Assistive Technology and Disability Resources Links:
This Links section highlights information about disabilities, awareness, advocacy, and assistive technology products and resources. The notations help to make the search engine in atarizona.com work efficiently in finding helpful websites. You may also use the "find" feature in your brower to search the Links page for your topic of interest. Note that all links open in a new browser window.
http://www.abilitynet.org.uk/athome_skillsheets
- - Download skillsheets for many accessibility features, instructions, diagrams and tutorials from abilitynet.org in the UK. Downloads available in PDF and in WORD.
AbilityNet
- - AbilityNet is a national charity helping disabled adults and children use computers and the internet by adapting and adjusting their technology.
TechDis (JISC)
- - JISC TechDis (TechDis) aims to be the leading educational advisory service, working across the UK, in the fields of accessibility and inclusion. This webpage has downloads useful for making computers accessible.
Assistive Technology Exchange (ATEX)
- - Assistive Technology Exchange (ATEX) is an online forum for individuals to donate, buy, sell or post a need for a piece of Assistive Technology (AT).
http://www4.nau.edu/ihd/AzTAP/AzTAP_About.asp
- - Arizona Technology Assistance Program, to promote awareness of, access to and acquisition of assistive technology for persons with disabilities. Services include equipment demonstrations, short-term equipment loans, equipment reutilization, alternative financing, public awareness, training and technical assistance including transition services, and interagency coordination/collaboration.
http://www4.nau.edu/ihd/AT/ATCenter_what.asp
- - What is Assistive Technology, NAU webpage, with links to Loan Program, AzTEDP Telecommunication Equipment Distribution Program, AAC Program, and AT evaluations.
http://www.vrate.org
- - VRATE - Vision Rehabilitation and Technology Expo, held annually in the Phoenix, Arizona area.
http://www.acdhh.org
- - Arizona Commission for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (ACDHH)
http://www4.nau.edu/ihd/
- - Institute for Human Development, a disability research and training program located on the campus of Northern Arizona University
http://www.azatexchange.org/home.php
- - Arizona Assistive Technology Exchange, referral source for getting used AT, adapted equipment and durable medical equipment (DME)
http://www.azlat.net/
- - Arizona Loans for Assistive Techology (AzLAT). Arizona Loan$ for Assistive Technology is an alternative financing program designed to assist individuals with disabilities to borrow money at affordable rates for the purchase of assistive technology.
Arizona Providers and Agencies
Note: These links AND those in the State of Arizona Providers section provide a comprehensive listing of disability information, referral and resources for Arizona.
http://www.abil.org
- - Arizona Bridge to Independent Living, in Phoenix, AZ
http://www.flaghouse.com/
- - FlagHouse.com products, supplier of physical education equipment and resources for health and special education, sports and recreation, sensory integration, and special needs.
http://www.resna.org/
- - RESNA, Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America.
http://assistivetech.net
- - "National Public Website on Assistive Technology". Over 20,000 products listed, browse by function, activity or vendor.
http://www.aacinstitute.org/
- - AAC Institute, not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to the most effective
communication for people who rely on augmentative and alternative communication (AAC).
http://depts.washington.edu/enables/
- - AT / AAC enABLES web page. Demonstrating how Assistive Technology (AT) and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)enABLE individuals with disabilities to participate in all aspects of life
http://aac-rerc.com/a>
- - AAC-RERC Spread the Word website, with resources for users of AAC.
http://www.isaac-online.org/select_language.htmla>
- - "Select language" webpage for ISAAC, a website for the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication. This shows an online resource where visitors may choose their language preference, whether standard English, Bliss symbols, or other picture symbols.
http://www.google.com/goog411/
- - Google's Free 4-1-1- Telephone Directory Service. A toll-free call to this number (1-800-466-4411) provides a voice-activated menu for callers to speak the name of a business, with the city and state, and then provides an audio and text result or multiple results. The caller may say the number of the selection offered and the service will connect the caller to the number at no charge. This helps those with many types of disabilities, from vision impairment to those with limited hand coordination. The text and audio results also provide the address of the business.
WYNN literacy software tool
- - By the makers of JAWS, WYNN is a "literacy software tool designed to enhance success for individuals with reading challenges and writing difficulties. WYNN was developed with the help of special educators and individuals with learning difficulties such as dyslexia, dysgraphia and aphasia."
