Determining Assistive Technology Needs of People who are Blind or Visually Impaired Ike Presley American Foundation for the Blind 100 Peachtree Street, Suite 620 Atlanta, GA

Objectives Identify three major activities in which technology assists people who are blind or visually impaired Identify the three most widely used adaptations for accessing electronic information Identify the background information needed to complete a comprehensive assistive technology assessment

Presentation Outline Learning What AT Tools Are Available Conducting an Assistive Technology (AT) Assessment Implementing the AT Recommendations Filling the Toolbox

What can technology do? It provide tools for –Accessing printed information –Accessing electronic information –Communicating through writing –Producing materials in alternate formats

What kind of tools? Tools for accessing information –V–Visually –T–Tactually –A–Auditorally It takes a toolbox full of tools to be successful

Tools for Accessing Printed Information Visually Non-optical Tools/Devices –Lighting Natural – control with blinds, shades, etc. Artificial – incandescent, fluorescent, halogen, natural daylight bulb –Reading/Book Stands Portable Desktop floor –Large Print Books –Electronic White Boards

Tools for Accessing Printed Information Visually Optical Devices Magnifiers –Sheet magnifier –Hand-held magnifier –Stand magnifier –Spectacle mounted Telescopes –Hand-held –Spectacle mounted

Tools for Accessing Printed Information Visually Electronic Devices Video Magnifiers (CCTVs) –Desktop models –Flex-arm camera models –Head-mounted display models –Portable hand-held camera models –Electronic pocket models –Digital imaging models Specialized Scanning Systems –Optical Character Recognition (OCR)

Tools for Accessing Printed Information Tactually Braille Books Tactile Graphics

Tools for Accessing Printed Information Auditorally Readers and Audio Recordings Talking Books – Analog & Digital E-book Readers Talking Dictionaries

Tools for Accessing Electronic Information Visually Hardware –Large Monitors –Magnifiers –Monitor Stands Software –Enlarging Features of Word Processors and Internet Browsers –Operating System Accessibility Features –Screen Magnification Software –Specialized Scanning Systems

Tools for Accessing Electronic Information Tactually Refreshable Braille Displays Accessible PDAs with Braille Displays

Tools for Accessing Electronic Information Auditorally Screen Reading Software Specialized Scanning Systems E-text Readers Accessible PDAs Talking Calculators and Talking Dictionaries

Tools for Written Communication Writing Tools for Visual Learners Bold & Raised Lined Paper –Bold Markers White Boards Dedicated Word Processors Accessible Computer System with Word Processing Software

Tools for Written Communication Writing Tools for Tactile Learners Slate & Stylus Braille Writers –Manual: Perkins, Jot-a-Dot –Electronic: Perkins, Mountbatten Accessible Computer System with Word Processing Software Accessible PDAs

Tools for Written Communication Writing Tools for Auditory Learners Accessible Computer System with Word Processing Software Accessible PDAs

Tools for Producing Materials in Alternate Formats Producing Materials in Large Print Bold Line Paper, Bold Markers, White Boards Enlarging Photocopying Machines Computer Based Production –A–Acquiring Files –E–Entering Text with Keyboard –S–Scanning Systems –W–Word Processing Software

Producing Materials in Braille Braille Translation Software Braille Embossers

Producing Materials in an Auditory Format Modified Tape Recorders/Players Digital Recorders Specialized Scanning Systems –Text files –MP3 files –DAISY files - Digital Audio Information SYstem

Presentation Outline Conducting an Assistive Technology Assessment –Preparing for the Assessment –Completing the AT Considerations Checklist –Completing the AT Assessment form –Completing the Recommendations form –Writing the Final Report –Presenting the Assessment Report and Recommendations

Conducting an Assistive Technology Assessment Preparing for the Assessment –Selecting the AT assessment team –Gathering Background Information Ophthalmologic Exam Clinical Low Vision Evaluation Functional Low Vision Evaluation Vocational Evaluation Learning Media Assessment Psychological Evaluation Academic and Other Assessments

Completing the AT Considerations Checklist Identify tasks the student is having difficulty completing? What modifications and adaptations have been implemented? Are these working? What assistive technology has been implemented? –

