Terrific Tools for

Transitioning

Denise Barton Schuler, MS, ATPMaryland Technology Assistance

Program

About MDTAP

Maryland TAP makes disability-related technology more available, affordable, and usable for Maryland

residents with disabilities.

“To build a better life, you need the right tools.”

What is Assistive Technology?

“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”

The Bottom Line:

“For people without disabilities, technology

makes things easier. For people with disabilities,

technology makes things possible.”

IBM Training Manual - 1991

Low-Tech Tools

Writing aids: writing bird pencil grips tennis ball

Deaf / Hard of Hearing

Blind / Low Vision

Adaptive Computer Access

Cognitive / Memory Aids

“Smart” Technologies

Built-in Accessibility for Vision Access

iDevices

VoiceOver Siri (iPhone 4s

only) Zoom White on Black Speak selection

Tactile buttons Large text Audible, Visible

and Vibrating alerts

Assignable ringtones

Built-in Accessibility for Auditory Access - iDevices

FaceTime

Closed Captioning

iMessage

Mono Audio

Visual and Vibrating Alerts

Visual Voicemail

TTY Support

Criteria for Evaluating Apps

What do you want the app to accomplish?

By using the app, will the person be able to successfully complete his/her job and/or task?

Does the app “back up” to a computer? Is there additional support needed?

Is there technical or user support from the developer?

Does the user require additional training to learn how to use the app? Is the app user-friendly?

Criteria for Evaluating Apps

Does the user have the ability to use the app? Consider cognitive, visual, hearing and physical access

Visual accessibility for someone with vision loss

Is the app compatible with voice over?

Will the user require any “add-on” technologies to access the app? Stylus? Case? Speakers?

Criteria for Evaluating Apps

Will the app need to sync with other technology(s)….computer, phone, internet, etc.

Will the app require a data plan or internet service?

Is the technology compatible with the app? (some apps only work on iPad2 and the user has an iPhone)

App is only available for android and the user has an iPhone

There’s an App for That?

Apps for Organization

• Countdown - .99

• Audio Countdown - free

• Time Timer - $3.99, $6.99

• Priority Matrix - $3.99

• iVoice Reminder - $1.99

• Organize for iPhone - free

Apps for Organization

• iPrompts - $39.99

• Pocket Picture Planner – free (needs sw for $199)

• Time Logger - $4.99

• Dropbox - free

• DropVox for Dropbox - $1.99

Apps for Writing & Productivity

• Dragon Dictation - free

• Dragon Go! (like Siri)- free

• ZoomContacts - free

• Push Reminder - free

• Pages, Keynote and Numbers (“Office Equivalent”) - $9.99 each

Apps for Writing & Productivity

• CaptureNotes 2 - .99

• QuickVoice Recorder - free

• GoodReader for iPad - $4.99

• Notability - .99

• Pictello - $18.99

• Say it and Mail it Recorder - $1.99

• Awesome Note (Lite) – free, $4.99

Apps for Visual Access

• EyeNote - free

• LookTel Money Reader - $9.99

• Jumbo Calculator – iPad - free

• ZoomReader - $19.99

• Color ID Free - free

• VM Alert – Video Motion Detector - $1.99

• Vision Assistant - $5.99

• Doc Scanner - $2.99

• Prizmo - $9.99

Pocket Picture Planner

Time Logger

Dropvox for Dropbox

iVoice Reminder

Pictello

ZoomReader

ZoomReader (cont)

Information & Referral

Helps identify potential products and solutions

Links with sources for assessment or evaluation

Refers to vendors Connects with funding sources

Equipment Loan & Demonstration

Lets people observe and try out devices before buying

Lends devices to individuals or professionals for 4 weeks to try out or cover short-term gaps (e.g., when devices are being repaired)

Centers in Baltimore, Western Maryland and the Eastern Shore

Reuse AT: Equipment Link – www.equipmentlink.org

Maryland AT Coop Provides discounts on assistive technology

purchase from a wide variety of vendors and manufacturers

Free membership to agencies and individuals No obligation to purchase through the Co-op

For more information, contact:

(410) 792-9901 (voice/fax)www.matcoop.org

email: info@matcoop.org

AT Loan Program Provides low-interest loans to Maryland

residents with disabilities or their families to buy assistive technology

Covers all types of AT, including vehicles, computers, home modifications

Loan amounts - $500 - $50,000 Interest rates usually one point below prime Approves many loans that would be turned down

by conventional lenders Telework Loan - Provides low-interest loans to

enable people with disabilities to buy equipment needed to telecommute or start small businesses

Contact UsCentral Office

Maryland Technology Assistance Program2301 Argonne Drive, T-17Baltimore, MD 21218(800) 832-4827 (voice)(866) 881-7488 (TTY)(410) 554-9237 (fax)mdtap@mdtap.org (e-mail)www.mdtap.org (web)

Contact Us

AT:LAST, Inc.

d.b.a. Maryland A.T. Co-op 7050 Oakland Mills Rd. Ste. 160Columbia, MD 21046410-381-2667 (voice)Info@matcoop.org (e-mail)www.matcoop.org (web)

Contact UsHolly Community, Inc.

821 E. Williams St.P. O. Box 1489Salisbury, MD 21802(877) 511-0744 (voice)(443) 260-0833 (fax)info@hollycommunity.org (e-mail)www.hollycommunity.org (web)