Conducting Distance Assistive Technology Services

1. Conducting Distance Assistive Technology Services Peggy Shireley, AT Coordinator IPAT of North Dakota peggys@ndipat.org Marci Kinas Jerome, AT Program Coordinator George Mason University mkinas@gmu.edu

2. Session Objectives • Provide an overview of conducting AT demonstrations and meetings remotely using distance technology • Provide an overview of synchronous technology tools (such as Skype) • Discuss the benefits and challenges of conducting remote demonstrations and meetings • Provide participants an opportunity to ask questions and share their experiences

3. Content to be Covered • Distance AT Services • Definition of distance delivery • History • Benefits of conducting distance AT services • Types of technologies used • Questions One State’s Model: IPAT of North Dakota • Distance technologies used by IPAT of North Dakota • How IPAT conducts distance AT services • When IPAT uses distance AT services • Where IPAT uses distance AT services • Challenges of delivering distance AT services • Questions

4. Are you using distance delivery? • We would like to hear from you…

5. Distance Services Defined • Distance service is a method of providing access to information and interaction when the participants are separated by time and/or distance

6. Types of Distance Delivery • Asynchronous Delivery = participants access the information on their own schedule • Delivery Methods • Mail • Message board forums • Email • Video – YouTube • Audio recordings • Voicemail • Facsimile

7. Types of Distance Delivery • Synchronous Delivery = participants are all ‘present’ at the same time • Delivery Methods • Web conferencing • Videoconferencing • Educational television • Instructional television • Direct-broadcast satellite • Internet radio • Live streaming • Telephone and web-based VoIP

8. History of Distance Delivery • Post Office 1728 in Boston, MA • School of the Air 1951 in Alice Springs, NT • Radio and TV Classes 1964 in Madison, WI • Fiber Optic Delivery 1990 Bismarck, ND • Computers + Internet 1996 Jones International University

9. Why Distance? • We would like to hear from you…

10. Benefits of Distance Service Delivery • Expands Access • Meets the demand from those disadvantaged by distance and disability • Offers flexibility • Accommodates individual circumstances and needs • Enables Connection • Between experts in other geographical areas • Between experts and those they serve in other geographical areas

11. Benefits of Distance Service Delivery • Cost Effective • Eliminates travel time • Eliminates mileage costs • Eliminates mailing costs of inappropriate equipment choices • Enhances Efficiency • What took a day onsite takes 1-2 hours • Provides an introduction of needs beyond paper reports • Makes device feature match more accurate

12. Caution Against • “Using Technology for Technology’s Sake”

13. Distance Services Considerations • Who: Participants • One to one connection, one to many connection • What: Content • Seeing clients, product demonstration, PowerPoint, website/resource sharing • (also is a why) • Where: Connection Sites • Home, satellite site • When: Delivery • synchronous or asynchronous We will focus primarily on synchronous delivery

14. A Visual Model Participants Connection Distance AT Technology Delivery Content

15. Technology Options: Quick Review • Video conferencing • Web conferencing • Collaboration tools • Also audio conferencing, but not focus of today’s presentation

16. Video Conferencing Tools • Polycom • Tandberg • Lifesize • Utilizing Existing Videoconference Networks • Universities • Community Colleges • Human Services • Telemedicine

17. Video Conferencing Features • Real time audio and video with multiple sites • View remote content • Can have HD quality video, good for video detail • Stable connection • With specialized equipment can bridge home users and conferencing sites together

18. Web Conferencing Tools (Webinar) • Adobe Connect • Microsoft Live Meeting • Blackboard Collaborate (formerly Elluminate) • GoToMeeting • WebEx

19. Web Conferencing Features (Webinar) • One-way (webinar) and two-way (discussion) audio and video chat capability • View remote content (PowerPoints, websites, software demo) • Text chat and moderated Q &A • Polling • Whiteboards • Real time sharing of content and files • Archival of recorded sessions for future playback

20. Web Collaboration Tools • 1 on 1, Small Group Conferencing • Google Plus • Skype • Remote Content Sharing • Join Me • File Sharing • Dropbox • Microsoft Sky Drive

21. Web Collaboration Features • Free (for basic services) • Conferencing • Connect one or more users with audio and/or video • View remote content, real time sharing • File Sharing • Central location for documents shared between multiple users • Access files from any location with internet connection

22. Distance Service Options • Let’s review some scenarios

23. Scenario 1: Web Conferencing/Collaboration tools Participants One to One Content Discussion Demonstrate Hardware Delivery Synchronous Answer Questions Troubleshoot Connection Home Unable to travel long distance Considerations Internet speed/reliability Computer processing power Client tech savviness Software availability accessibility Technology Real time video and audio Intuitive interface Not bandwidth hog Free/low cost Challenges Video quality, dropped calls, tech skills

