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Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is a service of the U. S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy. Available at http://www.jan.wvu.edu , JAN offers free and effective advice on providing job accommodations. Your Resource for Workplace Productivity Enhancements and Reasonable Accommodations Solutions.
JAN has a searchable online accommodation resource called SOAR that contains many a wide array of accommodations for almost every kind of job and every kind of disability. Visit JAN at http://www.jan.wvu.edu/soar/index.htm.
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Communication
Assistive technology that can help.
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Assistive technology that can help:
Helpful Tips:
A number of helpful software programs that improve options for learning and computer access can be demonstrated at the ICAN AT4ALL Clearinghouse--just contact us. Here are some of the software programs available:
- Kurzweil software scans printed text then reads the text aloud. It also reads typed words aloud. There are several versions of this software which offer a variety of features.
- Inspiration software maps ideas in the form of an organizational diagram.
- Dragon Naturally Speaking - This speech recognition software allows users to control the PC using voice commands and to dictate documents into various word processing programs.
- Zoom Text - Enlarges a specified area of the computer's display.
- Jaws - Screen reading software the uses speech synthesis to read the contents of the display window.
- Portable Video Magnifier – A small monitor with direct input from a camera. Items placed in front of the camera’s view are magnified and displayed on the monitor.
- Headgaze technology allows a person who cannot use their hands to access a computer through a laser light controlled by head movements.
- Voice Activated Software, like Dragon Naturally Speaking, allows the user to control the computer through speech commands.
- Adaptive Keyboards: ICAN AT4ALL has a wide range of adapted keyboards, from ergonomically designed keyboards to those with unique coloring for people with visual impairments, larger keys for those with fine motor issues, and even a keyboard that is split in two that can be operated by each hand independently.
- Adaptive Mice: There are also a variety of mice and joysticks that offer options to computer access.
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Ergonomic Solutions for the Office Ergonomics is the relationship between machines and the people who use them, taking into account characteristics of users like size, strength, speed, visual acuity, and physiological stresses, such as fatigue, speed of decision making, and demands on memory and perception. Nowadays, there is more of an effort to create devices that ergonomically correct, or more easily and efficiently used. In operating a computer, a variety of issues come into play from the chair in which a user sits to the computer itself. Computer issues include wrist/arm supports, the position of the monitor, the position of the keyboard, the type and position of the mouse used. Chair issues include aspects like chair attributes, back and arm supports, the sitting position, chair height, footrests and head/neck support. Even lighting has an impact as it can glare on the computer screen and cause difficulty seeing and eye strain.
Ergonomic Solutions from ICAN: ICAN AT4ALL offers assistance in ergonomic design and devices for the office. Ergonomic Guidelines for Computer Workstations: Cornell University provides Ergonomic Guidelines for arranging a computer Workstation. http://ergo.human.cornell.edu/ergoguide.html.
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Assistive technology that can help: Helpful Tips:
- There is a wide range of pens and pencils readily available to the public. Those with fatter bodies may be easier to hold and manipulate.
- Those with casing that is non-slippery may be easier and more comfortable to grip.
- It may be helpful to try different ways to hold pens and pencils. For instance, placing the pen between the first and second fingers and using those fingers to guide while writing may be helpful for those who have pain or control issues with the thumb.
- A non-skid mat can be put under writing pads to make it easier to keep the pad steady while writing.
- Grippers can be fit over the hand and a writing tool inserted into the gripper so writing can occur with the sweep of the entire hand rather than the fingers.
- Electronic note taking devices record lecture notes, meetings, memos and other types of information in files that can save on a computer.
- Voice activated, dictating software, like Dragon Naturally Speaking enables the user to dictate or speak instead of write and the computer software translates the speech into written text. These programs are available to the public and vary in features and cost but most allow the user to add some words to those provided in the program's memory.
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Organizing the Office Assistive technology that can be helpful:
Helpful Tips: - Keep things you use most often in easy to reach areas.
- Use pencil holders for a variety of things--rulers, letter openers, scissors, etc rather than putting them in drawers.
- A book holder is helpful if you need to have reference materials available.
- Foam tubing can help improve the grip of pens and pencils.
- Opening drawers and even some file cabinets is easier with a drawer pull
- Key turners can make unlocking doors or file cabinets easier.
- Folding tables offer the option for additional desk space and can easily be raised on risers or blocks of wood.
- Place office equipment in areas that are easy to reach.
- Keep the pathway to the desk clear of clutter or furniture.
- A small refrigerator in the office can save energy and time going to and from break areas, though breaks also offer important time to network with coworkers.
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