Using Assistive Technology
Assistive technologies are sometimes referred to as adaptive technologies or ATs for short. ATs are devices or strategies that will assist an individual with a physical, mental or emotional disability in performing a task or in performing it more efficiently. The following general introduction to AT will provide a more detailed look at the technologies that facilitate access to textual information and will identify sources of training, support and equipment in Ireland and elsewhere.
- Getting Started
- Types of AT
- Online guides for using AT
- Sources of Training
- Useful links and discussion lists
- Irish Vendors and Manufacturers
- Important Manufacturers
Getting Started
If you are interested in seeing how assistive technology can help you, we suggest you begin by contacting the Disability or Access Office in your educational institution. The staff there will arrange for you to have an assessment done by an Assistive Technology Trainer. The AT Trainer will help you to determine your needs and what technologies would best meet them. When the most appropriate equipment has been determined, they will be able to advise you on purchasing it and on applying for any special funding that may be available. Application information for government funding is also available in the the AHEAD Student Handbook.
Types of AT
The term assistive technology can refer to items as simple as light switches designed for a wheelchair user to the sophisticated voice recognition software on a personal computer. The following list briefly describes the assistive technologies specifically designed to provide access to textual information for those who are blind or have visual impairments, mobility impairments, or learning disabilities. Brand names for the most commonly used products in Ireland's third levels are given.
Blindness
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Notetakers allow Braille users to perform the same word processing tasks as their peers in either Grade 1 or Grade 2 Braille, including spell checking. Keyboards come in the standard typewriter style keyboard or a six-key Perkins keyboard. Built-in speech synthesisers allow input and editing directly into memory and will also read the information back. Type 'n Speak and Braille 'n Speak from Freedom Scientific represent two of the more popular makes in Ireland and worldwide.
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Braille translation software translates electronic text into braille, which can then be printed off into hard copy format using braille embossers. Duxbury is the most commonly used Braille translation software in Ireland's third levels.
- 4-Trak Cassette Recorders can be obtained through your Disability Services Office or, if you meet the necessary criteria, from the National Council for the Blind of Ireland. These special recorders are necessary for listening to the audiobooks obtained from the NCBI, the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) and Recordings for the Blind & Dyslexic (RB&D).
- Refreshable Braille Displays are small electronic Braille displays that allow an individual to read text that a computer sends to the monitor, one line of text at a time. See Freedom Scientific for its product called PowerBraille.
- Scanning Software uses OCR (Optical Character Recognition) to convert printed text into electronic text which can then be read out by a speech synthesiser (text to speech software) or enlarged by magnification software. Kurzweil 1000 is a commonly used text to speech program for reading documents, and works from a personal computer in conjunction with a flatbed scanner.
- Screen Reading Software uses speech synthesizers and a computer’s sound card to read aloud the information on a computer screen. The most commonly used screen reader application in Ireland and elsewhere is a Freedom Scientific product called JAWS (Job Access With Speech) for Windows. There is also a DOS-based version of JAWS.
Visual Impairments
In addition to the above assistive technologies for the blind, an individual with a visual impairment might find the following useful.
- Large print keyboards and large print monitors.
- A CCTV, otherwise known as a Closed-Circuit Television System consists of a mounted or hand-held video camera to project a magnified image of a printed page onto a video monitor or a television (TV) screen.
- Clip-on screen magnifiers for personal computers.
- Screen magnification software that will enlarge a part of the screen or will zoom in and out of a particular area, such as ZoomText, the leading screen magnification and reading software.
Mobility Impairments
- Special keyboards, such as single handed keyboards, the Mini Keyboard for those with one handed or limited mobility, big key keyboards, touch screen keyboards, and monitor keyboards that do not require a mouse or keyboard.
- Alternative Mouse Systems, such as the large ball mouse, joystick mouse, or head-pointing mouse.
- Haptic Devices.
- Voice Dictation Software such as Dragon Dictate or Dragon Naturally Speaking which allow the user to create documents, surf the Web, control applications, and use a PC with voice commands. ScanSoft product.
- Word Prediction Software.
- Voice Output Communications Aids (VOCA).
Learning Disabilities
- Spell Checkers and Grammar Checkers included in word processing software.
- Scanning and Read Back software, such as Kurzweil 3000, uses synthesised speech to read back scanned documents or web pages. This is useful for individuals with dyslexia or other learning difficulties because it reads at different speeds, in words, sentences, or continuously. It also highlights words in contrasting colours as it proceeds and provides definitions, alternative word choices, and syllabification.
- The Reading Pen II is a pocket-sized scanning device with text-to-speech capability. It will display an enlarged view of a scanned word or line of text and provide definitions, proper spelling and correct prononciation. Useful for students with dyslexia or learning English.
- Voice Recognition Software, such as Dragon Dictate, IBM and Kurzweil all produce voice recognition software and understand verbal instructions. When word processing they will ensure that all words are spelled correctly, making it ideal for those with spelling difficulties.
- Dragon NaturallySpeaking® Voice Dictation Software is very useful for those who find that articulating their ideas verbally is much easier than writing them down are able to use this software to dictate to their computer. Dyslexic users, in particular, will find the spelling and audio feedback helpful.
- Word Prediction Software helps eliminate spelling and grammatical errors.
- Education and Training Software combines speech, text and graphics for teaching reading and spelling and help students comprehend concepts and information through visual learning methodologies. TextHELP! is a word processing package for dyslexics produced by textHELP Systems (previously Lorien Systems) produced in Antrim, N. Ireland.
