Assistive Technology: Thinking Beyond High School

1
Assistive Technology Thinking Beyond High School

• Caren L. Sax, Ed.D., CRC
• San Diego State University
• Interwork Institute

2

• Independence is defined in terms of how much
  control a person has over his or her environment,
  not in the number of tasks that the person can do
  without assistance.
• (Enders Leech, 1996)

3

• Its a man-machine interface where youre trying
  to get someone to operate a device in one or more
  environments. You become an investigator, a
  detective. You find out what the alternatives
  are within the constraints.
• From Living in the State of Stuck, Scherer, 2004
  

4
Asking the Right Questions

• What do you want to do?
• Whats preventing you from doing it?
• Will assistive technology help?
• Are there commercial devices available?
• Are additional modifications needed?
• ARE YOU OPEN TO USING AT?

5
Incentives vs. Disincentives

• Usability
• Comfort
• Ease of use
• Effectiveness
• Improved quality of life
• Sense of control
• Independence
• Ability to participate

• Stigma
• Frustration
• Confusion
• Embarrassment
• Unmet expectations

6
Successful integration of AT into life requires
users to

• Explore meanings they assign to devices
• Clarify their expectations of AT
• Consider the anticipated social costs
• Reflect on ways to come to terms with disability
  as ONE, but not THE defining, feature of oneself.
• (Pape, Kim, Weiner, 2002)

7
Plan Early

• Involve the student in the process
• Involve their peers
• Target specific activities -- identify real
  outcomes in inclusive settings
• Look for people with technical expertise (beyond
  education) to build interdisciplinary teams

8
Plan with All Aspects in Mind
Employment
Continuing Education
Student
Recreation/health
Social life
Living options
9
Where does AT fit?

• MUST BE CONSIDERED BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER
  IDENTIFICATION OF ACTIVITIES,
• e.g., assessment, job exploration, continuing ed.
  opportunities, employment, recreation,
  independent living

10
Assessment From the Latin word -- assidere --
to sit with
11

• Working knowledge
• of AT is important as a planning tool What are
  the future goals and are they a good match?

• "OK, Mr. Hook. Seems you're trying to decide
  between a career in pirating or massage therapy.
  Well, maybe we can help you narrow it down."

12
MPT Matching Person Technologyhttp//members.a
ol.com/IMPT97/MPT.html

• Individual needs drive process
• Reduces non-use abandonment of AT
• Focus on person vs. people
• Need to assess document outcomes (e.g., AT
  satisfaction, performance, quality of life)
• Scherer, 2004

Infoscan from wizcomtech.com 120
13
Milieu

• Promotes USE of AT
• Support from family, peers, employer
• Realistic expectations of family, others
• Setting/environment supports rewards use
• Pressure for use from family, others

Trackballs www.enablemart.com
14
Personality

• Promotes USE of AT
• Proud, motivated, optimistic about using AT
• Good coping skills, patient, self-disciplined
• Has skills to use device
• Willing to challenge self perceives discrepancy
  between desired current situation

http//www.harriscomm.com
15
Technology

• Promotes USE of AT
• Goal achieved with little or no pain, fatigue,
  discomfort, stress
• Compatible with other AT
• Safe, reliable, easy to use maintain
• Best option currently available

Customized walker carrier
16
Evaluating AT

• Technical features
• Does it work? Is it reliable, durable?
• Is it strong safe
• Is it compatible with other equipment?
• Ergonomic features
• Is there a feeling of security when using it?
• Is it simple to use? Comfortable?
• Is it the correct size? Aesthetically appealing?

17
Ask, Listen, Respond

• Establish goals, expectations
• Assess need for level of technology
• Select and fit AT to person according to their
  priorities
• Train person for AT use
• Assess/evaluate outcomes of AT
• Follow-up

Emotion push rim power assist
www.frankmobility.com/emotion.htm
18
Low-Tech or No-Tech Adaptations

• Simple, homemade
• Not a lot of moving parts or electronics
• Duct tape, velcro, cardboard, plastic, foamboard
• Creative way to do the same activity

19
ADLs (adaptations for daily living)
Splints/handles
www.blvd.com
Book holder
Talking tire gauge www.sharperimage.com
Talking Rx bottles www.talkingrx.com
20
Low tech communication boards
Low tech picture/word boards
21
Controlling your Environment X-10
Technologywww.x10.com

