Author: Russ Ewell

InEducationHacking AutismResearchTechnology

Disruption, DynaVox, and the iPad

Mobile technology and the in-the-garage development of apps for those with disabilities has brought Apple, Google, and Samsung into competition with DynaVox and Tobii. Individuals with disabilities limited to a few companies willing to meet their needs suddenly have significant choice. For the first time, those with disabilities are purchasing the same cutting edge technologies coveted by the general public. They are benefiting from the purchasing power of the majority, which creates ever decreasing prices combined with constantly improving features.
InInclusion

E-Soccer and SJ Earthquakes Lunch

E-Soccer has become far more than I ever imagined when it began in a dusty field with 8 kids. Because of our expansion to other cities and countries nearly 1000 kids participate. This means typical and special needs children play together and become friends. Our work has expanded because important organizations like the Earthquakes involve themselves in the community and provide us with support.
InCreativityLeadership

Fear of Focus

Looking forward into the future of our work at Digital Scribbler and E-Soccer we must focus on the important, so more people will receive the help they desperately need. Giving in to the fear of the important to work at the emotionally easy task of the urgent feels good today, but will leave many miserable for a lifetime.
InEducation

A Passion for Teaching

You haven’t taught until they have learned attributed to John Wooden My parents made certain we attended incredible schools, but my mom wouldn’t teach in them.  There were two reasons for this decision.  She didn’t want to teach in the schools her children attended, and more importantly, she wanted to teach children of color.  My…
InResearch

Thinking: noise or signal?

  “Think: Getting to #4” was my June 14 post about taking time to think.  When I listened to this TEDxO’Porto 2013 talk, my instincts were confirmed.  When we think we find the signal in the noise. The first 3 minutes of this talk by Jonathan MacDonald are riveting as he rifts on the deceptive…
InInclusion

Special Needs Parents Should Make ‘Big Bets’

Twenty years of experience parenting children with special needs has taught me a simple truth.  Every now and then we need to make ‘Big Bets’. I was reminded of this reading about Larry Page and his leadership of Google.   Incremental change is not enough.  Innovation will require a “Big Bet” at some point. “Big Bets” don’t have…