Access through Adaptive Computer Technology and Website Design

June 14 - 18, 2004 - Transition Project Camp 2004

The camp provides a variety of training sessions to the project participants. A focus of the grant will be, Adaptive Technologies. This service will allow participants to determine their needs for technology as well as current level of knowledge, and then the students will receive individualized training regarding their technology assessments. Other training sessions will be offered as well. Various university departments will offer training and knowledge of study skills, campus safety, wellness issues, and an array of other campus services. Along with training sessions, there also will be social and recreational activities, which will enhance the camp participants experience of the camp to the fullest, and will increase social skills as well.

Michael Whitney

Michael Whitney heads adaptive technology and accessible web creation for Disability Support Services at SIUC and is also the coordinator of the Adaptive Computer Technology & Website Design HECA grant project. In addition to his MA in Rehabilitation, Whitney has completed training on designing universally acceptable web resources and an assistive technology applications certificate program offered by the State University of California Northridge. He will discuss and demonstrate some of the common adaptive technologies utilized by students with disabilities.

Bryan Dallas

Bryan Dallas is a Coordinator with Disability Support Services and works directly with our students and their assistive technologies needs as well as heads our text conversion department.

Expected Topics of Discussion and Presented Technologies

Michael and Bryan will work directly with the Transition students on the importance of integrated adaptive technology and how that concept goes hand in hand with accessible website design. It is scheduled to run at various times throughout the week in the Student Center. Our goals for these presentations are as follows:

• Expose the Tansition students with the issues persons with disabilities face in academia
• Work with the students with strategies utilized in the disability support field to enable a person with a disability with the means to overcome electronic barriers
• Develop an knowledge base on the importance of self-advocacy
• Identify appropriate adaptive technologies for individual students

Technologies Covered

• Dragon Naturally Speaking dictation system
• Read Please reading system
• Arkenstone Open Book scanning system
• Jaws screen reader
• Microsoft Screen Magnification
• Sip-N-Puff Mouse
• Microsoft On-Screen Keyboard
• Opera Browser
• Cyberlink Brainfingers Brain Actuated Technology
• And more....

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