1. Using Assistive Technology to Enhance Occupation
Caitlin Anghilante
Pre-OT Club Presentation
March 25, 2014
Adapted from April 2012 presentation by Marlena Lanini and Brett Turner

2. What is Occupational Therapy at CSU?
The mission of the Occupational Therapy department at CSU is to optimize human performance and participation in everyday occupations and contexts across the lifespan.
OT Curriculum Design:
Google image from: uscmarketplace.com
Google image from:
blythedale.org

3. Definition of Assistive Technology
A broad range of devices, services, strategies and practices that aid in assisting individuals with disabilities.
An AT device is any item, piece of equipment, or product system that is used to increase, maintain or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.
-Cook & Hussey

4. Types of Assistive Technology
Assistive Technology examples:
Technology and electronic information access (ATRC focus)
Augmentative Communication Systems
Environmental Controls
Technology to enhance mobility
There are many different areas within assistive technology for example:
We focus on providing equal access to technology and electronic information for students

5. What is the Assistive Technology Resource Center (ATRC)?
Role on campus: the ATRC seeks to ensure equal access to technology and electronic information for CSU students and employees with disabilities
Disability groups served – Students with Physical, Sensory, Non-Apparent impairments
Experiential learning of
AT for OT students
as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act and Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Physical – Neurological (SCI), ortho, communication challenges
Sensory – Blind, low vision, deaf, HOH
Non-Apparent – learning, cognitive (TBI), Austism Spectrum Disorders
AT for OT students- providing labs, case studies, and other activities that are integrated into the curriculum

6. ATRC and Occupation Occupational Therapy Role
Assessment - Interview
Intervention – Equipment recommendation & training
Goal: increase student participation in school-related activities and enhance academic performance.
Reading
Writing
Note-taking
Test-taking
Accessing computers and technology

7. AT for Physical Impairments
AT for Typing and Accessing Computer:
Alternative Pointing Devices (Mice)
Head tracker
Sip and puff
Switches
Alternative Keyboards
One handed keyboards
Chorded keyboards
On- screen keyboards
Ergonomic Keyboards and Mice
Positioning
Adjustable tables and monitors
Devices, e.g. mobile and static forearm supports
AT for Writing:
Alternate Input
Voice recognition software
Word completion and word prediction software
Alt. pointing device - way to navigate computer screen, provides full mouse control but with alternate input, examples…
Alt. keyboards
Chorded keyboards – enter data using combination of keystrokes
On-Screen keyboards – such as WiVik, allow for word processing or other text entry
Word completion/prediction software – predicts word = reduces amount of keystrokes

8. AT for Students Who Are Blind
AT for Reading:
Braille and Tactile Graphics
Refreshable Braille Keyboard
Braille Embossers
Text to Braille converting software
Thermo Pen
PIAF (Pictures in a flash)
Audio
Talking Web Browsers
Talking Digital Book Players
Audio Formatting Software
Scanners with OCR to convert text to audio format
AT for Accessing Computer:
Screen Readers
Tactile Key Indicators
AT for Calculating:
Talking Scientific Calculator
Braille Keyboard – instantly translate screen content into refreshable Braille
Embossers- creates raised Braille dots on Braille paper
Thermo Pen – creates raised image on Flexi-Paper
PIAF- instantly produces tactile graphics using heat sensitive capsule paper
Talking Web Browsers convert web pages directly into speech
Screen readers – audio output of all screen data including commands and text
Tactile Key Indicators - sticker keys with raised bump in the middle
PacMate - portable accessible PC
Talking Scientific Calculator - standard calculator with voice output

9. AT for Students with Low Vision
AT for Reading:
Large Print and Braille
Digital Book Players
Built in Accessibility Options
Software
Magnifier and Reading Software
Scanning and Reading Software
Magnifiers
Portable
Video
AT for Typing:
Labels for keyboard
Video Magnifiers - A video magnification device that allows a user to view any document or object with enlargement in 3 dimensions
Magnifier and Reading software- software that allows user to visually manipulate text and hear it read aloud
Scanning and Reading software - Program which allows user to scan items and then read the image aloud
Built in Accessibility Options - Windows XP has built-in accessibility features such as: magnifier, narrator, accessibility wizard, and an on-screen keyboard.

