1. Assistive Technology Carrie Clawson, OTR/L, ATP Brad Miles
AT Specialist, VA DARS
Brad Miles
Rehab Engineer, VA DBVI

2. Definition
Assistive Technology is any item, piece of equipment, or product system whether acquired off the shelf, modified, or customized that is used to increase, maintain or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.
Public Law Assistive Technology Act of 1998 as amended 2004

3. What does that mean?
Assistive technology is a tool used by an individual with a disability to complete a work task or job function.

4. Rehab Engineering

5. Rehab Engineering

6. AT for Hand Impairment
Trackball
Voice Recognition Software
Headset

7. AT for Hand Impairment Large Keyboards Track ball mouse Typing Aid
Word Prediction software (Word Q)
Speech Recognition Software (Dragon Naturally Speaking)
Accessibility Options
Sticky Keys
Filter Keys
On Screen Keyboard
Speech Recognition

8. Windows Accessibility Features/Mac Universal Access

9. Dragon Naturally Speaking
Version 12 in 2012
Premium edition often used by people with fine motor impairments; Home edition for those with some ability to type/use mouse
Complicated; requires the ability to learn commands
Can be frustrating
More robust voice profiles mean less training “out of the box”

10. AT for Vision Impairment
Windows Accessibility ( Magnifier & Narrator )
High Contrast Keyboard
Magnifiers
Screen Magnification (ZoomText)
Screen Reader (JAWS)
Speech Recognition (Dragon Naturally Speaking)
CCTVs
Braille Note Takers
Braille Displays

11. High Contrast Display, On Screen Keyboard

12. Zoom Text Screen magnification software
Can customize level of magnification needed
Also can read text on the screen

13. JAWS Reads information on the screen Replaces viewing of the monitor
Used by people without vision

14. High Res Keyboards

15. Braille Note Takers QWERTY Keyboard Braille Keyboard Braille Display
Portable
Wireless
Digital Recorder / Player
Optional GPS

16. Braille Displays Braille Input Keyboard Attach to Windows Computers
Attach to I-Devices
Attach to Android devices

17. CCTVs Enlarge / Magnify Change Color Contrast Desktop Magnifiers
Portable Magnifiers
Handheld Magnifiers

18. Kurzweil 3000, Read and Write Gold
Text to speech
Facilitates reading fluency, but not comprehension
Useful for people with print or visual disabilities
Supports study skills
Natural Reader and Read Please have less features, can be downloaded free

19. AT for Mobility Impairment
Canes
Walkers
A chair or stool for resting
Scooters
wheelchairs

20. AT for Hearing Impairment
Telephone amplification
Closed Captioning
Accessibility/Universal
Access options for visual
alerts and captions
* VDDHH, Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing a good resource

21. AT for Memory Impairment
Voice recorder
Livescribe Smartpen
Smartphone/PDA

22. Factors in Selection of Appropriate AT
Needs assessment
Psychosocial factors
Sensorimotor skills
Vision
Motor skills: strength, range of motion, fine motor
Sensation: light touch/deep pressure, proprioception
Cognitive abilities
Caregiver support
Environment of usage
vendor support
Training available

23. Barriers to Successful Use of AT
Poor fit (no comprehensive assessment)
Inexperience with AT/insufficient training in use
Family/caregiver/employer not buying into use or sabotages AT
Limited motivation to use AT (Not comfortable with tech, doesn’t like AT)
Limited motivation to achieve goal WITHOUT AT

24. Contact Information
Carrie Clawson
.virginia.gov
Brad Miles
nia.gov
DARS
Department for Aging and Rehabilitation Services (DARS)
Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI)