Assistive TechnologyMarla Roll, MS, OTR

Denver OptionsCare Coordinator RetreatJuly 18th, 2011

Objectives for today:Review of themes that arose in the

AT consultation process

Review of assistive technologies

Review of mainstream technologies

Process and discussion for supporting your needs

Themes:Requests for new devices when

existing devices are sufficientORThey have technology than can

accomplish the same task e.g. book readers

Themes (con’t)Computers or laptops are bought

without a trial of usabilityORComputers may not be usable or

usage maximized without additional AT.

Themes (con’t)Differentiating between Assistive

Technology and technology.

1. Assistive technology – devices, software and hardware that meet a specialized need.

2. Mainstream technology – off the shelf

3. Tablets & smart phones and their various apps fall in the middle.

Themes (con’t)Compensatory/ AdaptationVSRestorative – cognitive retraining

Example – apps that give a cue to remember vs. apps that work on improving memory

Restorative should have a professional recommendation Marla is biased

Themes (con’t)Much of the requested assistive

technology is cheaper than an AT evaluation.◦Pro: evaluation will determine the

best match and introduce client to options they are not aware of

◦Con: evaluation is more costly than the requested technology

Memory/ Time management (prompting, cueing, coaching)Mainstream:

◦ Smart phone apps◦ Recorders built into smart phones◦ Tablet apps◦ Watches with timers/ alarms◦ Digital recorders◦ GPS

Assistive Technology:◦ Word completion and prediction – software that aids memory during a

written communication task.◦ List extraction◦ Color coding software◦ List of freebie software◦ Specialized hand held software – Demo of Endeavor/ Ablelink◦ http://www.ablelinktech.com/index.php?id=38

Language – writingAssistive Technology

◦ Word prediction e.g. Co-Writer, Read & Write, Word Q (account for phonetic spelling mistakes)

◦ Proofreading – text to speech (Wynn, Read & Write)

◦ Spelling checking programs e.g. Ginger

◦ Concept Mapping - e.g. Inspiration

◦ Portable note-takers e.g. Alphasmart

Language – writingMainstream Technology:

◦ Livescribe - Smart & Echo pens

◦ Tablet computers with pen computing

Language - readingAssistive technology

◦Daisy book players◦Software book players◦OCR with Text to speech software

(Read:outloud, Read and Write Gold, Wynn, Kurzweil, Ease Reader)

◦Intel Reader◦Scanning and reading pens

Language – reading (con’t)• Electronic study tools ( highlight, bookmarks,

annotations, definitions, language supports, masking)

• Change display options ( built – in and specialized)

• Web readers – (Wynn, Read & Write)

Demo of Read & Write, Wynn, Inspiration http://www.freedomscientific.com/lsg/products/wynn_features.asp http://www.texthelp.com/page.asp?pg_id=10059 http://www.inspiration.com/Inspiration

Language - readingMainstream technology

◦E – book readers – ( Sony, Nook, Kindle) – beware that most do not consider disability

◦Blio software – http://www.blio.com/

◦Smartphone app - takes a picture, OCR’s, then reads

Computer Access - Voice recognition e.g. Dragon NS,

Window’s 7.0 built –in http://www.nuance.com/ucmprod/groups/dragon/@

web-enus/documents/collateral/nc_016429.pdf

Screen magnification ( Zoomtext), Windows built-in

http://www.aisquared.com/

Computer Access ( con’t)Alternative keyboards ( on-

screen, one-handed, enlarged, mini, etc.)

Alternative Mice - pointing devices

( trackballs, contoured mouse)

Computer Access ( con’t)Microsoft Built – ins – http://

atrc.colostate.edu/1quickstart-guides.aspx#builtins

http://www.microsoft.com/enable/

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/features/accessibility

Mainstream Devices: (these are not AT)ComputersMp3 PlayersE-Book ReadersHand Helds – smart phonesI-Pods and I-Pads – Android TabletsWindows TabletsDigital Recorders

Mainstream Device Considerations:Can they see the content?Can the screen be de-cluttered?Can they manipulate the

controls?Can they handle the memory

demands?Can they handle the cognitive

demands?

So they have a computer – now what?Consider freebies – built-ins and

http://www.oatsoft.org/

Consider AT that might be relevant

Have them do the tasks they are requesting the device for…◦Can they write?◦Can they search the web?◦Can they email?

Smartphones and tablets:What makes these usable are the

apps!

Consider most relevant appsAssist with display setting and

tools to simplify

Resources for Apps AT Partners handout

OT practice handout

Web sites for apps:◦ iTunes App Store◦ Android Market◦ WebOS App Catalog◦ Blackberry App World◦ AppBrain◦ My App Box◦ AppCraver◦ AppSafari

Apps are always changing, check what is available on an on-going basis

Reminder - Consider responsibility of the environment:Public schools Higher EducationDivision of Vocational

Rehabilitation Workplace

Help your clients to advocate in the above environments – clarify need as it relates to impairments

HAAT - diagram

The simpler the tech is to use, the less likely it is to be abandoned.

Assistive Technology

Activity

Human

Context/ Environment

Consider AT for your lab:Providing clients with hands-on

trials of AT & mainstream devices

Practice using the devices with real world applications

Build capacity of care coordinators to address technology considerations.

Technology Options for Denver Options Lab Microsoft Built-ins:

◦ Magnifier, text to speech, keyboard and mouse settings, on-screen keyboard

Voice Recognition software◦ Dragon NS Premium

Literacy support◦ Wynn◦ Read & Write Gold

Adaptive keyboards and mice Spell checkers

◦ Ginger I-pad or I-touch – with apps loaded Live Scribe – Echo pen Scanning & Reading Pen

Consider an outcome measure in your process:Follow – up:

◦Functional Outcomes are the only real measure of the success of AT devices and services!!!

◦Are they reading, working, writing, etc., ?

How can I better assist?What is working with the

process?

What needs to be modified?

Marla’s Contact Info:

Marla.Roll@colostate.edu

970-217-1880