assistive technology ed 347 nancy beukema western michigan university
TRANSCRIPT
Assistive Technology
ED 347Nancy Beukema
Western Michigan University
Nancy Beukema Western Michigan University
Legal Issues for Disabled Individuals• IDEA 97
– Evaluated for the use of assistive or adaptive devices
– LRE– IEP
• ADA– Return to “normal” with assistance
Alternative INPUT Devices
Nancy Beukema Western Michigan University
Alternative Input Methods and Devices
• Switches •Homemade switches
•Linda Burkhart• Mouse devices• Pointing device with onscreen
keyboard• Switch with scanning onscreen
keyboard• Voice input
Switches
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Types of Switches• Button• Plate or tread• Toggle• Pneumatic• Grasp• Air cushion• Etc…
Nancy Beukema Western Michigan University
Big Red
• AbleNet ($42)• Button Switch• Easy to mount • Audible click signals cause-effect link • Large colorful surface area • Large variety of colors
Nancy Beukema Western Michigan University
Why Use Switches?• To provide access to toys• To teach concepts of cause and
effect• To allow choice-making,
communication• To increase specific motor function• To provide access to computers
Nancy Beukema Western Michigan University
Adaptive Computing
• Modify the Keyboard• Use an Alternative Keyboard• Bypass the Keyboard with an
Alternative Input Method•Voice•Pointing Device•Switch
Modifying the Keyboard
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Keyboard Modification Software
• Accessibility Options•Included with Windows 95/98/2000/ME
•Found in the Control Panel – Accessibility Options
• Easy Access •Included with Macintosh OS
Alternative Mouse Devices
Nancy Beukema Western Michigan University
Glide Pointer
• Alps Electric ($69)• Similar to touch pad on a
laptop
Nancy Beukema Western Michigan University
Cruise Cat
• Cirque Corporation ($89)• Minimal finger movement to
activate• Glide pad• Internet Connections
Nancy Beukema Western Michigan University
Mini Thumball
• Addison ($39)• Very small – compared to
quarter• Able to use with one finger• Minimal movement required
Nancy Beukema Western Michigan University
Marble Mouse
• Logitech ($39)• Track ball – right or left• Super sensitive to touch• Serial or PS/2
Nancy Beukema Western Michigan University
Joystick
• SAM (Switch Adapted Mouse) KM30 ($164)
• Can set cursor speed, can drag, click buttons
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Touch Window • Edmark ($395 – 425)• Touch this screen to select and
move objects• Pull down menus• Draw graphics.
Portable Keyboard
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AlphaSmart
• AlphaSmart ($299)• Portable word processor with a
built-in LCD screen• Full size keyboard• Transfers text to
computer via cable• Less than 2 lbs.
Nancy Beukema Western Michigan University
DreamWriter
• DreamWriter ($295)• Portable word processor with built-
in LCD screen• 3.5” floppy disk for saving data or
cable transfer of data• Spell & Grammar Checker• Full size keyboard• Sound
On Screen Keyboards
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WiVik (Window Visual Keyboard)• Prenke Romich Co. ($290-$495)• Moveable, resizable on-screen
keyboard• Text can be selected using a large
variety of devices (mice, trackballs, touch screens, head pointing devices)
• Word prediction
Nancy Beukema Western Michigan University
Pointing Device with Onscreen Keyboard
• Mouse• Joystick• Trackball• Touch Window• InfraRed Beam• Headmouse• Mouth stick, Pointing stick• Usually pointing devices plug into mouse
port
One Handed Keyboards
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Dvorak• Dvorak International ($0)• Onscreen keyboard• New layout for keyboard• Generally an option in Accessibility
Options in Operating System
Nancy Beukema Western Michigan University
Half-QWERTY• Matias Corporation ($395)• New layout for the keyboard• Left or Right layouts
Alternative Keyboards
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Big Keys
• Greystone Digital ($169)• Mac or PC version• Large keys / multicolored keys• Alphabet or QWERTY
arrangement• No punctuation
marks/Caps
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WinMini or TASH Mini Keyboard
• Tash International • Small keyboard• Connects to keyboard• Has mouse functions Key guard
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Bat Personal Keyboard
• Info Grip ($199)• Single handed keyboard• Right or Left models• Mac or PC
Nancy Beukema Western Michigan University
Intellikeys• IntelliTools ($395) • $25 for either a Mac or PC cable so it
can be used with a Mac and a PC• Keyboard connects to a computer
via keyboard port• Pre or self-made overlays• Able to connect 2 switches to the computer via keyboard
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Headmaster Plus
• Prenke Romich Co. ($1195)• Head pointing system • Full mouse control• Puff switch or switch activated
Software Applications
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Software Applications• Speech Capabilities/Screen Reader
• JAWS (PC)• Write:Outloud (Mac)
• Word Prediction• WiVik (PC) • Co:Writer (Mac)
• Screen Enlargement • Zoomtext (PC)• CloseView (Mac)
Nancy Beukema Western Michigan University
Jaws• Freedom Scientific ($795)• Screen Reader Program• Improves productivity level for
the blind/visually impaired individual
• Automatically reads the full screen including dialog boxes, pop up menus, etc.
Nancy Beukema Western Michigan University
ZoomText Extra Level 2• Ai Squared ($795)• Integrated magnifier and screen
reader for Windows• Able to speak all Window
components (with use of sound card)
• Can magnify screen from 1x to 16x
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• Communication methods• Voice• Gestures• Body language• Eye blinks• Communication boards• Electronic AAC devices• Signing
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
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Selecting an Electronic AAC Device • Vocabulary System
•Pictures•Codes•Symbols (MinSpeak, PicSyms, Blissymbols)
Nancy Beukema Western Michigan University
Selecting an Electronic (High-Tech) AAC Device
• Output Method•Speech •Visual display•Hard copy
Nancy Beukema Western Michigan University
BigMack• AbleNet ($86)• Touch switch• Direct selection
• Single recordable message
Nancy Beukema Western Michigan University
WalkerTalker• Prentke Romich Co. • 16 programmable squares• Wear around your waist• Recorded voice
Nancy Beukema Western Michigan University
Ultimate 8• Tash International• Eight recordable squares• Each message up to 4 seconds
each
Nancy Beukema Western Michigan University
Liberator• Prentke Romich Co. ($7345-
8575)• Direct select or scanning• Uses minspeak -- pictures
represent words• DECtalk speech• Programmable
Nancy Beukema Western Michigan University
Evaluation for AT devices• Get a good understanding of the
student and their needs• Know the abilities of the students –
physically and mentally• Start with low end devices and
work up the ladder• Know what the USER wants and is
willing to use
Nancy Beukema Western Michigan University
Evaluation for AT devices• Listen to the parents, teachers and
care providers• Train the user, parents, teachers
and all providing assistance and working with the AT device
• Look at cost• Look at all options available• Look at pros and cons of the device
Nancy Beukema Western Michigan University
Evaluation for AT devices
• Remember the feelings, desires, wishes, reservations of the user. They are the ones who will be using the device.
Nancy Beukema Western Michigan University
Any Questions?