A Broadening Participation in Computing Alliance - Speech

Equal Access to Software and Information (EASI)

FeedsImporter — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 01:25:01 +0000

Equal Access to Software and Information (EASI Access)

Offers online training on accessible information technology for persons with disabilities.

What is a speech impairment?

FeedsImporter — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 19:03:57 +0000

A speech impairment refers to an impaired ability to produce speech sounds and may range from mild to severe. It may include an articulation disorder, characterized by omissions or distortions of speech sounds; a fluency disorder, characterized by atypical flow, rhythm, and/or repetitions of sounds; or a voice disorder, characterized by abnormal pitch, volume, resonance, vocal quality, or duration.

The American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) has published its official definitions in Definitions of Communication Disorders and Variations.

Additional information is available from Speech and Language Impairments hosted by the Center for Parent Information and Resources.

Disability Awareness 101: A Case Study on Students with Disabilities and College Admissions Offices Staff

FeedsImporter — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 19:03:57 +0000

Background

My name is Amy. I have a speech impairment, although my speech is clear enough to be understood by most people. I am a high school senior, and I plan to attend a local community college after I graduate.

Access Issue

I went to the community college admissions office to get some help with my application. I was immediately referred to the college's disabled student services office.

Solution

When I arrived at the disabled student services office, I explained that I had questions about the application. The disabled student services coordinator took me back to admissions to make sure they provided me with the assistance that I requested. We explained that I was not looking for accommodations but that I simply needed an explanation about some of the information requested to complete the forms.

Conclusion

This case study demonstrates the following:

Admissions office staff, as well as staff of other student services offices, need to clearly understand the role of the disabled student services office.
A student with a disability may not need accommodations; often their questions are the same as those that might be asked by other students.
Front-line personnel need to be trained to meet the needs of students with disabilities and understand when referrals to disabled student services should be made for disability-related accommodations.

Equal Access to Software and Information (EASI Access)

FeedsImporter — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 18:32:44 +0000

Equal Access to Software and Information (EASI Access)

Offers online training on accessible information technology for persons with disabilities.

Work-Based Learning

kcl — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 19:02:57 +0000

Work-based learning experiences can help students make career decisions, select courses of study, develop job skills, and network with potential employers. For students with disabilities, work-based learning experiences provide a unique opportunity to explore different, job-related accommodations, and to practice disclosing their disabilities and requesting accommodations from employers.

Educational institutions must make reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities in any work-based learning opportunities they offer, including internships, cooperative education, job shadowing, service learning, and independent studies. Specific accommodations will vary according to a student's needs, the job site, and the job requirements.

Some students with disabilities use the same accommodations at work that they use in school (e.g., a student in a wheelchair will need an accessible workstation). For other students, new responsibilities and environments will create new challenges that require new accommodations. For example, students with learning disabilities may need to replace the note takers and outlines they use in school with requests for written memos or recorded instructions at work.

Steps to Facilitate Work-Based Learning Experiences for Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities interested in work-based learning experiences need to

register with work-based learning programs;
participate in available orientations, seminars, workshops, and individual counseling sessions to enhance job search skills;
work with staff and disabled student services counselors to determine necessary accommodations.

Employers need to

update position announcements and notify work-based learning coordinators of new positions;
work in partnership with work-based learning centers to proactively develop strategies to encourage students with disabilities to participate;
educate their staff about disability-related issues.

Instructors need to

encourage students with disabilities to gain work experiences;
encourage employers to recruit students with disabilities for work opportunities.

Disabled student services or special education staff need to

encourage students to register and participate in work-based learning programs;
let students know how accommodations are provided in the workplace;
help work-based learning programs recruit and accommodate students with disabilities.

Consult the AccessComputing Knowledge Base

The AccessComputing Knowledge Base contains Q&As, Case Studies, and Promising Practices.

