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Candace Bonnett. Assistive Technology. Overview. What is Assistive Technology Accessibility & Usability Types of AT devices Identifying the right AT devices Discussion/Handouts Additional Resources. What is Assistive Technology? .
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Candace Bonnett Assistive Technology
Overview • What is Assistive Technology • Accessibility & Usability • Types of AT devices • Identifying the right AT devices • Discussion/Handouts • Additional Resources
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the federal special education law, provides the following legal definition of an assistive technology device: "any item, piece of equipment, or product system... that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities."
Accessibility • Accessibility is the ability to use a product (service or system) under limiting conditions resulting from functional or situational limitations. • Functional limitations can be physical or mental (cognitive) and are usually associated to individuals with disabilities.
Usability • Is the end result usable? • Is there user satisfaction? • Is it used effectively? • Ex: website – Is the information usable to a person with a disability?
“Assistive technologies, accessibility, and usability are three components that work together.Resources designed with accessibility and usability in mind result in more effective access to information and higher levels of user satisfaction.”http://www.at.ufl.edu/_archive/accessibility_cd/
Disabilities & Impairments • Vision difficulties/low vision • Color blindness • Blindness • Mobility & dexterity impairments • Hearing impairments & deafness • Language impairments • Learning impairments
Types of AT Devices • Speech Recognition programs • Alternative keyboards • Electronic pointing devices • Braille embossers • Screen enlargers/magnifiers • Screen Readers • Text-to-Speech synthesizers • Talking and large-print word processors
Alternative Keyboards • Larger or smaller than standard keyboard • Alternative key configurations • Keyboards use with one hand • Example
Braille Embosser • Converts text using a word processing program into Braille; then it’s printed on the embosser • Example • Example1
Software Examples • Text to Speech: • Read and Write Gold • ReadPlease • Voice Recognition: • Dragon
Touch Screen Example • Magic Touch Add-on Touch Screen
Screen Enlarger • Mainly used by visually impaired • Enlarges either a part or all of the computer screen • Basic screen enlargers come standard with most operating systems • additional software include: • built-in screen reading • screen smoothing for jagged edges • various screen orientation
What’s New • Tongue Drive System • Accessibility Blog • iPhone application for the blind • Case Studies
Identifying the Right AT Device • Accessibility Resource Centers • help identify the right tool • Set-up your computer • Provide training • Lending services available
Multimedia and Hypermedia • Opera web browser - alternative web browser that is designed to be responsive to physical and sensory disabilities • Include single-key navigation (browses the web using only the keyboard) • Zoom in to enlarge content • Change the font color
Multimedia and Hypermedia • IntelliPics Studio – software package for creating accessible on-line content • Provides speech output • Single-switch scanning (access via a keyboard) • IntelliKeys alternative keyboard • Mouse or touch screen
Literature: • Electronic texts (etexts) • Enlarge font type and size – visually impaired • Copied/pasted into a word processing program or text to speech programs • Copied/pasted into a language translation tool • Examples: • Infomotions • Bibliomania
Literature • Study Aids – advance organizers for reading materials • SparkNotes • NovelGuide • Free Book Notes • Pink Monkey
Writing • Students who struggle with the physical process of handwriting • Dictation • USB handheld digital dictation devices • iDictate – transcription service
Math & Science • Math • Online calculation tools • Calculator • Converters • Science • Manipulate the lab equipment • Unable to read the textbook • Digital Microscope • Brainpop
Social Studies • Personalized newspaper services • Crayon • Decide what stories to monitor • Help engage in reading • Difficulty reading • Reading bar – students click on text and it reads to them • News-2-You – service prepares current events/weekly
Music and Art • Help make art and music activities accessible • Switches – help operate electronic devices • Allows users to move objects
What are some concerns that school systems face with using Assistive Technology ?
Additional Resources • Downloads – Tutorials, Fact Sheets, etc. • Microsoft search feature • AT Resources and links • http://www.at.ufl.edu/_archive/accessibility_cd/