ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY IN HIGHER EDUCATION FOR THE

NEW MILLENIUM By: Carla L. Lewis-Irizarry, MPACity University of New York (CUNY) School of Professional Studies (SPS)

2011 Association for Education and Rehabilitation for the Blind and Visually Impaired

(AER)Regional Conference

Boston Park Plaza, Boston, MAAugust 12-14, 2011

OBJECTIVESThis presentation will show attendees:

The different forms of assistive technology used for students with visual Impairments.

The role assistive technology plays with students with disabilities in higher education.

Assistive technology as a universal design.

 

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY DEFINEDAny item, piece of equipment, or system

whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is commonly used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.

Assistive technology helps people with disabilities accomplish daily living tasks, communicate, succeed in education, secure employment, and participate in recreational and community services.

LEGISLATION & REGULATIONSThe Assistive Technology Act of 1998 was amended

on October 25, 2004 to support programs of grants to States to address the assistive technology needs of individuals with disabilities, and for other purposes.

Over 54,000,000 individuals in the United States have disabilities, with almost half experiencing severe disabilities that affect their ability to see, hear, communicate, reason, walk, or perform other basic life functions.

Source: U.S. Department of Education: Legislation, Regulation, and guidance. Assistive Technology Act of 2004, P.L. 108-364; 29 U.S.C 3001 et seq. Retrieved on December 21, 2010, from (http://www2.ed.gov/programs/atsg/legislation.html).

Disability is a natural part of the human experience and in no way diminishes the right of individuals to:Live independentlyEnjoy self-determination and make choices Benefit from an educationPursue meaningful careers Enjoy full inclusion and integration in the

economic, political, social, cultural, and educational mainstream of society in the United States (Public Law 108-364 108th Congress).

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY AS A UNIVERSAL DESIGN (UD)

universal design (UD) is “the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design” (http://www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/univ_design/ud.htm)

The field of universal design can provide a starting point for developing a framework for instruction.

When developers created universal design (UD) principles

as they created information technology; they minimize the need for assistive technology and, in situations where assistive technology was needed, they ensured new products and services are compatible with commonly used assistive hardware and software.

Universal design web pages allow students who are blind and using text-to-speech systems to gain access to information, communicate with peers and teachers, and take advantage of distance learning options. Accessible instructional software’s (on disks, CD’s, or other media) allows students with many types of disabilities and students without disabilities to participate side by side in simulations and other computer-based activities.

STUDENTS & THE USE OF TECHNOLOGYStudents with disabilities should be taught

to use technology in ways that :

maximize their independence, productivity, and participation in all academic and employment activities.

facilitate successful transitions between academic settings and employment.

lead to successful, self determined adult lives.

Technology can be used to support mentoring relationships, gaining access to information, participating in science labs, communicating in class discussions, practicing in self-advocacy, conducting independent living skills, and work-base learning opportunities.

The following are some examples and the many ways that technology can be used creativity by students with disabilities to maximize their independence, productivity, and participation in academic studies and careers:Maximize independence in academic and

employment tasksParticipate in classroom discussionsGain access to peers, mentors, and role modelsSelf-advocateGain access to full range of educational options

Participate in experiences not otherwise possible

Succeed in work-based learning experiencesSecure high levels of independent livingPrepare for transitions to college and careersWork side by side with peersMaster academic tasks that they cannot

accomplish otherwiseEnter high-tech field careersParticipate in community and recreational

activities

STUDENTS WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED WITH ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGYWhen selecting technology and well-defined

strategies for their use, students with disabilities can demonstrate and apply their knowledge and fully participate in educational, career, and recreational activities.

Technology specialists should work closely with students to first determine what they need to accomplish by using a computer. Technology choices for people with disabilities should be driven with short term and long term needs.

The end user of the technology should ultimately determine what works best. Here are some many types of assistive technology organized by disability type to consider for students with disabilities.