24. Scenario 2: Web Conferencing/Collaboration tools Participants One to One Content Discussion Demonstrate Software Delivery Synchronous Answer Questions Troubleshoot Connection Home Unable to travel long distance Considerations Internet speed/reliability Computer processing power Client tech savviness Software availability accessibility Technology Real time video and audio View remote content Intuitive interface Not bandwidth hog Free/low cost Challenges Video quality, dropped calls, content display lag, tech skills

25. Scenario 3: Video Conferencing Participants One to One Content Discussion Demonstrate Hardware/ Software Delivery Synchronous Answer Questions Troubleshoot Connection Site Willing to travel to satellite site Considerations Available Tech Support Site Scheduling Internet speed/reliability Computer processing power Client tech savviness Technology High quality real time video and audio Remote content sharing Challenges Equipment costs, maintenance, technical expertise

26. Scenario 4: Webinar Participants One to Many Content Resources Discussion Demonstrate Hardware/ Software Delivery Synchronous Answer Questions Discussion Connection Home Considerations Client internet speed Client tech savviness Intuitive client interface Accessibility Number of connections Technology Real time video and audio View remote content Intuitive presenter interface Additional tools: polling, Q&A, recording and archiving Challenges Real time tech support, compatibility, # of connections

27. Questions At this point

28. IPAT of North Dakota • Making a Case for Distance AT Delivery

29. About IPAT • The Interagency Program for Assistive Technology (IPAT) increases access to assistive technology in North Dakota by engaging in activities that: • raise awareness • disseminate information • provide training and assessments • work with policy makers • loan equipment for trial-use, and • demonstrate assistive technology (AT) devices to individuals of all ages with disabilities and those experiencing the effects of aging throughout the state. • IPAT increases AT acquisition by making available a used equipment bulletin board and an alternative financial loan program specific to the purchase of AT devices and services. http://www.ndipat.org

30. Distance Technologies IPAT Uses • Asynchronous Delivery • Delivery Methods • Mail • Email • Video - YouTube • Voicemail • Facsimile • Website • Facebook • Blogging

31. Distance Technologies IPAT Uses • Synchronous Delivery • Delivery Method • Videoconferencing • Web Conferencing/Collaboration Tools

32. Distance Technologies IPAT Uses • VIDEOCONFERENCING • Polycom System • Camera • Speaker • TV • Internet Connection

33. Polycom Components • Camera – Speakers – TV – Internet Connection

34. Polycom Upsides and Downsides • Polycom UPSIDES • Reliability • Picture Quality • Ease of Use • Ability to involve a number of people • Polycom DOWNSIDES • Video and Audio not synchronized • Freezing of Video

35. Distance Technologies IPAT Uses • Web Conferencing/Collaboration Tools • Skype • Free software download • Computer or Tablet • Camera • Microphone • Internet Connection

36. Skype Components • Free software download – Computer – Camera – Microphone – Internet Connection

37. Skype Upsides and Downsides • Skype UPSIDES • Affordability • Reliability • Ease of Use • Skype DOWNSIDES • Dropped Calls • Audio can echo • Video quality can be unpredictable • Synching of audio and video can be off

38. Distance Technologies IPAT Uses • Web Conferencing/Collaboration Tools • Screen Share – Join.me • Free software download • Computer or Tablet • Internet connection

39. Join.me Components • Free software download – Computer – Internet

40. Join.me Upsides and Downsides • Join.me UPSIDES • Affordability • Reliability • Ease of use • Join.me DOWNSIDES • Internet speed

41. How IPAT Uses Distance delivery • Internal Staff Development • Entire staff is taking a social media class together via videoconferencing • Staff teach each other new equipment • Assistive Technology Training • Noon hour topical trainings • Individual training on specific devices, software or iPad apps

42. How IPAT Uses Distance Delivery • Equipment Demonstration • AAC devices • Keyboards • CCTVs • Virtual Tours and Experiences • IPAT Technology Access Centers • Exhibit floor of the AT Expo in Fargo • Present an award

43. How IPAT Uses Distance Delivery • Determine Individual Device Needs • Teleconference call • Videoconference • AT Tech Act Activities • Reconvene stakeholders in statewide collaboration • Weekly staff meetings • Consumer Advisory Committee meetings • IPAT Board meetings • In-house IT and computer troubleshooting

44. When IPAT Uses Distance Delivery • When travel is prohibitive • Weather • Location • Vulnerability of end-user • When the service requested fits the distance learning format • Device exploration • Device training • AT training • Meet an end-user prior to services

45. Where IPAT Uses Distance Delivery • Rural Clinics statewide • UND Medical School – Telemedicine sites and bridge • Regional Human Service Centers • Polycom systems • University and School Systems • Interactive Video Network • Homes of Clients • Between IPAT offices

46. Challenges of Distance Delivery • Routine technical glitches • Scheduling • Having the correct equipment and know-how on the recipients end • Slow internet speed • Interactions are not as personal • Reluctance of end users to embrace the technology

47. Questions About Distance Delivery