Jameslarkin Supply (James Larkin Smith in RL) will present a workshop which explores how Second Life enables those that would otherwise face obstacles in real life are enriching their lives in fascinating and even, rehabilitating, ways. Jameslarkin Supply is the creator of the popular radio show “The Morning Coffee Mix®” which is simulcast on the web & in Second Life®. In 2004 James suffered a life changing brain aneurysm & stroke. He enjoys promoting real life applications in virtual worlds, and encouraging people recovering from life changing events, such as strokes. Before his stroke, James was a senior research technician with ExxonMobil Chemical, specializing in paint and coating research & development. He also has a degree in music.
This workshop will look at how disabled users can enrich their lives through the use of Second Life®. Jameslarkin will share his story along with how Second Life ministers to some of the physical, psychological, and social difficulties faced by the disabled. The workshop will discuss technical needs of the disabled community, and see how they are adapting the interface for their particular disability. There will be a practical tips-and-tricks time, plus a discussion of what the future holds for people with special needs in the virtual community.
FYI, if you are looking for me in-world, my name is Jameslarken Supply. The “larken” part has an “e”, not an “i”. Folks always seem to get my name confused with a tv character with that name but different spelling. Looking forward to seeing everyone in San Fan:)
im a quadripelegic i broke my neck 2 years ago at age 17. iv found socializing is easier on sl than in rl. iv met wonderful people in the sl world people who dont judge me. i am so fortunate to have rl friends & family also. as is everyone. but my sl friends are just as special to me. i am a c5-c6 quad so i have limited upper body strength. but playing sl for a couple hours a day has made me so much stronger. i have to use my arms & muscles in ways that they arent used by just surfing the web. my adaptive equipment for using my computer does not work for me when playing sl. but i love sl so much that i took a chance trying to use my computer without adaptive equipment. i then figured out ways to push keys & click & drag ect. i now use my computer independantly & use it as part of a physical therapy routine. in conclusion sl is perfect for disabled people
thank you for reading
I cannot make it to SF for the ‘conference’ but do know folks who have had strokes and am in a position to use sl to make their lives a little better.
Will there be a synopsis of your comments and tips and tricks for using sl for those afflicted with strokes, from memory loss to loss of motor function and aphasia available to interested sl regulars?
@ Nichole . It’s wonderful to see how SL is of such benefit for you, as it is for me also. As I finalize the workshop, I would love to hear more about you and how you are adapting the interface for yourself. Look me up in world, or you can email me at jameslarkensmith@yahoo.com .
i have mobility problems and am disabled and use second life as my first life.
@Harry . I will have the workshop material available both in world and on my website. I will be covering the areas you mentoned. It’s wonderful that you want to help others:)))
@fang . I would love to hear from you and see how SL is both benefiting you, and if you have made any shortcuts to help you out:) I find it wonderful to see it has become your first life:)
i would like to know more about this as i have a RL Disablity
you can contact me inworld as i live too far away to come
( I live in Sydney australia ) GMT +10 Time Zone
hope to hear a reply back soon
It was wonderful to meet you inworld today! A friend had suggested I look over the pages for SLCC, even though I have almost no chance of attending, just to see what all the events are. I was ecstatic to see you’re doing a workshop on this topic. I can honestly say I’m eternally grateful to SL for giving me back my ability to dance, albeit in avatar form. This has been the key that released me from a 30 year prison stifling my inner dancer from a 1978 accident, various illnesses which caused more inability and life circumstances that hamper abilities and opportunities. Thank you Secondlife, and thank you James for having the workshop! Happy Dancing!
@Kalmak I’ve sent you a friend invite inworld. Would love to talk to you:)
@Phoenixa SL has done for you in dance what it did for me in music:) Looking forward to talking more in world:)
Nichole!! You’ve inspired me to stop complaining about the little tendinitis in my thumb that flares up when I do SL for a few hours at a time… Gosh I’m such a wimp! Hope to see you at SLCC!!
@filthy. At least you have thumbs. Look us up at the SLCC and I will show you why
I am a librarian in SL, and I would love to hear how library services could be adapted in SL to better help disabled users. I will not be able to make the convention. I am curious as to why none of it is being held in SL?
@Jenymn I’ll make sure that the workshop has an inworld prescence, whether live or redeliver within SL. I’ll be looking a little bit at some areas you mention too:)
I am disabled and live in pain 24/7. I take morphine but if I took enough to kill the pain, I’d sleep 16 hours a day. I can’t work because of the pain. But SL enables me to feel like I’m doing SOMETHING as I run a business inworld, something I couldn’t do in the real world. I have a lot of great friends in SL, and since my time online depends on my pain level, I can be online at 4am and not be alone. SL is great for people with disabilities because because we come in as equals to everyone else. Most my shoppers don’t know I’m disabled, and I can work when I have the time, not punching a clock. … I could go on about how it makes us equal, but I’m sure that you all realize that part by now. … I will say that I was hoping to go to the SLCC but because I am on disability, even though I live near SF, I just can’t afford the full ticket. Someone just told me there are now day passes, so I’m going to check that out and see what I can do. Hopefully I’ll get to come to one of your panels/workshops. But if I don’t… keep up the good work. I was ecstatic to recently see when logging in a new av for a friend that there was a new island for this subject. …. Hope to see you there!
@Tiea Aeon, I hope you get to come for a day. If you cannot come to the convention, would love to meet and talk with you in SL for sure:) I’m so glad to see how much SL has helped you! Look me up:)
Hi James Larken, I work with the ROF group in SL. I’m a bit disabled myself. I’m very interested in the support and freedom that SL offers those with challenges. I’m hoping to come to SLCC for one day. I can’t find the time and date for your workshop on the SLCC site. Can you let me know? A link to the info would be helpful too. I would love to attend and meet you. Hopefully, it is the same day as Gentle Heron’s panel. Regards, Carlo