terrific tools for transitioning denise barton schuler, ms, atp maryland technology assistance...
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Terrific Tools for
Transitioning
Denise Barton Schuler, MS, ATPMaryland Technology Assistance
Program
About MDTAP
Maryland TAP makes disability-related technology more available, affordable, and usable for Maryland
residents with disabilities.
“To build a better life, you need the right tools.”
What is Assistive Technology?
“Any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired
commercially off-the-shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or
improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities”
The Bottom Line:
“For people without disabilities, technology
makes things easier. For people with disabilities,
technology makes things possible.”
IBM Training Manual - 1991
Low-Tech Tools
Writing aids: writing bird pencil grips tennis ball
Deaf / Hard of Hearing
Blind / Low Vision
Adaptive Computer Access
Cognitive / Memory Aids
“Smart” Technologies
Built-in Accessibility for Vision Access
iDevices
VoiceOver Siri (iPhone 4s
only) Zoom White on Black Speak selection
Tactile buttons Large text Audible, Visible
and Vibrating alerts
Assignable ringtones
Built-in Accessibility for Auditory Access - iDevices
FaceTime
Closed Captioning
iMessage
Mono Audio
Visual and Vibrating Alerts
Visual Voicemail
TTY Support
Criteria for Evaluating Apps
What do you want the app to accomplish?
By using the app, will the person be able to successfully complete his/her job and/or task?
Does the app “back up” to a computer? Is there additional support needed?
Is there technical or user support from the developer?
Does the user require additional training to learn how to use the app? Is the app user-friendly?
Criteria for Evaluating Apps
Does the user have the ability to use the app? Consider cognitive, visual, hearing and physical access
Visual accessibility for someone with vision loss
Is the app compatible with voice over?
Will the user require any “add-on” technologies to access the app? Stylus? Case? Speakers?
Criteria for Evaluating Apps
Will the app need to sync with other technology(s)….computer, phone, internet, etc.
Will the app require a data plan or internet service?
Is the technology compatible with the app? (some apps only work on iPad2 and the user has an iPhone)
App is only available for android and the user has an iPhone
There’s an App for That?
Apps for Organization
• Countdown - .99
• Audio Countdown - free
• Time Timer - $3.99, $6.99
• Priority Matrix - $3.99
• iVoice Reminder - $1.99
• Organize for iPhone - free
Apps for Organization
• iPrompts - $39.99
• Pocket Picture Planner – free (needs sw for $199)
• Time Logger - $4.99
• Dropbox - free
• DropVox for Dropbox - $1.99
Apps for Writing & Productivity
• Dragon Dictation - free
• Dragon Go! (like Siri)- free
• ZoomContacts - free
• Push Reminder - free
• Pages, Keynote and Numbers (“Office Equivalent”) - $9.99 each
Apps for Writing & Productivity
• CaptureNotes 2 - .99
• QuickVoice Recorder - free
• GoodReader for iPad - $4.99
• Notability - .99
• Pictello - $18.99
• Say it and Mail it Recorder - $1.99
• Awesome Note (Lite) – free, $4.99
Apps for Visual Access
• EyeNote - free
• LookTel Money Reader - $9.99
• Jumbo Calculator – iPad - free
• ZoomReader - $19.99
• Color ID Free - free
• VM Alert – Video Motion Detector - $1.99
• Vision Assistant - $5.99
• Doc Scanner - $2.99
• Prizmo - $9.99
Pocket Picture Planner
Time Logger
Dropvox for Dropbox
iVoice Reminder
Pictello
ZoomReader
ZoomReader (cont)
Information & Referral
Helps identify potential products and solutions
Links with sources for assessment or evaluation
Refers to vendors Connects with funding sources
Equipment Loan & Demonstration
Lets people observe and try out devices before buying
Lends devices to individuals or professionals for 4 weeks to try out or cover short-term gaps (e.g., when devices are being repaired)
Centers in Baltimore, Western Maryland and the Eastern Shore
Reuse AT: Equipment Link – www.equipmentlink.org
Maryland AT Coop Provides discounts on assistive technology
purchase from a wide variety of vendors and manufacturers
Free membership to agencies and individuals No obligation to purchase through the Co-op
For more information, contact:
(410) 792-9901 (voice/fax)www.matcoop.org
email: [email protected]
AT Loan Program Provides low-interest loans to Maryland
residents with disabilities or their families to buy assistive technology
Covers all types of AT, including vehicles, computers, home modifications
Loan amounts - $500 - $50,000 Interest rates usually one point below prime Approves many loans that would be turned down
by conventional lenders Telework Loan - Provides low-interest loans to
enable people with disabilities to buy equipment needed to telecommute or start small businesses
Contact UsCentral Office
Maryland Technology Assistance Program2301 Argonne Drive, T-17Baltimore, MD 21218(800) 832-4827 (voice)(866) 881-7488 (TTY)(410) 554-9237 (fax)[email protected] (e-mail)www.mdtap.org (web)
Contact Us
AT:LAST, Inc.
d.b.a. Maryland A.T. Co-op 7050 Oakland Mills Rd. Ste. 160Columbia, MD 21046410-381-2667 (voice)[email protected] (e-mail)www.matcoop.org (web)
Contact UsHolly Community, Inc.
821 E. Williams St.P. O. Box 1489Salisbury, MD 21802(877) 511-0744 (voice)(443) 260-0833 (fax)[email protected] (e-mail)www.hollycommunity.org (web)