Assistive Technology Lab
Overview
Adaptive Technologies (AT) refer to software and/or devices that enhance the ability of students to gather, manipulate, understand, and use information.
Students with disabilities should consider the acquisition of adaptive technology skills as fundamental in securing equitable access. Students with disabilities who register with the Disabilities Resource Center can receive Adaptive Technologies orientation and have access to Adaptive Technologies devices and computer workstations throughout SF. The following sections provide a starting point for students seeking to enhance their skill set for college by employing adaptive tools.
The following is a list of adaptive devices which may be available to students with disabilities.
Although the groupings of adaptive technologies are in relation to disabilities with which they are most often associated, adaptive technologies may be appropriate for enhancing a wider array of functions that disabilities impact
For Learning Disorders or Multisensory Impairments
- Talking Scientific Calculator
Scientific calculator with synthesized speech output. - Digital Recorders
Digital audio recorders to record lecture can enhance abilities of students with learning, visual, or physical disabilities to focus on lectures while capturing information for later review and processing.
For Blindness or Visual Impairment
- CCTVs
Computer-connected, desktop and portable electronic magnifiers allow students to engage in independent reading, homework, test-taking by projecting enlarged images of hardcopy materials onto LCD screens where size, color and contrast of text can be adjusted as needed. - Focus 80 Braille Display
80-cell refreshable braille display students who are blind use in combination with JAWS™ screen reader and WinPrint software as a tactile monitor for navigating, reading and producing information in dynamic braille - Brailliant 24
24 cell refreshable Braille display students who are blind use in combination with JAWS™ screen reader software as a Braille terminal. - Zoomtext Keyboards
Large font keyboards for people with cognitive or visual impairments.
For Hearing Impairments
- FM system
Individual wireless FM system that provides auditory assistance to students by overcoming background noise, reverberation, and distance from the sound source.
For Neuromuscular, Neurological, Orthopedic, or Other Disabilities
- SmartNav
Hands-free mouse alternative that allows complete control of a computer by naturally moving the head. - Joystick Plus
Mouse substitute joystick that offers students with upper extremity motor impairments control over the mouse cursor and button functions. - Microsoft Natural Keyboard
Ergonomic keyboard that eases physical strain and stress while typing for students with upper extremity impairments by offering a split sloped key arrangement, soft tactile key switches, and a wrist leveler that promotes a comfortable and straight wrist position. - Big Keys Plus QWERTY Keyboards
Large button and cursor-control keyboards with auditory feedback that enable students with cognitive, visual, and motor impairments to access computer applications.
The following is a comprehensive but not exhaustive listing of adaptive software available to students with disabilities upon the basis of their disabilities and functional needs. Although the groupings of adaptive technologies are in relation to disabilities with which they are most often associated, adaptive technologies may be appropriate for enhancing a wider array of functions disabilities impact.
Read&Write
Multisensory language system that enhances reading comprehension of students by reinforcing
word retention, pronunciation, vocabulary development, visual tracking, and listening
skills through the conversion of text to an auditory form with highlighting. Visit Read&Write website for more information.
JAWS (Job Access With Speech) for Windows
Screen reading program providing synthesized speech output that enables students to
auditorily access and navigate any Windows operating system and productivity application
features.
ZoomText
A screen magnification/document reader application that enhances task independence
by allowing students to magnify the monitor desktop and listen to icons, menus and
text via synthesized speech.
Dragon NaturallySpeaking
Continuous speech-recognition application that enhances independent productivity of
students by allowing them to dictate directly into word processors, email, and other
productivity applications, as well as operate and navigate the computer solely by
voice commands.
Scientific Notebook
Scientific word processing application that enhances abilities of students with math
learning or physical disabilities to easily enter text and mathematics in natural
notation with powerful symbolic computation.
Click-N-Type
On-screen virtual keyboard with word prediction features that allows anyone with a
disability that prevents them from physical typing on a computer keyboard to use a
mouse, trackball, touch screen or other pointing device to send keystrokes to virtually
any Windows application.
Windows Control Panel Accessibility Options
- Windows MouseKeys
Accessibility feature found in the Windows Control Panel Accessibility Options that allows users to control the pointer with the numeric keypad on the keyboard. - Windows StickyKeys
Accessibility feature found in the Windows Control Panel Accessibility Options that allows users to activate a necessary key combination by pressing one key at a time rather than all of the keys at the same time. - Windows FilterKeys
Accessibility feature found in the Windows Control Panel Accessibility Options that allows users to set Windows to ignore repeated keystrokes, quick keystrokes, or to slow down the repeat rate. - Windows ToggleKeys
Accessibility feature found in the Windows Control Panel Accessibility Options that allows users to set Windows so a tone is heard when Caps Lock, Num Lock, and Scroll Lock are pressed.
Checklist For Adaptive Technology Use
Planning and preparation are keys to students benefiting from Adaptive Technology use. Adaptive technologies often require orientation plus practice for students to achieve results they desire. Students with that mind set should consider taking the following actions:
Plan Ahead
If you plan to succeed in college, plan way ahead. Time is of the essence. It takes a significant amount of TIME to research computers and adaptive technologies. It may take quite a bit of TIME to find the finances to purchase the appropriate equipment. TIME will pass while you locate the proper vendor and/or orientation. Learning to use a computer is a process that takes TIME. Learning to use a computer with adaptive technologies is even more TIME-consuming. It will take TIME to learn the unique computing environment on campus and how to utilize whatever adaptive equipment is in place.
