Tools and Techniques for Access: Assistive Technology

Kaela Parks, DirectorDisability Services

Portland Community College

Definitions - Assistive Technology

What is assistive technology?According to the United States Assistive Technology Act of 1998, assistive technology refers to:

“any product, device, or equipment, whether acquired commercially, modified or customized, that is used to maintain, increase, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities."

Definitions – Adaptive Computing

What is adaptive computing?The use of computer software and hardware to maintain, increase, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.

Online Content Providers1) Be aware of the tools end users maybe relying

upon 2) Make online information and services accessible

Understanding the Trend

More mainstream products and services are offering accessibility related features as part of the standard.

Mobile devices

Aging population

Expectation for ease of use

TTY, Texts, Video, and Relay Calls

A TTY (teletypewriter) allows people to communicate over the phone by keying in responses and reading.

High speed internet & webcam or video phone lets individuals communicate directly with American Sign Language.

Relay services are free and easy for traditional telephone users.

Interactive chat can be a good complement to phone lines.

Transcribers and Captions

ASL Interpreters and TypeWell Transcribers or CART Providers are communication access professionals

TypeWell and CART provide realtime text transcripts

Services can be offered remotely, through events such as webinars

Voice Recognition

Voice recognition runs on computers, phones, and more.

High quality microphones with active noise cancelling are essential for good results on computers

Voice recognition can be used for both dictation and command control

Apps are flourishing

Filling forms should be easy

See it and say it navigation

Modified Mice - Trackballs

The Philips Speech Mike contains a small trackball, trigger style mouse buttons, a speaker, and a microphone all in one ergonomically designed product.

This trackball has buttons that are flush to the sides of the unit. This means the click can be activated with the forearm or elbow if needed. Users without fine motor control can use gross movements to control mouse movement and action.

Head MouseA head mouse works by having a wireless optical sensor track a tiny target that is placed on the forehead or glasses of the user. This is especially useful with an on-screen keyboard.

The camera mouse is a program that uses a standard webcam and is absolutely free! www.cameramouse.com

The Jouse is a joystick-operated USB mouse that is controlled with the mouth or chin. Mouse clicks can be performed with “sip and puff” technology.

On-Screen Keyboard

Onscreen Keyboards with word prediction software cut down keystrokes.

Dasher is an alternative on screen text input method that is absolutely free. It is like “driving through the alphabet” and it works great on handhelds.

Alternate Keyboards

DataHand minimizes repetitive motion by using magnetic switches for an extremely light touch.

• For users who can use only one hand or who need to use their other hand with a stylus or other device.

Refreshable Braille Display

This refreshable Braille display converts text into Braille.

The Braille notetaker uses a Braille keyboard and display, connects to the Internet, relays GPS information, reads and writes email, and composes word processing documents.

Pictures in a Flash (PIAF)

The tactile image enhancer uses special paper with a layer of polymer capsules.

The paper can be run through a photocopier and then through the heat unit, and the dark parts swell.

Remember that images online may be requested in alternate formats.

Magnification

A tabletop video magnifier enables a user to view a variety of objects, pictures, and printed materials. Settings usually include full color, black and white, or high contrast and may provide OCR with speech output.

Lightweight and portable handheld devices can be used anywhere.

ZoomText with Speech

Magnification with display adjustments

Reading all or parts of the pageTools include Image Reader

Read and Write Gold

Reads out loud in a choice of voices

Screenshot capture with OCR

Talking/Picture dictionary

Vocabulary builder

Fact Mapper

Free Apps and Extensions

NVDA (Windows)Serotek System Access (Windows)Apple VoiceOver (OS X)ORCA (Linux)WebAnywhere (All OSs, Web

browsers)Spoken Web (Internet Explorer)ChromeVox (Google Chrome)

Closing Thoughts

There are a lot of powerful technologies that can mitigate barriers and increase access

Many mainstream options offer usability features that are helpful for a range of users

Access technologies rely on quality accessible source information

There are lots of ways to learn more!