assistive technology

1. Sonia Harper
TheInformationSeeker@gmail.com
* NOTE: Graphics and media (video) are temporarily included for educational purposes only; any copyrights are
retained by the original creators and are protected by applicable United States and international laws and treaties.
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3.  ADA (the Americans with Disabilities Act), IDEA (the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), and the
Rehabilitation Act have outlined stipulations for
ensuring equitable access to the available services,
facilities, and programs in educational and employment
settings (Beekman and Beekman 419;
http://www.compuaccess.com/ada_guide.htm).
 With the exception of implant devices, assistive
technology may include items, services, equipment, or
product systems, whether altered or unaltered, which
serve to support, improve, sustain, or increase the
functional abilities of disabled persons
(http://idea.ed.gov/part-
c/statutes?q=assistive+technology#statute-58).
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5.  Use of any technology requires that librarians
remain cognizant of several critical factors
including:
 patron safety and privacy;
 legal and ethical use;
 staff/faculty training;
 library and institutional goals; and
 financial resources (Stripling 87-9, 96-7).
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6.  TheADA and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
have defined a disability as any mental or
physical impairment which significantly
impedes major life activities. Examples are:
 sensory functions;
 learning;
 pertinent bodily processes;
 communication;
 motor activities/abilities; and
 self-care
(http://www.ada.gov/pubs/adastatute08.htm#12102;
http://www2.ed.gov/policy/speced/reg/narrative.html).
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7.  IDEA adds that students
with disabilities may have
or exhibit:
 emotional disturbances;
 autistic behaviors;
 traumatic injuries; and
 social/cognitive/emotional
delays
(http://www.disabled-
world.com/disability/accessibility/pictures.ph;
http://idea.ed.gov/part-
c/statutes?q=assistive+technology#statute-
58).
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8.  Assistive (also
known as adaptive or inclusive)
technology requires planning for access on several
dimensions:
 physical space design;
 relevant hardware and software; and
 competent and informed library professionals
(http://www.washington.edu/doit/Faculty/Strategies/Academic/Adaptive/;
http://www.washington.edu/doit/UA/PRESENT/libres.html#L5).
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9.  Assistive technology isrelevant for disabilities
which have a range of physical and/or
psychological origins.
* PHYSICAL * PSYCHOLOGICAL/MENTAL
- visual - learning disability
- aural
- mobility/motor
- oral
(http://www.washington.edu/doit/Faculty/Strategies/Academic/Adaptive/)
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10. Technology for Visual Challenges
Technology for Auditory Challenges
1. Large Print Software/Equipment
2. Scanners
1. Sign Language Interpretive
3. Computerized Note Takers
Devices and Services
4. Braille Displays/Printers
5. Optical Character Recognition
2. Visual Signal Substitutes for
6. Speech Output Software
Audible Alerts
7. Web Browsers for the Visually 3. Spelling and Grammar Software
Impaired
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11. Technology for Orthopedic/Mobility
Impairments Technology for Cognitive/Mental
Impairments
1. Voice Recognition Programs
2. Alternative Keyboard Operating 1. Noise Filtering/Protective
Software/Equipment Equipment
3. Word Completion and Prediction 2. Multisensory Software
Software
3. Speech Output/Input Programs
4. Ergonomic/Adjustable Equipment
4. Grammar/Spelling/Word-Use
5. Morse Code Input Devices
Software
6. Tracking Software/Equipment
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12. (Slides 10-11):
SOURCES: http://www.compuaccess.com/ada_guide.htm;
http://www.disaboom.com/vision-and-hearing-technology/assistive-technology-
browsers-for-the-blind;
http://www.washington.edu/doit/UA/PRESENT/scatxt.html
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14.  Ability diversities and
legal stipulations have made
universal Web design an absolute necessity.
Planning for diverse needs underlies the process
which, according to the World Wide Web
Consortium, should also consider:
 organized, consistent page designs;
 relevant, thoughtfully accessible graphic and audio
features;
 alternative content such as applets, databases, forms, or
frames; and
 context-sensitive, accessibility assuredness tools
(http://www.washington.edu/doit/Brochures/Technology/universal.design.html).
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15. Assistive Technology in Academic Libraries
[https://muse.jhu.edu/journals/portal_libraries_and_the_academy/v001/
1.3green.html]
Assistive Technology in Public Libraries
[http://www.hclib.org/extranet/AssistTech/AssistiveTechnology_files/fram
e.htm]
Assistive Technology in School Library Media Centers
[http://isc.sagepub.com/content/42/2/119.full.pdf]
Assistive Technology in Special Libraries
[http://www.emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm?issn=0741-
9058&volume=16&issue=9&articleid=1489488&show=html&view=printar
ticle&nolog=353037&PHPSESSID=em110dk59p3q2vh5hllncf4qk7]
Bookshare
[http://blog.bookshare.org/2010/09/17/what-does-bookshares-librarian-
do/]
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16. The Center for Accessible Technology [http://www.cforat.org/]
National Center on Accessible Instructional Materials
[http://aim.cast.org/learn/research/atresearch]
The National Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center
[http://www.nectac.org/topics/atech/udl.asp]
Pacer Center (Champions for Children with Disabilities)
[http://www.pacer.org/stc/]
Reading Rockets [http://www.readingrockets.org/article/33074/]
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17.  Americans with Disabilities Act--Aiding the Physically Challenged Worker: Assistive
Technology for Computers and Persons with Disabilities. Web.
http://www.compuaccess.com/ada_guide.htm
 Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as Amended. Web.
http://www.ada.gov/pubs/adastatute08.htm#12102
 Beekman, George, and Ben Beekman. Digital Planet: Tomorrow's Technology and
You. Boston: Prentice Hall, 2012. Print.
 Disabled World Towards Tomorrow. Web. http://www.disabled-world.com/
 Disaboom. Web. http://www.disaboom.com/
 IDEA. Web. http://idea.ed.gov/
 Stripling, Barbara K. Learning and Libraries in an Information Age: Principles and
Practice. Englewood, Colo: Libraries Unlimited, 1999. Print.
 The Rehabilitation Act. Web. www.ed.gov
 University of Washington. Web. www.washington.edu
 Youtube. Web. www.youtube.com
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18. Thank you for your attention!
Do you have any questions,
concerns, or comments?
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