2. Overview
History and Background
Ways to Access Assistive
Technology
Working as a Team
High and Low Tech Assistive
Technology
Vocational Practices
Additional Information
4. 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)
5. Time Line for Assistive
Technology (AT)
1973 – Rehabilitation Act 1973
1982 – Formal look at value of AT
1985 – Abledata Assistive Technology
Database
1988 – Assistive Technology device name
defined
1997 –Mandated that AT is included in IEP’s
2001 – CARF Accreditation eligibility
6. Accreditation
In 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.
8. Obtaining Assistive
Technology Services
Assistive Technology services are
provided through State Vocational
Rehabilitation Agencies like:
Massachusetts Rehabilitation
Commission
Massachusetts Commission for Blind
Massachusetts Commission for Deaf
and Hard of Hearing
Agencies have criteria for delivery of
services
9. State Agencies
If 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 Services
A Vendor or In-house Assistive
Technology specialist will be assigned to
a case to do an evaluation and the
required procurement and training.
10. Obtaining Assistive
Technology Services –
Additional Sources
Veterans Administration
Working directly with Vocational
Rehabilitation Organizations Assistive
Technology Departments
11. One Off Designs
Universities work with students to do
Assistive Technology designs for
example Worcester Polytechnic Booth to
see examples
Dedicated designs
http://www.me.wpi.edu/Research/ATRC/Abou
t/tour.html
http://epicsnational.ecn.purdue.edu/ind
ex.php
12. 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
13. Background on Computers
1936 – Invented Computer
1958 – Chip design began
1964 _ Computer mouse and windows
(mouse because tail came out)
1971 – Floppy disc allowed flexibility
1985 – Home computers and windows.
History of Computers and
Hand Held Devices
14. Working as a Team
Need to know:
Medical History of the person
Other therapy the person is going through
Good 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
15. Some Considerations when
Selecting Assistive
Technology
Physical limitations
What are their technical skills
Learning Style
Reading level
How motivated are they
Do they think this is a quick fix
What are the goals
16. “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”
30. Speech on Computer
Computer can make sounds when the
cone of a computer speaker oscillates
Each oscillation creates a sound
Sounds 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.
31. Screen Readers
Makes “Text-to-speech” on the
computer
A 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.
32. Scanning
If 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.
33. E-Books
An 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".
38. J-Say
If a person has visual and manual
dexterity problems
http://www.ngtvoice.com/products/soft
Allows people to use Jaws and
Dragon Naturally Speaking
together
42. Free Screen reader
Narrator
Narrator is the free text-to-speech
found on Microsoft
Narrator 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
44. ORCA
Orca is a free, open source, flexible,
extensible, and powerful assistive
technology for people with visual
impairments.
Developed by Sun Microsystems
http://live.gnome.org/Orca/
45. ReadPlease
Free Version of this Screen reader
Web Site for 2003 version
http://www.readplease.com/
You have to copy what you are going to
listen to
46. Hand Held Devices
Digital Hand held devices allow students
to walk around and listen to information
Comparison of devices
http://www.rfbdnj.org/equipcompare.html
Comparison of Digital Software Products
http://www.rfbdnj.org/softcompare.html
48. 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.
49. Vocational Tests
Reading Comprehension and Number
Operations tests
ABLE – Adult Basic Learning
Examination
WRAT – Wide Range Achievement Test
RAI – Reading and Arithmetic Index
50. Combining Assistive
Technology and Vocational
Test
Standardized tests can be used with
Assistive Technology to determine
grade point level
Assistive Technology can be used to
determine typing speed
Assistive Technology can be used with
Math
Assistive Technology can be used to
help teach English as second language
51. 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
52. 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
53. 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
54. Job Descriptions
• Look at the areas of need
• Determine what is needed
• Assistive Technology can be one of the
solutions.
55. Work with the Employer
Work with the existing computer set
up
Work with the IT departments
Work as a consultant to make
technical adaptations without
“interrupting” the security settings
Work as a team
56. E-Learning
Online course can be used with
Assistive Technology
Courses are set up to be Accessible
and Section 508 compliant
Education of the future for both
teachers and students
66. Conclusion
Technology is changing at a very
rapid pace
Assistive Technology
Off the shelf products or
Dedicated designs
Help provide some solutions
