Computer Access:
Computer Access involves the ability to have all students have access to computers. Computers are a great tool to use in the classroom and for all students in general. However, there are assistive technology devices out there that can be added to the computer to further assist special needs students.
There are four guidelines to the computer flexibility use principle:
1. Additional products can be used that allow choice for the methods used to access a computer. For example, using a keyboard instead of a mouse and allowing keyboard shortcuts can help students with low fine motor skills to access a computer. Also, programs now make it easier to modify the way users input and output information on a computer.
2. Computers must be able to accommodate both right and left handed users.
3. Computers must allow variations among the precision and accuracy of computer users. Therefore, features such as icons can be enlarged and the speed of the mouse can be controlled. These aspects can help students who have hand eye coordination issues, visual impairments, and cognitive disabilities.
4. A computer must have adaptability to the user’s pace. Examples of this include, adjusting the mouse pointer speed, keyboard repeat rate and timing for double click.
Low Tech Tools:
Keyboard Labels: Keyboard labels are self adhesive stickers that can be applied to a keyboard to make it more accessible to special needs students. It can help them to see the letters, numbers and symbols on the keys better. There are many different keyboard labels to choose from some include larger letters and a bold background to allow the letters to stand out more. Also, there are keyboard labels available in Braille to help those who are blind to access the keyboard.
Keyguards: Keyguards are plastic or metal devices placed over a keyboard that can help those special needs students who have physical disabilities or poor fine motor skills. They ultimately isolate each key on the keyboard so that the person typing will be able to press one key at a time without making a mistake. This prevents them from pressing an incorrect key and using unintended keystrokes when typing. Keyguards can be customized to fit the needs of the student and the type of software program they are using.
Mid Tech Tools:
Joystick: Joysticks are moveable handles that are perpendicular to the base. They are good tools for students with limited control of their fingers or hands because the handle doesn’t have to be moved far to direct the mouse. The buttons on the joystick are placed where the student will not accidentally press it.
Adapted joysticks include:
The Roller II Joystick by Tracksys is a good model to use because it provides an interchangeable T-Bar and Foam Ball handle, colored buttons and switch sockets and plug and play.
Adapted joysticks include:
- Special handles for different grasping abilities
- Keyguards to eliminate accidental clicking
- A click lock button to make it easy to “drag”
- Switch receptacles that have switch access to functions of buttons
The Roller II Joystick by Tracksys is a good model to use because it provides an interchangeable T-Bar and Foam Ball handle, colored buttons and switch sockets and plug and play.
Trackballs: Trackballs are devices that move the mouse pointer by using a ball that is housed in a stationery base. To operate this type of mouse, you rotate the ball and the mouse moves according to the user’s rotation. These devices can have one to three buttons on them and come in different shapes and sizes. Special needs students can operate them using their thumb, finger, the palm of their hand, foot, or other body part. The type of trackball you choose can be based on the individual’s disability. It is important to consider the size of the roller ball and the position of the buttons when selecting a trackball.
There are 3 types of trackballs:
There are 3 types of trackballs:
- Mini trackballs- Students with good fine motor control but limited range of motion
- Standard trackballs- Students with moderate fine motor skills and a greater range of motion
- Large trackballs- Students with poor fine motor skills, operated with feet
Expanded Keyboard: An expanded keyboard is a keyboard that has a larger surface to fit the needs of special needs students. They are good for those students with poor fine motor control and that need a larger surface area to manuvuer on a keyboard. Expanded keyboards are avaliable with a QWERTY layout or an alpahbetical layout depending on what works best for the student. An example of an expanded keyboard is IntelliKeys USB by IntelliTools.
This alternative keyboard device can helps students with physical, cognitive or visual disabilities to use a more accessible keyboard. Its features include:
This alternative keyboard device can helps students with physical, cognitive or visual disabilities to use a more accessible keyboard. Its features include:
- a keyboard that has large, fairly spaced keys with high contrast colors
- locate the parts of the keyboard such as numbers, letters, words and directional arrows.
