1. Assistive Technology Resource Center (ATRC): An Overview
Student Affairs
Summer 2014

2. 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
Broad range of devices to improve, maintain or enhance function and participation
Positioning
Mobility
Augmentative and alternative communication
Computer access – here at ATRC we specialize in AT as it relates to computer access
Adaptive environments
Instructional aids

3. Assistive Technology Resource Center(ATRC)
Mission of ATRC is to ensure equal access to technology and electronic information for CSU students and employees with disabilities.
Services include:
Assessments, Training, Equipment Loans, Resources, Accommodations
Consultation and Education regarding ergonomic, ADA, and universal design considerations in technology environments
Assistance with making programs, information and course material accessible for students
Experiential learning of AT for OT Students
Work closely with Resources for Disabled Students, TILT (institute for learning and teaching) AAC Academic Advancement Center
Assessments and Trainings to determine the best AT based on the student’s need.
Training in accessible documents, PDF files, presentations, web pages
Ergonomics for faculty and staff
AT rooms at Morgan Library- reserved spaces with AT software and a range of environmental controls for the students we serve

4. About the ATRC
Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Health and Human Sciences
Marla Roll, MS, OTR
Director, ATRC / Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy
Shannon Lavey, MS, OTR
Service Coordinator & Provider
Allison Kidd
Assistive Technology IT Coordinator/ Accessibility Specialist
Additional Staffing:
1 Graduate Teaching Assistant
3 Graduate Students in Occupational Therapy
Fortunately, we have access to quality graduate students that help extend our services to campus while gaining invaluable professional development in Assistive Technologies.

5. ATRC Steering Committee
Guides and assists ATRC with campus decision making.
Membership includes:
VP for IT
Charges for Tech
Library
TILT
On-line Plus
Student Affairs
OEO
General Council

6. Students with disabilities who may benefit from services at the ATRC
Non-apparent disabilities
Examples: Learning Disorders, Traumatic Brain Injury, Autism Spectrum, Mental Health considerations
Sensory
Examples: Blind/low vision, Hearing Impairment
Physical
Examples: Neurological, Orthopedic, Cumulative Trauma
2/3 of clients have non-apparent disabilities
Neurological – SCI, CVA, MS, CP (veterans)
Ortho – arthritis, amputees, congenital anomalies, broken wrist

7. Student Support Service Collaborations
Resources for Disabled Students (RDS)
Center for Advising and Student Achievement (CASA)
The Institute for Learning and Teaching (TILT)
Academic Achievement Center (AAC)
Learning Assistance Services (LAS)
CSU Health Network – PT department, mental health providers
Adult Learner and Veteran Services (ALVS)
Center for Community Partnership (OPS and New Start)
The Writing Center
Marla

8. Direct Services: ATRC Process for Students
Referral
Intake
Assessment
AT Accommodations
On going training
Re-assessment
Shannon

9. Direct Services: AT to support performance and participation in Educational Occupations
Reading
Alternative formats: audio and/or visual formats, braille
Text to speech programs
Built-in software on Macs and Windows
Examples: mp3, Read and Write
Writing
Speech recognition software
Spelling and grammar software
Word prediction and vocabulary features
Paper organization
Alternative keyboards/ mice
Studying
Highlighting features, masking, vocabulary lists
These are some examples of ways we support students – but there is definitely many more options that can be customized to the student’s needs!

10. Direct Services: AT to support performance and participation in Educational Occupations (continued)
Note-taking and Classroom Participation
Digital recorders
Livescribe Pen – syncs audio and visual
Apps for tablets and smartphones
Captioning and FM Systems
Portable magnifiers
Accessing the Computer
Alternative keyboards (e.g.one-handed, split keyboard, enlarged, mini)
Alternative or ergonomic mice (e.g. trackball, vertical mouse, touchpad)
Positioning (adjustable tables, chairs, foot and wrist rests)
Test Taking
Use of any of the above features and more to help with tests!
Organization of Assignments and Coursework
Checklists and day planners, phone apps, PDAs, Google calendars, and more!

11. Support for students use of mobile devices:
ATRC provides training and supports for various tablet and smart phone apps
An increasing number of AT software programs are now available as apps.
Mobile devices have many built-in features that consider universal design and assist all types of users.

12. ATRC Indirect Services: Consultation & Education
Consultation and Education regarding ergonomic, ADA, and universal design considerations in technology environments
Examples include:
furniture recommendations/ placements for computing environments
assisting charges for technology committee with ergonomic or universal design purchases
electronic door openers – facilities

13. ATRC Indirect Services
Assistance with making programs, information and course materials accessible for all students
Accessibility of Electronic & Information Technology Guidelines –
Currently working on moving the guidelines to a policy
Has been presented to faculty council, council of deans and graduate education council
AT is only as good as content it interacts with. Instruction is digital in nature….

14. ATRC Indirect Services: Accessibility
Accessibility of electronic information pertains to:
Web accessibility – working with CSU web masters
Course material accessibility – faculty training
TILT, MTI, CTSS,
Procurement – working with CSU purchasing
Accessibility by Design Web Site
AT is only as good as content it interacts with….. Materials have to be designed in accessible fashion for the AT to make sense of it/interact with it…

15. Experiential learning of AT for OT Students
ATRC’s location in OT is mutually beneficial
ATRC hires and trains OT graduate students to assist with service delivery – personnel prep
Director / Assistant Professor – teaches AT content within the OT graduate program
ATRC – serves a living laboratory for OT graduate students
OT faculty assist the ATRC with program evaluations, outcome related research, thesis projects, publications

16. Questions? www.atrc.colostate.edu  THANK YOU  Check out our website:
See our website for great resources on previous trainings and presentations as well as links and guides to many of our software and hardware.
 THANK YOU 