1. USING ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY TO ENHANCE OCCUPATION
SHANNON LAVEY, MS, OTR
MARLA ROLL, MS, OTR
Yamagata Prefectural University of Health and Sciences
March 24, 2015

2. Assistive Technology Resource Center (ATRC)
Marla Roll, MS, OTR
Director – ATRC
Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy
Shannon Lavey, MS, OTR
Student Services Coordinator
Allison Kidd
Assistive Technology IT Coordinator
Accessibility Specialist and Trainer
Small but mighty! Our office is working hard to ensure that students and employees with disabilities are not left behind in this rapidly evolving technological landscape.

3. Definition of Assistive Technology
A broad range of devices, services, strategies and practices that aid in assisting individuals with disabilities.
An AT device is any item, piece of equipment, or product system that is used to increase, maintain or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.
-Cook & Hussey
Caitlin

4. Assistive Technology Resource Center
Mission of ATRC is to ensure equal access to technology and electronic information for CSU students and employees with disabilities.
Disability groups served
Physical (congenital & acquired)
Sensory (vision & hearing)
Non-Apparent impairments ( TBI, LD, ADD, ADHD, Mental health)

5. ATRC Services Services Direct ( Students & Employees) :
Assessments, Training, Equipment Loans, Resources, Accommodations
Consultation and Education ( faculty & campus units):
regarding ergonomic, ADA, and universal design considerations in technology environments
Assistance with making programs, information and course material accessible for students
Assistance with making web content accessible
Experiential learning of AT for OT Students
ATRC hires OT students to work in the center
Provides assistive technology content/ labs in the overall curriculum
Provides Level I and II fieldwork opportunities
Caitlin
Assessments and Trainings to determine the best AT based on the student’s need.
AT for OT students- providing labs, case studies, and other activities that are integrated into the curriculum

6. ATRC and Occupation The ATRC’s goal is:
to increase student participation in school-related activities and enhance academic performance.
to increase employee participation in work related tasks and enhance work related performance.
Mindy

7. Student Services Occupations Addressed: Reading Writing Note-taking
Test-taking
Accessing computers and technology
Today, we will focus primarily on the direct student services piece of what we do.

8. AT for Reading Text to Speech Visual Adjustments
Speed Reading Software
Digital Format/Book Players
Braille – paper or refreshable
Magnifiers
Hardware: video magnifiers (demo)
Software
Built-Ins
Windows and Mac
Can convert textbooks into digital format. Software/ hardware will play book, easy to navigate, real voice recordings available (demo Victor Stream or Easy Reader)
Text to Speech- reads aloud electronic text, adjustable voices, volume, speed and pitch, easy to navigate, ability to Read web content-text is read within web browsers, option to highlight text
Visual Layout (demo WYNN) or Overlay
Size of text and line spacing
Color of text and background
Masking
Highlighting words as they are read
Speed reading software- increases students reading speed, reduces distractions when reading and eye fatigue (demo Rapid Reader)
Built in Accessibility – such as text to speech, screen reader (voice over – Mac, narrator – PC), magnifier, on screen keyboard, change contrast
Braille – Braille on a paper copy (show example) or Refreshable Braille display (refer to one in lab)
Magnifiers - magnifiy image on screen, adjust contrast and colors (demo Acrobat video magnifier)

9. AT for Writing Speech Recognition Software Mind Mapping
Literacy Support Software
Spell and grammar check
Text to speech
Word prediction and completion
If a student is unable to type or has difficulty typing, SR software (demo Dragon)
Mind Mapping – concept mapping program that allows user to brainstorm or generate an outline to develop ideas (picture on slide is example)
Literacy Support Software– programs with spell check, grammar, read outloud, word prediction, homophone support, dictionary/thesaurus
Word prediction/completion

10. AT for Note-Taking and Classroom Participation
Digital Recorders
Livescribe Pen
FM System
Captioning
Communication Access RealtimeTranslation (CART)
Portable Video Magnifiers
Caitlin
Digital Recorders to record lectures, meetings, etc
Upload audio on computer
Recording Pen – demo livescribe pen
Synchronous audio and visual
Upload written notes/audio on computer
FM Systems: Portable, wireless listening system for classroom use. The teacher wears a compact transmitter and microphone. Students use a portable receiver with earphones.
Captioning media in the classroom/computer such as videos
Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART): instant translation of speech to text via advanced, remote or onsite real-time translation software
Portable Video Magnifiers – demo Pebble

11. AT for Accessing Computer
Screen Readers
Screen Magnification
Alternative Pointing Devices
Alternative Keyboard
Switch Access
Ergonomic Equipment
Positioning
Caitlin
Screen Readers: JAWS- reads any text on computer
Marla will be Vanna!!!!
Alt Pointing Devices (demo equip in ATRC lab)
Head tracker
No hands mouse
Switches
Alt keyboard (demo equip in ATRC lab)
One-handed
Chorded
On-screen (Wivik)
Enlarged
Mini
Switch Access (demo equip in ATRC lab)
Morse Code
Scanning Arrays
Ergonomic Keyboards and Mice (demo equip in ATRC lab)
Split keyboards
Contoured keyboards/mice
Trackball, vertical mice,
touchpad
Positioning (demo equip in ATRC lab)
Adjustable tables and monitors
Devices, e.g. mobile and static arm supports
Foot and wrist rests

12. AT for Organizing Assignments
Low Tech
Checklists
Day planners
Task sequencing lists
Alarms and timers on watches and cell phones
High Tech
Devices: Computers, tablets, smartphones, PDAs
Software or Apps:
Calendars
Alarms, reminders
To do lists
Notes and voice memos
Caitlin
Multimedia prompting system: i.e. Endeavor: provides cues, coaching, alarms for med, go to class, to do list, sequencing
TBI, executive fx
Apps: Google Calendar
Alarms, reminders
To do lists
Notes and voice memos

13. Mainstream Apps Apps to support students in school activities Reading
Writing
Note taking
Studying
Organization
Mindy & Caitlini
Growing demand for apple and android
Apps have many features that AT has – this is a dynamic, exciting trend
Demo apps:

14. Questions?
Both

15. Feel free to explore the technology!
Thank you!
Feel free to explore the technology!