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 --- -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!267!41!David.Loudon Internet: David.Loudon@f41.n267.z1.fidonet.org
Eric.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> -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!115!778.1!Eric.Bohlman Internet: Eric.Bohlman@p1.f778.n115.z1.fidonet.org
Eric.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. -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!115!778.1!Eric.Bohlman Internet: Eric.Bohlman@p1.f778.n115.z1.fidonet.org
Jim.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 /\ -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!272!21!Jim.Sherwin Internet: Jim.Sherwin@f21.n272.z1.fidonet.org
Pandora.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 -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!157!3!Pandora.Nigh Internet: Pandora.Nigh@f3.n157.z1.fidonet.org
DDZ@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. -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!115!778.1!Eric.Bohlman Internet: Eric.Bohlman@p1.f778.n115.z1.fidonet.org
Jim.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 /\ -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!272!21!Jim.Sherwin Internet: Jim.Sherwin@f21.n272.z1.fidonet.org