Assistive Technology: Increasing Employment Opportunities

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Assistive Technology Increasing Employment
Opportunities
Ticket to Work Partners Summit Louisville, KY

• Robin A Jones, Director
• DBTAC-Great Lakes ADA Center
• University of Illinois at Chicago

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Defining Assistive Technology

• Assistive Technology Act of 1998 (AT Act)
• Any item, piece of equipment, or system, whether
  acquired commercially, modified, or customized,
  that is commonly used to increase, maintain, or
  improve functional capabilities of individuals
  with disabilities

Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals
with Disabilities Act of 1988 (The Tech Act) as
amended in 1994 and 1998
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What is Assistive Technology?

• Assistive technology is used by individuals with
  disabilities to perform functions that might
  otherwise be difficult or impossible.
• Mobility Devices
• Wheelchair/crutch/cane, etc.
• Hardware/software and peripherals
• Large keyboard, adaptive mouse, word recognition
  software, etc.
• Activities of Daily Living
• Long handled brush, large handle spoon, rocker
  knife, etc.

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Convenience vs. Possible

• For Americans without disabilities, technology
  makes things easier. For Americans with
  disabilities, technology makes things possible.
• Mary Pat Radabaugh, Director
• IBM National Support Center for Persons with
  Disabilities

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Assistive Technology and Civil Rights

• Rehabilitation Act of 1973
• Non-discrimination on the basis of disability in
  programs, activities and services operated by or
  funded by the Federal Government
• Employment
• Public and Private Sector
• Programs and Activities
• Public and Private Sector including local and
  state government

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• Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
• Non-discrimination on the basis of disability
• Title I Employment
• Title II Local and State Government
• Title III Places of Public Accommodation
• Local and State Laws
• Human Rights laws prohibiting discrimination on
  the basis of disability

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Qualified Individual With A Disability

• Individual who has the requisite skills for the
  position that they hold or desire to hold and is
  able to perform the essential functions of the
  job with or without reasonable accommodation

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Reasonable Accommodation

• Required during all phases of employment
• Application
• Interview
• To do the job itself
• What is it?
• A modification or adjustment to a job, the work
  environment, or the way things usually are done.
  
• Includes to acquisition of equipment or
  modification of existing equipment

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Employer Defenses

• Undue Hardship
• Financial based on resources of the entitiy
• Administrative
• Direct Threat
• Must be real, not hypothetical (what if?)

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Paying for Assistive Technology

• Employer obligation to provide the reasonable
  accommodation
• Cannot require that an individual bring their own
  technology into the workplace
• Consider use of tax benefits
• IRS Code 44 Disabled Tax Credit
• IRS Code 190 Architectural and Transportation
  Access Deduction

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• Collaboration with other agencies
• Vocational Rehabilitation
• Community groups/organizations

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Assistive
Technology
High
Medium Tech
No Tech/Low Tech
Pyramid
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Types of Assistive Technology

• For Visual Impairments
• Screen readers are software programs that present
• graphics and text as speech.
• Speech recognition systems, also called voice
  recognition programs, allow people to give
  commands and enter data using their voices rather
  than a mouse or keyboard.
• Speech synthesizers receive information going to
  the screen in the form of letters, numbers, and
  punctuation marks, and then "speak" it out loud.
  Often referred to as text-to-speech (TTS), the
  voice of the computer is synthesized speecha
  distinctive, sometimes monotone voice that is the
  joining together of preprogrammed letters and
  words.

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• Refreshable Braille displays provide tactile
  output of information represented on the
  computer screen.
• A Braille "cell" is
• composed of a series of dots.
• Braille embossers transfer computer generated
  text into embossed Braille output.
• Talking and large-print word processors are
  software programs that use speech synthesizers
  to provide auditory feedback of what is typed.
  Large-print word processors allow the user to
• view everything in large text without added
• screen enlargement.

