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Technology Discussion Courselist Employers Outreach

welcome to the technology page you will find information on all your adaptive technology needs

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We do not confine our activities to courses for our learners.  We can also provide useful information to learners and potential employers on adaptive technology, both software and peripherals.  

The VRDS Learning Centre is recognized as a regional centre of expertise in Adaptive Technology.  Our research is continuing all the time, as we evaluate new items.  Our published list will therefore change from time to time. 

Defining Adaptive Technology. 

Adaptive technology is an expression used to describe hardware and software that gives those with a disability full independent access to a computer without barriers. 

Furthermore, a computer equipped with adaptive technology can be the equalizer that allows disabled people to participate actively  in society. 

Assessing Adaptive Technology needs. 

This could include the continuation of employment, taking on new employment, accessing learning opportunities or enjoying social interaction. 

As such, the assessment of adaptive technology needs is of as much importance to the individual as it is to employers.  

Adaptive technology includes: 

bulletDifferent types of accessible mice, trackballs and keyboards. 
bulletScreen magnification software and screen readers. 
bulletSynthesized voice speaking word processing. 
bulletVoice recognition software, enabling speech to be turned into text. 
bulletSpecialist software for the dysphasic. 
bulletCommunication tools. 
bulletSpecialist furniture. 

What is available? 

Note that the following does not claim to be an exhaustive list of all items of adaptive technology available, nor does it imply recommendation by VRDS of any item. 

Remember that the suitability of any item of adaptive technology for a particular individual should ideally be determined by assessment. Training in its use can then be carried out to ensure independence

Input Alternatives 

Input alternatives comprise various types of computer mice and keyboards. 

Alternative mice:

 this is a picture of a large mouse  for people with  limited mobility

Large Trackball mouse, PC Trac:

For limited mobility in the hand or arm.                                                   

http://www.keytools.com/mice/pctrac.htm

A picture of a small track ball for single finger use

Small Track ball MicroTrac

For single hand/single finger use, say for severely limited mobility.   

http://www.keytools.com/mice/microtrac.htm

this is a picture of a glide pad for  sensitive one handed use

Glide pad Cirque point 

For Sensitive one-handed use 

http://www.cirque.com

this is a photograph of a joystick
Joystick Penny and Giles Joystick Plus

Ideal for wheelchair users

http://www.penny-gilescp.co.uk

this is a high visiblity trackball
Kensington Orbit Elite Trackball

http://www.kensington.com

this is a hand track mouse for both left and right hand
Ami Hand track Mouse

A mouse designed for mobility problems does not need a solid surface

http://www.adapt-it.org.uk

this is a click free vertical mouse
Quill mouse

vertical mouse for click free pointing

http://www.quillmouse.co.uk

 

Alternative Keyboards

an overlay keyboard has many overlays for the learners individual needs

Large keyboard, Intellikeys:

Alternative overlays for many applications 

http://www.intellikeys.com

a keyboard guard prevents hand tremours  and keystroke repeat

Keyboard guard, Cherry:

Prevents accidentally pressing two keys.

http://www.cherry.de

this is a picture of a small keyboard for lap use
Small keyboard 

Lap tray use for wheelchair users.

http://www.cherry.de

this is a picture of a high contrast keyboard this keyboard has yellow letters on black background
Kid glove keyboard  high Visibility

yellow on black

http://www.keytools.com

this is a picture of a high contrast keyboard it has black letters on a white background
Kid glove keyboard  high Visibility

black on white

http://www.keytools.com

this is a high contrast keyboard it has black letters on a yellow background
Kid glove keyboard  high Visibility

yellow on black

http://www.keytools.com

An onscreen keyboard for mouse use
 On Screen Keyboard

 

http://www.keytools.com

Accessibility Software 

This is software that adapts the computer to an individual’s needs  

A screen reader reads sceren content out loud

Screen reader, JAWS: 

Reads the screen to an audio output.   

http://www.freedomscientific.com

this is a photograph of  screen magnifier options

Screen magnifier, Zoomtext: 

Increases the size of the screen display. 

http;//www.aisquared.com

This is a photograph of dragon naturally speaking software

Voice recognition, Dragon 

Converts the spoken word into computer text.

http://www.lhsl.com

this software speaks out text aloud it is made by text help systems

Speaking text, Text Help 

Speaks text as it is typed,  reads text as it is displayed

 http://www.texthelp.com

this software is a symbols word processor and is made by widgit systems

Specialist software, Writing with Symbols 

Learning software for dysphasic users.    

  http://www.widgit.com

this excellent clinical software is a communication package for the dysphasic

Specialist software, REACT 

Clinical software for dysphasic users.    

http://www.propellermedia.com

this is a photograph of a learner using the text scanner to view a magniifed version of a learn direct form

Text to audio scanner, Kurzweil 3000 

Converts a scanned text input to an audio output      

http://www.kurzweiledu.com

Specialist Furniture

This is furniture that adapts to an individual’s needs.   

A height adjustable desk for your individual needs we have two at the centre

Adjustable desk: Vari-X

Adjustable height for a user’s needs.       

http://www.atkinsonvaritech.com

 

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Revised: July 31, 2007 .