LOW VISIONFor some people with visual impairments, the

standard size of letters on the screen, blackboard, white board, or printed documents is too small to read. Some people distinguish one color from another others have visual field limitations that result in tunnel vision or alternating areas of total blindness and vision.

Some are hypersensitive to light. The most common computer adaption for

people with visual impairments is software to enlarge screen images.

Most screen magnification software can also reverse the screen to black on white to white on black for people with light sensitivity. Some software programs also provide speech outputs to reduce the eye strain associated with reading large blocks of text with screen enlargement alone.

antiglare screens can make screens easier to read.A standard desktop scanner can be combined with

screen enlargement technology to magnify printed text. With this system, each page of text is scanned and the results are displayed in large print on the computer screen, which saves time and money to print from a copier machine.

Closed circuit television (CCTV) magnifiers available in both stationary and portable models can be used to magnify printed materials, pictures, and objects.

BLINDNESSIndividuals who have no functional sight use

standard keyboards; however, Braille input devices are available and Braille key labels can assist with keyboard use.

For people who are blind, speech output is the most popular form of assistive technology. Screen reader software and a speech synthesizer read text presented on the screen by word processing, web browsers, e-mail, and other software.

Scanners with optical character recognition combined with an accessible computer system provide independent access to printed materials for students who are blind.

These systems read printed content and store it electronically on computers, where it can be read using speech synthesizes (like jaws and zoom text) or printed using Braille transition software and Braille embossers.

Talking calculators, thermometers, and other specialized devices that provide audio output can enhance the participation and success of students who are blind, particularly those in science, math, and engineering fields.

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY COMMONLY USED BY VISUALLY IMPAIRED OR BLIND STUDENTSZoom text Large print keyboard Jaws Eye pal poloCCTV Versa & Versa +Livescribe Pen GingerOpen book Read & Write Gold (windows Braille embossers & Mac)Scanners Pac Mate OmniTalking calculators E-book readers (Nook, kindle) Victor Reader Stream KNFB Reader on a

Symbian device IOS Devices

SPECIALIZED DEVICESVICTOR READER STREAM

VICTOR READER STREAMReads books, text files, and plays MP3 files

Reads Daisy books from RFB&D, Book Share, and NLS

Costs: $359

ADAPTED MAINSTREAM DEVICES

KNFB Reader on a Symbian device

KNFB Reader on a Symbian Device

Takes picture of texts and OCR’s it

Reads accessible text documents and PDF files

Costs: Classic: $1,995, KNFB Mobile: $2,095, And KNFB Mobile without phone is $1,585

UNIVERSIAL DESIGNIOS DEVICES

IOS DEVICESCan read all accessible text and PDF files

Has OCR apps

All iBooks are accessible

Has Audible app

E-mail, word processing, spreadsheets, slideshows, and thousands of other accessible apps

Cost: iPad: $499-$827, iPhone: $99-$299, iPod: $229-$399, Apple wireless keyboard: $69

STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSESVictor Reader Stream:

The best at reading books and text filesBooks are free for the blindHas the biggest library of books for the blindModerately pricedThere’s not much else it can do but read

books play music, and make audio recordings

STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSESKNFB Reader:

The best at OCR on the goCan read text and PDF filesHas some PDA and phone featuresIt’s very expensive

STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSESIOS devices:

Can read iBooks, text files, and PDFsHas OCR appsCan do a lot more things than the other two devicesModerate price for an all in one deviceIs not as good at reading books and OCR when

compared to the other devicesApps, iBooks, and wireless keyboard are extra costsIt’s not “special.” It’s universally design

The Victor Reader Stream is the best at reading books on the go for a modest price

The KNFB Reader is the best at reading hard copy documents on the go but it’s expensive

IOS devices can read books and OCR but not as good as the other devices. It has a wide range of features which are accessible and it’s moderately priced

I predict that IOS devices will surpass the other two in the future

CONCLUSIONAssistive technology ensures that the

opportunities technology provides are accessible to everyone contributes to a level playing field in college and employment, results in successful careers for more citizens, and thereby strengthen the economy.