1. Technology Supports for Veterans: School to Work
Shannon Lavey, MS, OTR/L
Anna Walker, MOT, OTR/L
Assistive Technology Resource Center
10/25/2016

2. Objectives Overview of ATRC services
Common mainstream and assistive technology supports for veterans
Student setting
Employment setting
Transition Process
Funding
Case studies
Anna

3. Assistive Technology Resource Center (ATRC)
What we do: the ATRC ensures equal access to technology and electronic information for CSU students and employees with disabilities. Services include assistive technology (AT) assessments and training, as well as consultation and education regarding accessibility and universal design of mainstream and instructional technologies.
Our referrals come primarily from the CSU office called Resources for Disabled Students. Just as RDS is seeing an increase in veterans with disabilities seeking services, so too is the ATRC. We have greatly enjoyed working with the veterans and are continually learning and improving our services to better meet their needs.

4. ATRC Services Direct Services to Students and CSU Employees
Assistive technology/ technology Assessments
Accommodations
Training
Equipment Loans
Resources
Electronic Accessibility
Consultation - regarding universal design and accessible technology/information
Faculty Resources – for creating accessible course materials
Direct services: students and employees referred to us through RDS or other organization on campus such as campus health center
Electronic Accessibility: This simply means that information is usable by people with a wide range of abilities. We are working with other organizations on campus to develop campus-wide accessibility standards for electronic materials to ensure electronic information is usable by students and employees with disabilities.
Consultation: We consult with CSU departments to create accessible department materials, provide information on UDL and ergonomic consultations
Faculty Resources: We are currently developing resources that faculty can use to make their classroom materials, including the new RAMCT blackboard, accessible

5. Reading Supports Challenges Solutions Student setting
Processing info
Keeping up with large amounts of content
General comprehension
Student setting
Textbooks readings
Online readings
Employment setting s
Reading reports
Solutions
Mainstream apps
Text to Speech
Annotation
Speed Reading
Audio books
AT Software
Literacy Support
Text to speech
Challenges and solutions that tend to help student veterans in common academic areas
Start with reading…processing info and keeping up with large amount of content, slow reading speed, lack of comp/retaining info, having to re-read –takes even more time

6. Writing Supports Challenges: Solutions: Student setting
Accurate proofreading
Grammar & spelling
Generating and structuring content
Pain while typing or writing
Student setting
Papers s
Employment setting
Paperwork
Solutions:
Mainstream apps
Mind mapping
Voice recognition
Spelling and Grammar Checkers
AT Software
Literacy Support
Voice Recognition
Spelling and Grammar Checker
challenges: difficulty proofreading and with spelling/grammar, hard time initiating, coming up with ideas, and structuring paper

7. Note-taking Supports Challenges: Solutions: Student setting:
Keeping pace with lots of content
Auditory processing challenges
Multi-tasking
Filtering background noise/ ambient issues
Student setting:
Lecture halls
Study groups
Employment setting:
Meetings
Interviews
Solutions:
Mainstream
Livescribe Pens
One Note
Digital Recorders
Apps
Note taking
Voice recorders
Challenges – keeping up with content, not missing info, difficulty multitasking, getting distracted by noise, people, etc

8. Executive Functioning Supports
Challenges
Managing schedules
Time management
Organization
Memory considerations – deadlines, etc.
Student Setting
Class schedules
Managing school work and life
Employment Setting
Work schedule
Meetings
Prioritizing projects
Solutions
Mainstream apps
Calendars
To do lists
Task managers
Reminders
Password managers
Remembering names
Notes to self
planning, attending, organizing, memory
Challenges – managing course/assignment schedules, prioritizing/time mgmt. with school and personal life, organizing notes, reading, papers, assignments, memory – due dates, appointments, other tasks that need to be completed

9. Health and Well-Being Supports
Mainstream apps
Relaxation
Meditation
Mood Tracker
Breathing Techniques
Fitness Trackers
Sleep Trackers
Challenges
Anxiety
Stress
Pressure
No sleep
Student Setting
Assignment deadlines
Presentations
Exams
Employment Setting
Presenting to groups
Responsibilities and duties

10. Other Supports Accessing needed equipment Viewing required material
Computers
Printers
Telephone
Viewing required material
Print
Electronic
Communication
TBI, chronic pain, amputation, SCI – using equipment – modifications
Intuitive use

11. Transition Process Transition Knowing Rights Obtaining Technology
Free and Low Cost Technology Options
School-to-Work Transition Handout
Pilot Project
Shannon
Ideas
Funding sources, etc

12. Funding Sources Funding Options Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) – VA
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)
AT Funding Sources -AT Funding Source Website

13. Dan’s Story Social Work Major Busy Family life
Army for 30 years – Infantry branch
Connected with ATRC, RDS, ALVS, New Start
Volunteer work with hospice
PTS, Tinnitus

14. Technology Supports for Dan
Livescribe Echo Pen
Literacy Support Software– Kurzweil 3000
Textbooks in digital format (PDF)
Mind Mapping/Brainstorming software
Ginger Spelling and Grammar Checker
Evernote app
Morgan Library AT Rooms

15. Dan’s Transition to Work
Graduated with MSW
Provided with free resources for reading and writing support
Works in Hospice Care as a Social Worker
Livescribe pen for meetings – funded by the VA
Continues to use brainstorming strategies
“ATRC resources were absolutely awesome and were a life saver, even during the toughest days. They helped me finish my education and were instrumental in building my confidence to move forward.”
-Dan

16. Justin’s Story Early Childhood Education Major Busy Family life
Army for 20 years – Infantry
Connected with ATRC, RDS, New Start, ALVS
Back pain, Carpal Tunnel and other cumulative trauma, hearing loss, PTS

17. Technology Supports for Justin
Ergonomic Equipment
Voice Recognition – Dragon
Text to Speech Software
Livescribe Echo Pen
iPad apps
Shared calendar with family
Computer
Phone

18. Justin – Transition to the Workplace
Graduated 2015
Recommendation letter for technology written to the VA
Able to obtain funding for technology
Ergonomic equipment
Voice Recognition - Dragon
Works at Poudre School District
Uses ergo equipment and Dragon

19. Resources ATRC Website www.atrc. colostate.edu
ADA Nation Network Website
JAN Website
CSU Career Center Website
Colorado DVR Website
AT Finder Website
AT Funding Source Website

20. Any Questions?
Thank you!