Assistive Technology: A Tool for Recruiting and Retaining Individuals with Disabilities

1. Assistive Technology: A Tool for Recruiting and Retaining Individuals with Disabilities

2. Presenters: Linda Andrews, M. Ed. Melissa Day, M. Ed. Joanne Kelly, M.S. Taylor McConnaughhay, M.S. Lou Smith, M.S. Pam Winpigler, M.A. Rehabilitation Technologists Workforce and Technology Center Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS)

3. Why Are We Here? Explore assistive technology for individuals with disabilities. Individuals with disabilities can attend college and work. Individuals with disabilities have skills, talent, and knowledge. Retain employees after injuries.

4. Introduction Video: A Day in the Life of Richard

5. Disabilities Can Include… Cognitive Impairments learning disabilities, traumatic brain injury Low vision or blindness diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa Physical Impairments MS, CP, Parkinson’s, repetitive injuries Deafness and Hard of Hearing

6. Cognitive Disabilities Cognitive limitation is difficulty with one or more of the basic functions of the brain: perception, memory, expression, processing skills Expression limitation may limit ability to speak, write, and follow social norms Memory limitation may limit ability to recall recent or past events, form mental images of things seen or heard, and learn sequence of tasks or activities Processing limitation may limit ability to focus on a given task, organize/schedule tasks, problem solve, understand accurately perceived sounds/images, and understand and complete self care functions

7. Low Vision Low vision denotes a level of vision that is 20/70 or lower and cannot be fully corrected with conventional glasses. Low vision usually interferes with the performance of daily activities, such as reading or driving.

8. Blindness Blindness is the condition of lacking visual perception due to physiological or neurological factors. Most visual impairments are due to eye diseases such macular degeneration, cataract, glaucoma, and diabetes.

9. Physical Impairments A physical impairment is any disability which limits the physical function of limbs or fine or gross motor ability. Examples include partial or total paralysis or traumatic brain injury, stroke, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, amputation, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

10. Deaf and Hard of Hearing A hearing impairment is a hearing loss that prevents a person from totally receiving sounds through the ear. Impairments range from mild to severe.

11. An AT device 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”.

12. Assistive Technology for Cognitive Impairments

13. Computer Software Scan and read Word prediction Simplified word processors Voice recognition Brainstorming and organization

14. Scan and Read Software Wynn Read and Write Gold Kurzweil 3000

15. Word Prediction Software Co:Writer Word Q Read and Write Gold

17. Simplified Word ProcessingSoftware Kurzweil 3000 Don Johnson – Write:Outloud

18. Voice Recognition Software More likely to be successful if: Motivated due to a disability Good attention to detail Have patience – high tolerance for frustration Have support and training Speak clearly Already understand word processing & punctuation

19.  Inspiration – graphical organizer Don Johnston – Draft Builder Microsoft Outlook

20. PDAs

21. Combine As Much Technology As Possible Smartphones PDA’s Phones Cameras (KNFB Mobile Reader w/ speech) GPS’s iPods as digital voice recorders Nano 2nd Generation and Video have microphones as added accessories. Many people know how to use these and they are more intuitive to use than digital voice recorders.

22. Let’s Not Forget Low Tech…

23. Medication Reminders

24. Watches, Timers and Clocks

25. Recorders

26. Step By Step Directions

27. Visual Assistant Visual Assistant provides supports for helping an individual sequence and perform an activity. It has pictures and custom recorded speech that helps the individual in the real world environment.

28. Low Tech Cueing Devices Templates and Overlays Models

29. Assistive Technology forLow Vision

30. Magnification Software ZoomText Magic Lunar

31. Video Magnifiers

32. Video Magnifiers

33. Video Magnifiers

34. Low Tech Solutions 20/20 pens bold, lined paper OTT lighting hand magnifiers signature guides

35. Assistive Technology for Blindness

36. Screen Reading Software

37. Notetakers

38. Refreshable Braille Displays

39. Standalone Scanners

40. Hardware and Software for Braille Production Duxbury software Romeo

41. Assistive Technology for Physical Impairments

42. Keyboards One handed Ergonomic Onscreen Small Large Unique

43. Pointing Devices Trackballs- mainstream products available in computer retail stores and specialty products such as P&G roller plus trackball Ergonomic Head or mouth controlled (Jouse, HeadMouse Extreme)

45. Speech Recognition software Dragon naturally speaking SpeakQ MacSpeech Dictate (Mac)

46. Ergonomics Forearm support Wrist rests Keyboard trays Desk height Chair Foot rests

47. Switch Access Switch selection Switch site software

48. Operating System Built In Features Sticky keys Filter keys Mouse keys

49. Assistive Technology for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

50. Signaling Devices

51. Communication Devices Video Communication devices Teletypewriters (TTY) PC TTYs Network TTYs TTY/Carry-Over Telephones

52. Examples of TTYs TDD- telecommunications device for the deaf; TTY Teletypewriter or Teletype, a typewriter with an electronic communication channel. TDD- telecommunications device for the deaf; TTY Teletypewriter or Teletype, a typewriter with an electronic communication channel.