But that’s not all. The iPod also has apps that help the Grade 8 South Queens Junior High School student communicate. Colp uses sign language to speak.
“I bought a pizza, and I wrote my name on a raffle ticket, and I won the draw, and I won this iPod touch,” says Colp.
Having a raffle for an iPod touch was one of the many things Liverpool Regional High School’s Teens Against Drinking and Driving (TADD) chapter has done this school year. Committee members raised money, bought the iPod touch and sold pizza to raffle the iPod at a Valentine’s Day dance at the junior high school.
Kaitlin Scott is a TADD committee member and has been part of the group’s many initiatives, including being in the Santa Claus parade.
“We did a float with a wrecked car to show this can happen, and we handed out lifesavers that said ‘save a life’ on them,” she says.
TADD had bake sales to raise money throughout the year. The group also raised money to bring a MADD presentation to the school last week. The presentation cost about $700.
The day of the dance, Scott drew Colp’s name, and Colp got her prize the following day.
“I was surprised and happy to have this iPod because I use it for communicating with people because I’m deaf,” says Colp.
Two apps on the device help Colp communicate. One is called Speak It and the other Sign for Me. The latter provides sign-language instruction in 3-D. For example, if Colp types, ‘How are you?’ the person she’s communicating with will see a character sign the question. There is also a note pad Colp uses to type.
Colp says she also uses the iPod to play games and for relaxation activities.
Last week, South Queens Junior High School students also saw a MADD presentation. Colp says she found the presentation very emotional.
“I think they’re really good because they’re trying to teach teenagers to not drink and drive,” says Colp about the members of TADD.
She says TADD is something she could see herself maybe being part of in high school.
After she won the iPod, Colp wrote a thank-you card to TADD and walked up to the high school to deliver it and show the apps to some of the group members.
