DakotaLinkAssistive Technology Program for

the State of South Dakota

Presented by:Patrick T. Czerny, ATP

Coordinator of Technical ServicesDakotaLink

1161 Deadwood Ave. #5Rapid City, SD 57702

pczerny@dakotalink.net

Department of Labor Staff Presentation 01-29-14

DakotaLink Program

DakotaLink is a program of the South Dakota Department of Human Services, Division of Rehabilitation Services administered by Black Hills Special Services Cooperative and funded in part through a grant from the United States Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services through the Rehabilitation Services Administration under Public Law 108-364, referred to as the Assistive Technology Act of 2004 or the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as amended.

Assistive Technology Defined in 2 Parts

• Assistive technology means any item, piece of equipment that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.

• An assistive technology service is any service that assist individuals to acquire, use, modify, or maintain an assistive technology device.

DakotaLink Mission and Goals

• Our mission is to assist individuals with functional limitations; due to a disability, illness, injury, or the effects of aging; maximize their potential whether at home or in the community, at school, at work, or at play through the use of Assistive Technology.

• Improving access - defined as information, knowledge, awareness and understanding

• Improving acquisition - defined as obtaining assistive technology devices and services

DakotaLink Program Activities

• Support and encourage financing efforts

• Support and encourage re-utilization efforts

• Provide short term loans of Assistive Technology devices

• Provide demonstrations of a variety of Assistive

Technology devices

• Provide training and technical assistance

• Conduct public awareness activities

• Support coordination activities between entities

DakotaLink Fee for Service

• Established in 1995

• Provide assessment, sales, installation and training

• Seven technicians are available to provide assistive

technology devices and services to individuals with

disabilities of all ages

• From start to finish, a one stop, turn key solution

• Offices in Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Brookings and

Aberdeen

Reading

• Enhances standard text Corrective lenses (eyeglasses), highlighting, colored overlays,

manually or electronically changing spacing, screen color/contrast adaptations

• Enlarges text and graphics Large print books, manual hand-held magnifiers, closed circuit

television (CCTV), screen magnification software

Reading

1. After a recent deterioration of his vision, John was unable to read printed material. DakotaLink provided him with a CCTV to magnify printed text. The device also enhances images. He also received screen magnification software for the computer. It allowed him to see the printed material and keep his job as a reservation agent.

Reading

• Converts text and graphics to speechTalking dictionary, tape recorded or talking books, talking word

-processor, screen reading software (to read any information on the computer) Scanned text reading software, video description of programs

• Converts text and graphics to Braille or other symbols Braille translation software and Braille printer, refreshable

Braille computer output, tactile graphic display systems

Reading

2. Richard is dyslexic. He is employed as a machinist at and owns a gun shop. He has trouble reading and writing. DakotaLink recommended an iPod with OCR software, as well as a computer with text to speech software. He is using his AT very successfully and has found that the iPod in particular is invaluable because he can take it with him and have printed materials read back quickly and easily. His AT has increased his efficiency at work and he experiences much less stress at work.

Writing

• Enhances standard writing Adaptive grip, adapted writing utensil, splints and wrist

supports, etc. Special paper, guides, slanted writing surface•  Replaces standard writing Electronic notetaker, electronic notetaker with Braille input,

Computer with standard keyboard/pointing device or with keyboard/pointing device enhancements. Keyguards, Alternative keyboards, on-screen keyboards, adaptive keyboards, trackballs, Computer with switch scanning

Writing

Writing

•  Replaces standard writing continuedWord prediction, abbreviation expansion and macros to

reduce keystroke input. Computer with voice recognition input

•  Enhances the composition of written expression Dictionary and thesaurus (print or electronic, may be talking),

word processing with spell checker, grammar checker, templates, etc. (may be talking). Abbreviation/ expansion and word prediction (to facilitate composition content and input speed) Voice recognition input (to facilitate composition content and input speed)

Writing

3. Steven is a judge who had a spinal cord injury at an early age. He has limited use of his hands. Although he has plenty of staff to assist him throughout the day he still has large amounts of emails and opinions to write. DakotaLink provided Steven with a Legal version of Dragon NaturallySpeaking to accomplish this goal. He was also given a large trackball that he could control with a closed fist.

Writing

4. Karen is a receptionist in a doctors office. She had a stroke which affected her ability to take notes and use the mouse on the computer. DakotaLink provided her with an adapted pen and trackball for the computer making her duties much easier to accomplish.

Math

• Mechanical or electronic devices to calculateCalculator with print output, talking calculator, talking scientific

calculator with large keypad or large LCD display, computer calculator, math development software, accounting software

•  Adapted measuring devicesTalking rulers and thermometers, measuring devices with

speech output, measuring devices with large print or LCD display, measuring devices with tactile output

Math

5. Richard is a cook at a school cafeteria. He was loosing his vision and having difficulty doing his job cooking and managing the rest of the kitchen staff. DakotaLink provided Richard with a variety of talking an tactile kitchen utensils that enabled his to continue with his work. He was also provided a CCTV.

