Access through Adaptive Computer Technology and Website Design

October 28, 2004 - Ministers Conference at Carbondale - The Delicate Art of Pastoring - Adaptive Technology Awareness

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 28, 2004 presentation is an update of adaptive computer technology that will be given as an instructional opportunity scheduled to run from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the SIUC Student Center Video Lounge. At one hour long, it will be a cursory introduction to the general issues persons with disabilities face on a day to day basis as well as the types of technology we employ and the concerns about equal access to information that dictate our work here at SIUC-DSS. Goals for this presentation are as follows:

• Make the general populace aware of various disabilities and the issues (personal, societal, environmental, etc..) that are commonly attached to the disabilities
• Expose the 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
• Inform people of our country and state's legislative push towards accessibility of new technologies

Technologies Covered

• 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