Making Accommodation Possible Through Assistive Technology Tools

Sue Lin, Project DirectorKarla Kmetz, Project Specialist Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD)

About AUCD

67 University Centers of Excellence on Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD)

38 Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND)

21 Developmental Disabilities Research Centers (DDRC)

Research & Evaluation

Inter-disciplinary

Training

Technical Assistance and Information Dissemination

Community Services

What is Assistive Technology?

Basically, AT is anything we find helpful in our daily life. It can be a tool or an alternative method of performing a task.

Who can provide evaluation and prescriptive AT recommendations?

Rehabilitation Engineer or Assistive Technology Specialist- A professional who is specifically trained in assistive technology and who is able to determine appropriate modifications to make tasks at home, school, and/or work accessible to an individual with a disability.

Is it Assistive Technology (AT) or NOT?

Low- Tech AT

From No-tech, Low-tech to High-tech: Different Types of Page Turner ATs

Spectrum of Assistive Technology

Physical Environment

Modifications

Vehicle Modifications

Any AT in the Middle of the Spectrum

High-tech AT

High-tech AT cont. Environmental Control Systems

AT in the Service Learning ClassroomLow-Tech Hard copies of notes

provided by the instructor or other student

Outlines, double spaced, with key words provided by the teacher or note taker

Printed materials double-spaced and with larger print

tape recorders Calculators with voice

synthesizer Books on tape

High-Tech Lap top computer for note

taking Electronic spelling masters or

dictionary with voice output Word prediction software Outline software Reading and scanning

software Voice recognition software

AT in the Service Learning Classroom

Reading and Scanning Software

AT in the Service Learning Classroom

Voice Recognition

Word Prediction SoftwareWriting Tool: outline and

organize ideas

AT in the Classroom: What about MATH?

Tech Matrix: developed by Center for Implementing Technology in Education and National Center for Technology Innovation at http://www.techmatrix.org/ .

Can select subject and types of supports needed.

AT in the Classroom: What about MATH?

AT in the Service Environment Low-Tech To-do lists Date planner (electronic or

paper and pencil) and electronic reminders

Color post-it notes Quiet space Telephone with headset Organized filing system Clip board

High-Tech Alternative keyboards and mice Digital recorder Ergonomic desk, height

adjustable tables Service-site modifications Reading and scanning software Voice recognition software

AT in the Service Environments

AT in the Service Environments

Example of Work-Site Modification

Vocation: Metal Jewelry-Making

Adaptation: One-handed Operation

AT for Daily Activities – Seniors and

Independent Living

Low-tech Reacher Non-slip material Lever handles Slide or toggle switches Utensils with easy-grip

handles Mirror mounted over the

range

High-tech Clapper Universal remote

control Home automation

systems Environmental control

systems Screen magnification

software

AT for Daily Activities – Seniors and independent living

AT in the Home: More Environmental Control Systems

Activity

Service Project: Cleaning up garbage and debris on a highway.

Your Corps: 12 Service Members with and without disabilities Disabilities include:

Member with a learning disability Member who uses a manual wheelchair Member with a vision disability Member with an intellectual disability

Activity

Use the list of AT Tools you receive to design your activity with full inclusion of Service Members with Disabilities in the project.

15 minutes to discuss Two Teams:

High Tech Low Tech

AT Tools High-Tech Team Electronic dictionary Alpha Smart keyboard Word prediction software Voice recognition software Digital recorder Robotic arms Electronic reminders Automatic adjustable desks and

tables Voice control telephones Reading and scanning software Augmentative communication

device Noise cancelling headset

Low- Tech Team Reacher Non-slip material Lever handles Mirrors To-do lists Date planner Color post-it notes Quiet space Telephone with headset Organized filing system Clip board Large print

Activity

After sharing your team’s plan, answer these questions too:

Why types of service does your organization perform that may make use of these items?

How might a person without disabilities benefit from using these items? (think Universal Design!)

