Adaptive Technology

1
Adaptive Technology

• Karen MacNeil Assistant Librarian McConnell
  Library
• Steve Weatherbee Cumberland County CAP
  Coordinator
• Melanie Pauls Antigonish County CAP Coordinator

2
OVERVIEW

• Software/Hardware
• Free Access Options
• Pilot Projects
• Cumberland
• Pictou-Antigonish, and
• Cape Breton Regional Library
• Funding Sources
• Ideas for Starting a Successful A.T. Project
• Questions Answers

3
Adaptive Technology

• Hardware and Software

4
Hardware

• Hardware is divided into two main categories
• Input devices
• Output devices

5
Input devices

• Keyboards
• Touch screens
• Mice
• Microphones - Voice recognition
• Switches
• IR motion detectors
• Image Scanners

6
Output devices

• Sound Output devices
• Speakers/Headsets
• Visual Output devices
• Large screen monitors
• Tactile output devices
• Braille Embosser (Printer)
• Braille Display

7
Accessibility Options in the Windows O/S
8

• The accessibility tools that ship with Windows
  are intended to provide a minimum level of
  functionality for users with special needs. Most
  users with disabilities will need utility
  programs with more advanced functionality for
  daily use

9
Keyboard Options

• Filter Keys
• Modify the key repeat frequency, to enable
  mobility impairments
• Sticky Keys
• Allow a user to press individual keys and have
  them appear to be simultaneous
• Toggle keys
• Gives audible cues when the CAPS LOCK, NUM LOCK
  or SCROLL LOCK are pressed

10
Sound Options

• Sound Sentry
• Generates a visual clue when the system makes a
  sound
• - Flash active caption bar
• - Flash active window
• - Flash desktop
• Show Sounds
• Instructs programs to display captions for the
  speech and sounds they generate

11
Display Options

• High Contrast
• This is a highly configurable option with over
  36
• pre-programmed options with varying size and
  color options and can be associated with a
  keyboard short cut to turn the option off and on.
• Cursor Options
• Modify the blink rate and size of the onscreen
  cursor

12
Mouse Keys

• Allows for the control of the pointer with the
  numeric keypad of the keyboard.
• - Can be set up to be turned on and off with a
  three key
  keyboard short cut.
• - Pointer speed and acceleration is configurable

13
General Features Tab

• Automatic timed reset, when left idle.
• Notification of activation of features.
• Serial Key devices (intellikeys keyboard)
• Administrative options
• - Apply settings to logon desktop.
• - Apply setting to defaults for new users.

14
Text to speech

• Icon in the control panel
• It is set up for default for the Microsoft Sam
  Voice, other less synthetic can be added for a
  truer experience
• Can be turned on/off with the Microsoft narrator
  option

15
Accessibility Features from the Accessories
Program Options
16
Accessibility Features

• Accessibility Wizard
• Screen Magnifier
• Narrator
• On Screen Keyboard
• Utility Manager

17
Accessibility Wizard

• This allows you to easily set the screen
  magnifier options
• Screen resolution
• Use magnifier Option
• Set Magnification Level
• Tracking Options for Magnifier
• Indication of type of disability

18
Microsoft Narrator

• Announce events on the screen
• Read typed characters
• Move mouse pointer to the active item
• Start narrator minimized
• Voice options, Speed ,Volume Pitch

19
On-Screen Keyboard
20
On-Screen Keyboard

• There are numerous optional keyboard layouts, and
  selection methods.

21
Utility managerWindows key U

• Once configured to the users individual
  preferences the utility manager can be used as a
  simplified access to the
• - Magnifier utility
• - Narrator
• - On Screen Keyboard

22
Third Party Software and Hardware

• There are many specialized software packages and
  hardware devices available, and some of our more
  common packages have features that may be useful
  for certain types of disabilities. An example of
  this is the voice recognition feature in
  Microsoft Word.
• Assistive Technology Centre

23
Types of Software

• Text to speech
• Speech to text
• Scan and read
• Screen scan
• Screen magnifiers
• Screen reader
• Word or Phrase prediction.

