Accessing Potential Through Assistive Technology
Employment & AT Resources

This module will provide information on how assistive technology can empower individuals with disabilities who may be searching for employment or trying to maintain employment. Please click the following links for more information!

Campaign for Disability Employment 

Vocational Rehabilitation Services include:

Employment Resources in Alabama

ADAP (Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program)

National Resources/Organizations

Job Accommodation Network (JAN)

This website provides complete information about ADA law related to employment, accommodations for specific disabilities, and other resources for both employees and employers.

Video Modeling

Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program

This resource is only available to employees of Department of Defense and other partnering Federal Agencies.

Curriculum Resources

Using Technology to Prepare for Employment

In this course, you fill find lessons in using technology to help prepare for employment. There are a lot of wonderful resources out there! Please follow the links below for more information.

Exploring Careers

Searching for Jobs

Jobs in Alabama:

 Large Search Sites (across the U.S.):

Completing Applications
Creating a Resume
More Free Web Resources
GED – High School Equivalency Exam

Access information related to the GED exam. This module includes testing center locations, preparing for the test, apps, and accommodations. Please click the links below for more information. 

GED Basics
Practice Tests
Apps for GED Studying
Google Play is the app store for many android apps

iTunes is home to the app store for apple products

Other Apps for GED 

AT Laws

These lessons will provide information about the laws that are in place to help ensure Assistive Technology tools and services are available to individuals with disabilities.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Public Law 110-325

Access to employment, public services, public accommodations, and telecommunication

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

P.L. 94-142

Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for all children; EI (0-3 years old) & School-Age (3-21); IEP

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act

29 U.S.C. § 794d

Federal agencies must make electronic & information technology accessible including electronic texts, websites, and videos

 

Assistive Technology Act of 1998

Public Law 105-394 [29 USC 2201]

Each state receives federal funding in order to promote awareness and access to AT

Chafee Amendment

Copyright Law Amendment, 1996: PL 104-197

How individuals with print disabilities can access printed materials

Additional Resources
AT Assessment

This course provides information related to various options for AT assessments. Please click the links below for more information. 

Assessing Student’s Needs for Assistive Technology (ASNAT)
This is a free resource is available through Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative (WATI). The assessment is very thorough with key areas to consider for assistive technology.

SETT Framework
The SETT Framework is a four part model intended to promote collaborative decision-making in all phases of assistive technology service design and delivery from consideration through implementation and evaluation of effectiveness. SETT is an acronym for Student, Environments, Tasks, and Tools.

 

Protocol for Accommodations in Reading
This free diagnostic tool can help determine if a student struggling with reading may benefit from having text read aloud or use an electronic text reader.

TAM Publications
The Technology and Media Division (TAM) of the Council for Exceptional Children offers various products that can be purchased to assist in AT decision making including Assistive Technology Fans and Quick Wheel.

ATEval2Go iPad App

ATEval2Go constructs a cumulative, editable report which can be exported, e-mailed or printed. Saving of data within the app allows a user to manage, maintain, and draw upon past reports as necessary.

ATEval2Go incorporates frequently-used assistive technology evaluation tools such as Joy Zabala’s SETT Framework, the Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative Assessment, the Council for Exceptional Children’s Assistive Technology Consideration Wheel, the Virginia Assistive Technology Resource Guide, as well as author Christopher Bugaj’s over 12 years of experience conducting evaluations.

ALS, Voice Banking and Speech Amplification

Voice Banking is a process individuals who are losing their voice “bank” words and phrases by recording them using a computer. For individuals who have lost their voice, relatives or friends with similar voice qualities can be used for voice banking.

Individuals with ALS benefit greatly from voice banking, but it is important to begin as soon as possible because it is hard to determine how long the voice will remain strong and intelligible.

 

 

Introduction to Voice Banking
In this lesson, you will learn what voice banking is: a process for recording words and phrases.

 

Microsoft Sound Recorder
In this lesson of the Voice Banking Module, you will learn how to use the Microsoft Sound Recorder.