Braille Bug http//www.afb.org/braillebug/
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For Mobility Impairments

• Keyboard filters include typing aids such as word
  prediction utilities and add-on spelling
  checkers. These products reduce the required
  number of keystrokes.
• Touch screens are devices placed on the computer
  monitor (or built into it) that allow direct
  selection or activation of the computer by
  touching the screen.

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• Augmentative Communication
• Augmentative communication devices help
  individuals in producing and/or understanding
  speech.
• The technology can range from a board with
  pictures representing a student's daily needs
  to sophisticated electronic speech synthesizers.
• Speech output devices may be simply devices
  for storing and playing back prerecorded speech
  or may be true speech synthesizers that use
  segments of words, called diphones, to produce
  words.
• Computers can be equipped with speech
  synthesizers, and there are portable electronic
  devices that can produce speech.

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• Alternative input devices allow individuals to
  control their computers through means other than
  a standard keyboard or pointing device. Examples
  include
• Alternative keyboardsthose with larger- or
  smaller-than-standard keys or keyboards,
  alternative key configurations, and
  keyboards for use with one hand.
• Electronic pointing deviesused to control the
  cursor on the screen using ultrasound, an
  infrared beam, eye movements, nerve signals, or
  brain waves.
• Sip-and-puff systemsactivated
• by the user's breath.

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• Wands and sticksused to strike keys on the
  keyboard (usually worn on the head, held in
  the mouth, strapped to the chin).
• Joysticksmanipulated by hand, feet, chin,
  etc. and used to control the cursor on
  screen.
• Trackballsmovable balls on top of a base
  that can be used to move the
  cursor on screen.

NoHands Mouse
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Touch Pad
Touch Pads allow for mouse movement simply by
dragging a finger tip across a surface.
 Easy Cat
MicroPointTM Pointing device. Has an operating
range of only 1-1/8 inch (28 mm) square.
Fingertip control, might be a solution for
computer users have limited range of motion and
cannot handle a standard mouse.
Intuos2by WacomDrawing tablet and mouse is
designed to minimize strain and maximize comfort.
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Magic Wand Keyboard A Miniature Computer
Keyboard and Mouse for People with Disabilities
Needs No Strength, No Reach, No Dexterity,
Just the Slightest Hand or Head Movement The
keyboard works with the slightest touch of a
wand (hand-held or mouth stick). It requires
absolutely no force. The mouse works exactly like
a standard mouse, with every function built in,
but needs no hand dexterity.
Large Print Keyboard
by The Key Connection, Inc. This large
print keyboard has been designed for individuals
who suffer from macular degeneration, visual
impairments, or just have a hard time reading the
existing commands on their keyboards.
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Large (Key) KeyboardFull featured keyboards with
keys 4 times bigger than the traditional
keyboard. This keyboard is offered in several
layouts with either multi-colored or white keys.
The multi-colored, key layout lets users take
advantage of computer learning programs and
become visually acquainted with the letter
arrangement on a standard keyboard.
Membrane Keyboards The IntelliKeys keyboard have
a flat membrane surface approximately 12"x8", and
come with several ready to use overlays. Do you
wish to design and create your own customized
overlays? Supporting software will allow for the
designing of the overlays. The software is needed
to configure the computer and the keyboard to
respond to key functions on the overlay.

