ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR

STUDENTS:AN OVERVIEW

SHANNON LAVEYRDS Staff training

8/16/12

A broad range of devices, services, strategies and practices that aid in assisting individuals with disabilities.

An AT device is any item, piece of equipment, or product system that is used to increase, maintain or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.

-Cook & Hussey

Definition of Assistive Technology

Mission of ATRC is to ensure equal access to technology and electronic information for CSU students and employees with disabilities.

Services include: ◦ Assessments, Training, Equipment Loans, Resources,

Accommodations◦ Consultation and Education regarding ergonomic, ADA,

and universal design considerations in technology environments

◦ Assistance with making programs, information and course material accessible for students

Experiential learning of AT for OT Students

Assistive Technology Resource Center

1. Intake with scheduled

appointment

2. Assessment of

AT3.

Training on AT

ATRC 3-Step Process

I really wish this book was in an

alternative format…

1Resources for

Disabled Students

Meet with a counselor to get accommodation

and referrals.970-491-6385

2Assistive

Technology Resource Center

Determine the best format to convert your

textbooks. Call for an appointment 970-491-6258

4Resources for

Disables Students

Bring your textbooks to your

appointment.

Your books will be converted in about two to three weeks.

3Resources for

Disabled Students

Make an appointment with

Melanie Hamman,

Alternative Text Coordinator.

970-491-5906

• Students must complete all of these steps in order to receive alternative text services.

• Books are converted on a first come, first served basis. Please request accommodations as early as possible.

• It is the student’s responsibility to pick up their text books as well as their converted books. Request a CD or bring a 1GB (or larger) USB Memory stick.

Alt Format Process

Alternative Format◦ MP3: audio only, computer voice, harder to

navigate◦ Daisy: audio only/sometimes visual, real voice

available, navigation features, software, hardware players, apps on iPad

◦ Natural Reader/Read Please: audio/visual, free◦ WYNN: audio/visual, reading/studying features,

new version supports Math ML◦ Read and Write: audio/visual,

reading/writing/research features, new version supports Math ML

AT for Reading

Scanning and Reading◦ Text to speech programs- WYNN, Read and Write◦ Apps for Apple and Android

Braille/Embosser Magnifiers

◦ Hardware: video magnifiers◦ Software: Zoom Text

SS Overlay - demo Scanning and Reading Pens Speed Reading programs –demo Built-Ins

◦ Windows and Mac

AT for Reading Cont’d

Speech Recognition Software◦ Dragon Naturally Speaking - demo◦ Windows 7 Built-In

Inspiration◦ Paper organization

Read and Write/WYNN◦ Spell check, grammar, text to speech for proofing, wordprediction

Word Q◦ Word prediction/completion

Ginger◦ Spell check, text to speech - demo

AT for Writing

Digital Recorders◦ Upload audio on computer

Livescribe Pen - demo◦ Synchronous audio and visual◦ Upload written notes/audio on computer

Apps: AudioNote, Notability FM System Captioning Communication Access

RealtimeTranslation (CART), C Print Portable Video Magnifiers - demo

AT for Note-Taking and Classroom Participation

WYNN◦ Go to Web◦ Masking◦ Highlighting◦ List extraction◦ Text/voice annotations

Read and Write◦ Masking◦ Highlighting◦ List extraction◦ Translator◦ Vocab list

AT for Studying

Screen Readers – JAWS Voice Recognition Alternative Pointing Devices (Mice)

◦ Head tracker◦ No hands mouse◦ Switches

Alternative Keyboards◦ One-handed◦ Chorded◦ On-screen (Wivik)◦ Enlarged◦ Mini

Morse Code

AT for Accessing Computer

Ergonomic Keyboards and Mice◦ Split keyboards◦ Contoured keyboards/mice◦ Trackball, vertical mice,

touchpad

Positioning◦ Adjustable tables and monitors◦ Devices, e.g. mobile and static arm supports◦ Foot and wrist rests

AT for Accessing Computer Cont’d

Student can use any AT Examples:

◦ WYNN, Read and Write – vs. a reader◦ Dragon – vs. a scribe◦ SS Overlay – vs. test on colored paper◦ JAWS◦ Zoom Text

AT for Test Taking

Low Tech ◦ Checklists, day planners, task sequencing lists,

alarms and timers on watches and cell phonesHigh Tech

◦ Devices: Computers, tablets, smartphones, PDAs ◦ Software or Apps:

Planning: calendars and “to do” Audio notes to self Multimedia prompting system

◦ Examples of Apps of mainstream tech Google Calendar Alarms, reminders To do lists Notes and voice memos

AT for Organizing Assignments

Atomic Learning Tutorials◦ www.atomiclearning.com

Quick Start Guides◦ www.atrc.colostate.edu

Resources

Thank you!