Learn to Use a Computer
Even if you plan to study something non-technical you need to know how to use a computer, especially if your disability makes writing and/or reading difficult in some way. With the help of adaptive software and/or devices, computers can help you to do things that are essentially non-computing tasks, such as reading a book, doing math, or engaging in research. If you plan to study something that is even remotely technical, you can count on a computer being an integral part of your college experience. The following are basic computer skills that every Santa Fe College student (especially those with disabilities) should have:
- Keyboarding Skill
These skills are especially important for students who are blind or have visual impairments, as much of the adaptive technology geared for visual impairments is operated via the keyboard. Students with manual and fine-finger dexterity disabilities should at the very least be familiar with the layout of the standard keyboard and how to use sticky keys and/or mouse keys. - Internet and Email Skills
There is an enormous amount of information available via the Internet, and many college courses today use the Internet to some extent. Learn what browsing is and how to do it, how to search and use the Internet for research, and how to use email. Mozilla Firefox or Internet Explorer both have features which make them more accessible to those with disabilities. - Windows Operating System
Although the Graphical User Interface (GUI) of Windows has revolutionized computers for many people, it has made computers increasingly difficult for many people with disabilities to use, especially those with visual impairments and blindness. Some form of adaptive technology and special training will likely be needed to be able to learn and use Windows. - Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) Navigation Skills
SF expects students to use CANVAS for many course functions for lecture, hybrid and online classes. Learn about Canvas at SF's Canvas Help. - eSantaFe Account Navigation Skills
These skills are critical as SF expects students to use eSantaFe, a secure web-based system, to register for or drop courses, pay fees, browse for course availability, access student information over the Internet etc.
Know Appropriate Adaptive Technologies for Disabilities
Make it your business to find out what technology is appropriate to accommodate your disability:
- What are your educational disability-related difficulties?
Taking Class Notes? Reading? Writing? Using a computer? Organization? Using equipment such as microscopes? - What do you need to be able to overcome these difficulties?
This can be an easy question or a hard one to answer. Often the answers don't become clear until you do the next step. - What adaptive technology exists that may help me?
To answer this one, you need to do some research. It is an expensive, but very common mistake, to choose the wrong adaptive technology, either because the need is not clearly identified, or because the functions of the adaptive technology are misunderstood.
Consider Examples of Adaptive Technology for Specific Disabilities
- Learning Disabilities
Extra-large monitors, electronic notetaking devices, document reading software that converts text to speech output, typing echo software, spell-checkers, word-prediction software, concept mapping software, scanners and OCR software to convert hard-copy text to computer text, voice-recognition typing programs. - Visual Impairments
Extra-large monitors, screen-enlargement and screen-reading software, typing echo software, CCTV to print material, scanners to convert hard-copy text to computer text for magnification or use with text-reading software, talking calculators, large key labels on keyboards, Braille Notetaking devices, text-to-Braille conversion software, Braille printers, talking calculators. - Physical Impairments
Special keyboards and other input devices, voice-recognition software, word-prediction software, scanners to convert hard-copy text to electronic text.
Identify AT Resources
In moving through this checklist, the number one concern for many students is money. Computers are expensive, and so are adaptive technologies, especially when you figure in the cost of training. As you research your options, keep funding sources in mind. The following are common sources of AT access, information and possibly funding.
- Disabilities Resource Center Adaptive Technology Lab in S-222
The AT Lab staff can advise you as to what adaptive technologies are available and the college supports. AT Lab staff can also help you find resources and provide orientation on adaptive software or devices. - SF Library or Big Open Lab Internet Search
If you do not own a computer, you could use a student computer at the college. Use search engine keywords, such as "visual impairment " and "adaptive technology". - Local Library Internet Search
If you do not own a computer, you might use one at your local library. Use search engine keywords, such as "visual impairment " and "adaptive technology". - Vocational Rehabilitation
This Federal-State agency has an office in Gainesville and regional offices around the state. That agency may be able to help identify sources of adaptive technologies and help with the cost of purchasing such technologies necessary to succeed in college. - Division of Blind Services
This State agency works with individuals who have visual disabilities. DBS has an office in Gainesville and offices around the state. That agency may be able to help identify sources of adaptive technologies and help with the cost of purchasing such technologies to succeed in college.
Acquire and Learn the Adaptive Technology Appropriate to Your Disability
To get to this point, you needed to:
- Gain access to or purchase a computer.
- Learn how to use the computer.
- Find out what adaptive technology you should use.
- Buy the technology, if possible, or find a source for access.
Congratulations! Now you are ready to spend time learning how to use your new tools!
Adaptive Technology Orientation
Adaptive Technology Orientation through DRC Adaptive Technologies Lab in S-222. M,T,H,F from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
This lab offers Adaptive Technology to assist students who require them. Only DRC students are allowed access to this lab.