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Assistive Technology | | Assistive Technology & Accessibility Support Student Disability Services 315 Student Union (405) 744-2024 accessibility@okstate.edu http://access.it.okstate.edu |
| What is Assistive Technology? Assistive Technology (also known as A.T.) is any piece of technology that allows someone to overcome an impairment and allows individuals with disabilities to access resources, courses, programs, or services. Anything from a pen gripper or eye-glasses to specialized hardware and software on a computer can be Assistive Technology. The Assistive Technology & Accessibility Support Office primarily deals in Electronic and Information Technology, such as the aforementioned computer-based A.T., although we can provide research, assistance, and referrals for all types of A.T. If you feel you need an accommodation and have not already contacted the Student Disability Services office, please drop by 315 Student Union or call 744-7116, and that office will be happy to help you get the ball rolling. | | How does A.T. Help? Primarily, many of the computer-based Assistive Technologies are designed to handle multiple types of disabilities or broad ranges of a single category. For instance, the learning tool WYNN can help individuals with cognitive impairments such as different forms of A.D.D., Traumatic Brain Injuries, or reading disabilities. The exact nature of the disability, including how the accommodation will best be used, is a conversation you should expect to have with Student Disability Services and the AT&A office. |
| What technologies are available? The following software tools exist at OSU to help individuals with certain types of disabilities in broad categories: · JAWS – Software that reads the contents of the screen for complete utilization of a computer, including websites, e-mail, Word documents, chat, etc. by blind individuals. · WYNN – Document manipulation tool that scans in hard-copy documents or electronic documents and presents them in a way that is accessible to multiple types of cognitive and learning disabilities. · ZoomText – A screen magnification program that enlarges and manipulates the text on the screen to make it easier to read for individuals with low-vision. May also assist individuals with cognitive or learning disabilities. · OpenBook – A Scan and Read program for blind individuals. · Dragon Naturally Speaking – A voice-to-text program that allows individuals with mobility impairments to dictate text and control the computer through their voice. Please remember, this is not an exhaustive list. Other technologies, including hardware for deaf or hard of hearing individuals, are available for individuals with various types of disabilities. Please contact the Assistive Technology & Accessibility Support Office for more information. |
| Is there training available? Training for using Assistive Technology is available on a one-on-one basis, as well as group settings and self-paced information. Some training materials are available at the Assistive Technology and Accessibility Support website. Additionally, feel free to contact our office for assistance should you need to schedule an in-depth training course. | | What support is available? Lab Monitors in the IT Department computer labs should be able to answer some questions you may have. Additionally, you can always contact the IT Helpdesk at 744-HELP. Or, alternatively, you can contact our office directly and we’d be happy to assist you. | | How do I login? You will need to login to the computer using your O-Key username and password to access the software. Any computer that utilizes this login system should be able to access the server where the software is stored. Your settings, including voice profiles, color settings, or voice rate and pitch, can be stored on the server as well to facilitate your use in many different locations across campus. The software itself may ask you to login. If you have not already created a login, please feel free to do so. If you are unable to utilize JAWS with your current login, you may need to have a profile setup by our office. Please contact us and we’d be happy to help. |
| What resources should I use? Several tools and information sites exist to assist users of Assistive Technology. Of course, please feel free to visit our office for more in-depth assistance. · http://www.abledata.com: A free site that offers overviews of various types of Assistive Technology. · http://okabletech.okstate.edu: Oklahoma AbleTech, the State’s Federally Mandated Assistive Technology Project, may be able to help you procure Assistive Technology for home or everyday use. · http://www.abilityhub.com: A site dedicated to providing information about Assistive Technology, especially Information Technology. | | Where is the Assistive Technology? Assistive Technology is available to be installed on all University-owned computers, including public and controlled access computer labs, at every OSU-System campus (OSU-Stillwater, Tulsa, CHS, Okmulgee, and OKC). If the software is not available, please feel free to contact the lab manager and suggest this accommodation, or contact our office and we’d be happy to be a liaison to them. At this time, hardware based Assistive Technology, such as scanners, alternative keyboards and mice, and large monitors are available in all of the IT computer labs. Please contact a lab monitor for assistance, if necessary. |
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