Many people with disabilities use assistive technology devices (ATDs) for computer access. The specific focus of this exploratory study was (a) to assess the experiences, opinions, and satisfaction levels of 24 individuals with disabilities using computer-related ATDs; (b) to investigate their awareness of health risk factors related to computer usage; and (c) to examine the […]
Abstract Topics: Assistive Technology
Accessibility compliance rates of consumer-oriented Canadian health care Web sites.
Vast amounts of consumer-based health care information are widely available on the World Wide Web. However, for some this material is inaccessible due to reliance on specialized computer equipment or software known as assistive technology. These tools, designed for people with sensory, physical, or learning disabilities, act as a median to interpret Web pages in […]
Assistive Technologies Research: Communication Disabilities
Automatic speech recognition and training for severely dysarthric users of assistive technology: the STARDUST project. Parker M, Cunningham S, Enderby P, Hawley M, Green P. Sheffield Speech and Language Therapy Agency, Sheffield, UK. Clin Linguist Phon. 2006 Apr-May;20(2-3):149-56. The STARDUST project developed robust computer speech recognizers for use by eight people with severe dysarthria and […]
Assistive Technologies Research: Cognitive Disabilities
Assessing the benefits of using assistive technologies and other supports for thinking, remembering and learning. Scherer MJ. Institute for Matching Person & Technology, Webster, New York 14580, USA. IMPT97@aol.com Disabil Rehabil. 2005 Jul 8;27(13):731-9. PURPOSE: Planning assistive technologies and other supports for individuals with cognitive disabilities requires a comprehensive and individualized assessment of current goals, […]
Examining educators of the deaf as “highly qualified” teachers: roles and responsibilities under IDEA and NCLB.
Examining educators of the deaf as “highly qualified” teachers: roles and responsibilities under IDEA and NCLB. Educators of the deaf were long considered “highly qualified” if they obtained state licensure from approved deaf education programs. But the No Child Left Behind Act (2001) redefined qualifications based on core academic content areas, without recognizing disability-specific expertise. […]
Consequential validity of an assistive technology supplement for the School Function Assessment.
Educators and therapists implement assistive technology to maximize educational outcomes of students with disabilities. However, few measure the outcomes of interventions because of a lack of valid measurement tools. This study investigated whether an assistive technology supplement for the School Function Assessment demonstrates an important aspect of construct validity. Specifically, the study examined a type […]
Computer access for people after stroke.
This article will focus on computer access options for people who have had a stroke. The role of the occupational therapist and assistive technology specialist in evaluation, prescription, and training will be addressed. Options related to physical, perceptual, or cognitive impairments (following a stroke) to allow for access to the computer or to increase efficiency […]
A planning system based on Markov decision processes to guide people with dementia through activities of daily living.
Older adults with dementia often cannot remember how to complete activities of daily living and require a caregiver to aid them through the steps involved. The use of a computerized guidance system could potentially reduce the reliance on a caregiver. This paper examines the design and preliminary evaluation of a planning system that uses Markov […]
Rural gifted students who are deaf or hard of hearing: how electronic technology can help.
Electronic technology can be used to overcome many of the barriers and other factors that restrict delivery of services to rural schools; it can also expand the world of rural gifted students who are deaf or hard of hearing. Online college and high school Web sites that offer courses are listed, as well as a […]
Users’ perceptions of the impact of electronic aids to daily living throughout the acquisition process.
This study investigated the experience of seven new users of a particular type of assistive technology through the stages of anticipating, acquiring, and using an electronic aid to daily living. A mixed methods research approach was used to explore each of these stages. The Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Devices Scale was used to measure the […]