Internet Instruction for Librarians Serving People with Disabilities

Module 2: Transcript

SLIDE 1: ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

Welcome to Module 2 of our training. In this Module, we will discuss why we should care about assistive technology or AT, define AT, and look at some disability-specific needs.

SLIDE 2: CONCERN ABOUT AT

So why should librarians be concerned about people with disabilities and how they access the Internet? In the last Module, we discussed the number of people with disabilities. The most common estimate of the total population is about 15%. Data about the millions of people with visual impairments, cognitive impairments, physical disabilities, and hearing impairments was also given. And people with each one of these disabilities are presented with a number of challenges as they try to access the Internet.

For some, your assistance, as discussed in Module 1, will provide all the help they need. Others may need specialized hardware and software called assistive technology in order to begin to access the Internet. I say “begin” because many web pages are not designed to be compatible with assistive technology devices. We’ll talk more about that shortly.

SLIDE 3: ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY DEFINED

Assistive technology can be defined in a number of ways, but the federal government generally uses the definition established in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. That definition says that assistive technology is

“any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of children with disabilities.”

AT devices can be used in daily living, education, employment, and recreation. They range from low-tech equipment, such as pencil grips and skid resistant placemats, to costly high tech devices, such as programmable electronic communication devices and motorized wheelchairs. In this section, we will only focus on those devices that would help people access the Internet.

SLIDE 4: VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS

Because there is a range of visual impairments from those who have difficulty with newsprint to those who are totally blind, there is also a range of devices to aid this population. Additionally, there are individuals with a broad range of typing skills, including those who need to be able to see the letters on each key. Stickers are available to place on the keys that enlarge the letters, numbers, and directions such as Enter, Backspace, and Tab. Some of the stickers also provide the Braille symbol for each key. This would be particularly useful for children with visual impairments and older adults who have acquired age-related visual impairments who have not learned to type.

Those of us with bifocals are already aware of the benefits of a large monitor with a nonglare surface. Although they can be pricey, the larger monitor may be all many people need in order to improve their access to the Internet. With that in mind, they are a good investment for the growing aging population you serve, in addition to others with visual impairments.

For those who need larger images, there are ways to do that. There are screen magnification software programs that can enlarge everything that appears on the screen -- icons, text, pictures, etc. -- to various levels of magnification. Two of the software programs that have that capacity are ZoomText and MAGic.

Naming these and other programs throughout this Module does not mean we endorse the products in any way. The names are only provided to help you get started with your research on the best software and hardware to meet your needs.

SLIDE 5: [computer screen]

If these software programs appear to be out of your price range and you need an alternative text enlarger, you might try the text sizing feature built into Internet Explorer. If you look for “Text Size” under the “View” button in Internet Explorer, as illustrated here, you can enlarge or reduce the text size on some Web pages. I say “some” because this is one of the features that may not be compatible with some Web pages. If the designer didn’t use resizable fonts when the Web page was developed, the font size will not change when you use this feature.

SLIDE 6: VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS CONT..

For those who are still unable to access the information from the computer screen, even with magnification, you may elect to purchase screen reader or voice output software. These programs translate much of the information on the screen into a synthesized voice format. Again, I use the word “much” because the software may not be compatible with some Web pages. Screen readers have difficulty with most tables, graphics that don’t include .alt tags, and most PDF files. Two of the most popular screen reader programs are JAWS and WindowEyes.

Of course, you will need earphones for these screen reader programs. This will reduce the noise in the area where the programs are being used, and it will maintain the privacy of the person with a visual impairment who is accessing the Internet.

Recently I learned that some individuals who are blind prefer to access information with Braille rather than sound. This is particularly true of the population of individuals who attended schools for the blind where Braille was most often used. So, how do people who prefer Braille access the Internet? There are two ways. One is to provide printouts in Braille, which requires a Braille embosser and special paper. The embosser translates the text on the screen into Braille and prints it much like a dot matrix printer would, only there is no ink. The embosser forms the raised dot cell for each character it prints. Special thicker paper is needed to accommodate the embossing.