24
Pilot project at the Four Fathers Library
25
Consists of

• Bigkeys keyboard
• Wireless keyboard and mouse
• Image scanner
• Headphones
• Premier Assistive Technology Suite

26
Premier Assistive Technology Suite

• Scan and Read Pro
• Text-to-audio
• Ultimate Talking Dictionary
• ATT Natural Voices
• Talking Word Processor
• Universal Reader
• Talking Calculator

27
Pictou Antigonish Regional Library

• Projects

28
Accessibility Website
29
Access Aware Manual

• U.S. based organization called Alliance for
  Technology.
• Developed a manual for technology service
  providers, which gives a comprehensive guide to
  ensuring your website and service can be used by
  persons with disabilities.

30
Pictou Antigonish Regional Library has made a
revised edition with Canadian content
31

• Access Aware Manual is available in libraries
  across Nova Scotia
• Available in Braille

32
(No Transcript)
33
In Home Training

• Test sample
• 7 participants
• Disabilities ranging from MS to blindness
• Basic computer and specialized software

34
Cape Breton Regional Library

• Pilot Projects

35
Cape Breton Regional A. T. Pilot Project

• Provided an A.T. enhanced workstation at each of
  our 13 branches
• The workstation is to be available for general
  use when there is no demand for the assistive
  technology installed on the system
• Each A.T. workstation is equipped with
• Track ball
• 19 flat screen
• ReadingBar Pro 13
• www.readplease.com

36
Cape Breton RegionalA.T. Pilot Project (Cont.)

• On the A.T. workstation at 8 of our larger
  branches we have added a big keys keyboard
• www.sforh.com/keyboards/bigkeys.html

37
Funding Sources
38
Federal Government

• Industry Canada
• http//www.at-links.gc.ca/IndexE.asp
• Human Resources and Skills Development Canada

39
Provincial Government

• The Nova Scotia Office of Economic Development
• Department of Community Services
• Service Nova Scotia
• http//www.gov.ns.ca/snsmr/forms/pdf/cc/access_for
  m.pdf

40
Community Funding Partners

• Lions Club
• Kinsmen
• Knights of Columbus
• Local businesses
• Ronald McDonald House
• Rehabilitation and disability groups

41
So what could make for a successful A.T. project
at your library?

• Lessons Learned
• and Ideas Shared

42
Factors for a Successful A.T. Project

• Cross-application
• Consider solutions which can be used by ALL
  patrons
• Examples
• OCR scanning software
• dictionary and thesaurus software
• Sometimes something common and straightforward is
  the best solution
• Examples
• wireless keyboard and mouse
• wireless Internet connectivity

43

• Add-ons to Existing Infrastructure
• Use existing technology physical infrastructure
  to best advantage
• Re-allocation of existing PCs?
• Adequate space around the workstation area
  already?
• Bang for Buck
• Do you need the most sophisticated equipment?
• Or is easier and simpler better?

44

• Ease of use
• Patrons
• Need to feel comfortable and confident in the
  resources your provide for them
• Lower learning curve means faster results
• Staff
• More comfort in assisting patrons and
  troubleshooting problems

45

• Promotion
• Within your library
• Signage, discussion with patrons
• Outside your library
• Direct contact with interested people
  organizations
• Radio ads
• Newspaper ads
• Partnerships
• Local provincial disability service
  organizations
• N.S. Disabled Persons Commission
• CANSA (Cumberland African Nova Scotian
  Association)
• Know the limits of your own knowledge
• Encourage consultation with professionals for
  patrons with great, specific individual needs

46

• Identify the Needs in Your Community
• Older population?
• People with literacy issues?
• People with physical disabilities?
• People with visual difficulties?
• Encourage integration
• Patrons and A.T. resources just everyday
  experiences at the library

47

• Budget
• Start small, and gauge interest
• Track usage
• Collect feedback from both patrons and staff
• Determine what is getting the most use, and what
  is needed for the future
• Keep purchases manageable
• Stagger purchasing
• Buy one at a time