Picture Planner software
- - Picture Planner is an "icon-based personal organizer: Customizable, cognitively accessible scheduling software. This is a task and personal planner program for those who work with clients who are mentally challenged. Find out how it is used in schools and independent living settings on the Learn More link: http://www.cognitopia.com/learn.html
http://www.eeoc.gov/policy/docs/psych.html
- - EEOC Enforcement Guidance on the Americans with Disabilities Act and Psychiatric Disabilities. This is a comprehensive document that answers many questions about a wide range of conditions and issues in the workplace environment.
http://www.abilityhub.com/cognitive/index.htm
- - Cognitive disabilities reminders, prompts and cues at specified times or under specified conditions. Definition of cognitive disability. The Center on Human Policy at Syracuse University defines cognitive disability as: a disability that impacts and individual's ability to access, process, or remember information."
dyspraxiafoundation.org
- - What is Dyspraxia? Details about a particular LD condition that may affect up to 10% of the population. This is new to LD in general knowledge and may be confused with other disabilities. Dyspraxia affects the planning of what to do and how to do it. It is associated with problems of perception, language and thought.
http://www.seeingmachines.com/
- - Eye and Head-tracking systems from faceLAB. Head and face tracking, eye, eyelid and gaze tracking for human subjects within a 3-dimensional volume using a completely non-contact, video-based sensor.
http://ahf-net.com
- - REACH Interface Author: on-screen keyboards and other assistive technology products. Applied Human Factors is a company that provides software for a unique series of customizable on-screen keyboards.
http://www.facilitiesnet.com/news/article2.asp?id=2420
- - FacilitiesNet : Study Finds Ergonomic Workspace Reduces Arthritis Disability Claims. Facility Management journal study on savings of work productivity on making office space ergonomic improvements
http://www.cfids.org/cfidslink/2008/060404.asp
- - CFIDS (Chronic Fatigue and Immune Sysfunction Association of America) has an online resource for chronic fatigue syndrome and immune deficiency syndrome. This resource has links for three downloadable articles about sleep disorders. These issues are important for understanding in the workplace as well as for general lifestyle concerns.
http://www.cfids.org/about-cfids/default.aspm
- - "Chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS), also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and by other names, is a complex and debilitating chronic illness that affects the brain and multiple body systems." This webpage has detailed information about CFIDS, its symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, important research findings and how it affects the lives of those who live with it everyday.
http://www.know-the-ada.com/
- - Know the ADA, a website of general information on the Americans with Disabilities Act
http://www.southwestada.org/
- - The DBTAC Southwest ADA Center, a website of general information on the Americans with Disabilities Act. This is one of ten regional Disabiity and Business Technical Assistance Centers (DBTACs) funded by the National Institue of Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR).
http://www.onestops.info/
- - OneStops.info for One-Stop Centers, a wealth of information for job-seekers
http://www.icdi.wvu.edu/
- - ICDI (International Center for Disability Information), projects inlude JAN (Job Accommodation Network) and ICDI Disability Date Tables, and Project Save EV-AC, EVacuation and ACcommodation of People with Disabilities, funded by the US Department of Education, National Institue on Disability Rehabilitation and Research.
http://evac.icdi.wvu.edu/
- - Project Safe EV-AC, a three year development project to improve evacuation from buildings, vehicles, and other settings during emergencies by roviding training materials on the EVacuation and ACcommodation of people with disabilities. Project Safe EV-AC is targeting specific audiences, including people with disabilities and emergency responders. Brochure is available for download.
http://www.Youreable.com
- - Youreable.com is a community of members from the UK and Worldwide, with discussion forums and AT information.
http://www.abilitymagazine.com/
- - Ability Magazine, online. If you are a member of an educational, military or advocacy organization you may subscribe to a free digital version of each issue.
http://codi.buffalo.edu/
- - CODI Cornucopia of Disability Information, an online resource for consumers and professionals by providing disability information in a wide variety of areas. It consists of both an Internet Directory of Disability Information and a repository of electronic disability documents, dating back to the early 1990's. Many of the documents on CODI are publically available nowhere else on the Internet. This resource is supported by the Center for Assistive Technology, University of Buffalo.
http://www.abledata.com/
- - ABLEDATA provides objective information about assistive technology products and rehabilitation equipment available from domestic and international sources.
http://www.closingthegap.com/
- - Closing the Gap is a major resource for parents and educators on information and training necessary to locate, compare, and implement assistive technology. It sponsors and annual conference and the Closing the Gap magazine.
http://diveintoaccessibility.org/
- - Dive Into Accessibility is a website for web developers ith general information on designing a more accessible website.
http://www.eeoc.gov/policy/docs/psych.html
- - EEOC Enforcement Guidance on the Americans with Disabilities Act and Psychiatric Disabilities. This document is a great way to learn about how ADA law and accomodations in the workplace are implemented in practical situations.
http://www.disabilitysecrets.com
- - Social Security Disability
Secrets, an overview of how the federal disability system works and also
provides answers to a number of questions. Very informative and many links provided.
