Access Features and Apps as AT to Support Successful ...



Access Features and Apps as AT to Support Successful EmploymentIn this presentation we will discuss various assistive technologies (AT) to help individuals with disabilities in the workplace environment and gain awareness of the innovative AT that exists to support individuals with disabilities. We will focus on “Apps” as Assistive Technology that can work with mobile technology that people can keep in their pockets or wear.John BrandtJohn has his master’s degree in school psychology is currently the Training/Operations Coordinator at the Maine CITE Coordinating Center, Maine's Assistive Technology (AT) Act program. WelcomeGoalsReview accessibility features of mobile devices.Review “Apps as Assistive Technology (AT).”How to “review” and evaluate apps and AT.Where to find more training and resources.Maine CITEMaine’s State AT Act Program - Created/funded thru Federal AT Act.Promotes AT through Information, Education, Technical Assistance, Services.Collaborate with many Maine AT providers, organizations, and policy makers.Visit our website - - forWebinars/trainingApps as ATFunding infoAT ProvidersMaine CITE MissionTo improve access & acquisition of AT by people of all ages, all disabilities, in: EducationEmploymentCommunity Living Information Tech & Telecommunications Maine CITE Demonstration and Loan ProgramAT Demo & Loan service providers:Pine Tree SocietySpurwink-ALLTECHCARES IncUM Farmington – Spenciner Center/LibraryEach has an AT Device Inventory – all link to Trends and Changes in ATMove away from AT Devices sold by AT companies and DME vendors.Move toward integrating features into “everyday” technologies.Move toward “personal” technology (i.e., wearable, customizable).“Smaller is better.” “There’s an app for that…”Innovations in Everyday TechnologySmart Home technologyWearable technologyArtificial Intelligence (AI)Robots and Autonomous TechnologyVirtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)There’s an App for That!Accessibility Features ReferencesApple iOS Accessibility - accessibility/MS-Windows Accessibility - en-us/accessibility/windowsMicrosoft Accessibility - en-us/accessibilityGoogle Products Accessibility Features - accessibility/products-features/There are similar access features in all OS and devices, however many are “apps” that need to be installed. Hardware (HW) and software (SW) developers are beginning to see some marketing advantages to these and are following Apple in making strides to add these as features to their operating systems. Notably, Microsoft has made tremendous progress in HW and SW develop in recent years. Hopefully this trend will continue.Similarly, one of the more exciting realities of the AT world are the number of general consumer electronic products (a.k.a. – “everyday electronics) that either have access features or are creatively being used to assist people with disabilities. Example, the Amazon Echo products have pushed home automation and “smart home” technology greatly in the last few years making many devices and services affordable to all. As the lines between the web, the internet and the Internet of Things (IoT) get more and more blurred, this trend will continue and advance greatly. Features by categorySupporting people with low vision and blindness.Supporting people with hearing impairment and deafness.Supporting people with mobility and motor needs.Supporting people with cognitive needs.Supporting people with behavioral needs.AT Supporting people with low vision and blindness.The most obvious group since so much of digital content is adversely affected by limitations of the sense of vision. Screen reader AT – software installed on digital devices or “burned into” the operating system that allows users with low vision or blindness to:Converts digital content to speech (text-to-speech)Provides a robust means for navigating within, between and among digital documentsProvides a feedback system that allows the user to know where they are and how to proceed.Magnification and Zoom – enlarges visual content selectively or in total. Magnification – uses the built-in optical system (e.g., camera) to enlarge and enhance things in the real world (e.g., medicine bottles, labels, fine print). Can be used with built-in lights. Has the function of “freezing” and focusing on the image to make it easier to see.Zoom – enlarges digital visual content on the device. Can be used selectively, focusing on part of the screen or enlarges all of the content on the screenDisplay and Text Size – changes settings to make text on all screens larger and/or bolder. Improves the size and shape of buttons. Adds “labels” to some content. Reduces transparency and improves some “figure/ground” contrast.Color conversion/inversion/contrast – changes that move from color to monochrome. Changes that allow user to change foreground and background colors of fonts/text and images. Good for folks with color blindness.Brightness and Dark Modes – changes the overall brightness of the screen, reduces “white point” i.e., the intensity of bright colors. Light/Dark mode changes the amount of whiteness of all screens (when programmed as such in various apps) and/or can be activated by time of day.Audio Description – (aka, video description, narration, description) – controls the use of this feature in video content where this has been provided. Stay tuned!AT Supporting people with hearing impairment and deafness.Captions and Transcripts (are accommodations and may or may not be used with AT)All web-based video or animation digital content (live or recorded) that has spoken language must be captioned.Note: Closed captions require a video “player” that can serve up this feature.Open captions (which are embedded in the video medium) do not require a special video player, but also reduce the amount of control the user has.All web-based, audio-only digital content must be provided with a written transcript.AT Supporting people with mobility and motor needs.Switch Technology – specialized binary hardware that when used with various kinds of software or burned in accessibility tools, allows a user with limited mobility to:Control, navigate, activate, access, create/enter, manipulate, and/or transform digital content. Takes the place of, or supplements keyboards, mice and other pointing devices.May require additional hardware.*Voice Command/Control – specialized software or burned in accessibility system that allows the user to control a digital device.Apple latest operating systems (Mac, iPad, iOS) have included Voice Command/Control into the OS removing the need for additional applications and hardware. System is able to differentiate between command/control and dictation (see below)Dictation – speech-to-text feature where spoken words are converted into digital text. Increasingly found, in some form, in the operating systems of all major hardware devices. Specialize software provides enhancements and qualitative improvements (additional languages recognized, specialize vocabulary). Dictation needs to differentiate between command/control. Increasing these systems are able to do this from “natural speech.”Most Dictation software is able to provide assistance with spelling, grammar and punctuation.Dictation software may provide “word prediction” functions.*Eye Gaze or eye tracking - is a way of accessing your computer or communication aid using a mouse that you control with your eyes.Usually requires additional hardware.AT Supporting people with cognitive needs.“Speak on Touch” – will read the content that you touch on your screen.Reduce motion - removes animations that could cause problems for those with motion sensitivity.Built-in Apps and hardwareCalendarClock/Timer/AlarmReminders/”to do” listCamera/PhotosCalculatorNotesMapSupporting people with behavioral needs.To some extent, the features for people with cognitive impairments may assist people with behavioral needs. See more supports below in Software and AppsAT HardwareAlternative keyboardsRefreshable Braille display (with or without note-taking)Alternative pointing devicesSpecialized monitors and enlargement (CCTV) Specialize or adapted office furniture, including standing desksSpecialized controls for equipmentSpecialized tools or adaptationsSpecial Software and Apps as Assistive TechnologyNote: Different operating systems/devices (tablets, phones, desktops, laptops, Google Chromebooks). Christine Martin List of Apps from Webinar: Using Smart Mobile Devices to Build Independence found at: for IndependenceChristine Martin, MS, OTR/L, CBIS- Rehab Without Walls02/01/2019Apps for Cognitive ChallengesAppPlatformCostUseCan PlaniOSiPhone or iPad onlyFreeTask sequencing appStep by step instructions for almost any taskSchedule tasks & set remindersUseful at home, work or communityAny.DoiOS AndroidFree-$2.99/ monthAll in one to-do list, planner, reminder AppOrganize tasks, lists assignments in one appSyncs between multiple devices and/ or peopleReminders at set times or locations (*location reminders= premium feature)Any ListiOS AndroidFree$7.99/ yearCreate organized/ categorized listsAutomatically sorts food items into categories(i.e. Dairy, Bakery, Deli)Specify quantity, name/brand, price or assign stores (*price & store assignment upgraded feature)Create and sort recipes and create meal planCreate your own custom listsEasily “check” items off and re-add to lists as neededRemember The MilkiOS AndroidFree$39.99/ yearTo-do List