Assistive Technology: A Tool for Recruiting and Retaining Individuals with Disabilities

Presenters:Linda Andrews, M. Ed.

Melissa Day, M. Ed. Joanne Kelly, M.S.

Taylor McConnaughhay, M.S.Lou Smith, M.S.

Pam Winpigler, M.A.

Rehabilitation TechnologistsWorkforce and Technology Center

Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS)

Why Are We Here?

• Explore assistive technology for individuals with disabilities.

• Individuals with disabilities can attend college and work.

• Individuals with disabilities have skills, talent, and knowledge.

• Retain employees after injuries.

Introduction Video:A Day in the Life of Richard

Disabilities Can Include…

• Cognitive Impairments

– learning disabilities, traumatic brain injury

• Low vision or blindness– diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, retinitis

pigmentosa

• Physical Impairments– MS, CP, Parkinson’s, repetitive injuries

• Deafness and Hard of Hearing

Cognitive Disabilities• Cognitive limitation is difficulty with one or

more of the basic functions of the brain: perception, memory, expression, processing skills– Expression limitation may limit ability to speak,

write, and follow social norms– Memory limitation may limit ability to recall recent or

past events, form mental images of things seen or heard, and learn sequence of tasks or activities

– Processing limitation may limit ability to focus on a given task, organize/schedule tasks, problem solve, understand accurately perceived sounds/images, and understand and complete self care functions

Christopher Lee, DirectorGeorgia Assistive Technology Project

Low Vision

• Low vision denotes a level of vision that is 20/70 or lower and cannot be fully corrected with conventional glasses. Low vision usually interferes with the performance of daily activities, such as reading or driving.

-University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center

Blindness

• Blindness is the condition of lacking visual perception due to physiological or neurological factors.

• Most visual impairments are due to eye diseases such macular degeneration, cataract, glaucoma, and diabetes.

Physical Impairments• A physical impairment is any disability

which limits the physical function of limbs or fine or gross motor ability. – Examples include partial or total paralysis

or traumatic brain injury, stroke, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, amputation, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing

• A hearing impairment is a hearing loss that prevents a person from totally receiving sounds through the ear. – Impairments range from mild to severe.

- Kentucky’s Office for the ADA

An AT device is defined as “any item, piece of equipment, or product system whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities”.

-Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988

What Is Assistive Technology?

Assistive Technology for Cognitive Impairments

Computer Software

• Scan and read

• Word prediction

• Simplified word processors

• Voice recognition

• Brainstorming and organization

Scan and Read Software

• Wynn

• Read and Write Gold

• Kurzweil 3000

Word Prediction Software

• Co:Writer

• Word Q

• Read and Write Gold

Co:Writer

Simplified Word ProcessingSoftware

• Kurzweil 3000• Don Johnson – Write:Outloud

Voice Recognition Software

More likely to be successful if:– Motivated due to a disability– Good attention to detail– Have patience – high tolerance for frustration– Have support and training– Speak clearly– Already understand word processing & punctuation

•Dragon Naturally Speaking•SpeakQ•MacSpeech Dictate (Mac)

• Inspiration – graphical organizer

• Don Johnston – Draft Builder• Microsoft Outlook

Brainstorming and Organizational Software

PDAs

Combine As Much Technology As Possible

• Smartphones– PDA’s– Phones– Cameras (KNFB Mobile Reader w/ speech)– GPS’s

• iPods as digital voice recorders– Nano 2nd Generation and Video have microphones

as added accessories. Many people know how to use these and they are more intuitive to use than digital voice recorders.

Let’s Not Forget Low Tech…

Medication Reminders

Watches, Timers and Clocks

Recorders

Step By Step Directions

To Save a Document in Microsoft Word:

1.Scroll to the file menu and click on “Save”.

2.Type in the name of the document in the box titled “File Name” at the bottom of the window.

3.Press Enter or click on the OK button.

See www.sparkcharts.com for study guides for many academic classes. Included are study guides for MS Office.

Visual Assistant

Visual Assistant provides supports for helping an individual sequence and perform an activity. It has pictures and custom recorded speech that helps the individual in the real world environment.

Low Tech Cueing Devices• Templates and

Overlays• Models

Employee Absence ScheduleJanuary 2007

Employee Name M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W Total

Aaron 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Bob 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Cathy 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

David 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Erin 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Fran 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

George 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Henrietta 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Ingrid 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

J ack 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Dates of Absence

Assistive Technology forLow Vision

Magnification Software

• ZoomText

• Magic

• Lunar

ZoomText Magic

Video Magnifiers

EnhancedVision Merlin

Freedom ScientificTopaz

OptelecClearview

Video MagnifiersEnhanced Vision

Merlin

GW Micro Senseview

OptelecCompact

Video Magnifiers

Optron PCT ABISee Zoom-Ex

Low Tech Solutions• 20/20 pens

• bold, lined paper

• OTT lighting

• hand magnifiers

• signature guides20/20 pens

bold lined paper

hand magnifiers

Assistive Technology for Blindness

Screen Reading Software

JAWS (Job Access with Speech)Window Eyes

Notetakers

Braillenote

Pacmate

Braille Plus

Refreshable Braille Displays

Pacmate Braille display

Brailliant Braille display

Standalone Scanners

Extreme Reader

SARA

Hardware and Software for Braille Production

• Duxbury software• Romeo

Tiger

Juliet

Assistive Technology for Physical Impairments

Keyboards• One handed• Ergonomic • Onscreen• Small• Large• Unique

                    

 

Pointing Devices• Trackballs- mainstream products

available in computer retail stores and specialty products such as P&G roller plus trackball

• Ergonomic

• Head or mouth controlled (Jouse, HeadMouse Extreme)

3M Ergonomic

AirObic

Jouse

Trackball Emotion

EvolutionMouse-Trak

Footime Foot

Speech Recognition software

• Dragon naturally speaking• SpeakQ• MacSpeech Dictate (Mac)

Ergonomics

• Forearm support

• Wrist rests

• Keyboard trays

• Desk height

• Chair

• Foot rests

Switch Access

• Switch selection

• Switch site

• software

Operating System Built In Features

• Sticky keys

• Filter keys

• Mouse keys

Assistive Technology for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Signaling Devices

Devices to notify households of events including the telephone or doorbell ringing, baby crying, audio alarms, and more via flashing lamp, a bed shaker and vibrating personal signaler.

alarm clock

                

 

Communication Devices

• Video Communication devices

• Teletypewriters (TTY)

• PC TTYs

• Network TTYs

• TTY/Carry-Over

Telephones

Examples of TTYs