David.Loudon@f41.n267.z1.fidonet.org (David Loudon) (11/05/90)
Index Number: 11526
I'd like a few resourceful suggestions (nothing rude please).
The Independent Living Center in the town where I live is
computerizing. The charter of the ILC is to be an information
resource and support center for handicapped individuals. Our
ILC is now in the process of obtaining funds to provide in-house
computer facilities for both administration and members.
The plan calls for several standard PCs equipped with adaptive
hardware and popular commercial software (as well as adaptive
software). This would allow anyone to try a selection of
specialized setups to help decide what is best for them. It
would also allow the ILC to demonstrate main streaming methods
(please forgive my uninformed vocabulary) to local companies as well
as provide a facility for training individuals unable to attend
distant VESID programs.
We're just starting out, and would like to get it "RIGHT" the
first time (ie: not waste precious non-renewable funds). We've
have the volunteer services of several computer specialists
who know a lot about computers, but nothing (me included) about
the needs of handicapped users or available hardware enhancements.
So for the questions for anyone with an answer:
1) What is the greatest challenge for handicapped
individuals when using computers in the workplace?
2) What are typical adaptations to facilitate computer
input and output for handicapped users?
- Video, Sound, Keyboard, Fax, Mouse, Printer
2B) What companies (names & addresses) make the best
and/or most reasonably priced adaptation?
3) Are there any books, professional journals, or
articles to serve as a resource in these matters?
(specifically, setting up a computer center
for a variety of handicap user needs)
4) Are there any VHS or alternate media assistance
in training handicapped users in computer use?
5) Do any software companies offer grants or generous
discounts to not-for-profit organizations?
- MicroSoft, DBase, Lotus, WordPerfect
I thank you for any advise you can extend to our project.
--- David S. Loudon ---
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!267!41!David.Loudon
Internet: David.Loudon@f41.n267.z1.fidonet.orgEric.Bohlman@p1.f778.n115.z1.fidonet.org (Eric Bohlman) (11/06/90)
Index Number: 11563
DL> So for the questions for anyone with an answer:
DL>
DL> 1) What is the greatest challenge for handicapped
DL> individuals when using computers in the workplace?
There's no one "greatest challenge" other than perhaps the inability of some
employers to believe that a disabled person could be smart enough to use a
computer.
In general, the situations that require accomodations are 1) difficulty in
getting information into the computer and 2) difficulty in getting information
out of the computer in a form that's of value to the user.
DL> 2) What are typical adaptations to facilitate computer
DL> input and output for handicapped users?
DL> - Video, Sound, Keyboard, Fax, Mouse, Printer
For input, there are a number of techniques for entering data that either
bypass the keyboard (for users who can't use it at all) or make it work
better for users who can use it, but not optimally. The first category is
known as keyboard emulation, which can be divided into two sub-categories:
1) Replacement keyboards. One can obtain a very large keyboard (usually a
membrane-switch matrix) with big "keys" for users who have poor fine motor
control. On the other hand, one can get very small keyboards for users who
have good fine motor control but poor gross motor abilities (e.g. someone who
can use their fingers but has trouble moving their hands).
2) Non-keyboard access systems. These can be hardware, software or a
combination of the two. They basically come in three categories:
A) Direct selection systems. With these one selects a character with a
pointing device such as a trackball or a joystick. One software-only system
that I've seen displays an image of a keyboard on the screen; the user uses a
trackball to point to the character and then selects it with a button.
B) Scanning systems. With these one uses one or two switches to "grab" a
character as a cursor passes over it at a predefined rate.
C) Encoding systems. The most common example would be a system that allows
the user to enter characters in Morse Code, perhaps using a breath-activated
switch.
The second category includes such things as programs that allow a one-handed
user to avoid double-finger keystrokes (e.g. press ALT and D in sequence
rather than together), keyboard macro programs, abbreviation expanders and
word predictors (when the user types in the first few characters of a word,
the program pops up a menu of words or phrases that could follow; if the user
selects one, the remainder is automatically "typed" in).
