4^th Annual

Accessing Higher Ground:

Assistive Technology in Higher Education

Terminology - What does all the jargon mean? What is this stuff called?

I. Physical Disabilities:

Physical Disabilities:

AT can benefit people with a variety of physical disabilities such as spinal cord injury, brain injury, amputations, cerebral palsy, hemi -paresis, arthritis, orthopedic impairments, cumulative trauma disorders, etc.

Access Issues for Physical Disabilities:

• Access to the standard keyboard

• Access to a standard mouse

• Web Access

• Consider issues of strength, ROM, fine motor coordination, pain, fatigue, endurance, etc.

A. Keyboard Options:

· Alternative keyboard layouts – layouts other than the standard QWERTY layout may assist users that experience pain or have difficulty with keyboard access. For example, a two handed or one handed Dyvorak layout might be beneficial.

Product Examples – Microsoft Windows Keyboard settings options

· Keyguards – plexiglass or metal devices that lay on top of the standard keyboard. This type of hardware device assist the user with hitting the correct key when accuracy or coordination of movement is compromised.

· Microsoft Accessibility Options – settings that are built into the operating system with Windows 95 and above include things like Sticky keys, Bounce Keys, Filter keys, and Mouse keys. All assist users with limitations in movement in various ways. For example, the settings will lock the keyboard so that the user can hit keys in sequence rather than simultaneously or delaying the acceptance of a key hit.

Product Examples – Microsoft Windows Accessibility Options

· Alternative keyboards – a variety of keyboards exist with features such as larger keys, smaller keys, one-handed designs, cordless, and on-screen, etc.

Product Examples – Intellikeys or Discover enlarged keyboard, Tash mini-keyboard, Magic Wand keyboard, Logitech cordless, etc.

· On screen keyboard – this software paired with the appropriate pointing device allows the user to type with an on-screen version of keyboard. The user moves the mouse pointer over the screen selecting a keystroke and then selecting that keystroke with a mouse click. On-screen keyboards can be customized to meet user needs e.g. high contrast colors, larger keys/targets, etc.

Product Examples – Microsoft 2000 Accessibility Option; WiViK; Screen Doors

· Ergonomic Keyboards – a variety of keyboards address positioning of the user to allow for more neutral UE positioning. Most address wrist deviation and some address pronation.

Product Examples: Comfort Keyboard, Logitech New Touch, Goldtouch Keyboard, Kinesis and Kinesis Maxim

B. Alternative Pointing Devices

· Alternative pointing devices (mouse) – a variety of alternative pointing devices exist which allow ease of access by eliminating the need to grip the mouse and/or changing positioning demands. Examples include: trackballs, trackpads/touch pads, Headmouse, Footmouse, mouse-keys, etc.

Product Examples – Head Master, No Hands Mouse, Kensington and Logitech trackballs, Cirque and Alps Trackpads, etc.

· Y- adapters – for keyboards or pointing devices

C. Alternate Input – other than keyboards and pointing devices

· Voice Recognition/Voice Activated – this software allows the user to dictate text and commands to the computer. Input to the computer can be done in a hands- free manner. Performance and function may vary depending on the user’s voice, ability to recognize errors, frustration tolerance, memory, etc.

Product Examples - Dragon Naturally Speaking; IBM Via Voice for Mac or PC

• Switch Access –

1. Morse Code – this hardware and software interface allows the user to activate one or two switches (dot and dash) to activate a keystroke. This option is often paired with rate enhancers such as abbreviation expansion or word completion. Switches can be mounted in a way that allows access with any reliable movement site e.g. foot, head, elbow, tongue, etc.

Product Examples – Ke:Nx for Mac; Words Plus for PC; Darci Too

2. Scanning with a switch – this hardware and software interface allows the user to activate a switch which makes a selection from an on-screen display. For example, when the cursor lands on a character, the user can select that character by hitting a switch. This option is often paired with rate enhancers such as abbreviation expansion or word completion.

Product Examples – Ke:Nx; Words Plus

· Word Prediction/Word completion software – this software will anticipate what the user is going to type and/or complete the existing word for the user. This reduces the number of keystrokes that the user must hit. For example, if the user types Ch, the software may suggest word choices off a list such as child, children, chile, etc.. This option is often paired with other technology such as On Screen Keyboards or Morse Code and functions as a rate enhancer.

Product Examples – Text Help, Aurora, Key Rep, Co-Writer

· Auto Correct/Abbreviation expansion – this is a feature built into the tools in Microsoft Word ( Quick Correct in Word Perfect) that expands abbreviations and therefore, reduces the number of keystrokes required by the user. It is often paired with things like Morse Code or On Screen keyboards and functions as a rate enhancer.

D. Positioning and Support:

· Arm and Wrist Supports – these positioning devices may assist a user that has muscle weakness or pain. Some of these devices are mobile and will move with the user when keyboarding or mousing.

