Assistive Technology Basics

1. Assistive Technology Basics Lisa Kosh,Regional Disability Coordinator Maria acevedocorrea, Mental health specialist, Puerto rico centers

2. History of the AT Act

3. Assistive Technology Act Was first known as the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act (also known as the Tech Act), was signed into law in 1988, and was amended in 1994. In 1998, the Tech Act was repealed and replaced with the Assistive Technology Act of 1998 (AT Act). The AT Act seeks to provide assistive technology to persons with disabilities, so they can more fully participate in education, employment, and daily activities on a level playing field with other members of their communities.

4. Purpose of the AT Act • The Assistive Technology Act (AT Act) provides funds to states to support three types of programs: • The establishment of assistive technology (AT) demonstration centers, information centers, equipment loan facilities, referral services, and other consumer-oriented programs • Protection and advocacy services to help people with disabilities and their families, as they attempt to access the services for which they are eligible • Federal/state programs to provide low interest loans and other alternative financing options to help people with disabilities purchase needed assistive technology

5. Definitions

6. What is Assistive Technology? Assistive Technology devices is defined as: Any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.

7. Assistive Technology Assistive Technology service is… directly assisting an individual with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device.

8. Types of Assistive Technology No-tech/Low-tech assistive technology devices are typically low cost and do not require the use of a computer or computer software to provide a benefit to an individual with a disability. Mid-tech assistive technology usually offers the same advantages of low-tech devices. They are often more lightweight and portable, allowing them to be used anywhere and are relatively inexpensive. Hi-tech assistive technology devices are costly and more complex electronic devices, such as computers and specialized software. High-tech devices often incorporate multiple features and may be used to meet a variety of needs.

9. Examples of No-Tech/Low-Tech Assistive Technology Raised line paper Finger spacer Pencil grips Desktop slant board Calculators (talking) Battery operated scissors Talking key chain

10. No-Tech/ Low-Tech Assistive Technology

11. Examples of Mid-Tech Assistive Technology Digital voice recorders Voice cue Dictionaries Talking watches Talking tape measure Pill organizers (with alarm)

12. Mid-Tech Assistive Technology

13. Examples of High-Tech Assistive Technology Augmentative communication devices Voice recognition software Refreshable Braille display Alternative keyboards Screen readers Screen magnification software Multi vibration alarm watches

14. High-Tech Assistive Technology

15. Assistive Technology Categories

16. Categories Aids for daily living Augmentative/speech communication Sensory aids for Deaf/hard of hearing Vision Learning, cognition, and developmental aids Computer access and instruction Environmental adaptations Mobility aids/seating and positioning Vehicle modifications Recreation, sports, and leisure

17. Aids for Daily Living Self-help aids for use in activities such as eating, bathing, cooking, dressing

18. Augmentative/Speech Communication Electronic and non-electronic devices that provide a means for expressive and receptive communication for persons with limited speech

19. Sensory Aids for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Include amplification devices, closed captioning systems, and environmental alert systems that assist a student who is hard of hearing or deaf with accessing information that is typically presented through verbally

20. Vision • Assist individuals with visual disabilities or blindness to access and produce information that is typically presented in a visual format • Magnifiers • Talking calculators • Braille writers and note-taking devices • Adapted tape players • Screen reading software

21. Learning, Cognitive, and Developmental Aids Electronic and non electronic aids such as calculators, spell checkers, portable word processors, and computer-based software solutions

22. Computer Access and Instruction • Devices and software solutions that enable a person with a disability to access a computer • Alternative access aids • Modified or alternative keyboards • Color Coded keyboard stickers • Special software

23. Environmental Adaptations Environmental and structural adaptations that remove or reduce barriers and promote access to and within the built home, employment, and community facilities for individuals with disabilities

24. Mobility Aids/Seating and Positioning Consists of wheelchairs (manual and electronic), walkers, and scooters that are used to increase personal mobility

25. Vehicle Modifications Adapted driving aids, hand controls, wheelchairs, and other lifts, modified vans and other motor vehicles used for increasing personal mobility

26. Recreation, Sports, & Leisure Products that enable individuals with disabilities the ability to participate in sport, health, physical education, recreation, leisure, and dance events

27. Accommodating Students

28. Meet Jason Jason is 18 years old and has both a learning disability and ADHD. In the classroom Jason experiences difficulty with reading and concentrating during class.

