Making Accommodation Possible
Through Assistive Technology Tools
Sue Lin, Project Director
Karla Kmetz, Project Specialist
Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD)
About AUCD

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67 University Centers
Research & Evaluation
of Excellence on
Developmental
Disabilities (UCEDD)
Inter38 Leadership
Community
disciplinary
Education in
Services
Training
Neurodevelopmental
and Related Disabilities
(LEND)
21 Developmental
Technical Assistance and
Information Dissemination
Disabilities Research
Centers (DDRC)
What is Assistive Technology?
Basically, AT is
anything we find
helpful in our daily
life. It can be a tool
or an alternative
method of
performing a task.
Who can provide evaluation and prescriptive
AT recommendations?
Rehabilitation Engineer or
Assistive Technology Specialist
- A professional who is
specifically trained in assistive
technology and who is able to
determine appropriate
modifications to make tasks at
home, school, and/or work
accessible to an individual with
a disability.
Is it Assistive
Technology (AT)
or NOT?
Low- Tech AT
From No-tech, Low-tech to High-tech:
Different Types of Page Turner ATs
Spectrum of Assistive Technology
Vehicle Modifications
Any AT in the Middle
of the Spectrum
Physical Environment
Modifications
High-tech AT
High-tech AT cont.
Environmental Control Systems
AT in the Service
Learning Classroom
Low-Tech
 Hard copies of notes
provided by the instructor
or other student
 Outlines, double spaced,
with key words provided by
the teacher or note taker
 Printed materials doublespaced and with larger print
 tape recorders
 Calculators with voice
synthesizer
 Books on tape
High-Tech
 Lap top computer for note
taking
 Electronic spelling masters or
dictionary with voice output
 Word prediction software
 Outline software
 Reading and scanning
software
 Voice recognition software
AT in the Service Learning Classroom
Reading and Scanning Software
AT in the Service Learning Classroom
Voice Recognition
Writing Tool: outline and
organize ideas
Word Prediction Software
AT in the Classroom: What about MATH?
Tech Matrix: developed by Center for
Implementing Technology in Education and
National Center for Technology Innovation
at http://www.techmatrix.org/ .
Can select subject and types of supports
needed.
AT in the Classroom: What about MATH?
AT in the Service Environment
Low-Tech
 To-do lists
 Date planner (electronic or
paper and pencil) and
electronic reminders
 Color post-it notes
 Quiet space
 Telephone with headset
 Organized filing system
 Clip board
High-Tech
 Alternative keyboards and mice
 Digital recorder
 Ergonomic desk, height
adjustable tables
 Service-site modifications
 Reading and scanning software
 Voice recognition software
AT in the Service Environments
AT in the Service Environments
Example of Work-Site Modification
Vocation: Metal
Jewelry-Making
Adaptation: Onehanded Operation
AT for Daily Activities – Seniors and
Independent Living
Low-tech
 Reacher
 Non-slip material
 Lever handles
 Slide or toggle switches
 Utensils with easy-grip
handles
 Mirror mounted over the
range
High-tech
 Clapper
 Universal remote
control
 Home automation
systems
 Environmental control
systems
 Screen magnification
software
AT for Daily Activities – Seniors and independent living
AT in the Home: More Environmental
Control Systems
Activity
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Service Project:
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Cleaning up garbage and debris on a highway.
Your Corps:
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12 Service Members with and without disabilities
Disabilities include:
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Member with a learning disability
Member who uses a manual wheelchair
Member with a vision disability
Member with an intellectual disability
Activity
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Use the list of AT Tools you receive to
design your activity with full inclusion of
Service Members with Disabilities in the
project.
15 minutes to discuss
Two Teams:
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High Tech
Low Tech
AT Tools
High-Tech Team
 Electronic dictionary
 Alpha Smart keyboard
 Word prediction software
 Voice recognition software
 Digital recorder
 Robotic arms
 Electronic reminders
 Automatic adjustable desks and
tables
 Voice control telephones
 Reading and scanning software
 Augmentative communication
device
 Noise cancelling headset
Low- Tech Team
 Reacher
 Non-slip material
 Lever handles
 Mirrors
 To-do lists
 Date planner
 Color post-it notes
 Quiet space
 Telephone with headset
 Organized filing system
 Clip board
 Large print
Activity
After sharing your team’s plan, answer these
questions too:
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Why types of service does your organization
perform that may make use of these items?
