Access through Adaptive Computer Technology and Website Design

October 15, 2004 - Lake Forest High School - Transitional Issues Facing High School Students

Your presenter for this event is:

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.

Expected Topics of Discussion and Presented Technologies

Our October 15, 2004 presentation is an interactive discussion throughout the day on transitional issues facing high school students. Located in the resource room and targeted toward the high school students, the day long activity will expose students with disabilities with issues facing them as they matriculate toward post secondary education. Goals for this presentation are as follows:

• Instill the concept that self advocacy is needed in post secondary
• 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