Independence through Assistive Technology

New assistive technologies to
enhance access to job opportunities
for people with disabilities.
EUSE Conference
June 12th 2013
Siobhán Long, National Assistive Technology Training Service
Enable Ireland: E mail: slong@enableireland.ie
Presentation Outline
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Enable Ireland: who we are and what we do
What is Assistive Technology?
What AT works in the work place?
Descriptive Case Studies X 2
Workplace Assessment Service
Funding sources
International Best Practice/Web resources
Enable Ireland: Who we are
• 18 local centres
• Providing services
primarily to people
with physical/multiple
disabilities
Our Mission
To enable those who use our services to
achieve maximum independence, choice
and inclusion in their communities.
Social Model of Disability
• Barriers created by
society
• Society’s responsibility
is to remove those
barriers/promote
access
• Priority: Social inclusion
Enable Ireland’s Approach to
delivering AT Supports
Service User
Family/PA/Circle
of Support
Local Support
National Support
AT: A Tool For Work
The role of Assistive Technology
(AT) in providing accessible
workspaces for employees of
different abilities.
Why AT?
“For most people, technology makes
things easier. For people with disabilities
however, technology makes things
possible.”
(MP Radabough, IBM National Support
Center for People with Disabilities)
Assistive Technology
• Is a tool………
• To support individuals
to achieve their potential..
• Ultimate goal:
Access retain employment
Assistive Technologies…….
• Computers: PC’s, tablets,
laptops, iPads, Smart
Phones
• Communication
• Environmental
Controls/Smart Home
Technologies
• Alternative power mobility
controls
In an average workplace:
• 60% of employees will benefit from
adjustments to their workstation
• 10% of employees will be left-handed
• 15% won’t be able to read 10 point font
without eye strain
• 10% will have dyslexia or specific
reading/writing difficulties
Forrester Research Report (US)
Who can benefit from
Assistive Technology?
• New/prospective employees with a
disability
• Current employees
– Prevent acquisition of work related injury
– Retain staff who acquire injury
Assistive technology can accommodate a wide
range of differing abilities, including but not
limited to:
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visual impairment
deafness and hearing loss
speech and language impairments
mobility limitations
learning difficulties
mental health impairments
neurological disorders
Using Computers
Conventional Input
Methods
• Alternatives to Keyboard
• Alternatives to Mouse
• Voice Recognition
• Windows Ease of
Access Center: Free,
built-in features on
standard computers
Alternative Keyboards
• Alternative Keyboard
Layout
– Qwerty
– Alphabetic
– Chording
Keyboard/frequency of use
• Specialised Keyboards
– Ergonomic Keyboard
• Expanded/mini Keyboard
Mouse Alternatives
• Trackballs
• Joysticks
• Touch Pads
• Head Mouse
• Touch Screen
• Eye Gaze
Windows Ease of Access Center
www.microsoft.com/enable
Free/Built-in AT solutions
• Microsoft’s Ease of Use Centre:
www.microsoft.com/enable
• Access Apps: JISC Techdis:
www.techdis.ac.uk
• iPad, iPhone and Mac OS
Voice Recognition
GPS and Online Maps
Dyslexia:
Software supports
Translating Text to Speech
ReadPlease free downloadable for Windows Users
www.readplease.com
Texthelp Read and Write Gold
Speech - colour highlights and reads the words, sentences or paragraphs
Spell Checking - specifically designed to solve complex phonetic errors. Can
be customized to suit individual needs
Homophones Support will identify and provide audible definitions for like
sounding words
Word Prediction – begin the word and chose from a list
Dictionary - Dictionary - 180,000-word talking dictionary
Simple Calculator
Word Wizard - assists in developing creative sentences by offering solutions
for vocabulary.
Diaries & Planning
My Corkboard
Screensaver allowing ‘sticky
notes’, to do lists, photos,
calendar – FREE
(www.mycorkboard.com)
Others: Evernote…..
Mind Mapping
Inspiration/Kidspiration
Mind Map
Graphical MindMapping for
outlining of Ideas.
Word Banks
Wordbar
Communication: Apps
• 100+ AAC apps currently available
• Prices vary from free to €200+
• No trial versions of apps – iTunes
limitation
– Symbol/Picture based
– Symbol & Text based
– Text only based
Apps with Symbols & Text to Speech
• Apps that support individuals
with emergent/developing
literacy skills.
• Usually has synthetic speech
output
• Word prediction available in
some apps
• Quality very much related to
price
Workplace Accommodations
Workplace accommodations are not as
costly as one might think:
• 31% cost nothing
• 50% cost less than $50
• 69% cost less than $500
• 88% cost less than $1,000
American Foundation for the Blind
Creating Accessible Workplaces:
Enable Ireland’s Experience
Raising Employer Awareness
Employer Seminars
Employer Guide To AT
Workplace Assessment Service
Remote Assessment Service
State Funding: FAS
(National Training and Employment Authority)
Employer Seminars
Employer Guide To AT
www.enableireland.ie/at
Workplace Assessment Service
Remote Assessment Service
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Desktop sharing
Enabling remote adjustment
Widening reach
Minimal cost
Reduced time requirement: service
provider/employee
• Minimum disruption to
employee/employer
Workplace Funding Supports:
www.fas.ie
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Workplace Equipment Adaptation Grant
Personal Reader Grant
Wage Subsidy Scheme
Job Interview Interpreter Grant
Supported Employment Programme
Disability Awareness Training Support Scheme
International Best Practice: What we learned
AT and Work:
Personal Experiences
Albert & Nadine
Supporting Resources
Product Designers
Computer Scientists
Web Designers
AT Resources
 Website: www.enableireland.ie
 Facebook/Twitter:
www.facebook.com\actionondisability
 E learning: www.enableirelandat.com
 Blog: www.userdrivendesign.org
 YouTube: www.youtube.com/enableirelandat
 Employer Guide:
www.enableireland.ie/products-technology/attraining/publications
Summary
Assistive Technology and Mainstream
technologies are merging (slowly but surely….)
Becoming more affordable
Employer/Employee expectations are on the
rise
Impact on access to employment is growing