Universal Access & Assistive TechnologiesPoudre River Public Library DistrictDecember 11, 2012

• Marla Roll

Director, Assistive Technology Resource Center, CSU• Shannon Lavey

Service Coordinator, Assistive Technology Resource Center, CSU

PRPLD and CSU: Spring of 2012 – Students in OT 680 class consulted with the

PRPLD and made recommendations for AT Purchases were made – thanks to Irene Romsa AT was installed – thanks to Lingzhen Zhao

Exciting news for the Fort Collins Community – one of the few locations where the public can access AT!

Overview of AT at PRPLD

Demographics of Disability There are an estimated 54 million people with disabilities

living in the U.S. – U.S. Census Bureau

There are nearly 7 million school-aged children with disabilities in the U.S.

– Congressional Research Service

Nearly 70 percent of working-age adults with disabilities are unemployed. – U.S. Census Bureau

Fewer than 25 percent of people with disabilities who could be helped by assistive technology are using it.

– Alliance for Technology Access

What is Assistive Technology? According to the United States Assistive Technology Act of

1998, assistive technology (also called adaptive technology ) refers to any "product, device, or equipment, whether acquired commercially, modified or customized, that is used to maintain, increase, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.“

Common computer-related assistive technology products include screen magnifiers, large-key keyboards, alternative input devices such as over-sized trackballs, speech recognition programs, and text readers.

Why Assistive Technology? Ethical and legal responsibility to provide access to

information

Fort Collins is lacking in AT resources for the community

Access to AT can mean access to information for leisure, work and school related purposes.

Think of AT as “electronic curb cuts”

Low tech kits Magnifying sheets – can be placed over book pages

Amber 3X Clear 2X

Handheld magnifier – magnifies text and provides backlighting

Writing guide kit – allows for guidance with reading and writing

Book stand – can ease viewing and encourages neutral postures

Pencil/pen grip – can easy process for those with abnormal tone, arthritis, ergonomic considerations

Dragon Naturally Speaking Voice recognition software – user interacts with computer by

voice Loaded on laptop – allows for access in a quiet room

Who benefits? People with mobility impairments ( SCI, Arthritis, MS, CTD) People with cognitive considerations (LD, TBI)

For what purpose? Users can dictate into word processors, spreadsheets, email, the

web, etc. Users can navigate the computer using commands

Zoomtext Screen magnification and reader software

Magnifies, enhances, and reads aloud all visual events on the computer screen

Who benefits? People with low vision, aging population People who have sensitivities viewing the computer screen

For what purpose? User can see, hear, and use the computer with more ease Hot keys available to eliminate the use of the mouse

Zoomtext Camera

Uses a high definition web camera to view and magnify printed and 3D objects

Considered a portable and affordable CCTV alternative Image is enlarged and read with the Zoomtext software Who benefits?

People with low vision Aging population

For what purpose? View any printed and 3D object – checks, letters, pill bottles, etc.

Read and Write Gold

Literacy support software Helps with reading, writing, studying, research Who benefits?

Everybody People with cognitive considerations (LD, ADHD,TBI)

For what purpose? Reads text aloud while highlighting Assists with spelling/grammar, sentence construction, diction,

and organizing ideas User can research and study using features like highlighter, fact

finder, and vocab list builder

Adjustable Height Table Who benefits?

People who are very tall or very short in stature People in wheelchairs, scooters People with back pain

For what purpose? Universal Design Electronic access means users do not have to ask for help! Allows for improved posture for all users Allows user in W/C to get positioned well Allows users to work in standing

Alternative keyboard Gold touch keyboard –

Who uses it? everybody

For what purpose? Encourages better typing posture Adjustable for different user sizes and preferences Elimination of num key pad allows mouse to be placed closer to the body

Zoomcaps keyboard labels Who benefits?

People with low vision, aging population For what purpose?

Viewing the keyboard More spacing between letters No serifs Heavier and wider font

Alternative mouse Kensington Expert Trackball Mouse

Wrist rest for added comfort Scroll wheel and programmable buttons

Who uses it? Everybody People with mobility impairments ( SCI, Arthritis, MS, CTD)

For what purpose? Encourages a neutral postures of wrist and hand Allows for more control and accuracy Removes work load from shoulder and decreases grip

Flatbed scanner Allows users to scan hard copy print Who Benefits?

Anybody who needs print content digitized People with print disabilities ( dyslexia, blindness, low vision)

For what purpose? Scanning documents for electronic conversion Scanned image can be OCR’d (Optical Character Recognition)

Converted to text With Adobe Acrobat or Read and Write Gold

NVDA – Nonvisual Desktop Access

Screen reader for Windows OS Free and open source - http://www.nvda-project.org/ Great for people who do NOT have the resources to buy

Jaws Who uses it?

People with blindness or significant low vision

For what purpose? Means of access to all information on the computer – reads all

text, menus, dialogue boxes Computer is essentially inaccessible without it for people who are

blind

Next steps: Considerations for marketing PRPLS web site Training of staff:

AT specialists ATRC web site Train the trainer OT 680

Considerations in procurement

Thanks! http://atrc.colostate.edu

Marla C. Roll, MS, OTR Director – Assistive Technology Resource Center Faculty – Department of Occupational Therapy 491-2016 Marla.Roll@colostate.edu

Shannon Lavey, MS, OTR Service Coordinator – Assistive Technology Resource Center 491-4241 Shannon.Lavey@colostate.edu