Assistive Technology

Why Do we discuss AT?

• 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.
 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
 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
• 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
– 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
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 Employee Absence Schedule
Overlays January 2007
Employee Name
Dates of Absence
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 Total
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

• Models Bob
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
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
Assistive Technology for

Low Vision
 Magnification Software
• ZoomText
• Magic
• Lunar

Magic
ZoomText
 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
• bold, lined paper
• OTT lighting
• hand magnifiers
hand magnifiers
20/20 pens • signature guides

bold lined paper

 

Assistive Technology for Blindness
 Screen Reading Software

Window Eyes
JAWS (Job Access with Speech)
 Notetakers

Braillenote Pacmate

Braille Plus
 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
• 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)
 Jouse
Footime Foot
3M Ergonomic

Trackball Emotion

AirObic

Evolution
Mouse-Trak
Speech Recognition software

• Dragon naturally speaking

• SpeakQ
• MacSpeech Dictate (Mac)
 Ergonomics

• 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
• Video Communication devices
• Teletypewriters (TTY)
• PC TTYs
• Network TTYs
• TTY/Carry-Over
Telephones
Examples of TTYs