From the IAA Website
Grace Picture Exchange App for iPhone is here and if you are an IAA member and O2 customer - it's free!
The new app is designed to be used in a similar way to how the existing Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is used by parents and tutors of children with autism. While the existing PECS system is very effective in the home or classroom, it is not very portable for everyday situations outside of these settings.
The main benefits of the new ‘Grace’ iPhone app are that it is simple and works in real time. It can be customised to the individual child using their picture and photo vocabulary and adding new images and sharing them with the child’s parent/carer/tutor is simple and instant.
The development of the new app has been supported by O2, which supplied iPhones for the creation and testing of the app, and which also funded the development of the final artwork used in the app.
O2’s charity of choice for the past four years has been Irish Autism Action. In addition to providing funding, O2 supports IAA through a number of ways, including employee fundraising initiatives, customer fundraising initiatives, employee volunteering and by providing business expertise and support.
The new app is now available in the official iPhone App Store. It retails at €29.99 for up to five users, to facilitate family members accessing the app.
However: As part of the launch O2 and IAA will be running a promotion for all members of IAA to avail of the app for free.
The 2 conditions of the promotion are that;
1. You must be an IAA member
2. You must be an O2 iPhone customer.
If interested, please contact IAA directly at the national office on 044 9331609
and they will post you out the free app voucher.
You can then go into your local O2 store and present the voucher along with photo ID (drivers licence or passport). The voucher can be redeemed on or before 31st May 2010.
For more information please go
here to the iTunes App store, or call Lisa on 0860486249
The app will run perfectly on 2G, 3G and newer models along with the iTouch and now iPad.
Go
here to the Developer Website for more information and video demonstrations.
Go
here to update your IAA membership.
Emma Hade, Communications Minister Eamon Ryan, Gracie and Lisa Domican in The Group Work Room, Saplings Rathfarnham showing the Minister how it's done!
If you already have an iPhone and are thinking of upgrading, you might consider donating the older model to your local autism group or school.
Just call Lisa or email affinityautismireland@gmail.com to arrange collection.
They can restore the phone to original settings and pre-load the app so more children with autism and their families can benefit from this use of technology.
