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Using Macintosh Computers with Special Needs Students

Using Macintosh Computers with Special Needs Students. A Presentation for TBE 550 Farah Fisher, EdD. Presentation Objectives. List computer-related physical/educational needs of special students. Given a problem related to computer use, list at least two possible solutions.

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Using Macintosh Computers with Special Needs Students

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  1. Using Macintosh Computers with Special Needs Students A Presentation for TBE 550 Farah Fisher, EdD

  2. Presentation Objectives • List computer-related physical/educational needs of special students. • Given a problem related to computer use, list at least two possible solutions. • Given a problem related to computer use, describe a Macintosh program that may provide a solution.

  3. What is assistive technology? • General term for hardware and/or software used to assist individuals with disabilities. • This presentation will focus on computer-related access adaptations, but many other types of assistive technology are available.

  4. Why cover Macintosh only? • Macintosh computers have always had free adaptive software built in. • TBE 550-01 meets in a Mac lab, so we can try the adaptations. • There will be references to Windows applications at the end of the presentation.

  5. Presentation Organization • The assistive technology adaptations will be organized by general type of disability (type of impairment). • This is the most common way to access information about assistive technology.

  6. Fine Motor Movement Problems • Some disabilities impair the use of hands and arms (“fine motor” means small muscles). • Cerebral Palsy • Muscular Dystrophy • Multiple Sclerosis • Stroke • Arthritis • Quadriplegia • Central Nervous System Disorders

  7. Fine Motor Movement Problems • There are at least two possibilities: • Cannot use hands • Lack of hand control • shaking • jerky movement • hold keys down too long • cannot hit correct key • difficulty moving mouse

  8. Fine Motor Movement Problems - Adaptations • Headstick/Mouthstick • Keyboard Cover • Keyboard Control • Turn off repeatability • Hold down key longer to access • Keyboard replaces mouse

  9. Fine Motor Movement Problems - Adaptations • Special keyboards • Voice commands (speech recognition) • ListenDo! • Dragon products • ViaVoice

  10. Scanning Software - for those who cannot use their hands or speak • Characters/words displayed in grid • Single switch chooses • puff switch • button switch • key on keyboard

  11. Vision Problems - Disabilities • Vision impairments may be divided into two general categories: • Partially sighted (“low vision”) • Blind

  12. Vision Problems • Vision impaired individuals have problems seeing the screen: • Can see only large displays (low vision) • Cannot see screen (blind)

  13. Vision Problems - Adaptations • Speech synthesis • computer “pronounces” text on screen • Large letter display • characters are shown in large fonts • smalllargerlargerlargerlarger larger • really large

  14. Vision Problems - Adaptations • Screen reading software • Reads all part of the screen, including menus • Screen enlarging software • Enlarges all screen display, not only text

  15. Hearing Problems - Disabilities • As with vision problems, there are two basic categories of hearing problems: • Hard of hearing • Deaf

  16. Hearing Problems • Computers generate beeps and other alert signals to notify the user that something is happening. • Deaf students generally have a low reading level and may not be able to understand messages on the screen.

  17. Hearing Problems - Adaptations • The auditory signals can be replaced by flashes on the screen. • Turn up the volume (consider ear phones). • Pictorial instructions can replace text.

  18. Cognitive Problems - Disabilities • Individuals with cognitive disabilities sometimes need adaptations. • Classifications: • Learning disabled (LD) • Developmentally disabled (DD) • “mildly retarded” • “moderately retarded’

  19. Cognitive Problems • Students may not be able to read or have a low reading level - may not be able to read instructions or menus. • Students may not understand or remember how to operate the computer.

  20. Cognitive Problems - Adaptations • Speech synthesis to read screen • Cross-ability pairing • disabled student paired with good reader

  21. Students in Wheelchairs - Disabilities • Permanent disabilities • cerebral palsy • para/quadriplegic • birth defects (e.g. Spina Bifida) • Temporary orthopedic problems • broken leg

  22. Students in Wheelchairs - Problems • Access to computer lab • Movement within lab • Cannot get close enough to computer D O O R

  23. Students in Wheelchairs - Adaptations • When arranging computer lab, allow access for wheelchairs. • Use computers with moveable keyboards (do not lock down). • Purchase special tables that can be raised/lowered • Put a computer table up on blocks

  24. Adaptive Programs for the Macintosh OS 8.x/9.x OS X

  25. Keyboard Control Panel (8.x/9.x) • Choose Control Panels in Apple Menu • Choose Keyboard • Set mouse tracking and double click speed • Control keyboard repeatability and delay time (minimum control)

  26. Easy Access(OS 8.x/9.x) • Comes with Macintosh system • In Universal Access folder • Put into Extensions folder and restart • Three functions controlled by Easy Access • Sticky Keys • Slow Keys • Mouse Keys

  27. Easy AccessSticky Keys • Latches keys like Command and Shift • Allows easy one-hand (or stick) use • Activate/deactivate by pressing Shift key 5 times without moving mouse

  28. Easy AccessSlow Keys • Controls repeatability factor for students who hold keys too long • Can delay or turn off repeatability

  29. Easy AccessMouse Keys • Allows numeric keypad to be used instead of mouse 7 8 9 4 6 1 2 3 5 = mouse button 0 = lock mouse button . = unlock mouse button

  30. CloseView • Must be in Control Panel folder • Use Control Panels from Apple menu or... turn on/off Option Command O magnify on/off Option Command X magnify up/down Option Command

  31. MacinTalk • Easy speech synthesis • Software only • Works with word processing (speaks highlighted text when menu item is chosen) • SimpleText (OS 8.x/9.x) • TextEdit (OS X)

  32. Universal Access (OS X) • Open System Preferences (in the blue Apple menu) • Double click Universal Access • Options will appear for seeing, hearing, keyboard and mouse.

  33. Universal Access (OS X) • Seeing options • Zoom (like CloseView) • White/black exchange • Hearing options • Screen flash (alert) • Volume

  34. Universal Access (OS X) • Keyboard options • Sticky keys • Slow keys • Mouse options • Mouse keys

  35. Let’s try the Mac adaptations!

  36. What about Windows? • Let’s visit the TBE 550 “open site” disability links. • http://www.csudh.edu/fisher/tbe550/spec.html • We will also visit shareware/freeware sites to find free/inexpensive adaptive software • http://www.tucows.com/

  37. End of Presentation TBE 550 Special Needs Students And Computers

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