29. (Jason) Low-Tech/Mid-Tech Accommodations Talking dictionary to enhance grammar and speech skills

30. (Jason) No-Tech/Low-Tech Accommodations Noise cancelling headphones to reduce outside noise and provide a quieter environment

31. (Jason) High-Tech Accommodations • Wynn Wizard (Scanning and reading software) • Reads text aloud • Color coding • Webmasking • Highlighting • Dictionary

32. (Jason) Product Information • Talking dictionary–Franklin http://www.franklin.com/estore/dictionary/BES-2150/ • Noise cancelling headphones–Sony http:www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId//=-1&XID=O:mdrnc7%2fblk:dg_gglsrch:pla&productId=8198552921665520560 • Wynn Wizard Literacy Software Solution http://www.freedomscientific.com/lsg/products/wynn.asp

33. Meet Tammy Tammy is a 19 year old student that is hard of hearing and, therefore, has a hard time hearing in the classroom. Tammy is a good lip reader but is having difficulty with taking notes while trying to read the teacher’s lips. Tammy also wears hearing aids (with a T-coil) and any assistive technology provided will need to be compatible with her hearing aid. Tammy does not know sign language

34. (Tammy) Mid Tech/High-Tech Accommodations • Amplified neck loop • Amplifies 30 decibels • Hands free • Can be used with most corded and cordless phones -or- • Listen Tech-assistive listening device • Can be used with neck loop or standalone • Portable

35. (Tammy) High-Tech Accommodations • UbiDuo • Face to face interaction • Portable • Instant access to communication (no waiting for interpreters)

36. (Tammy) Mid-Tech Accommodations • Wireless vibrating/chime pager • Allows easy access to reaching someone in a noisy environment • Works up to a range of about 100 feet

37. Tammy Assistive Technology in the Residential Setting

38. (Tammy) Mid-Tech Accommodations • ClearSounds ShakeUp to WakeUp Large Display Alarm Clock • Bed shaker function • 520 Hz square wave sound patterns • Multiple alert settings

39. (Tammy)Mid-Tech Accommodations • HA40 Telephone Handset Amplifier • Portable • Amplifies volume on telephone headset • Amplifies incoming sounds up to 40 decibels • Adjustable incoming volume and tone control

40. (Tammy) Mid-Tech Accommodations • Phone strobe flasher • Alerts users of incoming calls • Powered by the phone line—no additional power supply needed

41. (Tammy) Mid-Tech Accommodations • AMAX Alertmaster Audio Alarm Monitor • Notifies users of a timer going off, smoke, fire, and carbon monoxide.

42. (Tammy) Mid-Tech Accommodations • A12 Visual Alert System • Visual alert system alerts users to telephone calls and a doorbell • Sensors monitor the door bell and knocks on the door to alert users of visitors • Vibrating alert/bed shaker to alert while asleep

43. (Tammy) Product Information Wireless paging system http://www.hearmore.com/store/prodView.asp?idproduct=175&idstore=6&product=Vibrating-Wireless-Personal-Pager ShakeUp to WakeUp http://www.harriscomm.com/hc-sw200.html HA40 Portable Telephone Handset Amplifier http://shop.clarityproducts.com/products/clarity/ha40-portable-telephone-handset-amplifier/?cat=telephone-amplifiers

44. (Tammy) Product Information Phone strobe flasher http://www.iltsource.com/Phone_Strobe_Flasher_p/pf200.htm AMAX AlertMaster Audio Alarm Monitor http://shop.clarityproducts.com/products/ameriphone/amax-alertmaster-audio-alarm-monitor/?cat=notification-systems AL 12 Visual Alert System http://shop.clarityproducts.com/products/clarity-alertmaster/al12-visual-alert-system/

45. Resources

46. Regional Disability Coordinators • Lisa Kosh-Region 1 lisa.kosh@humanitas.com • Kimberly Jones-Regions 2, 5, 6 kim.jones@humanitas.com • Nikki Jackson-Region 3 nikki.jackson@humanitas.com • Sylvia Domagalski-Region 4 sylvia.domagalski@humanitas.com

47. Job Corps Disability Web Site

48. Additional Resources • Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs http://www.ataporg.org • VR JC Program Instruction 99-03 • RESNA Catalyst Project http://www.resnaprojects.org/ • Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP)–Accommodation Solutions http://cap.tricare.mil

49. Job Accommodation Network (JAN) http://askjan.org