ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY OF ALASKA

www.atlaak.org

MYSTIE RAIL Assistant Director

• ATLA General Introduction• Basic Guide to Decision Making for

Computer Access• Built – In Operating System Tools • Input Devices• Speech Recognition• Text to Speech

WEBINAR OUTLINE

GRANT ACTIVITIES Federal Tech Act Project• Information & Awareness• Demonstrations• General AT Presentations

(small or large group)• Short Term Loans• Reutilization of equipment

WHO IS ATLA?

ATLA can assist by finding the best AT solution to overcome barriers

Try-Before-You-Buyshort term loans

trial softwaredemonstration areas

research and resources

FEATURE MATCHING

WHAT’S THE NEXT STEP?

Servicing the state beyond the grant…

NONGRANT ACTIVITIESFee Services• Device and software

reseller

• AT training on a variety ofcustom topics

• AT assessments

WHO IS ATLA?

WHERE IS ATLA?

BASECAMP2217 E. TUDOR RD., SUITE 4ANCHORAGE 99507

AVAILABLE throughout AK

• DEMONSTRATION CENTERS

• VIRTUAL HELP DESK SYSTEM

• WEBINARS

• RESOURCES

WHO CAN ATLA HELP?

CRITERIA

IN ALASKA

BE ALIVE

HAVE AN INJURY OR DISABILITY

RELATED NEED

… ATLA DOES NOT …FIX, MAINTAIN, OR TRAIN GENERAL

COMPUTER NEEDS

PROVIDE FUNDING

BILL MEDICAID / MEDICARE

THERAPEAUTIC EVALS OCCUPATIONAL, PHYSICAL, SPEECH

DURABLE MEDICAL NEEDS(WHEELCHAIRS, WALKERS, VEHICLE MODS, VENTS, ETC..)

ATLA’S AT AREAS•Augmentative & Alternative Communication•Computer Access•Deaf & Hard of Hearing Aids•Environmental Controls•Learning & Cognitive Supports•Vision Impairment Aids•Other

STATEWIDE AT PROJECTSWWW.AKTRADINGPOST.ORG

•Service that connects people and organizations with available assistive technology (AT) and durable medical equipment (DME)

•Searchable web-based database

•Provides Alaskans access to technology that may be located anywhere in the state

STATEWIDE AT PROJECTSMIDNIGHT SUNASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE

AUGUST 3 – 5, 2011WWW.MSATC.ORG

40 EXHIBITORS FROM ALL OVER THE US, OVER 60 SESSIONS, PRECONFERENCE CERTIFICATION,

NATIONAL SPEAKERS•opportunity to see latest in assistive technologies (AT), practices, and services•unique opportunity for exhibitors, professionals, private individuals, and service providers to exchange and gather information on the world of AT

Assistive Technology

any device or system that allows someone with a disability to perform tasks they would

otherwise be unable to do

specialized

Assistive Technologyany device or system that allows someone with a

disability, injury, impairment, or deficit to perform tasks they would otherwise

be unable to do

Productivity

Enhancement

Assistive Technology

IMAGINE…Can you imagine for a minute

a world without computers?

IMAGINE…What would it mean to someone with a disability or impairment?

IMAGINE…Computer Technology Opens a World of

Work to Disabled People

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/01/technology/01disable.html?_r=1

DISABILITY AREAS OF NEED

• BLIND OR LOW VISION

• PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENTS

• COGNITIVE DISABILITIES

CONSIDERATIONS

• Abilities & Difficulties

• Environmental

• Sensory

• A Continuum of Tools & Strategies

ABILITIES & DIFFICULTIES• Does the person have experience using a

computer? If so, for what? • Does the person have the necessary cognitive

skills to understand the purpose of using the computer?

• At what level is the person reading and writing?• Is the person's speech clear and consistent?• Is the person in an optimal position for accessing

the computer (chair, wheelchair, etc.)? • Does the person have any visual issues (acuity,

tracking, nystagmus)? Hearing issues?

