Download - Using Macintosh Computers with Special Needs Students A Presentation for TBE 550 Farah Fisher, EdD
Using Macintosh Computers with Special Needs Students
A Presentation for TBE 550
Farah Fisher, EdD
Presentation Objectives
List computer-related physical/educational needs of special students.
Given a problem related to computer use, list at least two possible solutions.
Given a problem related to computer use, describe a Macintosh program that may provide a solution.
What is assistive technology?
General term for hardware and/or software used to assist individuals with disabilities.
This presentation will focus on computer-related access adaptations, but many other types of assistive technology are available.
Why cover Macintosh only?
Macintosh computers have always had free adaptive software built in.
TBE 550-01 meets in a Mac lab, so we can try the adaptations.
There will be references to Windows applications at the end of the presentation.
Presentation Organization The assistive technology adaptations
will be organized by general type of disability (type of impairment).
This is the most common way to access information about assistive technology.
Fine Motor Movement Problems Some disabilities impair the use of hands and
arms (“fine motor” means small muscles). Cerebral Palsy Muscular Dystrophy Multiple Sclerosis Stroke Arthritis Quadriplegia Central Nervous System Disorders
Fine Motor Movement Problems There are at least two possibilities:
Cannot use hands Lack of hand control
shaking jerky movement hold keys down too long cannot hit correct key difficulty moving mouse
Fine Motor Movement Problems - Adaptations
Headstick/Mouthstick Keyboard Cover Keyboard Control
Turn off repeatabilityHold down key longer to accessKeyboard replaces mouse
Fine Motor Movement Problems - Adaptations
Voice commands (speech recognition)
ListenDo!Dragon productsViaVoice
Special keyboards
Scanning Software - for those who cannot use their hands or speak
Characters/words displayed in grid Single switch chooses
puff switch button switch key on keyboard
Vision Problems - Disabilities
Vision impairments may be divided into two general categories: Partially sighted (“low vision”) Blind
Vision Problems
Vision impaired individuals have problems seeing the screen: Can see only large displays (low vision) Cannot see screen (blind)
Vision Problems - Adaptations Speech synthesis
computer “pronounces” text on screen Large letter display
characters are shown in large fonts
small larger larger larger larger larger
really large
Vision Problems - Adaptations
Screen reading software Reads all part of the screen, including menus
Screen enlarging software Enlarges all screen display, not only text
Hearing Problems - Disabilities
As with vision problems, there are two basic categories of hearing problems: Hard of hearing Deaf
Hearing Problems
Computers generate beeps and other alert signals to notify the user that something is happening.
Deaf students generally have a low reading level and may not be able to understand messages on the screen.
Hearing Problems - Adaptations
The auditory signals can be replaced by flashes on the screen.
Turn up the volume (consider ear phones). Pictorial instructions can replace text.
Cognitive Problems - Disabilities
Individuals with cognitive disabilities sometimes need adaptations.
Classifications: Learning disabled (LD) Developmentally disabled (DD)
“mildly retarded” “moderately retarded’
Students may not be able to read or have a low reading level - may not be able to read instructions or menus.
Students may not understand or remember how to operate the computer.
Cognitive Problems
Speech synthesis to read screen Cross-ability pairing
disabled student paired with good reader
Cognitive Problems - Adaptations
Students in Wheelchairs - Disabilities Permanent disabilities
cerebral palsy para/quadriplegic birth defects (e.g. Spina Bifida)
Temporary orthopedic problems broken leg
Students in Wheelchairs - Problems Access to computer lab Movement within lab Cannot get close enough to computer
DOOR
Students in Wheelchairs - Adaptations When arranging computer lab, allow
access for wheelchairs. Use computers with moveable
keyboards (do not lock down). Purchase special tables
that can be raised/lowered Put a computer table up on blocks
Adaptive Programs for the Macintosh
OS 8.x/9.x
OS X
Keyboard Control Panel (8.x/9.x) Choose Control Panels in Apple Menu Choose Keyboard Set mouse tracking and double click
speed Control keyboard repeatability and
delay time (minimum control)
Easy Access(OS 8.x/9.x) Comes with Macintosh system In Universal Access folder Put into Extensions folder and restart Three functions controlled by Easy
Access Sticky Keys Slow Keys Mouse Keys
Easy AccessSticky Keys Latches keys like Command and Shift Allows easy one-hand (or stick) use Activate/deactivate by pressing Shift
key 5 times without moving mouse
Easy AccessSlow Keys Controls repeatability factor for students
who hold keys too long Can delay or turn off repeatability
Easy AccessMouse Keys Allows numeric keypad to be used
instead of mouse
7 8 94 61 2 3
5 = mouse button0 = lock mouse button. = unlock mouse button
CloseView
Must be in Control Panel folder Use Control Panels from Apple menu
or...turn on/off Option Command Omagnify on/off Option Command Xmagnify up/down Option Command
MacinTalk
Easy speech synthesis Software only Works with word processing (speaks
highlighted text when menu item is chosen) SimpleText (OS 8.x/9.x) TextEdit (OS X)
Universal Access (OS X) Open System Preferences (in the
blue Apple menu) Double click Universal Access Options will appear for seeing,
hearing, keyboard and mouse.
Universal Access (OS X) Seeing options
Zoom (like CloseView) White/black exchange
Hearing options Screen flash (alert) Volume
Universal Access (OS X) Keyboard options
Sticky keys Slow keys
Mouse options Mouse keys
Let’s try the Mac adaptations!
What about Windows?
Let’s visit the TBE 550 “open site” disability links.
http://www.csudh.edu/fisher/tbe550/spec.html We will also visit shareware/freeware sites to
find free/inexpensive adaptive software http://www.tucows.com/
End of Presentation
TBE 550
Special Needs Students
And Computers