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, Parkinsons, 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.
- Kentuckys 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

PDAs
Phones
Cameras (KNFB Mobile Reader w/ speech)
GPSs

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.

Lets 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

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

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

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