Physical Access to the Adapted Computer Workstation

                                          The Adapted Computer Workstation

Students access the computer through a variety of means.  Many students can use a mouse and a QWERTY keyboard to input their information, however,  young learners with visual impairments may need special accommodations to access the computer.

These include:

Adapted Keyboards:  Use of alternative keyboards such as the “Intellikeys” keyboard made by Intellitools.  This keyboard allows the user to access a software program by creating custom made overlays that correlate to the program.  These overlays can be used to enlarge print, add Braille, decrease visual clutter, improve physical access by giving a larger target, and adding tactile enhancements.

Keyboard Stickers:    Adding stickers to your keyboard is an easy and affordable accommodation.  These stickers come in a variety of contrasting colors with enlarged print and/or Braille.  You can view different samples at http://aramedia.com/kbslargeprintdir.htm

Switch:  Many students use a single target to access the computer.  These may include single switches connected to the computer through a switch interface or through an intellikey’s keyboard.  Switches can be mounted and access through various positions and varies body parts. 

Touch Screen: The direct access provided by the Touch Screen has benefited many people with visual impairments by allowing them to use a computer for the first time. Interaction with "point and click" software is greatly simplified. The user does not have to search for the pointer on the screen, find the mouse and then move the pointer without losing track of it. Instead they just touch the screen.

This station consists of a large monitor with a built in touch screen, located on an adjustable crank table to raise and lower to meet students physical needs, single switches,  speakers. 

*** Note ***  Students with visual impairments that access the computer with a single switch should always be offered some type of tactile representation to label the program they are using, just as sighted peers select which program they would like to use by looking at the cd covers.  If a symbol is placed on the switch then the student can gain input as to which program they are using instead of a blank plastic surface.  If the symbol is distracting to the student place it near the switch instead of on the switch so student can refer to it as needed.

Example of Texture Symbol on Switch to represent the "Chika, Chika Boom, Boom" tree.