By Tamar Asedo Sherman
Thanks to technology, there are many devices that can increase, maintain or improve the functional capabilities of people with spinal cord impairments, enabling us to live independently and even return to work. If you can move anything—a finger, your mouth, your eyelid or your head—you can operate a computer. Technology is progressing so fast that there are few limitations that can’t be overcome.
Think of Stephen Hawking, the world-renowned physicist, who has advanced amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). He cannot speak or move more than a couple of fingers. He uses a voice synthesizer to speak and other high-tech equipment to communicate his ideas to the world in papers, presentations, and books.
At one time, Dr. Hawking would spell words letter by letter by raising an eyebrow when an assistant pointed to the right letter on a spelling board. Then he was sent a copy of the Words+ program E Z Keysâ„¢, which enabled him to control his environment as well as producing and editing his manuscripts.
This word-prediction database holds up to 5,000 words and allows users to save thousands of phrases that can be quickly retrieved and vocalized. It is but one of the many technological innovations now available. An estimated 30 million Americans with disabilities can be helped at work, home, and school with adaptive computer technology. If you are interested in learning more, you might want to get a copy of the book, Computer Resources for People With Disabilities: A Guide to Assistive Technologies, Tools, and Resources for People of All Ages by Alliance for Technology Access, with a foreword by Stephen W. Hawking.
Anyone who has a disability that affects his or her ability to use a computer should investigate adapting the equipment. Here are some of the many adaptations already in wide use:
• Enlarged keyboard letters, which make it easier for people with impaired motor control to hit the right key
• One-handed mini-keyboards
• Sticky keys, which allow users to press a key and then release it, and then press the other key or keys without having to hold all simultaneously
• Keyguards, which are thick plastic templates that rest on a keyboard with holes that let the user with a dexterity impairment select keys without inadvertently pressing other keys simultaneously
• Switches, which allow a person to operate a computer with a blink of an eye or nod of the head
• Keyboards that can be operated with a wand in your mouth
• Sip and puff switches that activate a computer when users “sip and puff ” Morse Code through a plastic straw
• Voice recognition software, which allows a person to control a PC by speaking through a microphone headset rather than using a keyboard
• Track ball, which replaces a standard mouse and is easily controlled by finger movement alone for people with a limited range of motion
Assistive technology can be expensive for individuals. Fortunately, there are several means to afford them A relatively new federal grant program has been announced in the last couple of years to award assistive technology funding to the states through the Improving Access to Assistive Technology for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 2004. Under the law, each state receives a grant to fund an Assistive Technology Act Project (ATAP). In turn, the states provide grants to applicants for the purchase or lease of equipment, training and technical support, short-term loans of equipment, referrals for repairs and servicing of equipment, demonstration of equipment, and referrals for evaluation and assessment related to the selection and integration of appropriate assistive technology. To find out what’s available in your state, check www.ataporg.org.
Another funding source is your employer. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, employers are required to provide assistive devices and/or services as “reasonable accommodation” for someone with disability to perform the essential functions of their job.
Your employer/prospective employer won’t know what you need so you have to ask for it. To find an assistive device that will help you do your job, check out www.abledata.com, a database of more than 18,000 commercially available products from more than 3,000 manufacturers. (You can also call toll free at 800-344-5405). You can even ask ABLEDATA a question about your specific needs. Other sources of information on adaptive equipment and alternative methods for accessing computers can be found at www.abilityhub.com and www.assistivetechnologies.com , which are dedicated to helping people with disabilities compete on an equal basis with their able-bodied peers in the work place.
Tamar Asedo Sherman works as an employment specialist at UCP-Suffolk in Hauppauge, NY. She can be reached at action@unitedspinal.org
Employment Q&A: Occupational Exploration Interest Inventory
I enjoyed your article “Go Back to School” in Action, September 2006.
I am interested in finding out how to acquire “Guide for Occupational Exploration Interest Inventory” mentioned in the article. I am nearing retirement and would like another occupation, but not sure of any specific field. Thanks,
Alan
Tamar Asedo Sherman responds:
The inventory is published by JIST. You can contact the company to ask for a sample by calling toll-free 800-648-JIST, or check out www.jist.com. If you don’t have a computer at home, try your local library.
If you have a question about employment for Tamar, please send it to action@unitedspinal.org, or write to Action, United Spinal Association 75-20 Astoria Boulevard, Jackson Heights, NY 11340-1177
