Assistive Technology - Tools and Applications 1
Overview
This overview of the range of AT devices illustrates the variety of options available. Within the scope of a guide such as this, it is impossible to give a description of everything that is available and new products are constantly appearing. For those examining this section as a potential source of advice on technology for specific individuals, it must be stressed that the success of the technology may be related to a variety of factors that are examined in "Factors to Consider", and this might therefore be referred to.
In discussing AT options, it may help to consider the task that the pupil will be trying to perform, and how he or she may be limited in this regard. When performing computer-related functions, four basic tasks are performed that may have to be replicated by AT. Firstly, one can input data for the computer to process. This, for example, might be done through a keyboard. Secondly, one can target symbols that represent commands. Placing the mouse cursor over the printer symbol is an example of his. Thirdly, the computer can be issued a command to perform a task, usually by clicking the mouse or 'enter' buttons. Finally, the computer provides output, or the results of its processing activity.
The following are some of the options available in relation to these functions
Input Options
- Keyboard
- Mouse
- Switch and Scanner
- Voice Recognition
- Optical pointing devices
- Pointing aids
- Scanners and optical character recognition (OCR)
- Touch Monitor
Command Options
- Mouse-click
- Switch
- Touch-Monitor
- Voice
Target Options
- On-screen Keyboard
- Screen-scan or grids
- Touch Monitor
Output Options
- Braille
- Paper
- Monitor display
- Screen readers
- Speech Synthesisers