<continued>
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!115!778.1!Eric.Bohlman
Internet: Eric.Bohlman@p1.f778.n115.z1.fidonet.orgEric.Bohlman@p1.f778.n115.z1.fidonet.org (Eric Bohlman) (11/06/90)
Index Number: 11564
For output, there are adaptations for users who can't see screen or printer
output (speech synthesizers and screen reader programs, Braille printers and
translation software, refreshable Braille displays, and large-print
displays). A less-studied area is that of users who have mechanical problems
with printers; some printers require a great deal of manual dexterity to
properly load paper.
In the category of "not quite either input or output" there are guide trays
that make it easier to insert floppy disks, power strips that make it easier
to turn the system on and off, and much more.
DL> 2B) What companies (names & addresses) make the best
DL> and/or most reasonably priced adaptation?
It varies greatly, but I've found that in general newer and smaller firms
tend to be better than giants like TSI or Prentke-Romich
DL>
DL> 3) Are there any books, professional journals, or
DL> articles to serve as a resource in these matters?
DL> (specifically, setting up a computer center
DL> for a variety of handicap user needs)
There are a number of publications that address these issues. Some of them
publish resource guides. Any number of academic institutions hold
conferences on computers and the disabled, though frequently the majority of
the information concerns either the use of computers as educational tools for
handicapped children or the use of computers as prosthetic devices, rather
than the use of computers in an ordinary way by people who need to access
them in a different way.
DL> 4) Are there any VHS or alternate media assistance
DL> in training handicapped users in computer use?
I'm sure there are, but I don't know any names personally.
DL> 5) Do any software companies offer grants or generous
DL> discounts to not-for-profit organizations?
DL> - MicroSoft, DBase, Lotus, WordPerfect
They're usually pretty hard to come by. However, especially in the database
field a lot of software publishers offer slightly limited versions of their
programs for a nominal fee (e.g., a database program that's the real thing,
but can only handle 100 records per database). These are useful for training
and for evaluating compatibility with alternate access methods. Some
producers of adaptive software also have demo versions available, such as
screen reader programs that will only run for 20 minutes at a time.
I am an adaptive technology specialist for the Illinois TAAD (Technical
Aids and Assistance for the Disabled) center on a part-time basis. You can
contact me there on Thursday afternoons at 312-421-3373 or you can try me at
other times at 708-251-5787. The TAAD center is similar to what you're trying
to set up.
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!115!778.1!Eric.Bohlman
Internet: Eric.Bohlman@p1.f778.n115.z1.fidonet.orgJim.Sherwin@f21.n272.z1.fidonet.org (Jim Sherwin) (11/06/90)
Index Number: 11568
David,
I saw your message on the disabled net and felt that I might
have some significant insights. As I am a C-4 quadrepligic, I can
only offer my 11 years of experience as having a paralysis
disability. Which includes 4 years at Marist College.
First of all I'm amazed at the amount of funding your ILC has.
When I worked as a peer counselor in a local ILC that kind of
funding wasn't available. Here are my answers:
1. Using adaptive periferals in the home or at school is fine.
However when you enter the "workplace" your going to meet
strangers from time to time, and frankly speaking explaining why
and how you use these periferale gets tiresome!
2A&B. I use Headmaster which replaces the mouse. I have a
Macintosh but know Headmaster can be used on MS/DOS PC's as well.
Its sold by Prentke Romich. In my opinion Headmaster is far
superior to Freewheel and/or all other adaptive periferals.
3. Apple link specializes in this area!
4. Yes, Computerized Books for the Blind (CBFB) was first
organized in 1988, for the purpose of making printed materials
accessible to the visually impaired (VI), learning disabled (LD),
and orthopedically impaired (OI) communities, using newly
developed computerized technology. Membership now exceeds 600
print disabled persons in about 15 countries, world wide. They
have produced nearly 150 book titles, and in 1989 alone,
distributed almost 3,000 copies of these books to their members.
