Assistive Tech: Part 2

Computer Use By People with Disabilities

Questions to Ask

• What does the person want to be able to do with his/her computer?

• How will (s)he use the computer? (what does that mean?)– Get information into it– Get information out of it– Turn on/off– Use peripherals (like printer)

Computers are comprised of:

• Hardware– CPU- central processing unit- the brains of the

computer. the parts of the computer that make it think. includes the RAM, ROM, processor, etc

– input device(s)• Keyboard• Pointing device (mouse)

– output device(s)• Monitor• Printer

• Software

Software

• Operating System– Windows (PC)– Mac OS– ***Accessibility Features

• Other software– word processing– spread sheet– Games– learning software

• evaluating software for use

Input devices

• Keyboard• Pointing Device• Voice

– Dragon Systems Naturally Speaking– Via Voice

• Fax/email (file transmission)

QWERTY Keyboard layout

Alphabetic Keyboard layout

Frequency of Use Layout

DVORAK 2-hand layout

Head pointer

Typing Aid

Mouthstick

Magic Wand

• Headmouse• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

VKsIoZ9oa_Y

Tech for reading and writing

• Keyboard enhancement– Word prediction– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWEKwJ-BBJ4&fea

ture=related

– Abbreviation expansion– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2dUDyCNHjk

• Auditory feedback– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsljT3K8lpo

Single switch access for computer

Switches

Output Devices

• Printer• Monitor• Fax/email (file transmission)

Computers in the Workplace

• Stand alone• Network

– Are many computers in the same office ‘tied’ together?

• Impact of Adaptations– Will other people

try to use the computer with adaptations?

Technology for People with Sensory Impairments- Blind/low

vision• Auditory description• Talking books• Cane/guide dog

Technology for People with Sensory

Impairments- Blind and Low Vision

• Speech output(such as JAWS for Windows)

• Magnification• Braille display• Braille printer

Braille display of text onmonitor. Allows blind userto read through work.

Refreshable display.

Sighted Electronicswww.sighted.com

• Hearing aid• Cochlear implant• Open/closed caption• American Sign

Language• Real time captioning

Technology for People with Sensory

Impairments- Deaf and Hearing Impaired

Older Adulthood• Dementia

– Prompts and reminders• Talking alarm clock• Pill Timer (http://www.forgettingthepill.com/timers.html)• Medication reminder (https://www.medminder.com/?

gclid=CPvTueGyg6gCFUSo4AodgSg2cQ)– Memos

• Voice cue (http://www.enablemart.com/Catalog/Attainment-Company/Voice-Cue)

– Safety • Telemedicine/surveillance• Monitor (http://www.5min.com/Video/Home-Monitor-Help-for-

Elders-165234082)• eNeighbor Remote Monitoring

(http://www.healthsense.com/index.php/products/remote-monitoring)

Tech for Older Adults, continued

• Communication-telephone– http://www.snapfon.com/?gclid=CLn9nd22g6gCFYje4Aod6Vv-rA– http://www.cordlessworkz.com/jitterbug-phone.aspx?

gclid=CPvQqv22g6gCFUiK4Aod6kY-pA

• Aging in Place http://www.ageinplacetech.com

Resources/Professional Organizations• Professional Organizations-

– Standards of Practice– Code of Ethics

• APTA (American Physical Therapy Association)

• ASHA (American Speech and Hearing Association)

• AOTA (Amercian Occupational Therapy Association)- www.aota.org– Generalist v. specialist– Technology Special Interest Section (Tech SIS)

• Listserv• Newsletter

• RESNA (REHABILITATION ENGINEERING AND ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY SOCIETY OF NORTH AMERICA)- interdisciplinary association for the advancement of rehabilitation and assistive technologies (AT). – 1700 North Moore Street, Suite 1540 – Arlington, VA 22209-1903 – Phone: 703-524-6686]– www. resna.org– Membership

• PSG (Professional Specialty Group)• SIG (Special Interest Group)

– Credentialling Program• ATP or ATS• Qualifications to sit for exam

• NRRTS (The National Registry of Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers)– NRRTS Headquarters

• P.O. Box 4033• Lago Vista, TX 78645-4033• 512/267-6832

• ADED (Association of Driver Educators for the Disabled)– Ricardo Cerna, Executive Secretary– PO Box 49– Edgerton, WI 53534– 608.884.8833

• Resources– Conferences

• AOTA National Conference- Technology Lab: ECU and Computer based technologies

• RESNA Annual Conference• Closing the Gap- 612.248.3294• CSUN- Cal State Northridge• Abilities Expo May, 2011• Assistive Technology Industry Association

(ATIA)

• Publications• Assistive Technology- RESNA’s journal;

peer-reviewd• AOTA Tech SIS Newsletter