Adaptive Technology: Making the World More User Friendly Sherrie Lee Holden With Special Guest Carrie Teichman, M.Ed. Counseling ETEC 562 Dr. Jason Davis November 25, 2002

Disclaimers I have not even begun to list all disabling conditions in this presentation. To do so would require far more effort and time than either my audience or myself is interested in expending for this presentation. I have not even begun to list all disabling conditions in this presentation. To do so would require far more effort and time than either my audience or myself is interested in expending for this presentation. I have also not come close to listing all of the available types of adaptive technology for the same reason I have also not come close to listing all of the available types of adaptive technology for the same reason I do not claim to be an expert in adaptive technology. However, I am a certified teacher of Special Education and have worked with many students of varying disabilities. I do not claim to be an expert in adaptive technology. However, I am a certified teacher of Special Education and have worked with many students of varying disabilities.

What is Adaptive Technology? Adaptive Technology is designed to assist the physically or mentally disabled individual to communicate his or her needs or to adapt to the environment they are in. Adaptive Technology is designed to assist the physically or mentally disabled individual to communicate his or her needs or to adapt to the environment they are in. Sometimes called Assistive Technology, this technology comes in both electronic and manual forms. Sometimes called Assistive Technology, this technology comes in both electronic and manual forms.

Kinds of Adaptive Technology Manual – This category consists of non- electrical forms of technology, such as picture communication boards, canes for the blind, and things as simple as pencil and paper. Manual – This category consists of non- electrical forms of technology, such as picture communication boards, canes for the blind, and things as simple as pencil and paper. Electronic- This category consists of electrical forms of technology, generally based on some form of computer operating system and programming language. Electronic- This category consists of electrical forms of technology, generally based on some form of computer operating system and programming language.

Users of Adaptive Technology Physically Disabled Physically Disabled Learning Disabled Learning Disabled Mentally Disabled Mentally Disabled People who work with any of the above People who work with any of the above People who live with any of the above People who live with any of the above

Adaptive Technology for the Hearing Impaired TTY and TDD TTY and TDD Computer-aided communications Computer-aided communications Closed Captioning Closed Captioning Hearing Aids Hearing Aids Cochlear Implants Cochlear Implants Laptop communications Laptop communications

Adaptive Technology for the Speech Impaired Communication Boards Communication Boards Laptops Laptops Paper and Pen/Pencil Paper and Pen/Pencil Electronic voice-boxes Electronic voice-boxes

Adaptive Technology for the Physically Disabled Manual – Crutches, wheelchairs, walkers and much more Manual – Crutches, wheelchairs, walkers and much more Electronic – Communication boards, electric wheelchairs, laptops, eye-directed mouses, touch-screen technology and much, much, more. Electronic – Communication boards, electric wheelchairs, laptops, eye-directed mouses, touch-screen technology and much, much, more.

Adaptive Technology for the Visually Impaired Manual – canes, rails, carpet runners, textured lettering, Braille signs, Braille books, and many more. Manual – canes, rails, carpet runners, textured lettering, Braille signs, Braille books, and many more. Electronic – color wands, screen readers, Braille-lite, books on tape, Kurzweiller Reading Machine, abacus, talking calculators, voice caller identification boxes, Braille printers, and many more Electronic – color wands, screen readers, Braille-lite, books on tape, Kurzweiller Reading Machine, abacus, talking calculators, voice caller identification boxes, Braille printers, and many more

Adaptive Technology: Making the World More User Friendly Sherrie Lee Holden With Special Guest, Carrie Teichman, M.Ed. Counseling ETEC 562 Dr. Jason Davis November 25, 2002