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Determining Assistive Technology Needs of People who are Blind or Visually Impaired. Ike Presley American Foundation for the Blind 100 Peachtree Street, Suite 620 Atlanta, GA 30303 404-525-2303 ipresley@afb.net www.afb.org. Objectives.
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Determining Assistive Technology Needs of People who are Blind or Visually Impaired Ike Presley American Foundation for the Blind 100 Peachtree Street, Suite 620 Atlanta, GA 30303 404-525-2303 ipresley@afb.net www.afb.org
Objectives • Identify three major activities in which technology assists people who are blind or visually impaired • Identify the three most widely used adaptations for accessing electronic information • Identify the background information needed to complete a comprehensive assistive technology assessment
Presentation Outline Learning What AT Tools Are Available Conducting an Assistive Technology (AT) Assessment Implementing the AT Recommendations Filling the Toolbox
What can technology do? • It provide tools for • Accessing printed information • Accessing electronic information • Communicating through writing • Producing materials in alternate formats
What kind of tools? • Tools for accessing information • Visually • Tactually • Auditorally • It takes a toolbox full of tools to be successful
Tools for Accessing Printed Information Visually Non-optical Tools/Devices • Lighting • Natural – control with blinds, shades, etc. • Artificial – incandescent, fluorescent, halogen, natural daylight bulb • Reading/Book Stands • Portable • Desktop • floor • Large Print Books • Electronic White Boards
Tools for Accessing Printed Information Visually Optical Devices • Magnifiers • Sheet magnifier • Hand-held magnifier • Stand magnifier • Spectacle mounted • Telescopes • Hand-held • Spectacle mounted
Tools for Accessing Printed Information Visually Electronic Devices • Video Magnifiers (CCTVs) • Desktop models • Flex-arm camera models • Head-mounted display models • Portable hand-held camera models • Electronic pocket models • Digital imaging models • Specialized Scanning Systems • Optical Character Recognition (OCR)
Tools for Accessing Printed Information Tactually Braille Books Tactile Graphics
Tools for Accessing Printed Information Auditorally • Readers and Audio Recordings • Talking Books – Analog & Digital • E-book Readers • Talking Dictionaries
Tools for Accessing Electronic Information Visually • Hardware • Large Monitors • Magnifiers • Monitor Stands • Software • Enlarging Features of Word Processors and Internet Browsers • Operating System Accessibility Features • Screen Magnification Software • Specialized Scanning Systems
Tools for Accessing Electronic Information Tactually Refreshable Braille Displays Accessible PDAs with Braille Displays
Tools for Accessing Electronic Information Auditorally • Screen Reading Software • Specialized Scanning Systems • E-text Readers • Accessible PDAs • Talking Calculators and Talking Dictionaries
Tools for Written Communication Writing Tools for Visual Learners • Bold & Raised Lined Paper • Bold Markers • White Boards • Dedicated Word Processors • Accessible Computer System with Word Processing Software
Tools for Written Communication Writing Tools for Tactile Learners • Slate & Stylus • Braille Writers • Manual: Perkins, Jot-a-Dot • Electronic: Perkins, Mountbatten • Accessible Computer System with Word Processing Software • Accessible PDAs
Tools for Written Communication Writing Tools for Auditory Learners • Accessible Computer System with Word Processing Software • Accessible PDAs
Tools for Producing Materials in Alternate Formats Producing Materials in Large Print • Bold Line Paper, Bold Markers, White Boards • Enlarging Photocopying Machines • Computer Based Production • Acquiring Files • Entering Text with Keyboard • Scanning Systems • Word Processing Software
Producing Materials in Braille • Braille Translation Software • Braille Embossers
Producing Materials in an Auditory Format • Modified Tape Recorders/Players • Digital Recorders • Specialized Scanning Systems • Text files • MP3 files • DAISY files - Digital Audio Information SYstem
Presentation Outline Conducting an Assistive Technology Assessment • Preparing for the Assessment • Completing the AT Considerations Checklist • Completing the AT Assessment form • Completing the Recommendations form • Writing the Final Report • Presenting the Assessment Report and Recommendations
Conducting an Assistive Technology Assessment • Preparing for the Assessment • Selecting the AT assessment team • Gathering Background Information • Ophthalmologic Exam • Clinical Low Vision Evaluation • Functional Low Vision Evaluation • Vocational Evaluation • Learning Media Assessment • Psychological Evaluation • Academic and Other Assessments
Completing the AT Considerations Checklist • Identify tasks the student is having difficulty completing? • What modifications and adaptations have been implemented? • Are these working? • What assistive technology has been implemented? • www.gpat.org/resources.aspx?PageReq=GPATConsider#doc
What is the Assistive Technology Assessment Form? • A guide for service provider wishing to determine technology needs • Looking for three types of information • Does individual have sensory skills needed • Visual, tactile, auditory • Does individual have physical skills needed • Does individual have cognitive skills needed • A checklist of items and tasks • A checklist for recommendations • Assistive Technology for Students Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired: A Guide to Assessment, AFB Press www.afb.org/store/product.asp?sku=978%2D0%2D89128%2D890%2D9&mscssid=FGXJFSAHACUM8K1Q4JTQ25P37SGEF1C7
Completing the Assistive Technology Assessment • May require multiple team members to complete • Not all items will be applicable • Materials in alternate formats will need to be prepared • Team members will need to gather adaptive equipment and become familiar with its operation • Multiple sessions may be required
Completing the Assistive Technology Assessment Checklist • How will the individual access printed information? • Regular Print • Large Print • Use Optical Devices • Non-optical Devices • Braille & Tactile • Auditory • Reading Rates • Electronic Calculator and Dictionaries
How will the individual access printed information? • Regular Print • Can the individual read regular print without modification or an optical device? • At what distance • Which fonts • Is this effective and efficient? • Can the individual read regular print with standard spectacles or contact lens? • At what distance • Which fonts • Is this effective and efficient?
