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Kerry Isham, Field Services Representative. The Birth of an APH Product. Here is how an APH product comes to be -from the idea to the time it’s ready for sale. Somebody shares their idea….
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Kerry Isham, Field Services Representative The Birth of an APH Product
Here is how an APH product comes to be -from the idea to the time it’s ready for sale.
APH Products - We're Interested in Your Ideas!The American Printing House for the Blind gives serious consideration to ideas for products that improve the lives of persons who are blind or visually impaired. We are especially interested in product ideas that support Core and/or Expanded Core Curricula, since both are essential to the education of students and clients who are blind or visually impaired. http://www.aph.org/products/product-ideas/
Potential products could address such areas as:- Core Curriculum- Activities of Daily Living (ADL/ILS)- Assessment- Assistive Technology, Electronics- Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI)- Early Childhood- Health, P.E., Recreation, Leisure- Literacy, Communication Modes, Tactile Graphics- Low Vision, Visual Efficiency Skills- Orientation & Mobility, Concept Development- Self Determination- Social Skills- Vocational Education, Career Education, Transition- YOUR idea
"Azer's Interactive Periodic Table Study Set" (pictured above) was originally presented to APH by SamirAzer (pictured right), a science teacher at the Kentucky School for the Blind in Louisville, Kentucky.
“We believe, based on your comments and guidance, APH will continue to address the needs of those students you serve.”-- Ralph Bartley, APH Director of Research, 2014 Annual Research Report
The idea goes to an APH project leader…
Products are assigned based on project leaders’ areas of expertise and their schedules. • APH project leaders and their focus areas: • Li Zhou, Ph.D. - Core Curriculum Project Leader • Dawn Wilkinson - Early Childhood Project Leader How Products are Assigned…
Carolyn Zierer- Test & Assessment Project Leader • Martin Monson – Product Development Project Leader APH project leaders and their focus areas (cont’d)
Amy Parker – Product Development Project Leader • Fred Otto - Tactile Graphics Project Leader APH project leaders and their focus areas (cont’d)
APH project leaders and their focus areas (cont’d) • Tristan Gay Pierce - Multiple Disabilities/Physical Education Project Leader • Karen J. Poppe - Tactile Graphics Project Leader
Susan Sullivan – CVI Project Leader • Roseanne Hoffman, STEM Project Leader APH project leaders and their focus areas (cont’d)
Larry Skutchan – Technology Project Leader • Cathy Senft-Graves – Braille Literacy & Technology Project Leader APH project leaders and their focus areas (cont’d)
Laura Zierer – Product Development Project Leader • Suzette Wright - Emergent Literacy Project Leader APH project leaders and their focus areas (cont’d)
In initial stages of development, the project leader brainstorms and researches the idea…
Product development • Completion of prototype • Field test/expert review • Federal quota funds approval • Revisions • Product specifications • Completion of tooling • Pilot run (if needed) • Production and sale The Project Schedule Includes:
The Federal Act to Promote the Education of the Blind was enacted by Congress in 1879. This act is a means for providing adapted educational materials to eligible students who meet the definition of blindness. An annual registration of eligible students determines a per capita amount of money designated for the purchase of educational materials produced by the American Printing House for the Blind (APH). These funds are credited to Federal Quota accounts which are maintained and administered by APH and its Ex Officio Trustees throughout the country. http://www.aph.org/federal-quota/what-is-federal-quota/ What is Federal Quota?
Products offered by APH through the Federal Quota program must be: • specially developed or adapted to meet instructional needs of individuals who are blind/visually impaired • commercially unavailable at the time of development • manufactured by APH or with APH specifications • designed for use by individuals who are blind or visually impaired that are enrolled in programs lower than college level, or for service providers working with such persons • available in the United States exclusively from APH http://www.aph.org/federal-quota/ How federal quota funding for a product is determined:
Once a prototype is developed, the product is field tested or evaluated…
Go to this web address: http://www.aph.org/edresearch/index.html • Go to: “Product Development” • Click on the heading: “APH Field Test Form” • Questions on the form include: • Your professional certifications/degrees • Type of work you do • Your own visual function • Areas of interest/expertise • Your availability for field testing How to be a field evaluator:
After final changes are made based on field testing & evaluation data, the product is ready for production and sale…
Math Robot for iOS • Light In-Sight • Orion TI-30XS Talking Scientific Calculator Some New Products in 2015-2017
Tactile Graphic Line Slate • Bright Shapes Knob Puzzle • Joy Player More New Products in 2015-2016
VIPS@Home: Parent Empowerment Program: Emergent Literacy • VIPS@Home: Parent Empowerment Program: Power at Your Fingertips More New Products in 2015-2016
Touch, Label, and Learn Human Skeleton • All Aboard! The Sight Word Activity Express More New Products in 2015-2016
Spinner Overlays for the Light Box • Draw2Measure Protractor App for iOS Devices More New Products in 2015-2016
As feedback is received from APH customers, the product is reviewed and reworked as needed…
Do You Have A Product Idea Or Product Feedback?Go to this URL and tell us about it!http://www.aph.org/products/product-ideas/Kerry Isham, Field Services Representativekisham@aph.org