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Assistive Technology for Computer and Print Access

Linking AT to Types of Disability

ADA Trainer Network

Module 7d

Trainer’s Name

Trainer’s TitlePhone

Email/Website Address

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DisclaimerInformation, materials, and/or technical assistance are intended solely as informal guidance, and are neither a determination of your legal rights or responsibilities under the ADA, nor binding on any agency with enforcement responsibility under the ADA. The Mid-Atlantic ADA Center is authorized by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) to provide information, materials, and technical assistance to individuals and entities that are covered by the ADA. The contents of this document were developed under a grant from the Department of Education, NIDRR grant number H133 A110020. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.

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Your Concerns and Dilemmas

“Based on what you know right now about requesting or implementing assistive technology as a reasonable accommodation, what is your greatest concern or dilemma?”

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Blindness: Assistive Technology Tools

Task AT Tools

Use personal computer for:• Word processing• Internet access• Email• Etc.

• Text-to-Speech Software• Refreshable Braille Display• Braille printer

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Blindness

Task AT Tools

Read printmaterials

• Scan and read systems• Audio recordings

Take meetingnotes

• Braille notetaker / input device

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• Administrative Assistant in Student Services Office at a medium-sized college

• Lucille is blind and uses JAWS, a screen reader to access the computer• Student and employee information is recorded and stored in an

online application called PeopleSoft– $500,000+ was spent installing and customizing PeopleSoft for college– Not all PeopleSoft forms are accessible to JAWS but PeopleSoft

developers designed them to be accessible for WindowEyes (another screen reader product, $800)

– PeopleSoft is used by hundreds of colleges and businesses

LucilleWhat would be a reasonable accommodation?

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Low Vision: AT Tools

Task AT Tools

Use personal computer for:• Word processing• Internet access• Email• Etc.

• Screen magnification software

• Text-to-speech software• Large print key labels

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Low Vision: AT Tools

Task AT Tools

Read print materials • Digital video recorder• Scan and read systems• Audio recordings

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• Bob is a sales representative and travels frequently• Bob has low vision• Bob uses operating system features to increase the text size on his

computer• Submitting information for expense reimbursement is done online using

a form that was developed by the company’s web development team– The text on the expense form web page is a fixed 10 pt. font

• Bob attends monthly staff meetings– A printed meeting agenda and other materials are provided to all meeting

participants at the meeting• Agenda and materials are printed in 12 pt. font

BobWhat would be a reasonable accommodation?

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Mobility Impairments: AT Tools

• Alternative mouse device• Alternative keyboard• Adjustable-height desk• Adjustable keyboard tray• Stand/lean stools• Keyboard access devices

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• Tracks inventory for a large auto parts supplier• Lee has limited hand motion as a result of a repetitive

motion injury• Lee cannot use a standard mouse• Inventory tracking software was developed

in-house– The software contains forms which require the

mouse to select items in lists

LeeWhat would be a reasonable accommodation?

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Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing: AT ToolsTask AT Tools

Use personal computer• Communication• Web access

• Instant messaging systems• Operating system

accessibility features

Make telephone calls • TTY• Web conferencing systems

or video relay• Telephone amplification

device

Participate in webcasts and teleconferences

• Real-time captioning

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DebWhat would be a reasonable accommodation?

• Deb is a cook at a McDonald’s restaurant• Deb has significant hearing loss• McDonald’s requires all employees to

complete 4 hours of training videos each year– Videos are not captioned– Videos are available on DVD, VHS or on the

Web

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Cognitive Disabilities: AT ToolsTask AT Tools

Use personal computer • Computer with voice output (converts text to speech)

• Voice recognition software

Read print materials • Audio recordings• Scan and read systems

Organize time and materials • Tape recorder• Smartphone aps

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BrendaWhat would be a reasonable accommodation?

• Brenda works in order processing for an online computer retailer

• Brenda has a learning disability in reading• She receives all of her orders electronically

but her reading is so slow that she often falls behind in her order quotas

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Closing: Remember your cards?

Question:

“Based on what you know right now about requesting or implementing assistive technology as a reasonable accommodation, what is your greatest concern or dilemma?”

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Mid-Atlantic ADA CenterTransCen, Inc.

401 North Washington Street, Suite 450Rockville, MD 20850

Toll-Free: 800.949.4232 (DC, DE, MD, PA, VA, WV)

Telephone 301-217-0124Fax 301-251-3762TTY 301-217-0124Email ADAinfo@transcen.orgWeb www.ADAinfo.org

The contents of this presentation were developed under a grant from the Department of Education, NIDRR grant number H133 A110020. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.