Spring 2023
Week 1 (2/3/2023)
This week I researched potential projects I would like to work on. One of the projects is to build a multisensory room at 370 Jay Street in Brooklyn. I researched about multisensory rooms, such as different designs and components.
Week 2 (2/10/2023)
This week I worked on researching what a multisensory room is as well as what components go into a multisensory room. I brainstormed some possible items for the room, such as 3D printing a tactile board/balls or a pendulum. I also looked at some research articles for specific multisensory rooms to see how they work.
Week 3 (2/17/2023)
The multisensory room group thought of adding cloud/ceiling lights to the room. To do this the Circuit Playground will be used, which is a small circuit. I worked on researching how to use/code Circuit Playground to create lights.
Week 4 (2/24/2023)
This week the multisensory room group worked on the Circuit Playground Adafruit circuit and got the lights to work. The lights are programmed to change colors after a few seconds. Initial designs of the physical cloud light were also built using paper lanterns and cotton.
Week 5 (3/03/2023)
A physical working cloud light with the Circuit Playground Adafruit circuit inside was built.
Week 6 (3/10/2023) and Seven (3/17/2023)
Working on creating more cloud lights for the multisensory room.
Week 7 (3/24/2023)
Decided to add light/sound sensors to Circuit Playground Adafruit circuit. Researching on how to code for light/sound.
Week 8 (3/31/2023)
Plan to create both lantern/cotton ball cloud lights as well 3D printed version of various shapes and textures. Researching on how to code for light and sound sensors. Some ideas for new lights include a globe design cluster of lights and a spiral pattern in a 3D printed light.
Week 9 (4/7/2023)
I am working on coding the light and sound sensors for the Circuit Playground Adafruit circuit. The multisensory group also discussed possibly using a paper lantern with cupcake wrappers all over the outside for the physical light.
Week 10 (4/14/2023)
Working on coding light and sound sensors for the circuit.
Week 11 (4/21/2023)
Working on coding light, movement, sound sensors for the circuit (Circuit Playground Bluefruit).
Week 12 (4/28/2023)
The light and movement sensors are working (when the circuit is moved it turns purple), and when a specific button is pressed (such as button A) a red light appears.
Week 13 (5/05/2023)
This week was the last week for VIP of the Spring 2023 semester. I learned a lot during my first semester on the Everyday Assistive Technology VIP, such as researching and planning what goes into a multisensory room. The first stage of this project involved focusing on one key component of the room, which were the lights. First, we built a cloud light out of paper lanterns and cotton balls in our first prototype. The next step was to add a working light. The Circuit Playground Bluefruit circuit includes multiple sensors and lights that people can interact with. Over the semester, I worked on programming the circuit. Since the circuit includes light sensors, temperature sensors, motion sensors, and sound sensors, the next step is to determine and code the best combination for people to interact with (such as sound controlled light, or music with different colors of light).
Fall 2023
Week 1 (9/8/2023)
First meeting of the VIP for the Fall semester. This week I explored new projects to work on for the Fall semester. One of the projects I would like to work on is to help transcribe music scores using the Sibelius software for blind and low vision students at The Filomen M. D’Agostino Greenberg Music School (FMDG) in New York City.
Week 2 and Week 3 (9/15/2023 and 9/22/2023)
Learning how to use the Sibelius software to transcribe music scores.
Week 4 and Week 5 (9/29/2023 and 10/6/2023)
Learning how to write braille for music notes.
Week 6 (10/13/2023)
Practice transcribing music into braille before starting on sheet music.
Week 7 and 8 (10/20/2023 and 10/27/2023)
I am continuing to learn how to write braille for music. I have started to transcribe small chunks of music into braille on paper before I use the Sibelius software.
Week 9 (11/3/2023)
This week I met with Pablo from the FMDG Music School to discuss working on braille music transcription. I was introduced to the Sao Mai Braille (SMB) transcription software by the Sao Mai Center for the Blind. This software automatically converts music scores/notes into braille.
Week 10 and 11 (11/10/2023 and 11/17/2023)
I worked on learning how to use the Sao Mai Braille software. I was able to upload music notes into the software from MuseScore, which was converted into braille by SMB.
Screenshot of first Sao Mai Braille Transcription:
