The Family Center on Technology and Disability
Assistive Technology Works
Clicker 5
Clicker 5, from Crick Software, is the latest version of Clicker, an easy-to-use writing support tool. Any word, phrase or even sentence can be accessed with a pre-selected set of letters, numbers or symbols from a grid or series of grids that appear on-screen and may be linked to each other. This is a time saving way of producing written documents with a minimum of key strokes. Clicker 5 also ...
Published: 2005 by Crick Software , Reviewed: March 11, 2009
Speak Out! about inaccessible information and telecommunication technology
Speak Out! is a comprehensive guide for consumers to use when they face barriers information or communication access and their best efforts to correct the situation have been unsuccessful. The guide cites and explains the laws regarding accessibility; it discusses compliance procedures, including appropriate language and process; and it provides sample letters and templates. The addresses of key organizations are listed, as well as steps to legal action. Charts are ...
Published: 2005 by Information Technology Technical Assistance and Training Center (ITTAC) , Reviewed: January 23, 2006
Real Connections: Making Distance Learning Accessible to Everyone
This resource article from the University of Washington Do-It program discusses the application of universally designed learning to distance education programs. In classic Do-It style, Burgstahler presents common access issues in distance learning courses then offers educators several integrated strategies and resources to create an accessible course; including a straightforward "Getting Started" section. Readers may also find the closing list of resources and the companion video presentation as valuable as ...
Published: 2005 by Sheryl Burgstahler. Ph.D. , Reviewed: June 21, 2006
Teaching by Design: Using Your Computer to Create Materials for Students with ...
This book introduces a collection of educational materials that can be used to help children learn. The author is the mother of a daughter with multiple disabilities. Her goal with this book is to create educational bridges to leave no one behind. The first section of the book is devoted to discussing the variables which one can use to create and design learning materials including text, font type, design style ...
Published: 2005 by Kimberly Voss , Reviewed: March 10, 2009
Twelve Tips for Classroom Teachers
The Twelve Tips for Classroom Teachers was written by the mother of a son who is visually impaired. She wrote these tips for teachers based on her experiences with her son‘s education. The tips include advice on arranging and managing the classroom, especially not making the visually impaired student feel different from his classmates. Also included are tips on managing the IEP, sharing the curriculum verbally, using assistive technology in ...
Published: 2005 by Barbara Cheadle , Reviewed: September 05, 2006
CubeWriter
CubeWriter is an onscreen keyboard and word prediction tool. It can also be used with other input devices such as touchscreens, switch/scanning, alternative keyboards, or mouse. It will work with any text based application. The software is very easy to use although unlike other word prediction programs, may require a bit more knowledge of how to spell words the user seeks. There are 3 different levels of CubeWriter software: one ...
Published: 2005 by Mary Hellman , Reviewed: June 07, 2006
Applying Principles of Universal Design to Test Delivery: The Effect of ...
This article reports the findings of a pilot study investigating “whether computer–based testing with text-to–speech (CBT-TTS) is an effective approach for providing individualized support to students with learning disabilities.” The large-scale assessment mandated by federal initiatives such as IDEA of 1997 and NCLB 2001 remain inadequate to reliably and validly test students with disabilities. Instead they often measure the disability rather than ability of these students, a problem referred to ...
Published: 2005 by Dolan R.P., Hall, T.E., Banargee, M., & Strangman, N , Reviewed: March 11, 2009
Sights and Sounds Software
Sights and Sounds is a software program for use with children of all ages who have short attention spans or visual impairments. It can be used with a mouse or through switch access. Images are presented through simple, bold graphics on a plain, contrasting background. Sound effects are then generated to help teach a child to attend to sounds and images. The sounds are common to everyday situations and include: ...
Published: 2005 by ASTECH , Reviewed: March 05, 2009
Blinklist
Blinklist is described as a social bookmarking service but may additionally be used as a way to mark links for nonreaders when surfing the Internet because of the "blinks" or icons that mark links. Briefly, the process works in this way: First, users subscribe to the service and receive instructions for using it. This might be a valuable way to expand on an interest and benefit from others‘ web browsing ...
Published: 2005 by Mike Chief Blinker of MindValley , Reviewed: January 03, 2007
Accessibility requirements for systems design to accommodate users with vision ...
Originally published in August 2005, this technical article from the IBM Systems Journal discusses the evolution of and the essential elements needed for, "accommodating people with visual disabilities and addresses non-visual user interfaces from several perspectives . . ." A three-tiered approach allows readers to investigate the weaknesses common to many of today‘s operating systems, including Windows and Linux, and to recognize the positive impacts of building systems for accessibility ...
