DISCUSSION - People with Special Needs and Webkinz

[Aiorna]

I love Webkinz because everything is captioned!...everything the characters say and all the activities. You don't need to hear to play on the site. If I don't understand something, I just ask my mom. So in a way there are modifications for Deaf kids.

Does anyone use switch devices with this site? I'm curious to know, because I have a friend in my class with limited mobility and she uses a switch for the computer. I'd love for her to be able to play on Webkinz.

P.S. My mom helped me make this post

[Electrabuzz1]

Originally Posted by Aiorna

I love Webkinz because everything is captioned!...everything the characters say and all the activities. You don't need to hear to play on the site. If I don't understand something, I just ask my mom. So in a way there are modifications for Deaf kids.

Does anyone use switch devices with this site? I'm curious to know, because I have a friend in my class with limited mobility and she uses a switch for the computer. I'd love for her to be able to play on Webkinz.

P.S. My mom helped me make this post

Hello Aiorna,

I see you are fairly new to Webkinz Insider - welcome aboard. It is a wonderful site and a lot of fun!!

Thank you for bringing up another great point about Webkinz Insider.

I have not heard of anyone using switch devices here. I sent a PM to some of the therapists here to see if any of them know of someone using switch devices to access Webkinz World. Thanks for stopping by our thread and please come back and visit us often. We all love to meet new people.

I gave you some rep for your insight. You now have a green bar under your name.

[LittleDog]

Originally Posted by Aiorna

I love Webkinz because everything is captioned!...everything the characters say and all the activities. You don't need to hear to play on the site. If I don't understand something, I just ask my mom. So in a way there are modifications for Deaf kids.

Does anyone use switch devices with this site? I'm curious to know, because I have a friend in my class with limited mobility and she uses a switch for the computer. I'd love for her to be able to play on Webkinz.

P.S. My mom helped me make this post

There are a lot of products out there for switch use on the computer, and I would encourage her parents to talk with the assistive tech folks at your school. She would really need to be evaluated by a team, to see what her needs are. Most switches in schools are a simple off/on device or clicking to a page, with a cursor preset which would make it difficult to navigate in WW. If she has good pointing skills, she maybe able to use a touch screen and you can vary where you put the monitor so she would have access to it. I have even seen monitors mounted under a desktop when someone couldn't reach up! You can also use pointing devices that you can use with your head or even your eye gaze. There is an amazing array of adaptive devices out there depending what your school has access to and what the school district can afford. Our state has a "lending library" of adaptive devices for the more costly items (because some things cost 10's of thousands of dollars and more.) The only drawbacks are a lot of schools can't/won't obtain the technology, because of the cost or they simply don't want to put forth the effort to learn about it. I hope that helps you out. Best of Luck - You really are a great friend to want to help her out and share something that you enjoy.

[meowsrus]

Hello everyone!

Well, my luck streak has continued.... My little one fell out next to the house and fell on her sternum. She was running where she wasn't supposed to (because it is slippery there) and she of course slipped and lost her footing. She has bruised ribs and a bruised chest-cavity. She is now home all week. The older is on half-days until next week (I hope she gets cleared then )

Originally Posted by tribbles

Well I am best friends with a disability advocate. Do you have an advocate in your area that is helping you? If not I know someone you could talk to...that even politician run away and hide because he means business. I don't think my body could handle that amount of stress being an advocate. I'm suppose to live a stress free life so I don't have another stroke. I'm dealing with too much stress with an auto accident from last yr. I would love to post more but I have to leave in 30 minutes for the attorney appt and I'm still in my pjs. I will keep you in prayers.


tribbles

We have an advocate, but she just had major surgery and I don't know if she is going to be able to get to go to the next IEP meeting now. So we will have to see what is going to happen. I would love to have someone there who can fight while knowing all of the laws that go along with it. But I have limited resources in the area I live in- not lots of people and unfortunately that is good and bad. Right now we have some degenerate neighbors who are blasting really offensive (what is supposed to be music I think, but no music- only noise and cursing) stuff and it is driving my daughter crazy because she is extremely sound sensitive. They don't seem to realize that on this street they are the ONLY ones who do obnoxious things like that and when they are asked to turn it down kvetch 'you don't own the street'. - well bud, neither do you. I want to move sooooooo bad anymore. I LOVE my house, but am so sick of this school district and the attitude of so many of the people who live here.

