Check out these sites for information about special needs students and computers.

Alliance for Technology Access (http://www.atacess.org)

Dreamms for Kidds, Inc.--Assistive Technology Solutions (http://www.dreamms.org)

Ability Hub (http://www.abilityhub.com/)

Free Mac Programs to Assist People with Disabilities (http://www.at-center.com/MAC.html)

Adaptive Technology Resource Center (http://www.utoronto.ca/atrc)--adaptive technology information, great glossary

CSUDH Assistive Technology Specialist Certificate Program (http://www.csudh.edu/soe/dcc/atscp.html)

Web Accessibility Resources (http://www.csudh.edu/webdevgrp/051200_Resources.htm)

AbleNet List of Assistive Technology Links (http://www.ablenetinc.com/links.html)

Apple Disability Resources (http://www.apple.com/education/k12/disability)

IBM Special Needs Systems Home Page (http://www.ibm.com/sns/)

• List computer-related physical/educational needs of special students.
• Given a problem related to computer use, list at least two possible solutions.
• Given a problem related to computer use, describe a Macintosh program that may provide a solution.

• Fine motor movement
• Vision
• Spelling, reading, writing
• Wheelchairs

• Cerebral Palsy
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Stroke
• Arthritis
• Quadriplegia
• Central Nervous System Disorders

• Cannot use hands
• Lack of hand control
• shaking
• jerky movement
• hold keys down too long
• cannot hit correct key
• difficulty moving mouse

• Headstick/Mouthstick
• Keyboard cover
• Keyboard control
• turn off repeatability
• hold down key longer to access
• Keyboard replaces mouse
• Scanning software
• Characters displayed in grid
• Single switch chooses
• puff switch
• button switch
• key on keyboard

• Partially sighted
• Blind

• Cannot see screen
• Can see only large displays

• Speech synthesis ( computer "pronounces" text on screen)
• Large letter display

small large larger larger reallylarge

• Learning disabled
• Developmentally disabled
• mildly retarded
• moderately retarded
• Deaf

• Misspelled words
• Cannot read or low reading level
• Difficulty organizing written work

• Word processing with spell check, thesaurus, grammar check
• Speech synthesis to read screen (LD & DD)
• Pre-writing software to assist in organization of written work
• Cross-ability pairing (disabled student paired with good reader)

• Permanent disabilities
• cerebral palsy
• para/quadriplegic
• birth defects (e.g. Spina Bifida)
• Temporary orthopedic problems (e.g., broken leg)

• Access to computer lab
• Movement within lab
• Cannot get close enough to computer

• When arranging computer lab, allow access for wheelchairs
• Use computers with separate keyboards (not Apple II)
• Purchase special tables that can be raised/lowered
• Put a computer table up on blocks

• Keyboard Control Panel
• Easy Access
• CloseView
• MacinTalk

• Choose Control Panels in Apple Menu
• Choose Keyboard
• Set mouse tracking and double click speed
• Control keyboard repeatability and delay time (minimum control)

• Comes with Macintosh system
• In Special Needs folder
• Put into Extensions folder and restart

• Sticky Keys
• Slow Keys
• Mouse Keys

• Latches keys like Command and Shift
• Allows easy one-hand (or stick) use
• Activate/deactivate by pressing Shift key 5 times without moving mouse

• Controls repeatability factor for students who hold keys too long
• Can delay or turn off repeatability

• Allows numeric keypad to be used instead of mouse

• Must be in Control Panel folder
• Use Control Panels from Apple menu or...
• turn on/off Option Command O
• magnify on/off Option Command X
• Magnify up/down Option Command Up/Down arrows

• Easy speech synthesis
• Software only
• Works with HyperCard/SuperCard/SimpleText/MS Word
• Requires
• MacinTalk in System folder
• OpenStack script includes turnSpeechOn
• XCMD copied from existing stack
• Say command used to speak