CBFB is an individual company existing in a University of Montana
"incubator" environment where utilities, lodging, and some labor
are provided. This "umbrella" is being removed gradually and CBFB
will become independent of the University sometime in 1990-1991.
Computerized Books for the Blind
52 Corbin Hall
University ofMontana
Missoula, MT 59812
5. Not sure on that one believe it or not!
I hope this information helps. I'd be happy to correspond with
you via mail if you care to write me at: Jim E. Sherwin / 101
Union Street / Beacon, NY 12508. Good luck in establishing your
ILC!
\/ Squire \/
/\ Jim /\
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Internet: Jim.Sherwin@f21.n272.z1.fidonet.orgPandora.Nigh@f3.n157.z1.fidonet.org (Pandora Nigh) (11/06/90)
Index Number: 11569
Hi David,I think the best person for you to contact and answer all
of your questions would be Madalaine Pugliese. She runs an consulting
firm that has several specialized trained people in adaptive technology.
The firm specializes in training others in adaptive technology and also
does several semminars and courses that offer certification in adaptive
soft and hardware. I met her and her associates at the Abilities Expo
where they had also set up a seminar. The amount of adaptive computer
equiptment and software that they had was staggering. They had
equiptment for Macs and PCs as well as a Kurtwiel reader. The software
ranged from teaching speach and reading programs for children to the
voice input and out put systems and alternative input conversions and
hardware. They also has a basketball game where one of the players is in
a wheelchair. You can contact Madalaine Pugliese and Associates at
5 Bessom St. Suite 175
Marblehead, MA 01945
(617) 639-1930
They do set up seminars and courses across the country so be patient
if you get and answering machine. She does check in regularly when she
is on the road.
Pandora
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Internet: Pandora.Nigh@f3.n157.z1.fidonet.orgDDZ@PSUVM.PSU.EDU (Carolyn Dudas) (11/08/90)
Index Number: 11640 I just received a brochure from Ashton-Tate which mentions that they provide discounts of their software (dBase, etc.) to non-profits. The brochure didn't go into much detail about their program, so you might want to call (213) 329-8000 for more info. Also, I'm not sure if this is applicable to your organization or not, but Learn-PC produces closed-caption computer training videos for WordPerfect, Lotus 1-2-3, and dBase. Their phone number is (800) LEARN-PC.
Eric.Bohlman@p1.f778.n115.z1.fidonet.org (Eric Bohlman) (11/16/90)
Index Number: 11741
JS> Its sold by Prentke Romich. In my opinion Headmaster is far
JS> superior to Freewheel and/or all other adaptive periferals.
If you're familiar with Freewheel (and Freeboard) could you tell me a little
about it? At the Illinois TAAD Center we get a fair number of people who need
some sort of on-screen direct selection with a trackball or joystick interface
(often they have some use of their hands, so the Headmaster isn't necessary
for them). So far I've checked out HandiKey, though I find it rather clunky
with a trackball (requires too much trackball movement even when set to
maximum sensitivity). I'd like to get some feedback on other such programs
for IBM-compatible machines, since we have a rather limited software budget.
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Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!115!778.1!Eric.Bohlman
Internet: Eric.Bohlman@p1.f778.n115.z1.fidonet.orgJim.Sherwin@f21.n272.z1.fidonet.org (Jim Sherwin) (11/19/90)
Index Number: 11842
Hi Eric,
I take it your using ms/dos type computers. I use a Macintosh and
from what I've heard a track ball is equally difficult for persons who
operate them on an apple. If you happen to use macintosh let me know
and the solution for word processing would be software. Barbra College
is a Rehap. Specialist in Rusk Institute in New York City. In my
oppion, if Barbara doesn't know of a solution to any periferal or
adaptive problem -- then there isn't a solution! Hope the info helps!
\/ Squire \/
/\ Jim /\
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Internet: Jim.Sherwin@f21.n272.z1.fidonet.org