Originally Posted by Electrabuzz1

Where to start. There is not a heck of a lot I can do or say to make this better for you so I will slip into the humour mode -

A charmed life - what would we have to talk about? - Hello Meows, I had my roots done today and tomorrow I have to get up early (noon) to get in for my weekly pedicure. My Nanny has the kids so I am going to confer with our cook about the dinner menu. I have so much money I am going to have to invest in a bigger wallet. Hmmm which designer should I go with?

Sounds good to me!!!

A Marafun is something we are participating in with my younger DS's school. We have to walk 40 kilometres (I am Canadian) in 5 weeks. We are having a heck of a time getting it in with the rain though. We all love to hike though so we do really long hikes on the weekend.

Hang in there Meows. It will get better. It has too. Meet me in Grove City for some Therapeutic shopping!

So when do ya wanna go shopping? I can't Saturday, but i think I can make it Sunday (or was it the other way around.) I'll check and get back to you!

How is the Marafun going? Get more walking in? That sounds like it would be great! They are doing an Autism walk all over the country (well, most, but not all places) and there are about 3 'near' us, but now we can't because of the girls' injuries. Oh well, there is always next year!

Originally Posted by Blackie_Lab2003

I like it how they made Webkinz Jr. and how it's simple enough for kids with special needs, but to people like my brother with PDD-NOS, it's really offending and, well I hope you get my point, that kids with special needs have to go to a site designed for kindergartners and under to have a better experience. I hope you just get my point. I know how it was really meant for kids kindergarten age and under, but just get my point.

I've been thinking about what it would be like if there was a virtual pet site just for kids with special needs. (Who wants to join me and make money? )

I get you and I agree with you- it would be the same for my daughter. Just because they have disabilities, does not always mean they are intellectually deficient! She would like the Jr's I am sure, but I know would find it very 'babyish' for her, especially after the regular WW. (although the HHH issue is something that keeps her from it on a regular basis even though there is a bunch of good to be had- still shame on them for it)

Originally Posted by Blackie_Lab2003

I get it. We should pop up some ideas!

And THANK YOU for getting me! Sorry. I'm just so used to getting yelled at about my ideas.

I am sorry that you do some places- we won't!

Originally Posted by Electrabuzz1

Hello Everybody,

Check out the surprise I am going to have for my two DS's tomorrow.



I won the trophy. Hurray. That was pretty tough!!

Here is Maggie in her room with her new trophy. It is in the front beside the door.



I hope that everybody is well and looking forward to this special weekend. I hinted to everyone who would listen that I would love a Signature Chimpanzee and some trading Card Fours. We'll see but hinting has never worked before!!

My special DS brought me home a plant today for Mothers Day. It is a lovely African Violet. I better take some pictures to remember it because it will not last long around here LOL.

Congratulations on the trophy!!! So, were they surprised?! That must have felt amazing!!! It can be a tough one to get through because if you get a really tough letter in red and nothing to go with it it can be maddening! I would get to level 14 1/2 and wouldn't be able to get rid of the cracked ones, even with scrambling a couple of times and it drove me batty!! But I got through it {phew!}

What a pretty flower for them to get you! OK here's some tips: keep it warm; keep it well moistened, and feed it some plant food. They make special stuff just for african violets and all you do is just follow the directions. If you feed it then you can abuse it a little more because it will be stronger. I hope it sticks around for a little while at least!

Originally Posted by Aiorna

I love Webkinz because everything is captioned!...everything the characters say and all the activities. You don't need to hear to play on the site. If I don't understand something, I just ask my mom. So in a way there are modifications for Deaf kids.

Does anyone use switch devices with this site? I'm curious to know, because I have a friend in my class with limited mobility and she uses a switch for the computer. I'd love for her to be able to play on Webkinz.

