Computer Equipment for Individuals with Visual,
Physical, and Cognitive Disabilities
Descriptions of Equipment
Featured During Session
Identification of Potential Funding
Sources for the Equipment
Presenters: John Moore, Assistant Director; and Roger Levy, Technology Resource Coordinator, Texas Technology Access Project
Attorney Resources: Steve Elliot, Advocacy, Inc., Texas & Jim Sheldon, National AT Advocacy Project, Buffalo, New York
I. Introduction
A. This handout briefly summarizes the specific disability or category each piece of computer hardware, software, or adaptation is designed to
address, and how that intervention helps to overcome the limitations associated with the disability.B. For each item described, we then provide a listing of the potential funding sources that may be available to pay for the item in question.
1. Keep in mind that this conference session was designed to demonstrate computer-based interventions for individuals with disabilities.
2. Since it was not designed as a legal session, we will only identify potential sources of funding, but will not provide an exhaustive
discussion of the criteria used by each funding source or the arguments available to obtain the funding.3. If you would like additional information concerning any of the funding sources identified, please contact the National AT Advocacy Project at 716-847-0650 or email Jim Sheldon (jsheldon@nls.org).
C. Some Working Definitions
1. Ergonomics - optimizing the interface between the human being and the designed objects and environments with which they interact.
2. Computer access - for a person with a disability may be achieved or enhanced by modifying the physical lay out of the work environment.
II. Computer Input
Some persons with disabilities will require alternate means for entering data into a computer. A variety of products exist that allow for alternate means of computer input.
Examples of Equipment:
A. Madentec Tracker 2000T
1. www.madentec.com/products/comaccess/tracker/about-t2k.html
2. The Tracker was developed to give mouse control to people with quadriplegia, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, ALS, carpal tunnel syndrome and any other disability where the user has little or no control of their hands to use a standard mouse.
B. Big Red Switch
1. www.ablenetinc.com ($43)
2. The Big Red Switch features a large, 5-inch activation surface, and is perfect for students who require a larger surface due to visual and motor abilities.
C. Dragon Naturally Speaking
1. www.nuance.com/naturallyspeaking ($689.00)
2. With this voice input system, the computer user enters information into the computer by speaking words and commands into a microphone.
D. Reach Interface Author
1. www.ahf-net.com/reach.htm ($329 to $689)
2. The Reach Interface Author is designed to help a person use a computer more easily and augment their speech if that is needed.
a. If you have trouble using a standard hardware keyboard but can use a mouse or other pointer, then you can use any of
the numerous typing keyboards that come with REACH.b. Also, if you can use a single switch or two switches, then you can type using one of the REACH keyboards in "scanning" mode.
E. Voyager Commander's Suite
2. This software application is designed to enhance access to computers for individuals with cognitive disabilities.
F. Discovery
1. Discovery covers the traditional Windows desktop with a simplified, uncluttered screen that can be customized to suit the unique needs of each individual in a group who may be using a single computer.
G. Reading Machines
1. There are a variety of computer based machines that scan printed text and either enlarge it or read it aloud for visually impaired persons.
III. Computer Output
There are a variety of computer applications that provide an alternative means for a person with a disability, primarily a person with a visual impairment, to receive feedback about what activity is taking place on a computer screen.
A. Examples of Equipment: A. JAWS for Windows
1. www.freedomscientific.com/fs_products/software_jaws.asp
($895.00 to $1095.00)2. For persons with blindness or low vision. With its internal software speech synthesizer and the computer's sound card, information from the screen is read aloud, providing technology to access a wide variety of information, education and job related applications. JAWS also outputs to refreshable Braille displays.
B. MAGicR
1. www.freedomscientific.com/fs_products/software_jaws.asp
($345.00-595.00)2. For persons with low vision. MAGicR combines great magnification features with true low vision screen reading when purchased with the speech option.
IV. Identification of Potential Funding Sources for the Equipment, Adaptation, or Software Application
A. Categories of Funding Sources
1. Third Party Insurance
a. Includes Medicaid, Medicare, Private Insurance
b. Also includes Medicaid waiver programs, including the
Home and Community-Based Services waiver2. Special Education and School-based Funding
a. Funding through the Individuals with Disabilities Education
Act (IDEA)(including Early Intervention program, Preschool
Program, and school-aged program)b. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
3. Vocationally-Related Funding
a. State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Agencies, under Title I
of the Rehabilitation Actb. The Ticket to Work and Self Sufficiency Program (probably
only the least expensive devices)c. The SSI Program's Plan for Achieving Self Support (PASS)
4. Anti-Discrimination Laws
a. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
(1) Title I - employment
(2) Title II - State and Local Government
(3) Title III - Place of Public Accomodation
b. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act - like the ADA but for
entities that get federal fundingc. Section 508 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act - addresses
the obligations of the federal government with regard to
electronic and information technology5. Equipment Loan Funds
a. State programs funded under the Assistive Technology Act
b. State programs funded by other means
B. Suggested Analysis for Funding Sources
1. Identify age of individual (may rule in/rule out IDEA-based funding,
VR agency funding)2. Identify where equipment/intervention will be used and for what
purpose.For example:
a. If used by 10 year old to access computers in school, this
suggests IDEA as the funding source (or, possibly section
504).b. If used by 22 year old to do college course work, suggests
either state VR agency funding or obligations under Title II of
the ADA.c. If used by adult to do work-related activity, this may fall
under obligations of employer under Title I of the ADA.3. If funding source uses needs-based criteria (e.g., Medicaid, state
VR agency for most services), must determine if individual meets
criteria.4. Will funding source identified pay for all or only part of the cost?
a. May need to think about combining two or more funding
sources.b. May need to use personal funds or loans.
5. Will ownership be an issue?
a. E.g., this is often a critical issue for transition-aged special
education students, as most states/school districts have
policies that do not allow students to take equipment
(assistive technology) with them when they graduate.b. If two or more funding sources are available, may favor the one that results in ownership by the individual.
V. Quick Thoughts on Funding of the Equipment Described Above
A. Third Party Insurance
1. Typically not available to pay for the equipment, software described.
2. Medicaid could, for example, fund a dual purpose laptop/augmentative communication device if the intervention in
question is needed to operate the communication device.3. Depending on the nature of the Medicaid waiver, it might be available to fund some equipment.
B. Special Education and School-based Funding
1. All of the equipment/interventions can potentially be funded, under IDEA, as either assistive technology (AT) devices or services.
C. Vocationally-Related Funding
1. All of the equipment/interventions could be funded through a state VR agency or SSI's PASS if necessary to achieve a vocational goal.
D. Anti-Discrimination Laws
1. ADA, Title I (employment) - in the right case, all of the equipment/interventions described may be needed to do a job and a required reasonable accommodation by the employer.
2. Each of the other ADA titles, section 504, and section 508 could be used to require funding in the right case.
E. Equipment Loan Funds
1. Although the equipment loan programs all follow their own criteria and will have dollar limits for loans, these items do fall into the types of equipment that is typically available for loans.
2. Since the individual will be taking on debt, he or she should only consider a loan after other resources have been exhausted.
Return to Table of Contents | NLS Home Page | Feedback | Search the NLS Website