EARLY LITERACY

ACCESS INTERVENTIONS

MATH INTERVENTIONS

READING INTERVENTIONS

WORDSTUDY INTERVENTIONS

WRITING INTERVENTIONS

ALVA 544 SATELLITE TRAVELLER WITH LAPTOP FOR BLINDAND VISUALLY IMPAIRED USERS (PDA AND CELL PHONE)

VOICE MATE HANDHELD ORGANIZER BARILLE

PHYSICAL MOTOR

Keyguards are available for standard and small computers from many differnet suppliers including:Inclusive Technologies Granada Learning SEMERC Maxess Products AbilityNet Supply

THE PC-KING BY TASH

INTELLIKEYS AND EXCHANGABLE OVERLAYS.

Ergonomic keyboards are available from many different suppliers including:General mail order suppliers, Misco, HCS Global etc. NE Computing PCD Maltron Trackline UK AbilityNet Supply

BAT Chord Keyboard.Suppliers include:•Keytools – BAT •Cykey – Bellaire Electronics •AbilityNet Supply

Fixing equipment.Keyboards, switches and pointers can be fixed in specific locations using modular systems like the one illustrated. Home made devices can also be helpful e.g. to raise up or tilt a keyboard.

Workstation Redesign.Many people (especially those with neck and upper back

problems) find that a slightly reclined working position is more

comfortable.

Typing without a Keyboard.It is not necessary to be able to use a keyboard to get ideas and text into a computer.Here letters are selected from an on screen keyboard. A mouse or trackball can be used to make the selection. This same idea can also work with switches, where the user needs to select first the line then the column. Even if someone can only use a single switch they can operate a computer!

CONTOUR MOUSE

SICOS ERGO MOUSE

STANDARD MICROSOFT ERGO MOUSE.

PC-TRAK Kensington Expert.

TRACKBALLS.A trackball is basically an upturned mouse. Rather than rolling the mouse on the

table top it is a static device and the ball on the top is moved using fingers, thumbs and palms. Larger trackballs are often suitable for use by feet.

JOYSTICKS.These type of devices work in a similar manner to joystick controls on a wheelchair. The mouse pointer moves fastest when the joystick is pushed fully forward. The joystick illustrated has a built in guard and has a drag lock button and a button which sends a double click.

TOUCH PADSThese devices are often found on portable computers. They are stationary pads which are operated by sliding your finger across the surface. Clicking can be done with buttons or by

"tapping" lightly on surface. They can be held in the hand or placed on a desk.

FOOT CONTROLLED DEVICES.

Some of the larger rollerballs can be used with the feet. Other devices designed specifically for foot operation include the "No Hands Mouse" shown below.

Text Macros/Dictation Shortcuts.

Voice recognition systems can save blocks of text so that you can insert them with a single command. For the following "sign me off" macro will insert a letter close.

AN EXAMPLE OF A TEXT MACRO IN DRAGON NATURALLY SPEAKING

Working with Sound Sentry/Show Sounds in Windows 95 and above.This is a helpful utility for people who can not hear computer beeps which indicate error messages. When Sound Sentry is turned on beeps are shown as screen "flashes".To turn on Sound Sentry you first need to bring up the Windows 95/98 Accessibility Options Panel.Click on Start Menu, Click on Settings, Click on Control Panel, Click on Accessibility Options.This brings up a tabbed dialog box - click on the "Sounds" tab:

• To use Sound Sentry, put a check mark in the "Use Sound Sentry" box and click the Apply button

In order for Sound Sentry to work correctly you will need to ensure that the sound scheme in use is set to "no sounds". You can check this by looking in control panel and in the "Sounds" control. It should look as

follows:

Recent developments in mobile phone technology mean it is possible to adapt standard mobile communicators to act as text phones. The Nokia 9000i and 9110 Communicators are good examples of this.Both models offer the following facilities as standard:E-mail Calendar compatible with most PC calendar programs Fax Short Message Service (SMS). (*See below) Internet access (Web browsing) Reminder alarm (9110 Vibrating option) Hands free telephone operation for hearing users Note taking facilities Address book for telephone numbers, e-mail addresses etc. Compatible with most PC address book programs.

• Mobile Options.

POINTING DEVICES.Some people with learning difficulties can have difficulties in relating the movement of their hand on the mouse to the movement of the cursor on the screen. In these instances, it may be that a trackball or a joystick could ease these difficulties.

PICTURE OF THE ROLLER PLUS RANGE BY PENNY AND GILES.

• SWITCHES.• If the user is physically or cognitively unable to use any keyboard or

pointing device, then a basic starting point is to use switch input. A switch is simply a button which, when activated, sends a signal to the computer - this signal can then be used to drive various software packages.

• Switches come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be operated by any controlled movement of the body.

• Switches can be used to type using a keyboard which appears on the screen (keyboard emulation) or often can interface directly with certain specially written educational programs and games.

SCREEN SHOT OF BASIC SWITCH SOFTWARE.

press the switch and something happens. For example, the friendly character waves, the program makes a nice noise, a new piece is added to the picture which is building up each time you press the switch.

SCREEN SHOT OF CLICKER SWITCH SOFTWARE.

• Picture of a sheet of large keytop stickers.

CCTVs.

Closed circuit TV systems are devices that enlarge print or hand-written text as required by the user. They may or may not be attached to a computer. Most common are standalone models. They comprise a single unit, with a screen above a moveable

table on which is placed the item to be read.

Photos of actual events or objects can often mean more to an individual than icons or text. Digital Cameras and Scanners are ideal for this method of communication.

Symbol based communication can be used both electronically and on paper. An advantage over the photographs is a wider and constant vocabulary.

Static overlay based communication aid with touch or switch access. Alternatives include the Macaw which has similar functions.

Computer based communication aid built inside a hardbox. Offers much of the flexibility of a computer but with the rigidity of a dedicated device

Windows CE based communication aid. Solid state, small, cheap CE based PC's are rapidly flooding the computer market. Winspeak has already been adapted to run on this platform.

ON SCREEN COMMUNICATION SYSTEM FOR MAC USERS.

"Assistive Technology is any item, piece of equipment, or product system? that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities." - Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act