The Changing Face of AT in Education

Fast ForwardChanges in Assistive Technology for EducationChangeIt may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird: it would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg.

C. S. Lewis

Changes in Our LifetimeWe are living during a consumer technology explosionIndoor PlumbingTelephoneTelevisionMusic/MoviesCamerasCredit/Debit CardsMicrowave

Changes continuedAir conditioningCar Safety seat beltsair bags, collision avoidance, anti-lock brakes, rear view camerasComputersInformationChanges in the Education of Individuals with DisabilitiesTechnologyLawsPost-Secondary EducationStudents with DisabilitiesTechnology TimelineThe Start of Personal ComputersTechnology TimelineMainstream Personal ComputersTechnology TimelineThe Start of Computing Today

TimelineComputers TodayTimelineAT LAWSPrograms receiving federal moneyProvide equally effective access to programs, benefits, and services for individuals with disabilities in the most integrated manner possible.

Definition of ATTech Act AgenciesFocus on systems changeMust address needs of students.Extend civil rights to students not protected by 504the provision of regular or special education and related aids and services that are designed to meet individual needs of handicapped persons as well as the needs of non-handicapped persons are met and based on adherence to procedural safeguards outlined in the law. 10TimelineAT LAWS 1990+K- 12 ProgramsFree and Appropriate EducationIEPLeast Restrictive EnvironmentProvision of AT servicesFocus on provision of technologyDemonstrationLoanReutilizationShift focus away from determination of disability to provision of needed servicesYou can look at:History of accommodationsReport of people working with the individuals - narrativean educational program that is individualized to a specific child, designed to meet that child's unique needs, provides access to the general curriculum, meets the grade-level standards established by the state, and from which the child receives educational benefit.11ChangePost-Secondary Schools & TechnologyChange Students with DisabilitiesStudents with disabilities are integrated into the classroom and exit high school better prepared academically for college are qualified to enter college

Students absolutely have a better understanding/level of comfort with technology in general

Students have been involved in meetings in high school and have a better understanding of their disability****

Students may have some experience with assistive technology in high school and are better prepared to apply assistive technology in college****AT In Higher EducationDefinition of Assistive TechnologyAny item, piece of equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of children with disabilities.

Definition of Assistive Technology 2TECHNOLOGYmakes things EASIER foreveryone.

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGYmakes things POSSIBLE forindividuals with disabilities.

Difficulties experienced ..(Some) Common Problems experienced by (college) students with disabilitiesAttending ClassTaking NotesReading Course MaterialsGenerating HomeworkOrganizedStories in Fast ForwardStories in Fast Forward 1Attending Class

Stories in Fast Forward2

Stories in Fast Forward3

Standard buses, used by everyone, with specialized accommodation built in for individual with a mobility impairment.Online courses, used by everyone, everyone uses the same basic interface and the class/instructor may not know about the disabilityAttending ClassMainstream TechnologyStories in Fast Forward4Taking Notes80s - Ralph

Stories in Fast Forward5Taking Notes2005 Nathan

Stories in Fast Forward6Taking Notes2010

Stories in Fast Forward7Taking NotesToday

Taking NotesMainstream TechnologyStories in Fast Forward8Reading Textbooks the Old WayKurzweil Reading MachineRFB/RFB&D Recorded!!!CCTVs

Stories in Fast Forward9Late 1990s - JamesReading software for the Blind and Visually ImpairedA couple of optionsKurzweil 1000 scan and read software operation Open BookKeyboard based software (obviously, not a well-developed visual interface).

Stories in Fast Forward10Late 1990s - JamesReading software for the Blind and Visually ImpairedA couple of optionsKurzweil 1000 scan and read software operation Open BookKeyboard based software (obviously, not a well-developed visual interface).Scanning done by wife

A Page from the Users Guide:Kurzweil 1000 opens a full page dialog, showing the image of the page. The image of the current word is highlighted. You can press any of the following:

F1HelpF5Stop or Start ReadingF6Go Back One Reading UnitF7Go to Start of Current Reading UnitF8Go Forward One Reading UnitSHIFT+F6Go to the Previous RegionSHIFT+F8Go to the Next RegionCONTROL+IInvert colorsStories in Fast Forward11Early 2000s - DuaneLiteracy SoftwareWYNNKurzweil 3000Read n Write goldPersonal scanning of textsScanning/high speed scannersA Page from the New Users Guide:

Stories in Fast Forward122008 - Accessible texts becoming more availableAccess Text Network - 2008Stories in Fast Forward132008 10Specialty readersKnfb readerIntel reader

Stories in Fast Forward14What are we doing today????iPhone, iPod Touch, iPadFor example a Learning Ally App allows for reading of audio books from Learning Ally on an iOS device.

Stories in Fast Forward15What are we doing today????Access to real time reading materialsOCR with Voice OverImage to Text Mobile OCRCamera is the limitation on the iPad will get better OCR from iPhone.

Reading TextbooksMainstream TechnologyStories in Fast Forward16Writing 80sScribe

Stories in Fast Forward17Specialty keyboards - Tim

Stories in Fast Forward18Dragon Dictate Dixie early 90sComputer issues ports, IRQs, memory installation, sound cardsExpensive, consider other alternatives first$10K Computer, $10K Software, & Training

Stories in Fast Forward19Dragon Naturally Speaking 1997 Pam - *** marketing to mainstream ***Using Jouse for cursor control

Stories in Fast Forward20Dragon on iOS 2011This version does the recognition part on the internet.Typically good for short snippets of text

Stories in Fast Forward21Dragon on Surface Pro 2013 - AbbyFull version full features>$1000 computerPremium level software for $200

WritingMainstream TechnologyStories in Fastforward 22OrganizationCalendar iPhoneCommunication$7,000 dedicated communication aid dynamic touch screen Proloquo2Go on iPad $200 + $500

Mainstream TechnologyAT becomes MainstreamOver the last 25 years, we have seen a move from expensive disability technology to the use of inexpensive mainstream technology to accommodate disabilities.Mainstream Technology means 1Universal Design?Mainstream Technology means 2Mainstream Technology = Self-Accommodation?

Definition of Assistive TechnologyrevisitedTECHNOLOGYmakes things EASIER foreveryone.

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGYmakes things POSSIBLE forindividuals with disabilities.

The FUTURE of ATWhere do we go from here?