P.S. My mom helped me make this post

Hello! I rarely have the sound on when I am playing in there (or on the computer in general) and I have found that anywhere you go in there you don't need to. It is wonderful that way!

I do not know of anyone using a switch device, although I have heard of another child using a touch screen for WW.

Welcome to the WI and the thread!

[LittleDog]

Originally Posted by Blackie_Lab2003

I get it. We should pop up some ideas!

And THANK YOU for getting me! Sorry. I'm just so used to getting yelled at about my ideas.

Oh Blackie_Lab, I can't believe you get yelled at! I love your posts and your dedication. You are really one of my personal heroes for all the things you say and do!

Originally Posted by auntiee2

Maybe Ganz'll come out with a site in-between the Jr. site and the regular site, for the more advanced special needs kids. You know not too simple but not too advanced--I know what I'm trying to say, but it's not coming our right. A place with no time constraints or possibly a longer time frame so the kids can process what they need to do? Does that sound about right?

I think I get you Blackie...

I am kinda stuck there with a few kids I see. They don't want Jr. and want to do the big kids site...however they are delayed motorically, and it is so heartbreaking for them. I wish you could do a parental input thing that could slow up some of the games.

[Blackie_Lab2003]

Thanks peoples. And I think they should put an option in My Options where WW is easier for those with special needs, like timers are removed, Webkinz are less needy, and the items are a bit cheaper for those who have trouble managing KinzCash, like how my brothers used to.

[LittleDog]

Originally Posted by Blackie_Lab2003

Thanks peoples. And I think they should put an option in My Options where WW is easier for those with special needs, like timers are removed, Webkinz are less needy, and the items are a bit cheaper for those who have trouble managing KinzCash, like how my brothers used to.

Brilliant idea!

[Electrabuzz1]

Originally Posted by meowsrus

Hello everyone!

Well, my luck streak has continued.... My little one fell out next to the house and fell on her sternum.

So when do ya wanna go shopping? I can't Saturday, but i think I can make it Sunday (or was it the other way around.) I'll check and get back to you!

How is the Marafun going? Get more walking in? That sounds like it would be great! They are doing an Autism walk all over the country (well, most, but not all places) and there are about 3 'near' us, but now we can't because of the girls' injuries. Oh well, there is always next year!

Congratulations on the trophy!!! So, were they surprised?! That must have felt amazing!!! It can be a tough one to get through because if you get a really tough letter in red and nothing to go with it it can be maddening! I would get to level 14 1/2 and wouldn't be able to get rid of the cracked ones, even with scrambling a couple of times and it drove me batty!! But I got through it {phew!}

I told you - padded room!!

I can't go shopping Saturday. It is my younger son's birthday!! We are having his friend's party at a play centre in the afternoon. He is really excited. My contact sold me a bunch of the Extravaganza pets to use in loot bags. My DS has 10 friend coming and it lasts for 3 hours. I was surprised with it being a long weekend here we only had 1 no. We have a family party here on Monday! I have to clean the house!

We do a ride for Autism every September. It is a lot of fun and my DS has had the third highest pledge amout three years in a row. Last year we raised $3000. I am not feeling optimistic about this year though with the economy the way it is.

The boys love the trophy!!

[Electrabuzz1]

Originally Posted by Blackie_Lab2003

Thanks peoples. And I think they should put an option in My Options where WW is easier for those with special needs, like timers are removed, Webkinz are less needy, and the items are a bit cheaper for those who have trouble managing KinzCash, like how my brothers used to.

Absolutely!! The site is fabulous but there are so many ways they could make it even better with minor adaptations.

[Blackie_Lab2003]

I have good news!

Last night my brother with PDD-NOS came up to me and asked if the Lil' Cocker Spaniel he was holding was his. Ever since the Webkinz Cares program came out, we have a lot of duplicates. I checked the tush tag (because I write names on them) and saw no names on it, so I knew it was his Zackson. We were both very excited, because Zackson was lost for months. The last time we saw him was when we gathered up our Kinz and hid them because we had a scare that we'd lose some Webkinz.