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Assistive Technology and Vocational Services

Presenter:Lorraine Norwich

Assistive Technology SpecialistBSME, MSIS

Community Work Services

OverviewHistory and BackgroundWays to Access Assistive TechnologyWorking as a TeamHigh and Low Tech Assistive TechnologyVocational PracticesAdditional Information

History and Background

What is Assistive Technology

Any item, piece of equipment, or system,whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is commonly used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. (Tech Act : 1988)

Time Line for Assistive Technology (AT)

1973 – Rehabilitation Act 19731982 – Formal look at value of AT1985 – Abledata Assistive Technology Database1988 – Assistive Technology device name defined1997 –Mandated that AT is included in IEP’s2001 – CARF Accreditation eligibility

AccreditationIn 2001 the Commission of Accrediting Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) issued an Employment and Community Services Standards manual for Assistive Technology to review and accredit Assistive Technology. This demonstrated the need for quality control in measuring accuracy for Assistive Technology services.

Ways to Access Assistive Technology

Obtaining Assistive Technology Services

Assistive Technology services are provided through State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies like: Massachusetts Rehabilitation CommissionMassachusetts Commission for BlindMassachusetts Commission for Deaf and Hard of HearingAgencies have criteria for delivery of services

State AgenciesIf you are eligible for services with a Vocational State Agency you will be assigned a Counselor and it will be determined if you are eligible for Assistive Technology ServicesA Vendor or In-house Assistive Technology specialist will be assigned to a case to do an evaluation and the required procurement and training.

Obtaining Assistive Technology Services –

Additional Sources

Veterans AdministrationWorking directly with Vocational Rehabilitation Organizations Assistive Technology Departments

One Off DesignsUniversities work with students to do Assistive Technology designs for example Worcester Polytechnic Booth to see examplesDedicated designshttp://www.me.wpi.edu/Research/ATRC/About/tour.htmlhttp://epicsnational.ecn.purdue.edu/index.php

Beginning of Assistive Technology

Background on Books: In 1452, Gutenberg, conceives of the idea for movable type. He brings together the technologies of paper, oil-based ink and the wine-press to print books. Think of this as Analog books

Background on Computers1936 – Invented Computer1958 – Chip design began1964 _ Computer mouse and windows (mouse because tail came out)1971 – Floppy disc allowed flexibility1985 – Home computers and windows.

History of Computers and Hand Held Devices

Working as a Team

Need to know:Medical History of the person

Other therapy the person is going throughGood to interact with others on the team

Helps to:Set up a realistic goal for the person

Know what kind of equipment to prescribe or begin working with

Some Considerations when Selecting Assistive

TechnologyPhysical limitationsWhat are their technical skillsLearning StyleReading levelHow motivated are theyDo they think this is a quick fixWhat are the goals

“The greatest impediment to a person’s taking full part in his society is not his physical flaws, but rather the issue of myths, fears and misunderstandings that society attaches to them”

Assistive Technology Allows Us To

Take away some of the stumbling blocks in life

High Tech and

Low Tech Assistive Technology

Computer Input Devices

Mice and Trackballs

Alternative Keyboards

Speech to Text

Mice and Trackballs

Different types of Mice and Trackballs make it easier to access the computer

PerFit Mouse Roller Mouse

Trackballs

Vertical Mouse

KeyboardsExamples of Alternative

keyboards

Small Keyboard Numeric Keypad

KeyboardsExamples of Alternative

keyboards

Left handed Keyboard Large Print labels

KeyboardsExamples of Alternative

keyboards

Colored Keyboards

Talking Calculator

Worksite Adaptations

Office Equipment

Speech on ComputerComputer can make sounds when the cone of a computer speaker oscillatesEach oscillation creates a soundSounds can be heard as simulated voice on the computer called synthesized speech.Synthesized speech allows people to listen to text, www etc. to being read on the computer.

Screen Readers

Makes “Text-to-speech” on the computerA screen reader is a software program that uses synthesized speech to "speak" text and graphics out loud. This type of program is used by people with learning disabilities,limited vision and people who are blind.