app“Inbox” just like an email but lists your to-dosCan set specific times for tasks with reminders and locationIFTTTiOS AndroidFree“If This Then That”Syncs multiple devices & apps to create reminders or actions. Create “Applets”Examples:Send text message every time I get homeSend reminder to clock in every time I get to work; reminder to clock out every time I leave workReceive reminder based on weather (i.e.notification reminder to wear sunscreen when the UV index is high)EvernoteiOS AndroidFree-$7.99/ monthNotetakingInput typed notes or scan handwritten notesBold, italicize, highlight, add color to any noteAdd to-do’s, photos, images, web pages, or voice memos to any note. Add check marks ornumbers to list to better organizeSearch and organize notes easilySyncs to all devices & share notes with othersPill Reminder- All inOneiOSFree-$1.99Medication remindersSet recurring reminders for medication times(4x/ week, every day at 8am)Track remaining quantity with refill remindersReminders for medical appointmentsCan incorporate PRN medicationsEmail reports to physician*Full version has unlimited reminders, no Ads and syncs to all devicesMapsiOS AndroidFreeTurn by turn directions-Can select walking or transitTransitiOS AndroidFreeUse current location/ local addresses to track and access public transportation-Also have option through App to access Lyft or UberNotesiOSFreeVery versatile note-taking app that is built in!Can be used to document ideas/ thoughts, reminders, listsNotes can be shared, pictures/ videos can be insertedApps for Anxiety Management/ Emotional HealthAppPlatformCostUseCalmiOS AndroidFree$69.99 annualRelaxation AppGuides you through breathing exercisesGuided meditation exercisesCalm Body= stretches to relax bodyHeadspaceiOS AndroidFree-$399.99*Relaxation AppGuided meditation, can set reminder for specific timeSelect specific exercises to focus on falling asleep & waking up, personal growth, work & productivity, life challenges, movement & support, physical health, day to day exercises, students*$12.99 monthly; $94.99/ year; $399.99- lifetimeSimply BeingiOS* Android*iPhone, iPad only$1.99Guided meditation-option to listen to the guided meditation alone or with music or nature soundsStop, Breathe & ThinkiOS* Android*iPhone, iPad onlyFree-$9.99/ month; $58.99/ yearRelaxation AppMakes recommendations based on how currently feelingRecommendations may include gratitude session, mindful walk, specific type of meditation (joy, compassion, body scan)Breath2RelaxiOS AndroidFreeAnxiety & stress managementFocus on breathing exercisesCan be used with AppleWatch to track heart rate during breathing exercisesApps for Physical Challenges (vision, mobility)AppPlatformCostUsesWheelmapiOS* Android*iPhone, iPad onlyFreeMap of wheelchair accessible placesFind, mark & add accessible (or non accessible) public places on a map.Upload images and add specific information about placesBe My EyesiOS AndroidFreeApps for Communication*Refer to AAC specialist for specific recommendationsTouch ChatiOS-iPhone & iPad only$10.00-$300.003 different levels/ versions each with more featuresLite- $10.00 (*non-communicative, practiceinterface)HD (AAC with Word PowerSpeak4MeiOS* Android*iPhone/ iPad onlyFreeType phrases in and the phone/ iPad will speak for you-Several languages availableProloquo2GoiOS$250.00Symbol based communication AppFully customizableAvailable on Apple WatchAppPlatformCostUsesGo Talk NowiOSiPhone, iPad onlyFree-$220.00Communication app for iPad-Several versions, each level more complicated & higher cost o GoTalk Now LITE- Free (up to 3 comm pages)GoTalk Now- $80.00 (up to 5 comm pages)GoTalk Now- $150.00Current and Future Trends in Assistive TechnologyJohn Brandt’s list from Trends and Innovations in Assistive TechnologyAcademic SkillsReadingBookshare, - cms/Learning Ally - Writing and Written ExpressionDictationBook Creator /Flipgrid info.Word Prediction – in most text editors/OS100+ Best Apps for Autism {and other Learning Disabled Students} apps-for-autism/Hillary Helps U Learn: Apps and Extensions to support Dyslexia and other Reading Challenges.AT for Other StuffNoise Cancelling headphonesLighting & Music to calmMed ManagementHow do I know what’s good?Reviewing technologyLooking at consumer feedback from multiple sourcesRead product reviews from multiple sourcesSeek input in user groups and on-line listsUse Apps as AT on Maine CITE apps-as-assistive-technology-at/Lists of ListsLists of ArticlesResourcesMaine CITE website – Apps as AT Webinars (we can add you to the mailing list!) on Employment & Accessible Technology (PEAT) Employment resources: Voice Control on Mac and iOS — Apple - youJohn BrandtMaine info@ ................
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