Computer Solutions for Disabled Learners and Employees Matt Harrison E-Learning Manager Portland...

Computer Solutions for Disabled Learners and Employees

Matt HarrisonE-Learning Manager

Portland College

Session Aims:

• To give an overview of the range of technology-based solutions available to those with disabilities.

• To present affordable, user-friendly options.

• To inspire you to consider using low-cost technology in your organisation.

Considerations:

• Individual’s abilities– Cognitive level– Motor skills and mobility

• Support / maintenance– Setting up– Maintenance and updates

• The environment– Shared equipment or desk?– Noise?

Internal Settings:

• Inbuilt accessibility getting better by the year.– Accessibility Options/Accessibility/Ease of

Access/Universal Access• Personalisation– Contrast ; magnification; screen reading; voice

input; keyboard etc.• Benefits– Free; assigned to user profile; transferable

between machines.

Hardware:

Hardware:

• Keyboards– Expanded; mini; high-vis; adjustable

• Mice– Left-handed; tackballs and joysticks; Mini;

adjustable; anti-tremor etc.

• Ergonomic equipment– Arm, wrist, back and foot supports; keyboard

risers.

Software:

Software:

• Visual impairment– Dolphin; Jaws; ZoomText; Guide

• Dyslexia– Dragon; Read & Write Gold

• Suites– MyStudyBar and MyVisBar

Tablets and Apps

Tablets and Apps

• Benefits– Portable– Ubiquity / Normality / Kudos = motivational– Range of apps• Swiss Army knife approach

• TextGrabber and ClaroSpeakUK Demo– OCR on the iPad – The £593 challenge!

Simple Technology:

Simple Technology:• Cheap, usable and effective!

• Boombox Plus– For audio prompts from a USB pen

• Talking Photo Album– Audiovisual prompts

• Digital keyrings– Discreet, portable, visual prompts

Contact:

Matt HarrisonE-Learning ManagerPortland College

mharrison@portland.ac.uk

(01623) 499100 Ext. 253