• ACTIVEHOME Connects lights appliances from PC
• Includes
• 2-Way Universal Computer Interface
• 2 Way Transceiver Module Platinum 5-in-1 Remote
• Lamp Module
• Credit Card Controller
• Download ActiveHome software from website

49.99
22
Customized Pizza Box Folder
23
Customized Computer Access

• Portable, lightweight wrist rest
• Used with laptop, AAC device
• Folds, fits in briefcase

24
Customized Ticket Tearer
25
High Tech Equipment

• Electronics
• Hydraulics
• Computer-related
• More expensive higher maintenance
• Requires more training more time to integrate
  into lifestyle

26
Computer Access
www.magicwandkeyboard.com
Onscreen keyboards
www.eyegaze.com
www.headmouse.com
27
Using standard accessibility features High
Tech, Low Cost

• Magnifier/zoom options
• Adjust font size, titles, menus
• Control contrast, colors
• Captions with sounds/warnings
• Keyboard options
• Integrating Windows Microsoft Office features
• www.closingthegap.com

28
Options for limited hand use
Intellikeys, 395
Maltron keyboard, 495
BAT keyboard, 199
29
Low cost option BTC Mini Keyboard

• Smaller keyboard that allows for faster typing
• Looks just like a normal keyboard
• Same amount of keys, just less space between them
• 19.99
• http//www.outpost.com/product/3632305

30
Clerical use Customized file holder

• Switch-operated
• Holds 24 individual papers
• Increases independence

31
Customized Watering Device

• Demonstrated competency
• Co-worker support

32
Led to other devices
33
High Tech AAC Augmentative/Alternative
Communication
Vantage www.prentrom.com
34
High Tech Control Imperium 200Hwww.interactplus
.com

• Complete, integrated system (self-contained)
• Dual switch control
• Configurable to individual preferences
• Multi-level control menus
• Speech scanning (visual voice feedback)
• Built-in hands-free phone
• IR X10 control
• Battery back-up more!

35
Recreation self-employment Jet ski
modifications
36
High TechSailing
www.martin16.com www.ChallengedAmerica.org
37
Andrea

• Developmental reading disorder (dyslexia)
• Developmental writing disorder (dysgraphia)
• Developmental receptive language disorder
• Acute, predominately inattentive ADHD

38
MPT Results

• All indicators showed positive predisposition for
  integrating AT devices
• Initial ideas for solutions
• Laptop
• Kurzweil 3000
• Digital tape recorder

39
Explored for Dyslexia

• WYNN
• www.freedomscientific.com
• Kurzweil 3000
• www.kurzweiledu.com
• Inspiration software
• www.inspiration.com

40
Dysgraphia - high tech

• Word prediction
• www.yak-yak.com
• Electronic dictionary
• www.franklin.com
• QuickLink-Pen Elite
• www.wizcomtech.com
• Digital tape recorder
• www.sylvansoftware.com
• Laptop
• www.apple.com
• Dvorak keyboard
• www.fenteck-ind.com

41
Dysgraphia - low tech

• Erasable Highlighter
• PenAgain
• Sta-Pen

42
Erasable Highlighter
43
Sta-Pen
44
PenAgain
45
Total cost16
46
and

• Kurzweil 3000 - 395
• Digital tape recorder - 182.97

47
Funding

• Department of Rehabilitation
• The Center for Special Education Finance
• www.csef-air.org
• HEATH Resource Center
• www.heath-resource-center.org

48
Efren

• Has profound sensorineural hearing loss
• Uses hearing aids for environmental signals
• Significantly limited language and cognitive
  skills

49
MPT Results

• Timid about technology
• Low language created a barrier
• Could benefit if person centered
• Slower training and reinforced learning
• TTY recommended
• Suggested possibility of mobility limitations in
  the future
• Peer and family support needs to be increased

50
Investigating TTYs
51
(No Transcript)
52
Cooler option

• Wireless Pager

53
Low Tech Support

• Customized Communication Cards

54
Funding

• TTY-Free
• Wireless Pager- Student purchased
• Communication Cards- School funded

55
The only thing that limits us is our expectations
our creativity . . .
56
Let your imagination run wild!