 

Audacity
This lesson will guide you how to use Audacity, a free sound editing software. It is taught by Laura Parks, Assistive Technology Specialist for TASC.

 

ModelTalker 

This Software pairs perfectly with Therapy Box’s apps: Predictable and ChatAble. It also works with Windows/ Andriod based SGD

 

Augmentative and Alternative Communication

 

Speech Amplification

  • Portable PA System – This device would be great to attach to the front of your wheelchair (using industrial velcro)
  • Portable PA Sytems – Comes in different colors and a strap for around your neck

 

Apps for Communication 

  • Predictable
    • type a message using the intelligent word prediction, which learns their pattern of use, making prediction even faster. Use Nuance voices, record your own voice saying familiar phrases or use your voice banked ModelTalker voice.
    • $159.99 iPhone and iPad
    • Predictable iTunes Link
    • Predictable User Guide
  • Verbally
    • Verbally is an easy-to-use, comprehensive Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) app for the iPad. Verbally brings speech to those without and enables real conversation with its simple, intuitive design. Just tap in what you want to say and Verbally speaks for you.
    • Free or Full Version for $99.99 iPad only
    • Verbally on iTunes
  • urVoice
    • urVoice is an easy-to-use, highly customizable, affordable text-to-speech solution. You type it – urVoice speaks it or you can save it as a Quick Phrase to be used later (you can even include a picture)
    • Free Full Version for $4.99 iPhone and iPad
    • urVoice iTunes Link
  • CommunicAide
    • CommunicAide offers the largest selection of real photographs and real human voices to date for nearly any situation, as well as the ability to import your own photographs for a truly customizable experience
    • $69.99 iPad only
    • CommunicAide iTunes Link
Cyber Bullying

What is Cyberbullying and how should we deal with it? This webinar by David Lang answers those questions and more. You will be provided with resources on how to cope with cyber bullying and how you should react.

Presented by David Lang of Glenwood, Inc and the Huntsville Public Library
on September 4, 2015

If video is blurry, click the settings icon and change quality to 720p HD.

Apple Accessibility and iAccess

This module will review the accessibility features for Apple products (Mac Computers, iPads, iPods, iPhones, Apple Watches and more).

Accessibility and the iPad

The following videos will review the Accessibility features that are already programmed into the iPad. Please check the publishing dates on the videos as features may change in the future. 

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iAccessibility

There are a lot of wonderful features on Apple and iDevices that we are unaware of. Did you know that you can use your iPad with just one  switch? Are you aware that you type in braille directly on your iPad? Most people are unaware of these features. Watch the following videos and click the links below for more information

The following video is a general overview of the accessibility features in iProducts such as the iPad and iPhone. We briefly review all the categories in accessibility such as hearing, vision, motor accessibility, and guided access.

Presented by Kate Mosely, AT Specialist
on August 18, 2015

If the video is blurry, click the settings icon and change quality to 720p HD.

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Voice Over

The following video is about Voice Over for Apple products. How to turn it off and on and use all of Voice Over’s features!

Presented by Kate Moseley, AT Specialist
on August 10, 2015

If the video is blurry, click the settings icon and change quality to 720p HD.

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Switch Access

The following video is about Switch Access on the iPad. We review the settings of Switch Access, three different types of switches, and how to hook up a switch to an iPad.

Presented by Kate Moseley, AT Specialist
on July 29, 2015

If the video is blurry, click the settings icon and change quality to 720p HD.

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iAccess

The following video will teach about Alternative styluses, mounts, and switch access can help make the iPad more accessible.

Presented by Laura Parks, M.Ed., AT Specialist
on September 11, 2014

If the video is blurry, click the settings icon and change quality to 720p HD.

Related Links:

Low-Tech Solutions for Easy Access 

The following Videos will inform you about low-tech solutions to make the iPad more accessible. These videos are presented by Laura Parks, M.Ed., At Specialist

How to Make an iPad Stylus

How to Make a Home Button Stopper

Sticky Situation iPad Sleeve

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