Computer Concepts in Action

Introduction:
Learn more about how technology can help people with disabilities and special needs.

Directions:
Read the information below. Click the Destination Site link(s) to find out more about the topic. Apply what you learn to answer the questions.
Check your work carefully, and click Submit.

Accessibility for Special Needs
Consider some of the ways in which computer manufacturers have adapted computer technology for people with disabilities in order to make the world more accessible.

• Books on tape, Braille books
• Drawing software
• Visual aids, such as screen enlargers/magnifiers
• Voice synthesizers for the blind.
• Mouth wand for painting or drawing
• Controllable, anatomical devices that can read eye blinks, head or neck movements, mouth movements are used to provides literal access to the computer.
• custom joysticks
• modified or additional keyboards
• optical mouse or pointing devices
• scanners and optical character recognition (allows a person to type by tracking their eye movements)
• touch screens, and
• voice recognition software.
• Braille displays and printers,
• enlarged screen programs,
• speech software, and
• talking word processors.

Destination Site: www.assistivetech.com, www.rehabtool.com, www.rjcooper.com, or www.assistivemedia.org

Note: If this link is inactive or to find other Internet sites with similar information, use a search engine. Here are some keywords you might use: assistive technology, inclusive technology, special needs technology

After you have read the material, answer the following questions.

1.		What is assistive technology?
2.		Name three types of assistive technology that helps keep people mobile.
3.		Name three types of assistive technology that helps the elderly and those with special needs perform everyday tasks at home.
4.		Find a Web site online that offers or sells assistive technology. Name the Web site and three tools they provide for three different types of special needs.