Disability:

Speech

PTSD

Psychiatric

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity

Assistive Technology

kcl — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 17:49:13 +0000

For many students with disabilities, accessing and using standard computers and electronic resources can be challenging. For example, a student with a spinal cord injury may be unable to use a standard mouse and keyboard. Access to computer-based technology involves two major issues: access to the computers themselves (see also: Computer Labs) and access to electronic resources, including word processors, spreadsheets, and websites.

Assistive hardware and software can facilitate computer access for people with disabilities. Assistive technology solutions may involve simple, readily-available adjustments, such as using built-in access devices on standard computers, or they may require unique combinations of software and hardware, such as those needed for speech or Braille output.

Computer-Related Assistive Technology for Specific Disabilities

The assistive technology and accommodations presented below are organized by disability and by computer input, output, and documentation.

Blindness

Most students who are blind can use a standard keyboard but cannot view standard screen displays or printed documents. Specialized speech and Braille output devices can translate text into synthesized speech and Braille.

Input

locator dots on the keyboard for commonly used keys

Output

screen-reader software and speech output
refreshable Braille displays, to translate screen text into Braille
Braille embossers

Documentation

electronic versions in an accessible format that can be used with screen readers and speech or Braille output devices

Low Vision

Most students with low vision can use standard keyboards. Special equipment or the use of built-in computer features can help modify screen displays and printer output for easier access.

Input

large-print key labels and home-row indicators

Output

large monitors
anti-glare screens
screen and/or text enlargement software
color and contrast adjustments
speech output systems

Documentation

electronic versions with text- and/or screen-enlargement capabilities
large-print versions

Learning Disabilities

Most students with learning disabilities can use standard computer equipment. However, specialized software and technology can help students who have difficulties with reading, writing, and organization.

Input

word processors with grammar and spell checkers
word processors with outlining and highlighting capabilities
word prediction software
phonetic spelling software, to render phonetic spelling into correctly spelled words
speech recognition products, to dictate assignments and navigate the Internet using voice commands
concept mapping software

Output

screen and/or text enlargement software

color and contrast adjustments

screen-reader software and speech output

Documentation

electronic versions with text- or screen-enlargement capabilities
large-print versions
speech output

Speech and Hearing Impairments

Most students with hearing and speech impairments can use standard computer equipment, and do not need accommodations for input or documentation.

Output

computer setting adjustments, e.g., from auditory signals to flash signals
speech output

Mobility and Orthopedic Impairments

Students with mobility impairments, including students in wheelchairs, must be able to access the computer workstation. Using the standard mouse and keyboard for input can be difficult or impossible for students with limited upper-extremity function. Generally, these students do not need accommodations for output or documentation.

Input

accessible on/off switches
flexible positioning or mounting of keyboards, monitors, etc.
software utilities that consolidate multiple keystrokes
mouth sticks, head sticks, or other pointing devices
keyguards
modified keyboards (e.g., expanded, mini, or one-handed)
trackballs or other input devices, as alternatives to the mouse
keyboard emulation with specialized switches, for scanning or Morse code input
speech input
word prediction software

Consult the AccessComputing Knowledge Base

The AccessComputing Knowledge Base contains Q&As, Case Studies, and Promising Practices.

Acknowledgment

The content of this web page was developed from Burgstahler, S. (2012). Working Together: People with Disabilities and Computer Technology. Seattle: UW.

Disability:

A Broadening Participation in Computing Alliance - Speech

Equal Access to Software and Information (EASI)

What is a speech impairment?

Disability Awareness 101: A Case Study on Students with Disabilities and College Admissions Offices Staff

Background

Access Issue

Solution

Conclusion

Equal Access to Software and Information (EASI Access)

Work-Based Learning

Steps to Facilitate Work-Based Learning Experiences for Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities interested in work-based learning experiences need to

Employers need to

Instructors need to

Disabled student services or special education staff need to

Related Links

Consult the AccessComputing Knowledge Base

Assistive Technology

Computer-Related Assistive Technology for Specific Disabilities

Blindness

Low Vision

Learning Disabilities

Speech and Hearing Impairments

Mobility and Orthopedic Impairments

Consult the AccessComputing Knowledge Base

Acknowledgment