SLIDE 7: REFRESHABLE BRAILLE

Another alternative is a device called refreshable Braille. This pricey piece of equipment translates the text on the computer screen as the cursor goes over it and turns it into Braille that appears in the form of raised pins arranged in the eight dot cells for each character. As the cursor moves, the pin configuration changes, or refreshes, to match the new characters. Because refreshable Braille works on the same principle that screen readers use, users will not be able to access the same types of information that cause problems with the voice output devices.

SLIDE 8: COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENTS

In Module 1, we talked about people with cognitive impairments – people who have difficulty processing information, but who may or may not have intellectual deficits. Because reading is a problem with most individuals in this group, many would benefit from access to the screen reader software mentioned above. Accompanying headphones would again reduce the noise and protect privacy.

Another tool that might be useful would be word prediction software. With most of these programs, a list of possible words appears on the computer screen after the user types in a few letters. Many of the packages work hand-in-glove with different application programs, including Internet browsers. Co:Writer and WYNN are two word prediction software programs.

People who still have difficulty getting words into the computer might benefit from speech recognition or voice input software. These programs convert speech to computer text. Dragon Naturally Speaking and Kurzweil VoicePlus are two speech recognition programs. Although the software takes some time to set up to recognize individual speech patterns, it can be useful for some people.

SLIDE 9: PHYSICAL DISABILITIES

Before anyone with a physical disability can use the Internet, they need to be able to get to the computer. Many computer tables are set at a standing position or are on tables that won’t accommodate the arms of a wheelchair. Today, there are several types of adjustable computer tables, including ones that need to be dismantled and put back together at a different height, ones that use a manual crank to raise and lower them, and motorized versions, illustrated here, that go up and down at the push of a button. Of course the price differs considerably with each of these versions.

SLIDE 10: ALTERNATIVE INPUT DEVICES

Some people with physical disabilities need alternative devices to input information. That might mean a different type of keyboard. Displayed is an articulated keyboard with three sections that can each be moved independent of the other to maximize keyboarding for the person with different physical needs. Some individuals with limited range of motion, including some with arthritis in their hands, might prefer a smaller keyboard that requires minimal reach to access the keys.

SLIDE 11: THE MOUSE

The mouse can also cause problems for some people with physical disabilities. A track ball or joystick type mouse may give some individuals more control. Displayed are two alternative mouse devices. On top is a trigger mouse that allows the user to pull rather than push the button for mouse use. Below are controls used with the toes and heels of the feet to manipulate the mouse.

SLIDE 12: KEYGUARDS

Many people with physical disabilities, particularly those with cerebral palsy, have difficulty controlling their muscles enough to hit one key on the keyboard. One way to assist them is with a keyguard. The keyguard displayed is a piece of plexiglass that has holes cut for each key on the computer keyboard and is sized to fit over a keyboard. This device helps an individual with poor motor control to depress the correct key, either with a hand stick (as shown), a mouth or head stick, or a finger or thumb that can be isolated for use.

Because of the different keyboard designs, there is no standard keyguard, so be sure to order the right one to fit the keyboard you want to use it on. An alternative would be to have a local high school shop class make one for you. It would be a lot less expensive, and you would know it would fit.

SLIDE 13: HEARING IMPAIRMENTS

At this point, little consideration has been given to people with hearing impairments as the amount of audio increases on the Web. Few think to provide an alternative format, such as a transcript, for those who can’t hear. For some people with hearing impairments, you may need to invest in a set of headphones because they will want to crank up the volume so they can hear. Until Web designers adopt the accessibility standards, you may need to give additional personal assistance to help people with hearing impairments access the audio materials on the Web.

SLIDE 14: THE HUMAN SIDE

A word of warning. Just because you think someone could benefit from assistive technology, that doesn’t mean the individual will agree. For some, use of these specialized devices is admitting that they have a disability, something they may not be ready to do. Consider how many people you know who need hearing aids who won’t get them. Many assistive devices end up like the unused exercise equipment many of us have at home – a good idea at the time, but not a good fit. Before you purchase any device, be sure you have a population who will use it.

SLIDE 15: NEXT MODULE

You have now completed Module 2. In the next Module, we will present TheArcLink.org, a vast resource of information for people with disabilities.

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