How might a person without disabilities benefit
from using these items? (think Universal Design!)
Assistive Technology Legislations and Funding Options
AT and Individuals with Disabilities Education
Act (IDEA)
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
defines AT as both a device and a service:
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Assistive Technology Device
Any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether
acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customize,
that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional
capabilities of a child with a disability.
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Assistive Technology Service
Any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the
selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device.
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973: Title I
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VR agencies can fund a wide range of goods and
services, including "rehabilitation technology" (i.e. AT)
connected to a person's vocational goal.
VR services are to empower individuals to maximize
employability, economic self-sufficiency, independence
and integration into the work place and the community.
VR funds AT services as well as AT devices.
Title VII Part B Program in Independent
Living (IL) Centers or IL Programs at
VR Agencies
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Provide limited funding which can be used towards AT
services or equipment to eligible persons with disabilities
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Assist individuals in attaining or maintaining
independence in the community
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Intend to assist persons who are not currently receiving
services under Vocational Rehabilitation Services due to
the age, severity of their disability, and/or inability to work.
Reasonable Accommodations
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Federal laws that protect people with disabilities from discrimination
in employment are: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
How do I ask for a reasonable accommodation?
You need to tell your supervisor orally or in writing:
1. That you have a disability;
2. How your disability interferes with your ability to do your
service functions; and
3. What accommodations you need in order to conduct your
service functions?
Remember: Your request for equipment must be reasonable
More information can be found at Protection and Advocacy Inc, a nonprofit
organization that protects the legal rights of Californians with disabilities.
The Assistive Technology Act of
1998 as Amended in 2004 (AT Act)
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Support programs of grants to States to address the
assistive technology needs of individuals with disabilities
Past: AT state grant program was established in 1988 as
a 10-year program to enable states to create systems for
improving access to AT devices through public
awareness, public policy initiatives, and training and
technical assistance
Present: Require states to spend a significant portion of
state grants on direct AT services for individuals with
disabilities
The Direct Services of AT Act
of 1998 as Amended
ACQUISITION
ACCESS
AT Reutilization
Program
Device Demonstration
Center and Equipment
Loan Program
State Financing
Activity
Funding Categories
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Federal and State Agencies (Department of Education,
State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency, Independent
Living Centers, Social Security Administration PASS
Plans)
Reasonable Accommodations Provided by Employers
Private/Non-profit Organizations (Kiwanis Club, Lion’s
Club, Knights of Columbus, Easter Seals)
Bank Loan Programs and AT Act Alternative Financing
Programs
Bank Loan Programs and AT Act
Alternative Financing Programs
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Specialized Equipment Loan Programs at neighborhood banks
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Alternative Financing Program (AFP)
a. address the needs of low to middle income persons
with disabilities desiring loans to purchase AT
b. create loan opportunities for those ineligible for most
traditional bank loan programs due to credit history or
income issues
c. support consumers through informed choice, avoidance
of unnecessary debt, assistance in the application
process
Community Mapping
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Where are the AT resources and assets in my
community?
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Who runs these organizations?
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Am I eligible to access these resources?
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How do I access these community resources?
Resources
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National Service Inclusion Project (NSIP)
http://www.serviceandinclusion.org
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State Assistive Technology Act Programs
http://www.ataporg.org/atap/index.php
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National Public Website on Assistive Technology
http://www.assistivetech.net/
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Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
http://www.jan.wvu.edu/
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University Centers for Excellence in Developmental
Disabilities (UCEDD)
http://www.aucd.org/directory/directory.cfm?program=UCE
DD
More Resources
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National Assistive Technology Technical Assistance
Partnership
http://69.89.27.238/~resnaorg/taproject/RESNA.html
Pass It On Center
http://www.passitoncenter.org/index.shtml
ABLEDATA
http://www.abledata.com
DisabilityInfo.gov
http://www.disabilityinfo.gov/
Question and
Comments
Karla Kmetz
Project Specialist
AUCD
kkmetz@aucd.org
Sue Lin
Project Director
AUCD
slin@aucd.org
AUCD
Website:
http://www.aucd.org
Phone:
301-588-8252