Assistive TechnologyAssistive Technology

Helping ALL students learn…Helping ALL students learn…

What is Assistive What is Assistive Technology?Technology?

Any item, piece of equipment, or Any item, piece of equipment, or product system that can be modified product system that can be modified or customized for individuals with or customized for individuals with disabilitiesdisabilities

It is used to increase, maintain, or It is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities for improve functional capabilities for individuals with disabilitiesindividuals with disabilities

What Do Teachers Need to Know?What Do Teachers Need to Know?

Students with disabilities may need the Students with disabilities may need the following types of assistive technology:following types of assistive technology:

1. Devices/Equipment1. Devices/Equipment

2. Modifications to Websites2. Modifications to Websites3. Modifications to Software Applications3. Modifications to Software Applications

Devices/EquipmentDevices/Equipment

There are several devices that are used to modify There are several devices that are used to modify technology for students with disabilities. technology for students with disabilities.

Here are some of the categories:Here are some of the categories:

– Communication DevicesCommunication Devices– Computer Access DevicesComputer Access Devices– Electronic Aids to Daily Living (EADL)Electronic Aids to Daily Living (EADL)– Mounting Devices & Performance EnablersMounting Devices & Performance Enablers– Single Switches & ControllersSingle Switches & Controllers– Furniture, Work Surfaces, & Work StationsFurniture, Work Surfaces, & Work Stations

Modifications to Modifications to WebsitesWebsites

Web developers can adjust access to their websites Web developers can adjust access to their websites to accommodate visual, hearing, physical, speech, to accommodate visual, hearing, physical, speech, and cognitive disabilities.and cognitive disabilities.

The Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) has The Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) has developed guidelines and techniques for private developed guidelines and techniques for private Web software and Web developers to Web software and Web developers to accommodate individuals with disabilities.accommodate individuals with disabilities.

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires Federal agencies provide software and web-based Federal agencies provide software and web-based information accommodations for individuals with information accommodations for individuals with disabilities. This includes not only government disabilities. This includes not only government employees, but the general public.employees, but the general public.

Modifications to Modifications to Software ApplicationsSoftware Applications

Software applications that provide Software applications that provide accessibility features for individuals with accessibility features for individuals with disabilities.disabilities.

Microsoft Office provides products that Microsoft Office provides products that enhance its programs that are compatible enhance its programs that are compatible with Windows operating systems.with Windows operating systems.

Adobe provides tools for Web developers to Adobe provides tools for Web developers to use when creating PDF documents that are use when creating PDF documents that are accessible.accessible.

Assistive TechnologyAssistive Technology

A Reference Guide for A Reference Guide for Educators …Educators …

Assistive Technology Assistive Technology Devices/Equipment ExamplesDevices/Equipment Examples

For speech impairment, For speech impairment, Talk Back 12Talk Back 12 is a device is a device that uses four basic pictures on a keypad that, that uses four basic pictures on a keypad that, when pressed, communicate a word or phrase for when pressed, communicate a word or phrase for the student.the student.

For visual impairments, For visual impairments, Kurzweil 1000Kurzweil 1000 speaks speaks text aloud for the student as well as allows the text aloud for the student as well as allows the student to create and edit documents.student to create and edit documents.

Assistive TechnologyAssistive TechnologyModifications to Websites Modifications to Websites ExamplesExamples Screen ReadersScreen Readers are software that can be used by students are software that can be used by students

with visual impairments. It reads the text on the screen and with visual impairments. It reads the text on the screen and outputs it as audible speech or Braille.outputs it as audible speech or Braille.

Specialized keyboards or switchesSpecialized keyboards or switches are used by students are used by students with physical disabilities. Modifications may include a smaller with physical disabilities. Modifications may include a smaller or larger key spacing, key guards, on-screen keyboards, or or larger key spacing, key guards, on-screen keyboards, or eye-gazing keyboards.eye-gazing keyboards.

Scanning softwareScanning software is used by students with physical or is used by students with physical or cognitive impairments. It highlights or announces selection cognitive impairments. It highlights or announces selection choices such as menus or links, one at a time. By hitting a choices such as menus or links, one at a time. By hitting a switch, the desired item is selected by the student.switch, the desired item is selected by the student.

Assistive TechnologyAssistive TechnologyModifications to Software Modifications to Software Applications ExamplesApplications Examples Microsoft offers several programs to promote Microsoft offers several programs to promote

accessibility. Here are a few:accessibility. Here are a few:

– Word Prediction programsWord Prediction programs give students the give students the opportunity to type one or two letters of a word opportunity to type one or two letters of a word to generate a list. The student can use the to generate a list. The student can use the mouse or a switch to select the intended word.mouse or a switch to select the intended word.

– Talking word processorsTalking word processors give students the give students the ability to use speech synthesizers to provide ability to use speech synthesizers to provide auditory feedback of what is typed.auditory feedback of what is typed.

The End…The End…

If you would like to check to see if a website If you would like to check to see if a website complies with the accessibility guidelines, try complies with the accessibility guidelines, try http://bobby.watchfire.com/bobby/html/en/index.jsphttp://bobby.watchfire.com/bobby/html/en/index.jsp

Works CitedWorks Cited

www.wheelchairnet.org/WCN_ProdServ/Products/OtherATprod.htmlwww.wheelchairnet.org/WCN_ProdServ/Products/OtherATprod.html

www.ittatc.org/technical/experts/answers.php?qa_id=17www.ittatc.org/technical/experts/answers.php?qa_id=17

www.w3.org/WAI/intro/accessibility.phpwww.w3.org/WAI/intro/accessibility.php

www.w3.org/WAI/EO/Drafts/PWD-Use-Web/www.w3.org/WAI/EO/Drafts/PWD-Use-Web/

www.microsoft.com/enable/guides/www.microsoft.com/enable/guides/