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