- simple components of the keyboard that are customized to fit specific needs
- allows students to use their own photographs to make them more familiar
- customizable features so teachers can control how quickly the key responds to touch, repeats and how the mouse moves
- include alphabet, basic writing, math and web overlay
High Tech Tools:
Eye gaze system- An eye gaze system is a high tech alternative to using a mouse and keyboard. It uses an infrared-sensitive video camera to determine where a student is looking and then places the mouse pointer at that position. Also, an on screen keyboard is provided where a student can select a word, letter or button by using a switch, hovering over the key or blinking the eye. This is a good option for special needs students who have a disability such as muscular dystrophy, spinal cord injuries, limited mobility, and other physical disabilities.
One eye gaze device is called the EyeFollower by LC Technologies.
The key features of this system are:
One eye gaze device is called the EyeFollower by LC Technologies.
The key features of this system are:
- provides the largest amount of free head movements of any remote eye tracker
- automatically locates, focuses and tracks the user with no time consuming adjustments
- has high accuracy and high reliability
- includes remote video tracking
- can be used with eyeglasses or contact lenses
Speech recognition software: This allows a user to speak into a microphone to operate a computer and to type information. It is a good alternative to special needs students who struggle with typing and keyboarding. A student’s spoken words are translated into text on a computer. This way they can use voice input to put information into a computer and to help navigate their way around a computer. It eliminates the frustration of using a keyboard. This can also benefit students with physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy.
There are two types of speech recognition applications. They are:
A good speech recognition program is DragonDicate by Dragon Systems.
DragonDictate features include:
There are two types of speech recognition applications. They are:
- discrete speech- user pauses briefly (1/10 of a second) when speaking
- continuous speech- user produces a steady stream of words (pausing between sentences/phrases)
A good speech recognition program is DragonDicate by Dragon Systems.
DragonDictate features include:
- words come on the screen three times faster than typing
- 99% recognition accuracy
- correction interface for easy editing
- personalize with your own vocabulary
- digital voice recorder support
- interactive tutorial
Resources:
Dell, A.G., Newton, D.A., &
Petroff, J.G. (2012). Assistive technology in the
classroom: Enhancing the school experiences of students with disabilities (2nd
ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.
Evergreen Systems International (2010). "Trackball Products". Retrieved March 10, 2013 from http://www.trackballs.com/track-ball-products.asp
Fenteck Industries Inc. (2013). "Computer Keyboard Keyguard." Retrieved March 10, 2013 from http://www.fentek-ind.com/Keyguard.htm
IntelliTools. "IntelliKeys USB". Retrieved March 10, 2013 from http://www.intellitools.com/intellikeys.html
LC Technologies Inc.(2013). "The Eyefollower". Retrieved March 10, 2013 from http://www.eyegaze.com/eye-tracking-research-studies/
Nuance Communications Inc. (2002-2013). "Dragon Dictate". Retrieved March 10, 2013 from http://www.nuance.com/for-individuals/by-product/dragon-for-mac/dragon-dictate/index.htm
Smart Keyboard Solutions (2010). "Keyboard Label Products". Retrieved March 10, 2013 from http://www.smartkeyboardsolutions.com/keyboard-labels.htm
Traxsys Input Products (2008). "Roller II Joystick." Retrieved March 10, 2013 from http://www.traxsys. com/AssistiveTechnology/Joysticks/RollerIIJoystick/tabid/1409/Default.aspx
Evergreen Systems International (2010). "Trackball Products". Retrieved March 10, 2013 from http://www.trackballs.com/track-ball-products.asp
Fenteck Industries Inc. (2013). "Computer Keyboard Keyguard." Retrieved March 10, 2013 from http://www.fentek-ind.com/Keyguard.htm
IntelliTools. "IntelliKeys USB". Retrieved March 10, 2013 from http://www.intellitools.com/intellikeys.html
LC Technologies Inc.(2013). "The Eyefollower". Retrieved March 10, 2013 from http://www.eyegaze.com/eye-tracking-research-studies/
Nuance Communications Inc. (2002-2013). "Dragon Dictate". Retrieved March 10, 2013 from http://www.nuance.com/for-individuals/by-product/dragon-for-mac/dragon-dictate/index.htm
Smart Keyboard Solutions (2010). "Keyboard Label Products". Retrieved March 10, 2013 from http://www.smartkeyboardsolutions.com/keyboard-labels.htm
Traxsys Input Products (2008). "Roller II Joystick." Retrieved March 10, 2013 from http://www.traxsys. com/AssistiveTechnology/Joysticks/RollerIIJoystick/tabid/1409/Default.aspx