Springfield resident Caitlynn McTernan, a member of Girl Scout Troup 40-739 and Gold Award candidate, has partnered with the Springfield Free Public Library to make assistive technology for people with learning disabilities more available to members of the general public. During the project roll out, which is scheduled to take place in the library’s Palmer Museum from 2:30 to 3:30 PM on Sunday, January 27, Ms. McTernan will demonstrate a variety of apps, including SnapType, ModMath, Co-Writer, Voice Dream/Reader/Writer and Photomath.
Resources available also include such non-digital tools as whisper phones, pencil weights and grips, a slant board and other handwriting aids. Both the digital and non-digital aids may prove helpful for people with a wide range of learning disabilities including dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, Central Auditory Processing Disorder, and ADHD/ADD. Ms. McTernan’s goal for this project is to provide a way for people with learning disabilities to see which assistive technologies work best for them before going out and making expensive purchases.
Through fundraising efforts which included generous donations from both the Springfield Rotary Club and the Springfield Lions Club, Ms. McTernan was able to purchase two iPads which were loaded with the assistive apps which may be checked out for a two week period by adult Springfield residents who hold a valid library card with the Springfield Free Public Library. When checked out from the library, the iPads will also include instruction manuals prepared by Ms. McTernan.
In addition to the donations received from local service organizations, Ms. McTernan raised approximately $225 from a bake sale that she conducted. She also received gift card donations from family members and from some of her teachers at Jonathan Dayton High School, plus additional apps in the form of access codes and free subscriptions from several software developers, for a total value of about $1,500.
The Girl Scout Gold Award is an 80-hour individual community service project that is similar in scope to the Eagle Scout award of the Boy Scouts. It is the highest award that is offered by the Girl Scouts and is earned by only about 5.4% of eligible Girl Scouts nationwide. Ms. McTernan has participated in Girl Scouting for the past 14 years and her current troop leaders are Cristi Knee and Simone Miller. Ms. Knee also serves as Ms. McTernan’s troop advisor for this project while Springfield Free Public Library Director Dale Spindel is the project advisor.