Access through Adaptive Computer Technology and Website Design

October 14, 2004 - Illinois Branch of the International Dyslexia Association 18th Fall Conference "Every Child a Reader"

Drury Lane Conference Center, Oakbrook Terrace, IL

Your presenters for this event are:

Julie Cooley

Director of Special Education

Lake Forest Community High School, IL

Terese Sullivan

Special Education Transition Counselor

Stevenson High School, IL

Michael Whitney

Coordinator, Adaptive Technology and Accessible Web Design

Southern Illinois University at Carbondale

Expected Topics of Discussion and Presented Technologies

Our October 14, 2004 presentation is provided in a collaborative manner. With the focus on transition, issues such as: differences between IEP and Section 504, self advocacy skill development, college search process, as well as technological preperation. Goals for this presentation are as follows:

• Instill the concept that self advocacy is needed in post secondary
• Success vs Access legislation
• Encourage an understanding of ones own strengths and weaknesses
• Explain the importance of documentation
• Encourage contact with prospective instuditions so as to assess the school's ability to accommodate the student's specific needs
• Make the students aware of various disabilities and the issues (personal, societal, environmental, etc..) that are commonly attached to the disabilities
• Expose participants to the practices we here at SIUC-DSS employ to help enable students with disabilities in their daily lives
• Present common adaptive technologies utilized by persons with disabilities

Technologies Overviewed

• Dragon Naturally Speaking dictation system
• Read Please reading system
• Arkenstone Open Book scanning system
• Jaws screen reader
• Microsoft Screen Magnification
• Switch technologies
• Alternative mice
• Sip-N-Puff Mouse
• Microsoft On-Screen Keyboard
• Cyberlink Brainfingers Brain Actuated Technology