Math

6. John is a carpenter who has difficulty reading the tape measure due to his dyslexia. DakotaLink was able to provide him with a talking tape measure. He was able to successfully keep his his job with this accommodation.

Memory and Organization

• Enhances or supplements attention, memory and organizational skills

Picture scheduler, visual organizers (color coded tabs and folders, color coded highlighters, etc.) Electronic managers or organizers. Speech output devices that provide verbal reminders for appointments, sequence of tasks, etc. Software to support organization of ideas, software with templates. Headphones or ear plugs, talking watches and clocks. Signaling systems (auditory, visual and tactile)

Memory and Organization

7. Sherry is a counselor who had a tumor removed from her brain. She was having difficulty taking notes when with her clients and keeping her schedule. She was also having difficulty with eye strain on the computer. DakotaLink provided her with an Echo Pen which she used to record her sessions and then play back what she needed reminding on with the included recorder. She was also provided a text to speech program on the computer to reduce eye strain. Google Calendar was used to help make and rememberappointments.

Memory and Organization

8. Mary is an young lady with a developmental disability since birth. She works at a motel cleaning rooms and is responsible to get herself on the bus and to work. She was provided an app on the iPod called Visual Impact Pro. Her entire daily routine was recorded step by step in the program. Instructions were given to her out loud and then as she completed that task she could push next on the program. She was much more independent in her daily routine then previous.

Speech

• Enhances speech Speech amplifier, Speech clarifier • Supplements/replaces speech production with text Communication board/book, text display or print output with an

electronic notetaker or computerSupplement or replaces speech production electronicsArtificial larynx, digitally recorded or computer generated

speech output communication devices with a large number of messages that can be stored and retrieved

Speech

9. Wayne is a realtor who had a stroke. He lost his speech but still wanted to carry on with his professional career. DakotaLink provided him with an iPad with a communication application loaded it. He was able to use this device for communication in person and for distance communication with others while out in the field via email.

Speech

10. Mike is a janitor who communicates with his supervisor and peers. He also periodically communicates with customers in the store where he works. He must provide them with information and directions. He has stuttered all of his life and this was jeopardizing his job. DakotaLink assisted Mike in acquiring an electronic device that he wore similar to a hearing aid. By hearing himself speak his stuttering improved dramatically.

Hearing

• Enhances sound and speech reception Hearing aid, cochlear implant, assistive listening systems (FM.

infrared, induction loop, etc.)• Converts speech to textCaptioning of video and TV, computer assisted real-time

captioning (CART), Computer assisted notetaking (CAN) • Enhances or replaces auditory signaling systems.Signaling systems for computers, telephone, clocks, fire, etc

(loud auditory, visual and tactile)

Hearing

12. A Deaf woman from Honduras needed assistance with communication. The difficulty was that she did not speak English and used Honduran sign language. An iPhone with Spanish translation software was provided which could speak the English translation to assist with communication. Using this device, she was able to find employment. She was also provided with alerting systems in her home in order to get ready for or be called in to work at any time.

Orientation, Mobility or Ambulation

• Enhances orientation, mobility, or ambulation function White canes, auditory location signaler systems, tactile

signage, grab bars, lever handles, door openers. Canes, walkers, stair glides, ramps. Speech output devices that provide verbal directions

• Supplements/replaces orientation, mobility, or ambulation function

Remote environmental controls (to control lights, appliances, doors, etc.) Manual or power wheelchairs and scooters

Orientation, Mobility or Ambulation

13. Todd was an engineer who used a wheelchair in a large plant. He worked in the inner office but needed to visit the production area in back many times during the day. DakotaLink provided multiple door openers so he could easily run back and forth to the back of the plant. He could also enter and leave the plant with the openers provided.

Orientation, Mobility or Ambulation

14. Charles was a farmer who injured his back in a farming accident. DakotaLink work with him to provide automatic gates on his farm along with automatic hitching PTO’s on his farm machinery. He will able to successfully keep his farming operation going.

Access to Work Site or Training Programs

• Provides equal access to work material, media and instruction

Modified or specialized desk, ergonomic chair, file cabinets, copy machines and other office equipment. Page-turner, book holder, electric stapler, monitor stand electric scissors, etc.

Alternative format print materials (large print, Braille, electronic, etc.

Access to Work Site or Training Programs

• Provides equal access to work material, media and instruction continued

Adjusted or alternative input and output for computers, electronic, and on-line media. Telephone access (TTY, VCO, amplified phone, etc.) Adjusted or alternative output for audio-visual media (captioning, video description, amplified audio output, magnified video output, audio/video conferencing etc.)

Access to Work Site or Training Programs

• Provides equal access to the work or training environment

Physical accessibility of buildings, restrooms, classrooms, library, workspace, desks, etc.

Emergency signaling systems (visual fire alarms, etc.) Alternative signage (raised lettering, Braille)Workstation relocation

DakotaLinkAssistive Technology Program for

the State of South Dakota

Patrick T. Czerny, ATPCoordinator of Technical ServicesDakotaLink1161 Deadwood Ave. #5Rapid City, SD 577021-800-645-0673pczerny@dakotalink.net

www.dakotalink.tie.netwww.dakotalink.net