BC Universal Access Initiative

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BC Universal Access Initiative

• by the Neil Squire Foundation
• funded through Industry Canada

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Using Adaptive Technology in your CAP Site

• Ergonomic Setup
• Features of the Adaptive Technology
• Identifying the Appropriate Technology for a CAP
  Site user

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Ergonomic Setup

• Chair

• Desk

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Ergonomic Setup
Setup of your Ergonomic Chair
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Ergonomics - Chair
Stand in front of the chair and adjust the height
of the seat so that it is below your kneecap.
BELOW KNEECAP
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Ergonomics Chair
Sit so that there is a fingers-width of space
between the front of the chair seat and your leg.
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Ergonomics Footrest
Use a footrest if your feet cannot rest flat on
the floor or if there is pressure underneath your
thighs.
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Ergonomics Footrest
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Ergonomics Chair
Adjust the height of the back of the chair to
provide support to your lower back.
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Ergonomics Chair
Adjust the angle of the back of the chair to give
you comfortable support.
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Ergonomics Chair
Occasionally tilt the chair forwards or backwards
to relieve pressure on the underside of your
thighs.
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Ergonomics Chair
UPRIGHT POSITION - regular activity, normal
position
Change the position of your chair for different
tasks.
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Ergonomics Chair
FORWARD POSITION - highly active, action position
Change the position of your chair for different
tasks.
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Ergonomics Chair
RECLINED POSITION - contemplation mode, relaxed
position
Change the position of your chair for different
tasks.
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Ergonomics Chair

• Contoured backrest with adjustable angle
• Backrest height is adjustable
• Sloping/tilting seat cushion
• Supportive seat cushion with depth adjustment
• Padded armrests with height adjustment
• Pneumatic seat height adjustment
• Reach all controls from seated position
• 5-legged base with casters

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Ergonomic Setup
Setup of your Desk
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Ergonomics Desk
Adjust the keyboard height level with your
forearms.
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Ergonomics Desk
Adjust the monitor height so you are looking
comfortably at the top third of the screen.
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Ergonomics Desk
Adjustable Desks

• Dual-surface height adjustable
• Accommodates manual and electric wheelchairs

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Ergonomics Keyboard Tray
Articulating Keyboard Tray

• Lower tray to align forearms and wrists
• Raise tray to enable wheelchair or scooter access

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Ergonomic Setup
For people with physical disabilities it is
important for them to listen to their bodies and
adjust from this position to suit their needs!
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Adaptive Technology

• Vision
• Mouse Control
• Typing

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Adaptive Technology
Vision
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Vision
Larger Monitor 17 to 19

• Assists people with low vision

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Vision
Large Print Keycaps

• Assists people with low vision

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Vision
Larger Windows Display Settings
Windows Standard Scheme
Windows Standard (extra large) Scheme

• Assists people with low vision

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Vision
High Contrast Windows Display Settings
Windows Standard Scheme
High Contrast Black Scheme

• Assists people with low vision

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Vision
Windows Magnifier
Normal View
Magnified View

• Assists people with low vision

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Vision
Task Lighting

• Assists people with low vision

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Vision
Screen Reader Software

• Assists people with low vision
• Assists people with no vision

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Adaptive Technology
Mouse Control
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Mouse Control
Optical Mouse

• Limited reach
• Reduced strength

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Mouse Control
Trackball

• Tremors or Spasms
• Arthritis
• Limited Hand Control or Movement

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Mouse Control
Button Switch

• Tremors or Spasms
• Arthritis
• Limited Hand Control or Movement

• Plugs into the Kensington Trackball for right or
  left button clicking

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Mouse Control
Dwell Mouse Clicking

• Tremors or Spasms
• Arthritis
• Limited Hand Control or Movement

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Mouse Control
Windows MouseKeys

• Tremors or Spasms
• Arthritis
• Limited Hand Control or Movement

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Adaptive Technology
Typing
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Typing
Wave, Ergonomic or Natural Keyboard

• Improves alignment of wrists
• Alleviates upper body and shoulder stress

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Typing
Mini Keyboard

• Ideal for one-handed typists
• Limited arm movement
• Use with Headwand or Mouthstick

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Typing
Keyboard with Keyguard

• Provides a surface to steady (or rest) your hand

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Typing
PS/2 Extension Cable

• Extends range for positioning of keyboard or
  mouse.

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Typing
Wristrests

• Support for wrists while using keyboard or mouse

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Typing
Forearm Supports

• Tremors or Spasms
• Fatigue
• Reduced strength

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Typing
Word Prediction Software

• Difficulty typing
• Limited movement

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Typing
Onscreen Keyboard Software

• Difficulty typing
• Limited movement

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Typing
Voice Recognition Software

• Difficulty typing
• Limited or no movement

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• Identifying the Appropriate Technology for a CAP
  Site user

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Identifying Technology

• Seating
• Desk Adjustments
• Vision
• Hearing
• Mouse Control
• Typing

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Identifying Technology
Seating

• Have adjustable chairs available
• Try various chairs to find the best fit for the
  person
• Teach the person how to properly adjust the chair
• Monitor their use of the chairs during subsequent
  visits

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Identifying Technology
Desk Adjustments

• Have adjustable desks available
• If no adjustable desks are available, you can
• - raise one desk to a minimum height of 28
• - install an articulating keyboard tray
• - use a PS/2 extension cable to move the
  keyboard closer to the person
• Teach the person how to properly adjust the desk
• Monitor their use of the desks during subsequent
  visits

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Identifying Technology
Vision

• Have larger monitors available
• Change the Windows Display Properties to
• - Windows Standard large or extra large
• - High Contrast Display
• - Customize the Windows Display
• Turn ON the Windows Magnifier option
• Try a screen reading software program
• Teach the person how to change the display

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Identifying Technology
Hearing

• Have speakers or headphones available
• Turn ON the SoundSentry or ShowSounds in the
  Windows Accessibility Properties
• Teach the person how to make these changes

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Identifying Technology
Mouse Control

• Have a variety of mice available
• Try a trackball to improve control and clicking
• Try an optical mouse to bring the mouse closer to
  the person
• Use Dwell clicking if the person has difficulty
  clicking
• Use MouseKeys if the person has difficulty moving
  the mouse

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Identifying Technology
Typing

• Have a variety of keyboards available
• An ergonomic or Wave keyboard may improve the
  persons wrist alignment
• A wristrest may help support their wrists
• Try the forearm supports if they have limited
  strength
• The keyboard with keyguard will help steady their
  hands
• Try the mini keyboard if they can only use one
  hand

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Identifying Technology
Finally

• Observe the persons body position and behaviour,
  then suggest adjustments
• Examples
• - if they are leaning forward in their chair,
  suggest changing the Display Properties
• - if they are hitting the mouse buttons or
  getting frustrated when clicking, suggest
  using a trackball
• - if their typing is very slow, suggest a word
  prediction program