Assistive Technology Legislations and Funding Options

AT and Individuals with Disabilities

Education Act (IDEA) The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

defines AT as both a device and a service:

Assistive Technology DeviceAny item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customize, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of a child with a disability.

Assistive Technology ServiceAny service that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device.

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973: Title I

VR agencies can fund a wide range of goods and services, including "rehabilitation technology" (i.e. AT) connected to a person's vocational goal.

VR services are to empower individuals to maximize employability, economic self-sufficiency, independence and integration into the work place and the community.

VR funds AT services as well as AT devices.

Title VII Part B Program in Independent Living (IL) Centers or IL Programs at VR Agencies

Provide limited funding which can be used towards AT services or equipment to eligible persons with disabilities

Assist individuals in attaining or maintaining independence in the community

Intend to assist persons who are not currently receiving services under Vocational Rehabilitation Services due to the age, severity of their disability, and/or inability to

work.

Reasonable Accommodations Federal laws that protect people with disabilities from discrimination

in employment are: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

How do I ask for a reasonable accommodation?

You need to tell your supervisor orally or in writing:

1. That you have a disability;

2. How your disability interferes with your ability to do your service functions; and

3. What accommodations you need in order to conduct your service functions?

Remember: Your request for equipment must be reasonable

More information can be found at Protection and Advocacy Inc, a nonprofit organization that protects the legal rights of Californians with disabilities.

The Assistive Technology Act of 1998 as Amended in 2004 (AT Act)

Support programs of grants to States to address the assistive technology needs of individuals with disabilities

Past: AT state grant program was established in 1988 as a 10-year program to enable states to create systems for improving access to AT devices through public awareness, public policy initiatives, and training and technical assistance

Present: Require states to spend a significant portion of state grants on direct AT services for individuals with disabilities

ACCESS

ACQUISITION

AT Reutilization Program

State Financing Activity

The Direct Services of AT Act of 1998 as Amended

Device Demonstration Center and Equipment Loan Program

Funding Categories

Federal and State Agencies (Department of Education, State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency, Independent Living Centers, Social Security Administration PASS Plans)

Reasonable Accommodations Provided by Employers Private/Non-profit Organizations (Kiwanis Club, Lion’s

Club, Knights of Columbus, Easter Seals) Bank Loan Programs and AT Act Alternative Financing

Programs

Bank Loan Programs and AT Act Alternative Financing Programs

Specialized Equipment Loan Programs at neighborhood banks Alternative Financing Program (AFP)

a. address the needs of low to middle income persons with disabilities desiring loans to purchase AT

b. create loan opportunities for those ineligible for most traditional bank loan programs due to credit history or income issues

c. support consumers through informed choice, avoidance of unnecessary debt, assistance in the application process

Community Mapping

Where are the AT resources and assets in my

community?

Who runs these organizations?

Am I eligible to access these resources?

How do I access these community resources?

Resources National Service Inclusion Project (NSIP)

http://www.serviceandinclusion.org State Assistive Technology Act Programs

http://www.ataporg.org/atap/index.php National Public Website on Assistive Technology

http://www.assistivetech.net/ Job Accommodation Network (JAN)

http://www.jan.wvu.edu/ University Centers for Excellence in Developmental

Disabilities (UCEDD) http://www.aucd.org/directory/directory.cfm?program=UCEDD

More Resources

National Assistive Technology Technical Assistance Partnership

http://69.89.27.238/~resnaorg/taproject/RESNA.html Pass It On Center

http://www.passitoncenter.org/index.shtml ABLEDATA

http://www.abledata.com DisabilityInfo.gov

http://www.disabilityinfo.gov/

Question and Comments

Karla Kmetz

Project Specialist

AUCD

kkmetz@aucd.org

Sue Lin

Project Director

AUCD

slin@aucd.org

AUCD

Website: http://www.aucd.org

Phone:

301-588-8252