1. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR STUDENTS: AN OVERVIEW
Shannon Lavey, Michael Uebbing
RDS Staff training
8/18/16

2. About the ATRC
Marla Roll, MS, OTR/L
Director, ATRC / Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy
Shannon Lavey, MS, OTR/L
Student Service Coordinator & Provider
Anna Walker, MOT, OTR/L
Campus Service Coordinator & Provider
Allison Kidd
Assistive Technology IT Coordinator/ Accessibility Specialist
Additional Staffing:
1 Graduate Teaching Assistant Student in Occupational Therapy
2 Graduate Students in Occupational Therapy
1 Fieldwork Student
1 Computer Science student

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

4. Assistive Technology Resource Center (ATRC)
Ensuring equal access to technology and electronic information for CSU students and employees with disabilities
Our work helps the university comply with ADA and section 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act
We provide AT options to help support the success of students and employees in their academic and work roles.

5. ATRC Services Direct Services to Students and CSU Employees
Assessments
Accommodations
Training
Equipment Loans
Resources
Electronic Accessibility
Consultation
Faculty Resources
Direct services: students and employees, includes:
Assessments
AT Accommodations
Training
Equipment Loans
Resources
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, such as PDFs, PPTs, ebooks, Canvas, more accessible

6. Students & Employees with Disabilities Who May Benefit from Services at the ATRC
Non-Apparent Disabilities
Examples: Learning Disabilities, Traumatic Brain Injury, Autism Spectrum, Mental Health
Apparent Disabilities
Sensory
Examples: Blind/low vision, Hearing Impairment
Physical
Examples: Neurological, Orthopedic, Cumulative Trauma
Apparent Disabilities
Non-Apparent
2/3 of clients have non-apparent disabilities
Neurological – SCI, CVA, MS, CP
Ortho – arthritis, congenital anomalies, broken wrist/bones

7. Intake with scheduled appointment
ATRC Process
Intake with scheduled appointment
Assessment of AT
On going training on AT
Referral from RDS and PT at the CSU Health Network – majority of referrals come from RDS
Intake with scheduled appointment
Assessment: explore AT options,
Training: further, in depth training, installations as needed, other campus locations

8. Alt Format Process 4 3 2 1 Resources for Disabled Students
I really wish this book was in an alternative format…
Students must complete all of these steps in order to receive alternative text services.
Books are converted on a first come, first served basis. Please request accommodations as early as possible.
Alternate format files will be uploaded to the Google Drive associated with address. 4
Resources for Disabled Students
Bring your textbooks to your appointment.
Your books will be converted in about two to three weeks. 3
Resources for Disabled Students
Make an appointment with Nico Gowdy, Alternative Text Coordinator. 2
Assistive Technology Resource Center
Determine the best format to convert your textbooks. Call for an appointment 1
Resources for Disabled Students
Meet with a specialist to get accommodation and referrals.
For students receiving accommodations for alternative text - explain process briefly

9. AT for Reading - Software & Hardware
Alt format
Electronic version of textbooks and readings
Examples: PDFs, MP3, Braille, MathML and more
Text to speech
Read and Write, Kurzweil, many more
Apps for Apple and Android
Magnifiers
Hardware: video magnifiers
Software: Zoom Text
Screen Overlays
Speed Reading programs
Built-Ins
Windows and Mac
More apps!
Demo rw, ss overlay, and rapid reader

10. AT for Writing Speech Recognition Software Paper Organization Apps
Dragon Naturally Speaking
Windows/Mac Built-Ins
Paper Organization
Inspiration
Spell/grammar checker, text to
speech, word prediction, other supports
Read and Write, Kurzweil, WYNN, Ginger
Apps
Concept mapping, voice recognition, word prediction, spell check
Demo dragon and ginger (if time allows)

11. AT for Note-Taking and Classroom Participation
Recorders
Digital Recorders
Livescribe Pen
Recording apps
FM System
Captioning
Real-time provision of text
Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART)
C Print
Portable Video Magnifiers
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
Demo Livescribe pen

12. AT for Studying Read and Write, Kurzweil, WYNN Apps Web searches
Masking
Highlighting
List extraction
Text/voice annotations
Apps
Annotations
Flash cards

13. AT for Accessing Computers
Screen Readers – JAWS, Voice Over
Voice Recognition
Alternative Pointing Devices (Mice)
Head tracker
No hands mouse
Switches
Alternative Keyboards
One-handed
Chorded
On-screen (Wivik)
Enlarged
Mini
JAWS- reads any text on computer and code-level content

14. AT for Accessing Computers Cont’d
Ergonomic Keyboards and Mice
Split keyboards
Contoured keyboards/mice
Trackball, vertical mice,
touchpad
Positioning
Adjustable tables and monitors
Devices, e.g. mobile and
static arm supports
Foot and wrist rests

15. AT for Test Taking Student can use most AT Examples:
Kurzweil, Read and Write, other text-to-speech programs – vs. a reader
Dragon – vs. a scribe
SS Overlay or other color adjustments – vs. test on colored paper
JAWS
Zoom Text
Video Magnifier
Increase user control/independence

16. AT for Organization Low Tech High Tech
Checklists, day planners, task sequencing lists, alarms and timers on watches and cell phones
High Tech
Devices: Computers, tablets, smartphones
Software or Apps:
Calendars
Alarms, reminders
To do lists
Notes and voice memos
Multimedia prompting system: i.e. Endeavor: provides cues, coaching, alarms for med, go to class, to do list, sequencing
TBI, executive fx

17. Resources ATRC Website (www.atrc.colostate.edu)
Atomic Learning Tutorials
Atomic Learning Website (
Quick Start Guides
ATRC Website (

18. Thank you !