Slide 7: Specific Learning Difficulties or Dyslexia
Talking word processors
Write Out:Loud ( http://www.donjohnston.com ). A great talking word processor that can also read text. Price is about $99.00, Mac and Windows. Speaks as the student types to provide auditory feedback while writing. It also reads text files easily. Additional features include importing pictures and a spell checker. Text size is adjustable and font/background colors can be changed. This is a very popular program.It does not mention anything whether suppliers also supply training on this technology.
Reference:
PAEC, (1999) 'David's Desk' [online] Available from: http://www.paec.org/david/talking.htm (accessed 24 October 2010).
Slide 8: Low Technology Options
PDA
A PDA might be helpful if you have a lot of addresses and phone numbers that you need to have with you all the time, if you have a lot of dates and appointments to keep track of, both personal and business, and need to see at a glance whether you have a conflict when you're trying to set up appointment. If you have more than one calendar to keep up with and if you are the busy or forgetful type, and could use automatic reminders of appointments. Also, if you spend a lot of time away from your desktop or laptop, but still need the information that's stored there. Additionally, if you need to check e-mail or access the Internet frequently, even when you're traveling or just away from your computer and if you can't afford a laptop but need some e-mail or word processing capability away from your desktop and at last if you are willing to spend the time to learn how to use your PDA and transfer data to it.
PDAs range in cost from about $150 to $1,000, depending on the features you decide to buy. Most are in the range of $300 to $500.
Reference:
Carmack, C. and Freudenrich, C. (undated) 'How PDAs work' [online] Available from: http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/gadgets/travel/pda8.htm (accessed 24 October 2010).
Slide 9: Assistive Technology for Mobility
Trackballs
A comfortable ball located on the side for thumb use. The trackball utilizes USB connections to offer instant plug-and-play action. In addition, it is the first trackball to offer five customizable buttons, including the popular scrolling wheel. Each button can be programmed for common tasks such as moving forward or backward in a Web browser or cutting, pasting and printing in Windows operating system-based programs. The cost ranges from $167.50 - $344.99.
Reference:
Shopper.Com (2010) 'Microsoft Trackball Optical - mouse, trackball' [online] Available from: http://shopper.cnet.com/mice/microsoft-trackball-optical-mouse/4014-3148_9-30195465.html#info-5 (accessed 24 October 2010)
Slide 10: Assistive Technology for Mobility and Dexterity includes the following: Virtual Keyboard, Word Prediction and Switch Input.
Dual Bite Switches on 24" C-Clamp Flexarm (OR substitute 19" Flexarm USB Voice-Recognition Mic)
Alternative to sip & puff switches ideal for anyone with breathing difficulties such as ventilator dependent
Sensitive and responsive, excessive force not required
Requires very small 1" side-to-side head movement
Use Surface Mount Flexarm on bed headboard or desk
Use mic with Dragon NaturallySpeaking, chat, and more
Durable, approximate 4000 bites expected life!
Includes two standard 3.5 mm switch plugs on 6' wire
Read warranty information below**
Bite switches are non-refundable for hygienic reasons
It costs $289 and in this website there are also instructions on how to use each technology.
Reference:
Gimpgear, (2007) 'Broadened Horizons-Can you?' [online] Available from: http://www.broadenedhorizons.com/switches.htm (accessed 24 October 2010).