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Ergonomic Keyboards Equipment design that is
intended to maximize productivity by reducing
operator fatigue, discomfort, and helpful to
people who have experienced repetitive stress
typing injury.
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One-handed Keyboard The Maltron "Single
Handed" keyboards have a special shape and
letter layout. They have been very carefully
planned, taking into account the limited
number of keys that can be accessed quickly
and comfortably. "Touch Typing" both Left
and Right hand models with self-paced
manuals to ensure quick and easy learning.
Matias has designed "Half Keyboard". You type
with your single hand, just like you would on an
normal keyboard. Except, the spacebar also works
like a shift key. Holding the spacebar down gets
you the letters of the missing half of the
keyboard. Hitting the spacebar alone still types
a space.
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For Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows
2000, and Windows XP. You will find StickyKeys
within the "Control Panel", after you open
"Accessibility Options"
For the Macintosh Turn on StickyKeys by pressing
the Shift key five times. (You can also use the
Easy Access Control Panel to turn StickyKeys On
and Off). Youll notice a sound effect and a
small icon of an empty bucket appearing in the
upper right hand corner of the menu bar,
indicating StickyKeys is active.
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2. mobility equipment is aimed to help
individuals control, explore and manipulate the
environment. There are low and high tech devices
such as head pointers and electrical powered
wheelchairs.
Active Switches (battery powered)
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Types of Switches
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Sip/Puff Switch is a head mounted accessory used
to actuate a two position switch by a simple sip
or puff.
Sensitivity Switch
Leafby TashActivated by pressing lightly
against the leaf in one direction. Comes with a
removable 3" round foam pad. Has tactile and
auditory feedback. Mounting required.
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5. vocation Some examples vocational devices
are adapted vehicles, modified work stations and
telephone adaptations for the hearing impaired.
Modified keys for more leverage to turn them
in a lock or the ignition. A small piece of
plastic attaches to the keys with nuts and
bolts.
Adjustable Work Carrel
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Writing with a Mouthstick and Slant Board
Braille Writing Devices
CCTVclosed circuit television
Low tech communication board using words and
alphabet 
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Desktop Lazy Susan The desktop Lazy Susan
provides easy access to files and supplies on
many desktops. Ideal for persons with limited
range of motion.
Easy access storage rack for three ring binders
This desk top holder allows easy access to
information held in three ring binders. Binders
are hinged at bottom and tilt to provide access.
Holder is designed for six folders but design may
be easily adapted to hold additional folders.
Made from wood.
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Receptionist Mat Ideal for the visually
impaired, this mat is used to signal the
presence of a visitor.
Placed directly on the floor or under existing
carpet, the attached alert box will signal when a
visitor "steps and remains on" the mat for a few
seconds.
The alert box will not sound due to passing
traffic. This device is specially helpful in
situations where visitors do not immediately
notify their presence.
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Environmental Control Certain electronic
devices, known as environmental control aids, or
home automation aids, provide a sense of
independence to individuals who need assistance
performing tasks such as controlling lights,
appliances, TVs, and other electronic devices
that are essential to everyday living. (example
ER1)
Sicare Pilot Natural
FreeSwitch Max
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Magnetic Broom The magnetic broom is an
excellent tool for retrieving staples and paper
clips that have fallen to the floor. May be used
by janitorial workers or other office staff.
Ideal for persons with a limited range of motion.
Adapt-A-Lap - Hands-free bookholder/portable
desk. Holds books, magazines and portable
computers comfortably while sitting, reclining or
lying down. Ideal for everyone especially those
with Low vision/magnification users, Stroke,
Carple-tunnel, Arthritis, Weakness, Wheel-chair
or more.
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Accessible Chalkboard - The accessible chalkboard
is adjustable, allowing chalkboard to be lowered
for use at floor level and may be raised to
provide roll-under wheelchair accessibility.
Great for use at school. When board is lowered,
it stows against wall.
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Assistive Technology Resources

• State Assistive Technology Projects (Assistive
  Technology Act of 1998)
• Find your States project on-line at
  http//www.resna.org/taproject/at/statecontacts.ht
  ml
• Abledata
• www.abledata.com
• The Alliance for Technology Access
• www.ataaccess.com

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• Job Accommodation Network (JAN)
• www.jan.wvu.edu
• Rehabilitation, Research and Training Center
  (RRTC) on Workplace Supports
• www.worksupport.com

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Questions?
Regional Network of ADA Centers (also known as
DBTACs) 800-949-4232 (V/TTY) www.adata.org