Universal Access & Assistive Technologies Poudre River Public Library D istrict December 11, 2012

1. Universal Access & Assistive TechnologiesPoudre River Public Library DistrictDecember 11, 2012 Marla Roll Director, Assistive Technology Resource Center, CSU Shannon Lavey Service Coordinator, Assistive Technology Resource Center, CSU

2. PRPLD and CSU: • Spring of 2012 – Students in OT 680 class consulted with the PRPLD and made recommendations for AT • Purchases were made – thanks to Irene Romsa • AT was installed – thanks to Lingzhen Zhao • Exciting news for the Fort Collins Community – one of the few locations where the public can access AT! • Overview of AT at PRPLD

3. Demographics of Disability • There are an estimated 54 million people with disabilities living in the U.S. – U.S. Census Bureau • There are nearly 7 million school-aged children with disabilities in the U.S. – Congressional Research Service • Nearly 70 percent of working-age adults with disabilities are unemployed.– U.S. Census Bureau • Fewer than 25 percent of people with disabilities who could be helped by assistive technology are using it.– Alliance for Technology Access

4. What is Assistive Technology? • According to the United States Assistive Technology Act of 1998, assistive technology (also called adaptive technology ) refers to any "product, device, or equipment, whether acquired commercially, modified or customized, that is used to maintain, increase, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.“ • Common computer-related assistive technology products include screen magnifiers, large-key keyboards, alternative input devices such as over-sized trackballs, speech recognition programs, and text readers.

5. Why Assistive Technology? • Ethical and legal responsibility to provide access to information • Fort Collins is lacking in AT resources for the community • Access to AT can mean access to information for leisure, work and school related purposes. • Think of AT as “electronic curb cuts”

6. Low tech kits • Magnifying sheets – can be placed over book pages • Amber 3X • Clear 2X • Handheld magnifier – magnifies text and provides backlighting • Writing guide kit – allows for guidance with reading and writing • Book stand – can ease viewing and encourages neutral postures • Pencil/pen grip – can easy process for those with abnormal tone, arthritis, ergonomic considerations

7. Dragon Naturally Speaking • Voice recognition software – user interacts with computer by voice • Loaded on laptop – allows for access in a quiet room • Who benefits? • People with mobility impairments ( SCI, Arthritis, MS, CTD) • People with cognitive considerations (LD, TBI) • For what purpose? • Users can dictate into word processors, spreadsheets, email, the web, etc. • Users can navigate the computer using commands

8. Zoomtext • Screen magnification and reader software • Magnifies, enhances, and reads aloud all visual events on the computer screen • Who benefits? • People with low vision, aging population • People who have sensitivities viewing the computer screen • For what purpose? • User can see, hear, and use the computer with more ease • Hot keys available to eliminate the use of the mouse

9. Zoomtext Camera • Uses a high definition web camera to view and magnify printed and 3D objects • Considered a portable and affordable CCTV alternative • Image is enlarged and read with the Zoomtext software • Who benefits? • People with low vision • Aging population • For what purpose? • View any printed and 3D object – checks, letters, pill bottles, etc.

10. Read and Write Gold • Literacy support software • Helps with reading, writing, studying, research • Who benefits? • Everybody • People with cognitive considerations (LD, ADHD,TBI) • For what purpose? • Reads text aloud while highlighting • Assists with spelling/grammar, sentence construction, diction, and organizing ideas • User can research and study using features like highlighter, fact finder, and vocab list builder

11. Adjustable Height Table • Who benefits? • People who are very tall or very short in stature • People in wheelchairs, scooters • People with back pain • For what purpose? • Universal Design • Electronic access means users do not have to ask for help! • Allows for improved posture for all users • Allows user in W/C to get positioned well • Allows users to work in standing

12. Alternative keyboard • Gold touch keyboard – • Who uses it? • everybody • For what purpose? • Encourages better typing posture • Adjustable for different user sizes and preferences • Elimination of num key pad allows mouse to be placed closer to the body • Zoomcaps keyboard labels • Who benefits? • People with low vision, aging population • For what purpose? • Viewing the keyboard • More spacing between letters • No serifs • Heavier and wider font

13. Alternative mouse • Kensington Expert Trackball Mouse • Wrist rest for added comfort • Scroll wheel and programmable buttons • Who uses it? • Everybody • People with mobility impairments ( SCI, Arthritis, MS, CTD) • For what purpose? • Encourages a neutral postures of wrist and hand • Allows for more control and accuracy • Removes work load from shoulder and decreases grip

14. Flatbed scanner • Allows users to scan hard copy print • Who Benefits? • Anybody who needs print content digitized • People with print disabilities ( dyslexia, blindness, low vision) • For what purpose? • Scanning documents for electronic conversion • Scanned image can be OCR’d(Optical Character Recognition) • Converted to text • With Adobe Acrobat or Read and Write Gold

15. NVDA – Nonvisual Desktop Access • Screen reader for Windows OS • Free and open source - http://www.nvda-project.org/ • Great for people who do NOT have the resources to buy Jaws • Who uses it? People with blindness or significant low vision • For what purpose? • Means of access to all information on the computer – reads all text, menus, dialogue boxes • Computer is essentially inaccessible without it for people who are blind

16. Next steps: • Considerations for marketing • PRPLS web site • Training of staff: • AT specialists • ATRC web site • Train the trainer • OT 680 • Considerations in procurement

17. Thanks! http://atrc.colostate.edu • Marla C. Roll, MS, OTR • Director – Assistive Technology Resource Center • Faculty – Department of Occupational Therapy • 491-2016 • Marla.Roll@colostate.edu • Shannon Lavey, MS, OTR • Service Coordinator – Assistive Technology Resource Center • 491-4241 • Shannon.Lavey@colostate.edu