Computer+Access

Computer Access

There are many devices and adaptions that can help disabled or students with special needs access the computer.  ~Keyboard Labels -for students with visual/perceptual issues, low vision, read Braille, cognitive deficits and attention issues Examples: larger letters, high contrast colors, braille and blank ~Selecting/Pointing Devices -for students who can control upper extremities but can not isolate a finger, and can not use hands but have good head control Examples: Handheld, mouth, chin and headsticks ~Keyguards -for students who need targeting assistance and hand support, and use a selecting/pointing device  Examples: Acrylic and Metal ~Moisture Guards -  for students who tend to spill or drool, visual/perceptual issues and low vision  Examples: Transparent-long term and disposable, and printed with key labels ~Trackballs -for students who have good fine motor control but limited range of motion (mini), greater range of motion, moderate fine motor and good gross motor skills (standard), are young, have poor fine motor skills and operate the trackball with their feet (large), and poor fine motor skills and need to rest wrist on a keyguard (adapted) <span style="color: #0a8a4f; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">~Joysticks -<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">for students who can control a standard, game joystick, need switches to click, keyguard, and operate a joystick with a body part other than hand <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 35.35pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -14.15pt;">Examples: Software that converts game joystick input to mouse control and adapted <span style="color: #0a8a4f; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 130%;">~Touch Screens -<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">for students who are young, need to learn cause and effect and a direct, intuitive interface <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 35.35pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -14.15pt;">Examples: Integrated and Add-on Screens <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;"><span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 130%;"><span style="color: #0a8a4f; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 110%;">~Head Pointing Systems <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">- for students who can't use their hands, can see the movement and follow the mouse pointer and have good head control <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">Examples:Headset and reflective dot <span style="color: #0a8a4f; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 110%;">~Eye-Gaze Systems- <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%;">for students who can't use their hands or heads and can control eye movements <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 35.35pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -14.15pt;">Examples: Camera on monitor and eyeglasses or goggles <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">There also several type of keyboards depending upon the disability of the student, for instance if they have poor fine motor control, have good dexterity in only one hand, and need modified layouts: <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"> 1) Expanded <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 35.35pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -14.15pt;">Example: Alphabetical layout <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">2) Mini <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 35.35pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -14.15pt;">Example: QWERTY layout (standard) <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">3) One handed <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 35.35pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -14.15pt;">Example: One handed Dvorak <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">4) On Screen <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"> 5) Customizable <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 35.35pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -14.15pt;">Example: Customizable-interchangeable overlays <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">There are other options, including output devices, for students who are blind or have severe physical disabilities, such as: <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"> 1) Single Switches <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"> 2) Speech Recognition <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"> 3) Screen Magnification <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"> 4) Screen Readers <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"> 5) Refreshable Braille <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 120%; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"> 6) Braille Embossers