access to communication and technology (act) presentation by lynne allsopp
TRANSCRIPT
Changing role of OT: “E”nabling
Lynne Allsopp Highly Specialist Occupational Therapist
Access to Communication and Technology, West Midlands Rehabilitation Centre
ACT
• Regional NHS Tertiary Assistive Technology Service: all ages and conditions
• Mission statement – To work with patients/clients and their local
teams to assess and provide techniques and technologies which optimise the potential for communication and control
– Staff: OT, SLT, Clinical Scientists, Workshop team, Administrators: about 30+ people
• Other teams in UK are similar but each is unique
Starter for 10!
• Do you/how do you use the internet in your current practice?
• Where would you look on the web for OT resources?
• Have you ever communicated with a OT colleague online (except email!)?
• Have you ever “e”nabled a client, i.e. used a computer based occupation?
Professional resources
OT/As: knowledge sharing, developing resources, publicity and marketing, “lean” working
Occupational Media
ADL: shopping, banking Social activities: dating, connecting with friends Education/support: courses, peer support
groups Political/self advocacy: digital petitions,
consultations, comments, emails Leisure occupations: music and video, games Online work and volunteering Creative activities: writing, artwork, photography
Occupational Media
Computers play a part on almost every area of our daily lives in one form or another (Blain, McKeever, & Chau, 2010)
Chard (2007) acknowledges emailing, playing games online, editing pictures or music on a computer are some of the arts and crafts of our age
Digital Inclusion
A recent BBC World Service poll found that almost four in five people around the world believe that access to the internet is a fundamental right (BBC 2010).
In Finland access to the internet is a legal right (CNN 2009).
Digital Divide
“The gap between those who have access to, and use and control of the internet and digital media; and those who do not” (Goldfarb & Prince, 2008; Smedema & McKenzie, 2010).
Accessibility
The internet has been proposed as a liberating space for people who in offline life face many disabling barriers (Childers & Kaufman-Scarborough, 2009; Dobransky & Hargittai 2006; Guo, Bricout & Huang 2005)
Accessible? (DRC 2004)
I can’t afford it
I have no idea how to use a computer
I don’t know what you can
do on a computer!
I’m not good with
technology, I might break it!
I need help to understand how to
do new things
I don’t want to be a victim of identity
theft
I have trouble using a mouse and keyboard
I have a sensory
impairment
I have trouble using a keyboard and mouse
• Customisation
• Alternative Input
• Software
Computer Customisation
• Simple modifications available on the computer to make access easier.
• Mouse, Display and Accessibility Options can be adjusted
Windows and Mac operating systems
Computer Customisation
• Display Settings • Keyboard Settings • Mouse Settings • Accessibility
This varies between operating systems and also between Windows and Mac.
Customisation: Keyboard
• Adjust key repeat rate • Filter out unwanted key presses • Sticky keys- will automatically hold
Shift, Alt or Control keys down • Keyboard shortcuts
Customisation: Windows Accessibility Options
Holds down Shift, Control, Alt or Windows key for one press to remove need for holding a key down.
Helps to reduce number of accidental key presses
Other Accessibility options are useful.
Customisation: Mouse
Switch left and right buttons over
Adjust the double click speed
Click Lock will hold down the mouse button while user drags curser across screen
BUTTONS
Customisation: Mouse
Change the pointer schemes from list
Can also import new cursors e.g. Priory Woods
POINTERS
Customisation: Mouse
Adjust sensitivity of the mouse curser
Snap to points on the screen automatically
Helps to locate mouse curser on screen
Customisation: Mouse
• Adjustment of the Mouse and Trackpad • Assignable Mouse Buttons
Customisation: Windows Accessibility Options
Also access Magnifier, Narrator & On Screen Keyboard through menus
Accessibility Options
• Voice Recognition • Screen Reader • Screen Magnification
Accessibility Options
• On screen keyboards
Input to the computer
What is an input to the computer?? • Mouse • Keyboard • Something to control what you want to do on
computer • Maybe start with wireless
Alternative Inputs to the computer
Physical Access • Mouse/ Cursor Control
– Glide pad - USB – Tracker ball – Joystick – Head mouse – Eye Gaze – Integra Mouse – USB Finger Mouse
Alternative Inputs to the computer
Physical Access • Mouse/ Cursor Control
– Glide pad - USB – Tracker ball – Joystick – Head mouse – Eye Gaze – Integra Mouse – USB Finger Mouse
Alternative Inputs to the computer
Physical Access • Keyboard
– Key guard, – Single hand keyboard – Keyboard size
• Alternative to mouse / keyboard – Switches, On-screen keyboard – Touch screen – Communication Aid
Alternative Inputs to the computer
Physical Access Voice • Voice recognition software
Computer Access: Software
• Freeware – On Screen Keyboards – Mouse Click Emulators – Dwell Click – Auto Hot Keys – Steady mouse – Mouse Wrap
Access to the computer: Switches
i.e. bypassing the mouse and keyboard completely
• Attaching them to PC: – Joy Cable, Crick box – Switch driver
What next?
Page turners…… eReaders
More possibilities…
• Texting via the computer • Environmental control • Communication
Further Training
• Local Resources • Ability Net – Skill sheets and fact sheets • ITCH • RNIB • Aidis Trust
Practical next steps
• Go and play on your computer! • How you use a computer in your personal
life? • How you use a computer in your work life? • Reflect: what are my concerns? • Discuss in your teams • Find out about local IT training services • Research relevant charities
Resources
www.actwmids.nhs.uk www.ace-centre.org.uk
www.abilitynet.org.uk/myway/
www.microsoft.com/enable/
www.apple.com/accessibility/ www.aidis.org/
References & Resources
• www.keytools.co.uk • www.qedltd.co.uk • www.inclusivetechnology.co.uk • www.lakefolks.org • www.cameramouse.com • www.wivik.com • www.orin.com • www.nuancestore.com • www.smartboxat.com • www.cricksoft.com • www.microsoft.com • www.apple.com
References
Blain, S., McKeever, P. & Chau, T. (2010) Bedside computer access for an individual with severe and multiple disabilities: A case study. Disability and rehabilitation. Assistive technology. Early Online 1-11
Chard, D. (2007) Computer games and karate: the arts and crafts of today. British Journal of Occupational Therapy. 70 (8) 329
Childers, T. & Kaufman-Scarborough, C. (2009) Expanding opportunities for online shoppers with disabilities. Journal of Business Research. 62 (5) 572-578
Disability Rights Commission (2004) The web: access and inclusion for disabled people. Available online at: http://www.ifap.ru/library/book427.pdf Accessed 14/05/2010
Dobransky, K. & Hargittai, E. (2006) ‘The disability divide in Internet access and use’, Information, Communication & Society, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 313–334.
CNN Fast Internet access becomes a legal right in Finland. http://edition.cnn.com/2009/TECH/10/15/finland.internet.rights/index.html Accessed 14/05/10
BBC. Four in Five Regard Internet Access as a Fundamental Right: Global Poll http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/08_03_10_BBC_internet_poll.pdf Accessed 15/05/2010
Goldfarb, A. & Prince, J. (2008) Internet adoption and usage patterns are different: Implications for the digital divide. Information Economics and Policy. 20 (1) 2-15
Smedema, S. & McKenzie, A.(2010) The relationship among frequency and type of internet use, perceived social support, and sense of well-being in individuals with visual impairments. Disability and rehabilitation. 32 (4) 317-25
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