How will the individual access printed information? • Enlarged Print • Can the individual read enlarged print without modification or an optical device? • At what distance • What % of enlargement is needed? • Is this effective and efficient? • Can the individual read enlarged print with standard spectacles or contact lens? • At what distance • What % of enlargement is needed? • Is this effective and efficient? • Does the reduced clarity cause problems?
How will the individual access printed information? • Large Print • What point size at what distance? • Various sizes for reading • One size for writing • What’s the preferred font?
How will the individual access printed information? • Optical Devices • Has individual received a Clinical Low Vision Evaluation? • What was recommended? Need for multiple tools • Manual tools • Electronic tools • Tools for spot reading • Tools for continuous reading • Tools for distance reading tasks • How well does the individual use the devices?
How will the individual access printed information? • Optical Devices • Visual fatigue issues • Physical fatigue issues • Reading Rates • Does individual understand which tools are best for various tasks?
How will the individual access printed information? • Non-optical Devices • What’s the best lighting for various tasks? • Natural / Artificial • Work environment • General environment • Functioning at night or in low light environments • What other non-optical devices might be useful? • Book/reading stands / copy holders • Activities of Daily Living
How will the individual access printed information? • Braille & Tactile • Braille reading skills • May need other assessment tools • Tactile graphics reading skills • Which production method will work best for information needing to be accessed?
How will the individual access printed information? • Auditory • Any hearing impairments • Any auditory processing issues • Working with readers • Acquiring • Using efficiently • Audio recordings • Scan and read systems • Talking calculators & dictionaries • Synthesized speech
Completing the Assistive Technology Assessment Form • How will the individual access electronic information? • Screen Enlarging Hardware • Screen Magnification Software • Refreshable Braille Display • Screen Reading Software • Input Devices • Keyboard • Mouse/Trackball
How will the individual access electronic information? • Screen Enlarging Hardware • Will a larger monitor suffice? • Will a fully articulated monitor arm work? • Combining with OS accessibility • Display setting • Accessibility features • Combine with freeware/shareware screen magnification software
How will the individual access electronic information? • Screen Magnification Software • Tasks to be completed • What features are needed • Low cost programs / minimal features • Intermediate priced programs • Full featured programs
How will the individual access electronic information? • Refreshable Braille Display • Tactile access • Requires screen reader software • Dedicated device • Portable device • Accessible PDA
How will the individual access electronic information? • Screen Reading Software • Low cost freeware/shareware • Full featured program • Understand sentences, words, characters • Understand command and navigational structure
How will the individual access electronic information? • How will individual interface with computer? • Input Devices • Keyboard • Are keyboarding skills adequate • Mouse/Trackball • Visual and physical coordination
Completing the Assistive Technology Assessment Checklist • How will the individual communicate through writing? • Standard Handwriting Tools • Adaptive Handwriting Tools • Braille Writing Tools • Electronic Writing Tools
The Final Steps • Completing the Recommendations form • Presenting the Assessment Report to the Team • Implementing the AT Recommendations • Filling the Toolbox
Assistive Technology Tools It takes a toolbox full of tools to be successful
Ike Presley American Foundation for the Blind 100 Peachtree Street, Suite 620 Atlanta, GA 30303 404-525-2303 ipresley@afb.net www.afb.org