http://codi.buffalo.edu/
- - CODI: Cornucopia of Disability Information. Archives from the early 90's on. Wide variety of links and directories, with statistical information. U of Buffalo, part of the Western New York Regional TRAID Center at the Center for Assistive Technology
http://www.icdri.org
- - International Center for Disability Resources on the Internet
http://www.notestation.com/sereneinnovationshighdefhd-60.htm
- - An example of a big button phone that is amplified with settings for volume, tone, clarity for users who are hearing impaired and also those who are Deaf and use neck-loop, tele-coil and other assistive accessories. This is a cross-disability AT device for different accessibiity needs including vision impairment and cognitive challenges.
http://www.azrelay.org/
- - Arizona Relay Service, a public service to accessible phone calls for people who are Deaf, hard of hearing or speech disabled.
http://www.interpretype.com/?page=what-is-ity
- - Interpretype an ITY commuication system using notebook PC's for text messaging, streaming video and internet telephone connections
Audio Frequency Induction Loops
- - as assistive listening tool, a room enhanced with a built-in system makes it easier for a digital hearing aid user to have enhanced hearing without using a receiver or headset. This article explaines simple systems.
Induction Loop Assistive Listening Systems,Oval Window Audio
- - An induction loop is a simple wire and amplifier device to create a sound field in any room that will work with a digital hearing aid with a telecoil to improve hearing by reducing background noise
http://www.commtechlab.msu.edu/products/asl/index.html
- - Comm Tech Lab, Michigan State University: ASL/Personal Communicator CD-ROM and ASL Web Browser Site. This product can be a great aid to educators and persons who want to communicate in ASL. From the site, "the Personal Communicator is a user friendly program that brings ASL communication capabilities to the desktop and notebook computer. With more than 2500 digital video signs and 4500 English words (plus variations on these words) the Personal Communicator can be a useful tool in communication, education, and other environments." will convert your typed English text into American Sign Language signs and Speech for learning or communication purposes." The ASL Browser provides a straightforward interface to accessing over 2500 signs."
http://tap.gallaudet.edu/tty.htm
- - TTYs and TTY Modems Gallaudet.edu, from Gallaudet University, a great resource on all use of TTY.
Pocketalker Ultra Personal Listening System
- - A pocket talker is an ALD used for personal, casual use and consists of one unit with microphone and headset handled by the user only.
http://www.scommonline.com/
- - The Ubi-Duo is a communication device that facilitates direct, unaltered face to face communic between those who are dear or hard and with those who are hearing with a wireless disvice with a keyboard and display.
http://www.signingbooks.org/animations/sign_language_animations.htm
- - Sign Language Animations and Signing Avatars. "Instead of a human person signing a story, a 3D animation (puppet, manikin, robot) is used to render the sign language on screen. This development may well have as large an impact on the ‘signing books’ field, as the development of ‘synthesised speech’ had for talking books. The objectives of ‘synthesised sign language’ can be compared to those of ‘synthesised speech’: a computer converts printed text into spoken text in real time, and without human intervention. In the case of ‘synthesised sign language’ however, the problem is more complex. It is not only a matter of converting printed text into another medium, but also into another language. The software therefore has to be a combination of translation software, and conversion software."
http://surpriseaz.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=11&clip_id=486
- - Video presentation on the City of Suprise Channel 11 television website, Disability Awareness series: watch in streaming video on Window Media Player. This topic is "Vision Impairments and Blindness". ACBVI staff are co-presenters in this overview of disability awareness for those who are blind or vision impaired, with assistive technology devices and programs demonstrated.
http://www.yourdolphin.com/productdetail.asp?id=30
- - Dolphin Guide is a menu system that "turns your computer into an easy-to-use reading system". The simple menu system makes using a computer easier for seniors and people who have cognitive challenges. A screen reader and screen magnification system helps those who are blind or have vision impairments.
http://www.yourlowvisionstore.com
- - Your Low Vision Store is the American supplier of Dolphin assitive techology and software, alons with AT products like JAWS, ZoomText, Guide, Humanware, CCTV's, etc.
http://lab.arc90.com/experiments/readability
- - Use "Readability, an online viewing application that changes a web article to be the size and style best suited for your needs. No ads other content appears on the page. You may select font size and even get an inverse, high contrast option. Read instructions to add a bookmark/favorite to your browser links and click on the icon in your taskbar to automatically view an online article in a more accessible way.
http://www.lowvisionsolutions.com/SARA_main.html
- - SARA is a Scanning and Reading Appliance that makes printed documents accessible to the blind and low vision computer user, produced by Freedom Scientific.
http://www.visual-techconnection.com/merlncls.htm
- - Merlin is a full-color, auto-focus, desktop video magnifier available at a very affordable price. Designed with the low vision user in mind, Merlin enables you to view images in vivid color, black and white, high contrast positive or high contrast negative. This product is from Enhanced Vision.
