Assistive Technology: A Tool
for Recruiting and Retaining
Individuals with Disabilities
Presenters:
Linda Andrews, M. Ed.
Melissa Day, M. Ed.
Joanne Kelly, M.S.
Taylor McConnaughhay, M.S.
Lou Smith, M.S.
Pam Winpigler, M.A.
Rehabilitation Technologists
Workforce and Technology Center
Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS)
Why Are We Here?
• Explore assistive technology for individuals
with disabilities.
• Individuals with disabilities can attend
college and work.
• Individuals with disabilities have skills, talent,
and knowledge.
• Retain employees after injuries.
Introduction Video:
A Day in the Life of Richard
Disabilities Can Include…
• Cognitive Impairments
– learning disabilities, traumatic brain injury
• Low vision or blindness
– diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, retinitis
pigmentosa
• Physical Impairments
– MS, CP, Parkinson’s, repetitive injuries
• Deafness and Hard of Hearing
Cognitive Disabilities
• Cognitive limitation is difficulty with one or
more of the basic functions of the brain:
perception, memory, expression, processing
skills
– Expression limitation may limit ability to speak,
write, and follow social norms
– Memory limitation may limit ability to recall recent or
past events, form mental images of things seen or
heard, and learn sequence of tasks or activities
– Processing limitation may limit ability to focus on a
given task, organize/schedule tasks, problem solve,
understand accurately perceived sounds/images, and
understand and complete self care functions
Christopher Lee, Director
Georgia Assistive Technology Project
Low Vision
• Low vision denotes a level of vision that
is 20/70 or lower and cannot be fully
corrected with conventional glasses. Low
vision usually interferes with the
performance of daily activities, such as
reading or driving.
-University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center
Blindness
• Blindness is the condition of lacking
visual perception due to physiological or
neurological factors.
• Most visual impairments are due to eye
diseases such macular degeneration,
cataract, glaucoma, and diabetes.
Physical Impairments
• A physical impairment is any disability
which limits the physical function of
limbs or fine or gross motor ability.
– Examples include partial or total paralysis
or traumatic brain injury, stroke, cerebral
palsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple
sclerosis, arthritis, amputation, and carpal
tunnel syndrome.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing
• A hearing impairment is a hearing loss
that prevents a person from totally
receiving sounds through the ear.
– Impairments range from mild to severe.
- Kentucky’s Office for the ADA
What Is Assistive Technology?
An AT device is defined as “any item,
piece of equipment, or product system
whether acquired commercially off the
shelf, modified or customized, that is
used to increase, maintain, or improve
functional capabilities of individuals with
disabilities”.
-Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals
with Disabilities Act of 1988
Assistive Technology for
Cognitive Impairments
Computer Software
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Scan and read
Word prediction
Simplified word processors
Voice recognition
Brainstorming and organization
Scan and Read Software
• Wynn
• Read and Write Gold
• Kurzweil 3000
Word Prediction Software
• Co:Writer
• Word Q
• Read and Write Gold
Co:Writer
Simplified Word Processing
Software
• Kurzweil 3000
• Don Johnson – Write:Outloud
Voice Recognition Software
•Dragon Naturally Speaking
•SpeakQ
•MacSpeech Dictate (Mac)
More likely to be successful if:
– Motivated due to a disability
– Good attention to detail
– Have patience – high tolerance for frustration
– Have support and training
– Speak clearly
– Already understand word processing & punctuation
Brainstorming and
Organizational Software
• Inspiration – graphical
organizer
• Don Johnston – Draft Builder
• Microsoft Outlook
PDAs
Combine As Much
Technology As Possible
• Smartphones
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PDA’s
Phones
Cameras (KNFB Mobile Reader w/ speech)
GPS’s
• iPods as digital voice recorders
– Nano 2nd Generation and Video have microphones
as added accessories. Many people know how to
use these and they are more intuitive to use than
digital voice recorders.
Let’s Not Forget Low Tech…
Medication Reminders
Watches, Timers and Clocks
Recorders
Step By Step Directions
To Save a Document in Microsoft Word:
1. Scroll to the file menu and click on
“Save”.
2. Type in the name of the document in the
box titled “File Name” at the bottom of
the window.
3. Press Enter or click on the OK button.
See www.sparkcharts.com for study guides for many
academic classes. Included are study guides for MS Office.
Visual Assistant
Visual Assistant
provides supports for
helping an individual
sequence and
perform an activity. It
has pictures and
custom recorded
speech that helps the
individual in the real
world environment.
Low Tech Cueing Devices
• Templates and
Overlays
• Models
Employee Absence Schedule
January 2007
Dates of Absence
Employee Name
M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W
Aaron
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
Bob
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
Cathy
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
David
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
Erin
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
Fran
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
George
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
Henrietta
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
Ingrid
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
Jack
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
Total
Assistive Technology for
Low Vision
Magnification Software
• ZoomText
• Magic
• Lunar
ZoomText
Magic
Video Magnifiers
Freedom Scientific
Topaz
Optelec
Clearview
Enhanced
Vision Merlin
Video Magnifiers
Enhanced Vision
Merlin
GW Micro Senseview
Optelec
Compact
Video Magnifiers
Optron PCT
ABISee Zoom-Ex
Low Tech Solutions
20/20 pens
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20/20 pens
bold, lined paper
OTT lighting
hand magnifiers
signature guides
hand magnifiers
bold lined paper
Assistive Technology for
Blindness
Screen Reading Software
Window Eyes
JAWS (Job Access with Speech)
Notetakers
Braillenote
Braille Plus
Pacmate
Refreshable Braille Displays
Pacmate Braille display
Brailliant Braille display
Standalone Scanners
SARA
Extreme Reader
Hardware and Software
for Braille Production
• Duxbury software
• Romeo
Juliet
Tiger
Assistive Technology for
Physical Impairments
Keyboards
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One handed
Ergonomic
Onscreen
Small
Large
Unique
Pointing Devices
• Trackballs- mainstream products
available in computer retail stores and
specialty products such as P&G roller
plus trackball
• Ergonomic
• Head or mouth controlled (Jouse,
HeadMouse Extreme)
Footime Foot
Jouse
3M Ergonomic
Trackball Emotion
AirObic
Evolution
Mouse-Trak
Speech Recognition software
• Dragon naturally speaking
• SpeakQ
• MacSpeech Dictate (Mac)
Ergonomics
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Forearm support
Wrist rests
Keyboard trays
Desk height
Chair
Foot rests
Switch Access
• Switch selection
• Switch site
• software
Operating System
Built In Features
• Sticky keys
• Filter keys
• Mouse keys
Assistive Technology for the
Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Signaling Devices
Devices to notify households of
events including the telephone or
doorbell ringing, baby crying, audio
alarms, and more via flashing lamp,
a bed shaker and vibrating personal
signaler.
alarm clock
Communication Devices
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Video Communication devices
Teletypewriters (TTY)
PC TTYs
Network TTYs
TTY/Carry-Over
Telephones
Examples of TTYs