Slide 11: Assistive Technology for Mobility and Dexterity
Alternative keyboards
Alternative Keyboards comprise a wide variety of options aimed at answering any demand not typically met by the more common standard, ergonomic or one-handed keyboard varieties. Examples of Alternative Keyboards include devices incorporating touch sensitive overlays for people who have difficulty using a mouse or standard keyboard, foldable hermetically sealed keyboards, or wireless mini-keyboards which are ideal for shared spaces where a PC user might wish to move about a room more. For example, Helpikeys is an adaptive keyboard designed to meet the needs of learning and physical challenged individuals. Helpikeys is also beneficial for visual or cognitive disabilities. A3 sized Helpikeys is a customisable adaptive keyboard with five standard overlays that allows you to change the keyboard layout (QWERTY, ABC, Mouse, Numbers and Yes/No). As a programmable alternative keyboard, Helpikeys can be changed by using one of the five overlay sheets, or by using the Helipkeys Layout Builder software that allows you to design and print your own keyboard layouts. The keyboard can memorize five personalised layouts in its own memory, so your custom layouts can be used on any computer. Helpikeys' additional configuration settings layout allows you to personalise the response rate, the repeat rate and the other keyboard characteristics. It also includes a programmable five switch interface that can be used for mouse control. It costs £307.80 (Excl. VAT). There is no need for training as there is no need for a driver to get installed in the pc.
Reference:
Techready, (2007) 'Helpikeys-Adaptable keyboard' [online] Available from: http://www.techready.co.uk/Assistive-Technology/Alternative-Keyboards/Helpikeys-Adaptable-Keyboard;jsessionid=hN51MGYKmSb6MbVCp2gsgg1kYDt6mfwyRp1YrwSTTKcLn0QXjJtDnRGnVyLQ47qMhnPpjQnhLNBGfZNGkmMG9vB8MDj8YvJ1RQl2yr1LtWKy3BXQzHMlD4mG7gvrgZGC!-1854722811 (accessed 24 October 2010).
Slide 12: Assistive Technology for Visual Impairment
CCTV (Closed Circuit Television)
A television video camera combination used by people who are visually impaired to magnify the print in books and newspapers. It can also be used to write letters, and checks, and do different types of crafts like needlepoint. From a research I have made most of the websites do not mention about prices but they are offering their phone lines in order for the customers to directly contact them. So cost and training is unknown.
Reference:
The eye, (2005) 'Information about vision loss and blindness' [online] Available from: http://www.99main.com/~charlief/vi/adaptive.html (accessed 25 October 2010).
Slide 13: Assistive technology for No Vision
Braille Technology
Several types of equipment offer Braille technology to the visually impaired or blind. Braille displays provide Braille from material on a computer screen. It displays as many as 80 characters and refreshes as the individual reads. Costs range from $3,500 to $15,000 in 2010. Braille printers provide the information from a computer onto paper. Prices range from $1,800 to $80,000, depending on the volume of Braille production required. A portable electronic Braille note taker features a Braille keyboard. The information can later be transferred to a personal computer or retrieved from the note taker using Braille display or a speech synthesizer. Costs range from $1,000 to $15,000, depending on the features included. It does not mention anything whether suppliers also supply training on this technology.
Reference:
Ann, C. (2010) 'Assistive Technology Devices for the Blind' [online] Available from: http://www.ehow.com/list_6460852_assistive-technology-devices-blind.html (accessed 24 October 2010).
Slide 14: Assistive technology for Deaf or Hard of Hearing
Loop Systems
An AUDIO INDUCTION LOOP SYSTEM consists of a microphone (or TV etc), a special amplifier and, in the place of a speaker, a loop of wire placed around the room. Sound waves from the speaker's voice going into the microphone (or the TV signal) is changed into an electric current, amplified, and then sent through the loop, which emits a magnetic field in the room. The field is picked up by the "T" switch of a hearing aid, amplified, and converted back into sound. Hearing aid users sitting within the loop system can pick up the speaker's voice or TV without distortion and no background noise, simply by turning on the "T" switch on their aids. The loop is fully adaptable to television, radio, stereo, tape recorder or movie projector. It costs around $290 and $405. (Depending on type of floor - wood or concrete, and size of area). The loop amplifier is totally portable. I recommend that the loop cable be installed permanently. The roll of cable costs around $40 and they recommend that new cable is laid if they move home.
Reference:
Stewart, A. (2008) 'Loop Systems at Home' [online] Available from: http://www.aussiedeafkids.org.au/loop-systems-at-home.html (Accessed 25 October 2010)