http://www.gwmicro.com/Window-Eyes/
- - Window-Eyes is a software application for the blind and visually impaired, which converts components of the Windows operating system into synthesized speech allowing for complete and total access to Windows based computer systems.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perkins_brailler
- - The Perkins Brailler is made by Howe Press and is used to write braille in a device like a "braille typewriter" with a key corresponding to each of the six dots of the braille code. By simultaneously pressing different combinations of the six keys, users can create any of the characters in the braille code.
http://adaptivetech.net/products/tiger_main.htm
- - A Tiger Embosser allows creating and embossing of braille directly from mainstream Windows® software like MS Office®, as well as from traditional braille-making software like Duxbury and Megadots.
http://www.readingmadeez.com/home.html
- - Premier Assitive and Premier Literacy provide software literacy tools, low-vision tools or tools for the blind. Portable literacy tools provide assistive tecnology on the go, software for text audio format in MP3 and 4, and for ESL (English as a Second Language) translating to and from eight different languages. Text files to audio files software includes a PDF converter.
http://www.readingmadeez.com/Products/PremierToGo.html
- - Premier to Go is a toolkit of assistive technology applications for low-vision, blind, or ESL students. Literacy tools help those with learning disabilities and cognitive challenges. The products work through a sturdy flash drive connecting to any Windows operating system with Vista or XP. You have access to the technology wherever you go—no installation required. 10 powerful and easy-to-use literacy tools, even for novice users.
http://www.blind.state.ia.us/toolbox
- - Iowa Department for the Blind “Toolbox” resource of information, videos, tutorials and links for dealing with vision loss
http://disability.workforce3one.org/
- - Workforce3 One Disability and Employment - Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (ETA)
One-Stop Toolkit.org
- - The One-Stop toolkit website, a technical assistance product developed by DTI Associates, Inc. on behalf of Work Incentive and Disability Program Navigator Grantees.
http://www.gladnet.org/
- - Gladnet - Global Applied Disability Research, Employment and Training
http://www.exceptionalnurse.com/equipment.php
- - Exceptional Nurse website, an online resource for medical professionals who have disabilities. This webpage lists accessible technology for healthcare providers. The assistive technology ranges for devices from stethyscopes for those with hearing loss, to talking calculators and reading pens. The website has many sections of interest to people with a wide range of disabilities.
https://center.wwrc.net/sphome/onestoppctech/OneStop/Overview.htm
- - State of Virginia, Rehabilitation Services website with checklists and resource information about the AT provided in One-Stop Centers in Virginia. Many links and good AT resources are available in this site.
100 Killer Web Accessibility Resources
- - Resources for online applications, downloads, tools and more, organized by categories including some unusual resources for such areas as color blindness, photosensitive epilepsy, and simulators.
4 Awesome Visual Search Engines
- - Some people find a visual search engine easier to use, with search results in a simple mind-map diagram instead of text in linear outline
Evaluating Cognitive Web Accessibility
- - Because there are more people with cognitive challenges and learning disabilities than all people with physical and sensory disabilities combinged, this online tutorial is very helpful to those who create accessible websites or re-design websites to increase access for all.
http://www.abilityhub.com/
- - computer assistive technology abilityhub for disability and disabilities. Good site with links to computer access issues and resources. Link of Interest and AbilityHub eColumn articles are worthwhile.
http://www.webaim.org/simulations/lowvision.php
- - Low Vision Disability Simulation. Similar to the learning disability simulation by the same company WebAIM (Web Accessibility in Mind) Web developers who are not visually impaired often have difficulty understanding the problems users with visual impairments face when accessing web pages that are not designed with their needs in mind. This simulation provides and opportunity for users to experience a web page as someone with a visual impairment might see it.
lighthouse.org color contrast article
- - Using Color Contrast on Webpages, by Lighthouse.org. See also the many pages this website supplies for those who are developing accessible websites. Excellent resource.
Camera on the Road, Webpage Appearance
- - What Webpages Look Like in Different Systems. This site has a comprehsive and easy-to-understand tutorial with screenshots for designing webpages with an eye to what different monitor resolution, size, and browser choice will produce for the viewer's experience.
http://www.techdis.ac.uk/index.php
--TechDis aims to be the leading educational advisory service, working across the
UK, in the fields of accessibility and inclusion. TechDis aims to enhance
provision for disabled students and staff in higher, further and specialist
education and adult and community learning, through the use of technology. TechDis is a JISC-funded service ( Joint Information Systems Committee).
http://www.pdftoword.com
- - Some people find PDF documents less than accessible, try this online application that converts your pdf document to your choice of WORD or rich text format.
http://www.w3.org/
- - World Wide Web Consortium and Web Site Accessibility Guidelines
accessibilityblog.com on low-vision and blindness/
- - Website Accessibility Blog. A great website that tracks news and tips about website accessibility. Many links and frequent updates are excellent.
Google: Accessible Search Engine Link
- - Google has an accessible search engine! Go to this link and search for accessible webpages. This is much easier to use than the regular Google search link.