EUSE ConferenceJune 12th 2013

Siobhán Long, National Assistive Technology Training ServiceEnable Ireland: E mail: slong@enableireland.ie

New assistive technologies to enhance access to job opportunities

for people with disabilities.

Presentation Outline

• Enable Ireland: who we are and what we do• What is Assistive Technology?• What AT works in the work place?• Descriptive Case Studies X 2• Workplace Assessment Service• Funding sources• International Best Practice/Web resources

Enable Ireland: Who we are

• 18 local centres

• Providing services primarily to people with physical/multiple disabilities

Our Mission

To enable those who use our services to achieve maximum independence, choice

and inclusion in their communities.

Social Model of Disability

• Barriers created by society

• Society’s responsibility is to remove those barriers/promote access

• Priority: Social inclusion

Enable Ireland’s Approach to delivering AT Supports

Service User

Family/PA/Circle of Support

Local Support

National Support

AT: A Tool For Work

The role of Assistive Technology (AT) in providing accessible workspaces for employees of different abilities.

Why AT?“For most people, technology makes

things easier. For people with disabilities however, technology makes things

possible.”

(MP Radabough, IBM National Support Center for People with Disabilities)

Assistive Technology

• Is a tool………

• To support individuals

to achieve their potential..

• Ultimate goal:

Access retain employment

• Computers: PC’s, tablets, laptops, iPads, Smart Phones

• Communication

• Environmental Controls/Smart Home Technologies

• Alternative power mobility controls

Assistive Technologies…….

In an average workplace:• 60% of employees will benefit from

adjustments to their workstation• 10% of employees will be left-handed• 15% won’t be able to read 10 point font

without eye strain• 10% will have dyslexia or specific

reading/writing difficulties

Forrester Research Report (US)

Who can benefit from Assistive Technology?

• New/prospective employees with a disability

• Current employees– Prevent acquisition of work related injury– Retain staff who acquire injury

Assistive technology can accommodate a wide range of differing abilities, including but not limited to:

• visual impairment • deafness and hearing loss• speech and language impairments• mobility limitations • learning difficulties• mental health impairments • neurological disorders

Using ComputersConventional Input

Methods

• Alternatives to Keyboard • Alternatives to Mouse • Voice Recognition

• Windows Ease of Access Center: Free, built-in features on standard computers

Alternative Keyboards

• Alternative Keyboard Layout– Qwerty– Alphabetic– Chording

Keyboard/frequency of use

• Specialised Keyboards– Ergonomic Keyboard

• Expanded/mini Keyboard

Mouse Alternatives

• Trackballs

• Joysticks

• Touch Pads

• Head Mouse

• Touch Screen

• Eye Gaze

Windows Ease of Access Center

www.microsoft.com/enable

Free/Built-in AT solutions

• Microsoft’s Ease of Use Centre: www.microsoft.com/enable

• Access Apps: JISC Techdis: www.techdis.ac.uk

• iPad, iPhone and Mac OS

Voice Recognition

GPS and Online Maps

Dyslexia:

Software supports

ReadPlease free downloadable for Windows Userswww.readplease.com

Translating Text to SpeechTranslating Text to Speech

Texthelp Read and Write Gold

Speech - colour highlights and reads the words, sentences or paragraphs Spell Checking - specifically designed to solve complex phonetic errors. Can be customized to suit individual needs Homophones Support will identify and provide audible definitions for like sounding words

Word Prediction – begin the word and chose from a listDictionary - Dictionary - 180,000-word talking dictionary Simple Calculator

Word Wizard - assists in developing creative sentences by offering solutions for vocabulary. 

Diaries & PlanningMy Corkboard

Screensaver allowing ‘sticky notes’, to do lists, photos, calendar – FREE (www.mycorkboard.com)

Others: Evernote…..

Mind Mapping

Inspiration/Kidspiration

Mind Map

Graphical MindMapping for outlining of Ideas.

Word Banks

Wordbar

Communication: Apps

• 100+ AAC apps currently available

• Prices vary from free to €200+

• No trial versions of apps – iTunes limitation– Symbol/Picture based– Symbol & Text based – Text only based

Apps with Symbols & Text to Speech• Apps that support individuals with

emergent/developing literacy skills.

• Usually has synthetic speech output

• Word prediction available in some apps

• Quality very much related to price

Workplace Accommodations

Workplace accommodations are not as costly as one might think:

• 31% cost nothing • 50% cost less than $50 • 69% cost less than $500 • 88% cost less than $1,000

American Foundation for the Blind

Creating Accessible Workplaces: Enable Ireland’s Experience

Raising Employer AwarenessEmployer Seminars

Employer Guide To ATWorkplace Assessment Service

Remote Assessment ServiceState Funding: FAS

(National Training and Employment Authority)

Employer Seminars

Employer Guide To AT

www.enableireland.ie/at

Workplace Assessment Service

• Desktop sharing

• Enabling remote adjustment

• Widening reach

• Minimal cost

• Reduced time requirement: service provider/employee

• Minimum disruption to employee/employer

Remote Assessment Service

Workplace Funding Supports: www.fas.ie

• Workplace Equipment Adaptation Grant• Personal Reader Grant• Wage Subsidy Scheme• Job Interview Interpreter Grant• Supported Employment Programme• Disability Awareness Training Support Scheme

International Best Practice: What we learned

AT and Work:

Personal ExperiencesAlbert & Nadine

Product Designers

Computer Scientists

Web Designers

Supporting Resources

AT Resources Website: www.enableireland.ie Facebook/Twitter:

www.facebook.com\actionondisability E learning: www.enableirelandat.com Blog: www.userdrivendesign.org YouTube: www.youtube.com/enableirelandat Employer Guide:

www.enableireland.ie/products-technology/at-training/publications

SummaryAssistive Technology and Mainstream

technologies are merging (slowly but surely….)

Becoming more affordable

Employer/Employee expectations are on the rise

Impact on access to employment is growing