Published: 2005 by P. Brunet, et. al. , Reviewed: May 08, 2007
Accessibility, Transcriptions, and Access Everywhere
Business and education are becoming increasingly aware that the deaf and hard-of-hearing are not accessing all that should be available to them. In live settings as well as with pre-recorded material, there is a need for increased accessibility. Even for hearing consumers, there are times that captioned or transcribed material is helpful - in extremely noisy environments or with speakers with strong accents. Deaf/HOH consumers also need access for searching ...
Published: 2005 by K. Bain, S. Basson, A. Faisman, D. Kanevsky , Reviewed: May 08, 2007
iZoom
The iZoom is a free downloadable magnifier for use with computer monitors. To download, one must first download an ActiveX program. The iZoom is a well-designed magnifier with nice features. One can change to zoom type, choose from a multitude of cursor types, select a locator, and change color and contrast. This magnifier zooms to 32X. This reviewer had difficulty controlling the mouse and when the reviewer attempted to examine ...
Published: 2005 by www.issist.com , Reviewed: September 23, 2008
Assistive Technology: Enabling Dreams Video
This 11-minute video illustrates the impact that assistive technology makes in the lives of students with disabilities, enabling them to participate as fully as possible in all aspects of education. Several students are highlighted at college and public school level, with demonstrations of how their use of AT enables their studies, communication, and recreation. This video is a "must see" as it shows real people using real tools - and ...
Published: 2005 by Ken Ellis Associates , Reviewed: December 04, 2008
Point and Click Virtual Mouse
Point and Click Virtual Mouse is a FREE stand-alone on-screen virtual mouse designed for anyone with a disability that makes it difficult or impossible to click a physical computer mouse. As long as they can move a mouse, trackball or other pointing device, they can send mouse clicks to virtually any Windows application or DOS application that can run within a window and even many that are full screen. The ...
Published: 2005 by Polital Enterprises , Reviewed: May 13, 2009
Simple Modifications
This module developed by the Center for Assistive Technology discusses the potential of computers to help students with disabilities learn, collaborate and be more productive. It covers many areas and presents all of the material in easy to understand language. The many illustrations also make the information easy to digest. The reader is provided with information about positioning for computer use and a very helpful positioning checklist. The article also ...
Published: 2005 by Center for Assistive Technology , Reviewed: March 12, 2009
Keyboard Options
This concise and well written module examines and explains many of the options available for someone who is unable to use a standard keyboard. The module examines standard keyboards, compact keyboards, ergonomic keyboards, mini keyboards, enlarged keyboards, cordless keyboards, 3-D keyboards, portable notetakers and keyboard layouts. Within each of these sections, there are descriptions of the most common products, along with very helpful photos that help the reader more fully ...
Published: 2005 by Assistive Technology Training Online Project , Reviewed: December 10, 2008
Switch and Scanning Systems
This article gives an in-depth explanation of switches and scanning systems. It describes the options available for students with physical impairments to operate a computer through the use of a single switch or computer-switch interfaces for more than one switch. Scanning systems are explained as well as how and when to customize the systems. The article also provides examples of software that works with switches. It includes a PDF file ...
Published: 2005 by Assistive Technology Training Online Project , Reviewed: March 12, 2009
Students with Learning Disabilities
This review article was produced by the Assistive Technology Training Online Project of the University of Buffalo, to assist in the education of students with learning disabilities. Five subjects are covered in outline fashion: Reading, Writing, Computer Navigation, References and Social Skills Training. Main ideas are highlighted and brief descriptions of methods used are given. In the case of Reading and Writing, strategies are described using software and hardware to ...
Published: 2005 by Assistive Technology Training Online Project , Reviewed: December 16, 2008
The Low Cost / No Cost Resource Guide (2005)
The Low Cost / No Cost Resource Guide (2005) was developed by the Northern Illinois Center for Adaptive Technology in cooperation with Alliance for Technology Access with support from CTCNet and ILCTC. True to its name, it presents a variety of web-based links to low or no-cost technology options for people who might not otherwise be able to obtain the technology that many use to participate in daily occupations. The ...
Published: 2005 by Northern Illinois Center for Adaptive Technology , Reviewed: February 17, 2005
The Deaf Resource Library
This website was developed 10 years ago by a female college anthropology professor with an interest in issues related to deafness and sign language. The site has numerous categories, including communication, software, deaf publications, captioning and interpreting, with lots of links under each category. This is a great resource for anyone looking for information about deafness, sign language and Deaf culture. Some of the links this reviewer tried did not ...
Published: 2005 by Karen Nakamura , Reviewed: March 28, 2005