10. AT for Students who are Hard of Hearing
AT for Note Taking and Classroom Participation:
FM Systems: Portable, wireless listening system for classroom use. The teacher wears a compact transmitter and microphone. Students use a portable receiver with earphones.
Captioning
Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART): instant translation of speech to text via advanced, remote or onsite real-time translation software
Student activities such as listening to lectures and videos, are affected for students with hearing impairments
AT can support those students by
Augmenting the auditory output – example FS systems that amplify the sound
Visual substitution
Captioning for video content – note UD
CART

11. AT for Students with Non-Apparent Disabilities – Writing Aids
AT for Writing:
Spelling and Word Selection
Phonetic Spell Checker
Word Completion and Word Prediction
Talking or Visual Dictionary
Word Wizard
Homophone Checker
Thought Organization
Thought Mapping
Outline Format
Other Aides
Speech recognition: Dictation vs. typing
Text to speech
AT for Note Taking:
Digital Recorders
Smart Pen
Apps for mobile devices
A number of different AT programs available to support success in occupations like writing, note taking, reading, and organizing material. Note UD
Software programs have different features to support
Spelling and word selection
Organization
Thought = graphical
Outline = word outlines, easy to organize topics and move text
Alt
Typing is distracting/slower than thoughts – dictation
T2S = for proofing
Note taking
Digital recorders – audio recording so student can go back and listen
Smart pen – combine written notes with audio recording

12. AT for Students with Non-Apparent Disabilities – Reading Aids
AT for Reading:
Converting Printed Material to Electronic Format
Scanning with OCR
Learning Ally (human voice recordings)
Auditory Output
Portable Book Reading Devices: Digital book players and MP3 players
E-text Reading Computer Software: Text to speech
Options: synthesized or human voice, audio only or audio + text
Apps for mobile devices
Visual Layout
Size of text and line spacing
Color of text and background
Masking
Highlighting words as they are read
Speed Reading
Portable Miscellaneous Reading Aides
Scanning and Reading Pens
Portable dictionary
AT to support reading can be customized based on the user’s needs.
First, get book/printed material into electronic format
Options for listening
Visual modifications
Other task specific aides

13. AT for Students with Non-Apparent Disabilities - Organization
AT for Organizing Assignments:
Low Tech
Checklists, day planners, task sequencing lists, alarms and timers on watches and cell phones
High Tech
Devices: Computers, tablets, smartphones, PDAs
Software or Apps:
Planning: calendars and “to do”
Audio notes to self
Multimedia prompting system

14. AT for Students with Cumulative Trauma Disorders
Hardware
Ergonomic keyboards
Ergonomic mice
Wrist pads
Adjustable tables
Document holders
Adjustable monitors
Mobile devices/touch screens
Software
Word completion and word prediction software
Dictation software
Apps
Cumulative trauma disorder: are "injuries of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems that may be caused by repetitive tasks, forceful exertions, vibrations, mechanical compression (pressing against hard surfaces), or sustained or awkward positions".[1] RSI is also known as cumulative trauma disorders, repetitive stress injuries, repetitive motion injuries or disorders, musculoskeletal disorders, and [occupational] overuse syndromes.
Software – reduce the amount of keystrokes

15. Augmentative and Alternative Communication
AT for Classroom & Social Participation:
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Devices
Low-Tech Picture Boards
DynaVox, Tango, Toby Lightwriter
Software with Communication Boards
Apps on mobile devices
Devices to facilitate communication and language

16. Mobility Technology Low-tech: cane, walkers, manual wheelchair, etc.
High-tech: power wheelchairs
Direct Control: use body part or
extension to directly interact
Fastest control method
More intuitive
Requires refined, control movements
Indirect Control: requires an interface between user and the wheelchair; switches and scanning
Slow control method
Requires less motor control, but higher
cognitive demand than direct control

17. Environmental Control Units (ECU)
Control interface that enables people to control various devices in their environment independently
Lights
Electrical Appliances
Heating/Cooling Systems
Stereo TV
Computer

18. Mobile Devices Apps for iOS & Android to support: Life Organization
Scheduling /Time Management
School Organization
Note taking/Audio Recorders
Financial Organization
Work Organization
AAC
Reading
Community Mobility and Accessibility
And on and on…..

19. Hands-On Opportunities!
Case Studies
Alternative Keyboards and Mice
Reading Aides
Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Alternative Computer Access
Environmental Control Unit Use
Cognitive Support
Low Vision Support
Microsoft Office Built-Ins
Mac Accessibility Features
We have several different activities that you can do to explore the AT we have available.
Case studies – 1st 3 downstairs, 2nd 3 upstairs
Do all or part, suggest work in small groups
QS guides –
intended to allow you to start using the AT quickly, not a comprehensive guide;
Available on our website – please use these in future as need; we try to add to our list and update every year
computer stations upstairs
Atomic Learning – video tutorials; ease of use of manufacturer directions can vary widely
Good resource to teach yourself or provide to your client to learn AT

20. Hands On Time
Explore case studies at the ATRC! Questions? ATRC Website (