What is the Assistive Technology Assessment Form? A guide for service provider wishing to determine technology needs Looking for three types of information –Does individual have sensory skills needed Visual, tactile, auditory –Does individual have physical skills needed –Does individual have cognitive skills needed A checklist of items and tasks A checklist for recommendations –Assistive Technology for Students Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired: A Guide to Assessment, AFB Press scssid=FGXJFSAHACUM8K1Q4JTQ25P37SGEF1C7

Completing the Assistive Technology Assessment May require multiple team members to complete Not all items will be applicable Materials in alternate formats will need to be prepared Team members will need to gather adaptive equipment and become familiar with its operation Multiple sessions may be required

Completing the Assistive Technology Assessment Checklist How will the individual access printed information? –Regular Print –Large Print –Use Optical Devices –Non-optical Devices –Braille & Tactile –Auditory –Reading Rates –Electronic Calculator and Dictionaries

How will the individual access printed information? Regular Print –Can the individual read regular print without modification or an optical device? At what distance Which fonts Is this effective and efficient? –Can the individual read regular print with standard spectacles or contact lens? At what distance Which fonts Is this effective and efficient?

How will the individual access printed information? Enlarged Print –Can the individual read enlarged print without modification or an optical device? At what distance What % of enlargement is needed? Is this effective and efficient? –Can the individual read enlarged print with standard spectacles or contact lens? At what distance What % of enlargement is needed? Is this effective and efficient? –Does the reduced clarity cause problems?

How will the individual access printed information? Large Print –What point size at what distance? Various sizes for reading One size for writing –What’s the preferred font?

How will the individual access printed information? Optical Devices –Has individual received a Clinical Low Vision Evaluation? –What was recommended? Need for multiple tools Manual tools Electronic tools Tools for spot reading Tools for continuous reading Tools for distance reading tasks –How well does the individual use the devices?

How will the individual access printed information? Optical Devices –Visual fatigue issues –Physical fatigue issues Reading Rates –Does individual understand which tools are best for various tasks?

How will the individual access printed information? Non-optical Devices –What’s the best lighting for various tasks? Natural / Artificial Work environment General environment Functioning at night or in low light environments –What other non-optical devices might be useful? Book/reading stands / copy holders Activities of Daily Living

How will the individual access printed information? Braille & Tactile –Braille reading skills May need other assessment tools –Tactile graphics reading skills Which production method will work best for information needing to be accessed?

How will the individual access printed information? Auditory –Any hearing impairments –Any auditory processing issues –Working with readers Acquiring Using efficiently –Audio recordings –Scan and read systems –Talking calculators & dictionaries Synthesized speech

Completing the Assistive Technology Assessment Form How will the individual access electronic information? –Screen Enlarging Hardware –Screen Magnification Software –Refreshable Braille Display –Screen Reading Software –Input Devices Keyboard Mouse/Trackball

How will the individual access electronic information? Screen Enlarging Hardware –Will a larger monitor suffice? –Will a fully articulated monitor arm work? Combining with OS accessibility –Display setting –Accessibility features Combine with freeware/shareware screen magnification software

How will the individual access electronic information? Screen Magnification Software –Tasks to be completed What features are needed –Low cost programs / minimal features –Intermediate priced programs –Full featured programs

How will the individual access electronic information? Refreshable Braille Display –Tactile access –Requires screen reader software –Dedicated device –Portable device Accessible PDA

How will the individual access electronic information? Screen Reading Software –Low cost freeware/shareware –Full featured program –Understand sentences, words, characters –Understand command and navigational structure

How will the individual access electronic information? How will individual interface with computer? –Input Devices Keyboard –Are keyboarding skills adequate Mouse/Trackball –Visual and physical coordination

Completing the Assistive Technology Assessment Checklist How will the individual communicate through writing? –Standard Handwriting Tools –Adaptive Handwriting Tools –Braille Writing Tools –Electronic Writing Tools

The Final Steps Completing the Recommendations form Presenting the Assessment Report to the Team Implementing the AT Recommendations Filling the Toolbox

Assistive Technology Tools It takes a toolbox full of tools to be successful

Ike Presley American Foundation for the Blind 100 Peachtree Street, Suite 620 Atlanta, GA