Product Examples – Data Arms, Mouse Nest, etc.

· Ergonomic Positioning Devices – these devices may assist a user with discomfort or prevent symptoms of overuse from developing. Products include things like ergonomic chairs, foot rests, wrist rests, monitor supports, anti-glare guards, etc.

· Adjustable Tables – tables that allow height adjustment are essential for users that cannot access a standard computer workstation. Models include movement mechanisms to include: crank, spring assisted, and electronic. Electronic models are most ideal from an access standpoint as a user can adjust the height independently.

Product Examples – Xybix, Tiffin, KI, Metier, etc..

II. Sensory Impairments:

AT can benefit people with a variety of visual impairments ranging from low vision to blindness.

AT can benefit people with hearing impairments or deafness.

Access Issues for Sensory Impairments:

• Low vision and blindness – access to the monitor, mouse and images and multi-media on the web.

• Hearing impairments – access to auditory cues, sound clips and multi-media on the web.

A. Visual impairments:

· Graphic Enhancement/Tactile Graphics - this technology creates documents with raised lines or images. The original hardcopy is photocopied onto special heat sensitive paper that is then sent through an oven of sorts. The heat raises the paper where any ink is located. Can be a wonderful way to convey non-text information such as maps, graphics, tables, charts, symbols, etc.

Product Examples - PIAF ( Pictures in a Flash) and the Thermo Pen

· Scanning and Reading - this combination of hardware (flatbed or auto feed scanner) and software will allow a hard copy of a document to be scanned, OCR’ed (converted to text the computer understands) and then read aloud by the computer. The user can choose different voices, reading speeds and other customizable options. This software also has low vision features allowing the user to create enlarged text with choices for foreground and background colors for high contrast.

Product Examples – Kurzweil 1000, Open Book

· Screen magnifier – this is a hardware device that is placed externally on a monitor to enlarge the image on the screen. It will only allow 1-2 times enlargement of the original. Some of these magnifiers also incorporate anti-glare features. Some users complain of distortion.

· Screen enlargement software – this software works in conjunction with the operating system and any application and enlarges the screen from 1-16x’s the original size. Some versions of this software also have speech features and document readers.

Product Examples – Zoomtext, Magic

· Screen reading software – this software uses either an external synthesizer or the sound card or sound chip inside the computer to read all information on the screen. This software will read text, menus, dialogues boxes, web pages – virtually all information on the screen. It is accessed with hot keys on the keyboard rather than the mouse.

Product Examples – Jaws, Window Eyes

· Braille translation software (text) – this software will convert or translate an electronic text file into Braille in preparation for embossing. It allows the user to visually check for correct translation and can also be accessed by a person with a visual impairment if paired with screen reading software.

Product examples - Duxbury

· Braille translation software (music) – this software will convert or translate an electronic music file into music Braille in preparation for embossing.

Product examples – Goodfeel

· Braille embossing – this hardware functions as a type of printer. Once a document is translated into Braille on the computer, this device can emboss or “print” the document onto Braille paper. Some embossers also have speech output that allows the user who is blind or has a visual impairment to independently emboss their documents.

Product examples – Enabling Technologies/Juliet Pro

· Braille Notetakers – these hardware devices allow the user to take notes in Braille. This information can then be read aloud by the device or sent to the computer as a text file for the computer. They typically a have things like calculators or calendars built-in.

Product Examples – Braille n Speak, Braille Note

· Refreshable Braille Display/Keyboard – this hardware device serves as a means of receiving output for people with visual impairments that use Braille. The user gets a dynamic Braille display of what is conveyed on the screen. This device is often paired with the screen reading software. This allows the user to both hear the screen being read aloud as well as getting a Braille display of the information.

Product examples – Blazie/Power Braille; Alva

· CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) – this hardware serves to enlarge materials via a camera and display device ( television, computer monitor, etc.). Most models allow the user to reverse the polarity from black on white to white on black and the more sophisticated devices allow enlargement in color. CCTV’s are a great method for enlarging things like hand-written letters, recipes, tax forms, etc..

Product Examples - Magnisight; Pulse Data

· Key caps/Braille caps – these self- adhesive stickers convert standard keyboard keys into large print or large print with Braille. They are available in white on black or black on white and in various color schemes.

Product Examples – Zoomcaps, Hoolean key labels

B. Hearing Impairments:

· Microsoft Accessibility Options – settings that are built into the operating system with Windows 95 and above and include things like Sound Sentry and Show Sounds

1. Sound Sentry – Windows will generate visual warnings when your system makes a sound

2. Show sounds – tells your program to display captions for the speech and sounds they make.

· C-Print: a computer-aided speech to print transcription system. A typist called a C-Print captionist types a lecture into a laptop computer. The typed information is displayed simultaneously on a second laptop computer or a television monitor for the students to read during class. The technology used is a laptop computer and specialized software. The software has three major functions: a text display, abbreviation expansion, and remote communication.