ABILITIES & DIFFICULTIES• Can the person keyboard with two hands?• Can the person isolate and point with one finger?• Does the person maintain their attention to the

computer long enough to complete a task? • Are they visually interested in what's happening on

the screen? • Does the person have

any behaviour issues that may interfere with computer use?

ABILITIES & DIFFICULTIESFishing for the “Digital Hook”

• Go beyond the task

• Hobbies, interests, & the fun factor

• Get them excited THEN apply it to the task

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS• Will the person have a specific computer dedicated

to their use, or will they use several computers throughout the school, workplace, or home?

• What operating system is on the computer(s)?• Will the computer(s) be laptop or desktop?• What software programs will the person need to

access?• If the access method requires set up, is someone

available to assist?• Where in the room is the computer located? If the

person is a student, can they see the teacher from that location?

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS• What position(s)/equipment will the person be in when

accessing the computer?• Will the person require an adjustable workstation to

accommodate a wheelchair?• Will anything need to be mounted?

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS• If a dedicated laptop is used, is there a power source? • How will it be transported? • If there is sound on the computer, will that impact the

other persons in the room? Are headphones necessary?

• Will the person need to print or scan from the computer?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1210357/Paralysed-Hilary-Lister-female-quadriplegic-sail-solo-round-UK.html

First female quadriplegic to sail solo round the UK

SENSORY FACTORS• Visual clutter

• Fluorescent lighting versus full spectrum lighting

• Background noise of classroom or office

• Tactile stimulation

• Awareness of physical space

• Other individual specific sensitivities

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS & TASKS• What are the expectations for the assignments

or the job duties?• Access to special software? Will it be

compatible?• How is this person going to complete written

work?• Will they be able to navigate the Internet? Is

the Internet blocked from IT?• Are they going to have to take tests?• How are they going to do Math tasks?• Will they need to take “handwritten” notes?

BUILT INTO THE COMPUTER

Why not use what you already have?Built in features of your Operating System

XP Accessibility Wizard

VistaEase of Access

Mac OS X Access Solutions

BUILT INTO THE COMPUTER

ATLAAK.ORG

RATE ENHANCEMENT

LESS KEYSTROKES PLEASE!

WORD PREDICTIONDon Johnston – Co:Writer

WordQ

INPUT DEVICESKEYBOARDS

INPUT DEVICESKEYBOARDS

INPUT DEVICESKEYBOARDS

INPUT DEVICESKEYBOARDS

ON SCREEN KEYBOARDS

mouse dwell

dwell delay

INPUT DEVICESROLLER BALL MICE

INPUT DEVICESANGLED MICE

INPUT DEVICESBODY PART MICE

MOUSE ACCESS

ASSISTIVE MOUSE ADAPTER

FREE DOWNLOADS

http://eviacam.sourceforge.net/eviacam.php

http://cameramouse.org

SWITCH ACCESSIt’s not just the EASY button

anymore!

TEXT TO SPEECHIt’s like a

PROCESSINGPROSTHETIC

an e-Ramp for the brain

TEXT TO SPEECH

There’s a TOOLBAR for that!• customizable

•floats on top of commonly used programs

•Writing, Reading, Study, and Research Tools

TEXT TO SPEECH

• Reads Bookshare• Import books

directly • Set Bookmarks• Navigate

DAISY READER

TEXT AUDIOConvert text from

WORD, SAFARI, or a PDF

FREE TEXT TO SPEECHNaturalreaders.com

SPEECH TO TEXT

TALK THE TALK SO YOU CAN TYPE THE TYPE

OK, NOW LET’S TIE IT ALL TOGETHER

ROAD MAP FOR COMPUTER ACCESSPOSITIONING OF THE PERSON

and/or EQUIPMENT

INPUT DEVICE W/ OS ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES

INPUT DEVICEWITH ADAPTATIONS

RATE ENHANCEMENT(REDUCE KEYSTROKES)

ALTERNATIVE INPUT DEVICE

ONSCREENKEYBOARD

VOICE RECGONITIONSOFTWARE

EYEGAZE

SWITCHACCESS

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