ScanningIf you can not get the information from the hard drive, a disc or the WWW you may need to scan the information onto a disc.Scanning is a proces of using an electronic input device to convert analog information such as print material, maps, photographs, etc., into a digital format usable by a computer or hand held device.

E-BooksAn ebook is an electronic (or digital) version of a book. The term is used ambiguously to refer to either an individual work in a digital format, or a device used to read books in digital format. The second usage should be deprecated in favour of the more precise "ebook device".

Functional Illiteracyhttp://www.bentley.edu/events/agingbydesign2006/documents/gribbons.pptLearning Disabilities that went undiagnosedNo longer able to do the jobs that they could when they were younger

JawsUsed mainly for People who are

visually impaired

Hot keys – are used to work with Jaws e.g.. Open is Ctrl + O

Magnification SoftwareZoomtext and BigShot

Hands Free InputSpeech to Text

Dragon Naturally SpeakingSpeech to Text Software 

J-SayIf a person has visual and manual dexterity problemshttp://www.ngtvoice.com/products/software/jsay/presentations.htmAllows people to use Jaws and Dragon Naturally Speaking together

Kurzweil 3000Used for People who are Learning

Disabled – Mouse Driven

Kurzweil Demonstration

Go to this URL to see a demonstration

http://www.kurzweiledu.com/k300demo/

Read & Write Gold

http://www.texthelp.com/rwg.asp?q1=products&q2=rwg

Free Screen readerNarrator

Narrator is the free text-to-speech found on MicrosoftNarrator included in Windows XP and can be accessed simply by pressing the 'windows' key and U. You have to copy what you are going to listen to

Inbuilt Accessibility Features

Microsofthttp://www.microsoft.com/enable/products/windowsxp/default.aspx

Apple Accessibilityhttp://www.apple.com/accessibility/

ORCAOrca is a free, open source, flexible, extensible, and powerful assistive technology for people with visual impairments.Developed by Sun Microsystemshttp://live.gnome.org/Orca/

ReadPleaseFree Version of this Screen readerWeb Site for 2003 versionhttp://www.readplease.com/You have to copy what you are going to listen to

Hand Held DevicesDigital Hand held devices allow students to walk around and listen to informationComparison of devices

http://www.rfbdnj.org/equipcompare.htmlComparison of Digital Software Products

http://www.rfbdnj.org/softcompare.html

Vocational Practices

Vocational Evaluations and Assistive Technology

Vocational Evaluation: A comprehensive process that systematically uses standardized tests, work, either real or simulated, as the focal point for assessment and vocational exploration, the purpose of which is to assist individuals in vocational development.

Vocational TestsReading Comprehension and Number Operations tests

ABLE – Adult Basic Learning ExaminationWRAT – Wide Range Achievement TestRAI – Reading and Arithmetic Index

Combining Assistive Technology and Vocational

Test Standardized tests can be used with Assistive Technology to determine grade point levelAssistive Technology can be used to determine typing speedAssistive Technology can be used with MathAssistive Technology can be used to help teach English as second language

Assistive Technology to determine grade point

level

Tests are scanned into alternate format Screen reader are used to administer the tests Compare test administered without Assistive Technology

Assistive Technology to determine typing speed

Dragon Naturally Speaking can be used with some typing tests

Different input devices like alternate keyboards – small keys or flat keyboard show different typing speeds

Assistive Technology with Vocational Evaluations

Vocational testing can be administered with Assistive Technology

These tests can help identify areas that will be helped with Assistive Technology

Job Descriptions

• Look at the areas of need

• Determine what is needed

• Assistive Technology can be one of the solutions.

Work with the EmployerWork with the existing computer set upWork with the IT departmentsWork as a consultant to make technical adaptations without “interrupting” the security settings

Work as a team

E-LearningOnline course can be used with Assistive TechnologyCourses are set up to be Accessible and Section 508 compliant Education of the future for both teachers and students

Additional Information

Running the Boston Marathon

ConclusionTechnology is changing at a very rapid paceAssistive Technology Off the shelf products or Dedicated designs

Help provide some solutions