Challenge West Virginia

Today more than ever classrooms across the United States have more access to computer technology for learning and education. With the changing structure of classrooms, inclusive general education classrooms are accommodating students with differing abilities who need equal access to technology for learning. It is the right of all students to receive a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment possible. When materials are inaccessible, students with disabilities are singled out and limited in their ability to access technology for learning. If students do not receive sufficient education, it could significantly impact their opportunity for further education and employment. It is important to note that accessibility removes barriers and helps everyone.

There are many different accessible technologies and assistive technologies that are available to help create universal classrooms for learning. Accessible technology is computer software that allows people to adjust their computers to meet their individual preferences.   Assistive technology (AT) is any device used to perform tasks that would otherwise be difficult or impossible. These devices can be as complex as computers with screen reading software or as simple as a typing aid for keyboards. Accessible technology and AT are two options that work together to provide all students with access to educational opportunities in inclusive mainstreamed general education classrooms.

Microsoft reports that the U.S. Census Bureau found 15 percent of students between the ages of 6 and 14 have a disability. For those students over the age of 15, the percentage of students with disabilities increases. In about half of the cases, students have more than one diagnosis that qualifies them for services. Although they may not qualify for a specific AT device to use in the classroom, students with mild disabilities are often the most overlooked for accessibility features. Often these students do not consider themselves as “disabled”; therefore, they may feel uncomfortable seeking out services and fall through the cracks of the educational system.

Although teachers and educators are familiar with using their school computers, many are unaware of the resources for accessible technology already available to them through Microsoft software. As part of our mission, West Virginia Assistive Technology System (WVATS) strives to inform teachers and students about AT options and support systems to help students with disabilities succeed in inclusive regular education classrooms. In addition to providing information and assistance to people in education, WVATS operates a Virtual Loan Library where AT devices can be loaned out on a short-term basis. Using the loan library system, individuals are given an opportunity to trial different devices and determine whether the AT device will or will not meet their needs. WVATS also houses many software options that are not available for loan, but can be trialed by individuals who visit the WVATS computer lab.  The purpose of this article is to highlight some accessible technology features that are already on public school computers using Microsoft software and present specific AT that you can loan from our Virtual Loan Library.

Not all students who have vision problems are blind; however, most all can benefit from accessible and assistive technology. Because students who are blind cannot see the computer screen, they may need to receive computer information through hearing or tactile stimulation options. Although students with low vision have not completely lost their sight, computer screens are often difficult to see and interpret. Alterations to your computer screen either by changing the screen resolution to increase clarity or by increasing the font and icon sizes, can help students with low vision see the computer screen. By adjusting color combinations and screen contrasts, even students who are color blind can benefit. These are examples of accessibility features that already available through Windows XP and Windows Vista. The specific options are Invert Colors, High Contrast, text-to-speech with Narrator, screen magnification with Magnifier, keyboard shortcuts and sound notification. In addition to the accessibility options that Microsoft offers, WVATS can demonstrate screen magnifier and reader software. 

There are a number of students in today’s classrooms who have mobility and dexterity impairments. Cerebral palsy is a common cause of mobility and dexterity problems. It does not matter if muscle tone is too tight or too loose, it can significantly impact students’ ability to access computers. Built-in accessibility features on your computer can help eliminate some barriers. For instance, if students cannot do multiple key selection (SHIFT, CTRL or ALT), StickyKeys will allow students to enter a series of key combinations without the hassle of simultaneous key selection. In the event that students do not have control over how many times a key is selected, FilterKeys will ignore these brief, repeated keystrokes. An on-screen keyboard allows students to type using a pointing device, joystick or mouse. Button set-up, double-click speed, pointer size and how quickly the mouse pointer recognizes the mouse movements are all options that can be changed to adjust to students’ individual needs. For loan, WVATS has a keyboard typing aid which enables students with limited hand function or dexterity to operate a keyboard by functioning as a finger. WVATS also loans infrared pointers, touch screen overlays, joysticks, trackballs and a variety of alternative keyboards and computer mouse options (including one that is hands free). Word prediction software can be demonstrated in the WVATS demonstration lab.

As with visual impairments, hearing impairment exists on a continuum of severity from a slight hearing loss to deafness. Accessibility features that come with any computer can be as simple as altering the volume. SoundSentry (visual or text notifications in place of sound) and ShowSounds (captions) are two selections that Windows offers. Students who have minimal hearing loss may benefit from headphones attached to their personal computer.

Other students who present with language impairments, learning impairments or are on the autism spectrum sometimes have difficulties comprehending and producing written or spoken language. Often computer screens are cluttered and students become too distracted to fully participate. Windows offers simplified user interfaces to reduce this clutter and interference. Another option is to use abbreviated menus and to customize toolbars to individuals’ needs and preferences. Many of the AT devices mentioned previously can also be used for this group of students: touch screens, speech recognition programs, word prediction software and speech synthesizers.

This article presents a number of different options for accessible technology that school computers are already equipped with. To learn more about the accessibility features mentioned visit, www.microsoft.com/enable/. For an extended overview of accessibility features and descriptions, visit www.microsoft.com/enable/products/windowsxp/. Finally, if you would like step-by-step trainings and tutorials on how to use the accessibility features, visit www.microsoft.com/enable/training. All of the AT devices that were mentioned in this article are a part of the WVATS Virtual Loan Library and are available for short-term loan or demonstration. By taking advantage of this loan library system, teachers and students are afforded the opportunity to trial a variety of AT to help all students succeed in general education classrooms.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Hannah Sites WVATS Graduate Assistant, Jamie Hayhurst-Marshall ATP, CIRS Program Manager WVATS.

 

CONTACT INFORMATION

For more information about this article contact West Virginia Assistive Technology System at wvats@hsc.wvu.edu or (304) 293-4692.