Computer Access
Computer Access is having access to computers for students with disabilities to help them participate in education, social, and leisure activities. Students need to participate in these activities by being able to use a computer effectively. Students could use a computer easily by taking advantage of modifications and settings that are available within their computer’s operation system.
Low-Tech Tools:
Keyguards are metal or plastic cover that sits above the keys on a standard keyboard. Keyguards are an essential piece of equipment that can make a huge difference for people with variety of needs. Keyguards can be made or custom made for the individual to increase their typing accuracy. Students with poor fine motor control may find it easier to point to the individual key they would like to press without pressing any other keys. SInce the keys have holes that allows only one key to be pressed at a time.
Moisture guards is known as a keyboard protector that lays on top of key boards for individuals with low vision. The glove is made of plastic that helps individuals that have low vision. The moisture glove has high-contrast stickers that users with low vision to help see the keys better but they can be removed for those who don't need it. The moisture guard protects from moisture, dusts, dirt, or any other damaging substances. This will protect the keys for students that have a tendency to drool or spill or drop things. The type of moisture guard depends solely on the specific characteristics of the student or individuals that might use the keyboard.
Selecting/Pointing devices are used for students who have physical
disabilities that cannot separate a finger or use their hands at all to press a
key on the keyboard. Using these devices makes using the keyboard possible. These
devices can be operated the person using their arm/head, head, or foot. There are
devices that can be controlled by head movements that are called mouthsticks,
headsticks, and chinsticks. Any of these devices can be purchased anywhere but
they just vary in price by vendor. Occasionally a selecting/pointing device is
only assistive technology needed, but other times it can be a part of solving
the problem of the person having computer access.
Mid-Tech Tools:
Trackballs are mouses that have one to three buttons that is close to the ball that functions the mouse buttons. They are available in all shapes and sizes to meet the individual who is using this device needs. This device can be used by a thumb, finger or fingers, the palm of the hand, a foot, or other body parts if needed. There are trackballs for the general public but also ones that help individuals with disabilities. The trackball is divided into three categories according to the size:
The trackball must have a certain position of the trackball that makes it more accessible or inaccessible to student with disabilities. The buttons should be positioned so that the student can easily access it. There are multiple types of trackballs in the market it is up to the special education case study team or doctor to choose the right one for an individual that needs help use the computer.
- Mini-trackballs
- Standard trackballs,
- Large trackballs
The trackball must have a certain position of the trackball that makes it more accessible or inaccessible to student with disabilities. The buttons should be positioned so that the student can easily access it. There are multiple types of trackballs in the market it is up to the special education case study team or doctor to choose the right one for an individual that needs help use the computer.
Eye-gaze systems are able to tack an individuals movements in their eyes to direct the mouse pointer. The eye-gaze systems uses infrared-sensitive video camera, or several cameras, that can find out where the individual is looking and then position the mouse to the spot where they are looking. Most eye-gaze system have on screen keyboards that allow students to use their eyes to control the keyboard to type what they want to say or write. The blinking of the eye can also be used as a clicking of a switch but it depends on the system that is being used. Using the eye-gaze system can provide computer access for people that have no reliable movements but they should have control of their eyes.
A joystick is sort of like a trackball but a little bit different. A joystick provides a base but instead of a ball it has a moveable handle. Joystick handles require very little movement to move around to select things on the computer. This can be used as a great solution for computer access for those individuals who have limited control over their fingers and hands. The buttons on the trackball are specifically positioned so that the individual using the devices won’t hit the buttons when using the joystick.
High-Tech Tools:
One-handed keyboards are only used by the dominate hand left or right that the individual can use. The types of one-handed keyboards are:
All of these types of keyboards gives students full keyboard functionality and can let the individual type without looking. One-handed keyboards have special shapes and letter layouts to simplify typing.
- Half-Qwerty
- One-handed Dvorak keyboards
- Chorded keyboards
All of these types of keyboards gives students full keyboard functionality and can let the individual type without looking. One-handed keyboards have special shapes and letter layouts to simplify typing.
Expanded keyboards are oversized or enlarged keys that allow individuals that need help seeing they keys bigger. These keyboards are best used on students with poor fine motor control who need a see the keys bigger to find the exact key they would like to press. Students needing to be successful with expanded keyboards have to have a range of motion to access all the keys on the keyboard.
On-Screen keyboards are an image of a keyboard on a computer screen. The individual using these devices can press on the letter they want to select by one click of the mouse or mouse alternatives. The individual needs to place the mouse over the key they wish to press and click to press. The on-screen keyboards provides access to computers for individuals that don’t have the motor skills to control a keyboard. They can use this on-screen keyboard if they can control or move a mouse effectively. There are alternative mice that can be controlled by their head.
Resources:
Dell, A. G., Newton, D. A., & Petroff, J. G. (2012). Assistive technology in the classroom: enhancing the school experiences of students with disabilities. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson Merrill Prentice Hall.
Dell, A. G., Newton, D. A., & Petroff, J. G. (2012). Assistive technology in the classroom: enhancing the school experiences of students with disabilities. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson Merrill Prentice Hall.