· The I -Communicator System - a fully integrated system that consists of a high-end laptop computer, iCommunicator software, a wireless microphone system and peripherals, and underlying software programs. The iCommunicator also may be coupled with peripheral assistive hearing devices such as personal FM systems, hearing aids, and cochlear implant speech processors.

The iCommunicator efficiently converts in real-time:

• Speech to text

• Speech to video sign language

• Speech to computer-generated voice

• Text to computer-generated voice or video sign language

III. Learning/Cognitive Disabilities:

AT can benefit people with a variety of learning/cognitive disabilities such as: dyslexia, auditory processing difficulties, ADD, ADHD, writing disabilities, reading disabilities, scotopic sensitivity syndrome, brain injuries, stroke, etc.

Access Issues for Learning/Cognitive Disabilities:

• Refresh Rate – screen flicker

• White backgrounds – scotopic sensitivity

• Visual processing demands

• Auditory processing demands

• Memory demands

• Attention demands

• Mechanics of writing

• Visual perceptual demands

· Talking Word Processors/Proof Readers – this software gives the user auditory feedback while they compose or after. Can also be used to read in other applications such as the internet.

Product Examples – Text Help, Read Please, and Aurora for PC’s. Write-Outloud for Mac users. 

· Auto Correct/ Abbreviation Expansion

1. Auto Correct – this feature in Microsoft Word ( also in WordPerfect but called Quick Correct) is a great tool for expanding abbreviations as well as automatically correcting commonly misspelled words.

2. Abbreviation Expansion – can be used as in auto correct or as a stand alone piece of software. This software will expand abbreviations for the user in a manner that is spelled correctly. For example, the user can type atr and the software will expand into Assistive Technology Resource Center.

Product Examples – Auto Correct in Word or Key Rep

· Word Prediction/Completion – this software anticipates the user’s vocabulary and makes suggestions for completing a word and/or suggesting the next word. Some prediction programs will also predict in phrases. The software learns the users vocabulary and thus continually improves in its predictions.

Product Examples – Text Help, Aurora, Key Rep

· Scanning and Reading – this combo of software and hardware allows the user to scan a hard copy of document that can then be read aloud by the computer as the user follows along visually. These software programs also include nifty study tools such as highlighters, masking, dictionaries, etc.

Product Examples – Kurzweil 3000; WYNN

· Scanning & Reading Pens - This hardware device is designed to scan, say, and define a single word. These pens have a database as large as 400,000 words. Working like a digital highlighter, this hand-held scanner reads text from books, magazines, newspapers, and other printed documents. It's fluent in 5 languages, able to scan English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish.

Product Examples - Quicktionary Reading Pen, Siemans Pocket Reader

· Voice Recognition/Voice Activated – this software allows the user to dictate simple commands and text to the computer. It also has a feature which allows the user to have the document read back to them – a proofreader than can assist with identifying recognition errors.

Product Examples – Dragon Naturally Speaking; IBM Via Voice for Mac or PC

· Changing Colors – this simple technique of changing background and foreground colors can assist in various ways. Using pastel shades of backgrounds rather than white may assist with scotopic sensitivity. Additionally, using higher contrast options may assist with attending.

Product Examples – can be done through the Windows operating system or frequently is a built-in option in many assistive tech programs.

· Large Text and Icons - this simple technique can also assist with various learning disabilities in comprehension and attending aspects.

Product Examples – can be done via the Windows operating system or is again frequently built into many adaptive technology programs.

· Organization Software - software that lets the user compose ideas and thoughts in a visual representation. These representations can then be easily converted into an outline format for composition purposes.

Product Examples – Inspiration

· Franklin Spell Checkers – these spiffy little handheld spellcheckers are wonderful for classroom and study use. They are highly portable and inconspicuous for those needing assistance with spelling. User have an option of a visual display or visual display with auditory output. Most have a thesaurus feature too.

· E-Text Readers - these devices allow the user to listen to electronic books on hand -held devices. The files to be read must be compatible with the device.

Product Examples – E-BookMan

· Portable Note-takers- these are lightweight, highly portable word processors that allow for quick and easy text input. Additionally, files from the note-takers can quickly and easily be transferred to and from a computer. These devices can greatly assist those students who have illegible handwriting or have difficulty with the mechanics of writing.

Product Examples – Alphasmart

Marla C. Roll, MS, OTR

Assistive Technology Resource Center

Department of Occupational Therapy

Colorado State University

Fort Collins, Co 80523

email: mcroll@cahs.colostate.edu

web: http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/ATRC

phone: 970-491-2016

fax: 970-491-6290