The majority of the iPod systems were delivered early in 2010.)
Want more information?
If you are interested in viewing a four-minute video showing how a person sets up and uses the adapted iPod system, check out our YouTube page.You can also download the user manual [PDF - 1.5 MB] that comes with each adapted iPod system.