Online guides for using AT
- The User’s Guide to “Dragon Naturally Speaking, version 7” Full user’s manual in PDF format.
- Introduction to Dragon Naturally Speaking for Word Processing – a student’s guide, in PDF format, prepared by The High Tech Center Training Unit of the California Community Colleges (last update: 2000).
- Inspiration Tutorial, in PDF format, prepared by product manufacturer.
- JAWS Tutorial, prepared by University of Buffalo. The Tutorial is designed to be downloaded in sections.
- Kurzweil 3000 online instructions, read aloud and in html format.
- Kurzweil 1000 tutorial: can be downloaded in sections as text or MP3.
- Zoom Text Xtra: Tutorial prepared by University of Buffalo. The tutorial is designed to be downloaded in sections.
Sources of Training in the use of AT
- Your Assistive Technology Trainer is the first person to see. More and more third level institutions are hiring their own Assistive Technology Trainers who can provide you with advice, training and on-going technical support.
- The Visually Impaired Computers Societys (VICS) In the past, VICS has offered a training course in collaboration with the Vocational Education Committee at Colaiste Oide in Finglas, Dublin.
- The Central Remedial Clinic has a Client Technical Services Department that provides professional evaluation and information relating to assistive technology. The service is for both children and adults who have physical disabilities. The CRC has also formed a partnership with UCD to offer certificates and diplomas in assistive technology applications. See below.
- Moving-Mountains Technology Limited of London in partnership with the Access Technology Institute of (ATI) offers textbooks and independent study courses to residents of Northern Ireland through its ATI representative in the UK.
Useful Links and Discussion Lists
- The Visually Impaired Computers Society of Ireland (VICS) The VICS discussion list is a great Irish source for evaluations and practical information regarding the selection and use of Assistive Technologies and it can be subscribed to from the VICS website. Subscribers to the list are users themselves. VICS also offers a popular training course in collaboration with the Vocational Education Committee at Colaiste Oide in Finglas, Dublin.
- The Text Access discussion list was set up to facilitate the sharing of tips and experiences by Access and AT staff, and by students.
- The UK Dis-forum discussion list is aimed at students in higher education with disabilities and their support staff.
- Access World: Technology and People with Visual Impairments, published by The American Foundation for the Blind publishes with Visual Impairments. It is available online, in print and braille, and on cassette and ASCII disk.
- Share the Vision compiled a list of 'Useful contacts and suppliers' which appears in their online document entitled "Library Services for Visually Impaired People: a Manual of Best Practice". It is published on the British National Library for the Blind website.
Irish Vendors and Manufacturers
- Jackson Technology 24 Kiltipper Avenue, Aylesbury, Dublin 24 tel: 01-4624793 fax: 01-45218508 email: djackson@iol.ie Check the web site of this leading independent distributor of assistive technologies for detailed information on the products it carries. They provide initial advice and assessments, computer hardware and software, technical support and training. Their website also gives dates for any upcoming trade shows they will be attending and links to product specifications.
- Diskovery l8 Lower Liffey Street, Dublin l Tel. 01-8732822. email: sales@diskovery.ie
- Ash Technology Ash Technologies Ltd. B5, M7 Business Park Naas Co. Kildare Ireland Phone (045) 88 22 12 Int'l: +353-45-88-22-12 Fax (045) 88 22 14 Int'l: +353-45-88-22-14 E-mail: info@ashtech.ie .
- textHELP Systems (previously Lorien Systems) textHELP!® Systems Ltd. Enkalon Business Centre, 25 Randalstown Road, Antrim Co. Antrim BT41 4LJ N. Ireland
- Scientific Computer Systems Unit l Longmile Business Centre Longmile Road Dublin 12 Tel. 01-4564917 email: jgrady@iol.ie.
- Award Systems 38 Pine Valley Park Grange Road Dublin 16 Tel. 01-4930011 Fax: 01-4944252. (Largely a distributor of software products to assist primary and secondary students with Dyslexia and other learning difficulties.)
Important Manufacturers
- Ai Squared P.O. Box 669 Manchester Center, VT 05255 phone: (802) 362-3612 fax: (802) 362-1670 email: sales@aisquared.com Jackson Technology is listed as Ireland's preferred dealer for this manufacturer which produces ZoomText Xtra for Windows and ZoomText for DOS.
- Dolphin Screen magnification and screen reading software Dolphin Computer Access Ltd, Technology House, Blackpole Estate West, Worcester WR3 8TJ Tel: 0845 130 5353 Fax: 01905 754 559 E-mail: info@dolphinuk.co.uk Web Site: http://www.dolphinuk.co.uk
- Freedom Scientific produces a broad range of assistive technology hardware (Braille 'n Speak Note Takers, Braille Embossers, refreshable computer Braille Displays) and software (JAWS for Windows, Magic screen magnifiers).
- Kurzweil produces materials for the blind or visually impaired and for those with learning disabilities.
- ScanSoft United Kingdom 400 Thames Valley Park Drive Thames Valley Park Reading England RG6 1PT Tel: +44 (0) 118 963 7464 Fax: +44 (0) 118 963 7564 Creators of Dragon NaturallySpeaking, ScanSoft also produce other Optical Character Recognition and Text-to-Speech software packages.
- Choice Technology & Training - Develop and market easy-to-use access software at affordable prices. Also provide training.
Last Updated: 16-Apr-2004
