Technology can often assist people with learning, mental and physical differences so that they are able to do their jobs or academic work successfully. Technology is used as a tool to enhance learning or work experiences and can often help a person succeed at their academic assignments or job.
There are many types of assistance that Grinnell College has provided for students, faculty and staff. However, each person's physical limitations or learning differences are unique, so it is important to understand both the individual needs and work or academic expectations. Often we face an opportunity to assist someone with an unfamiliar need. This requires us to research the tools available and sometimes experiment with a new technology.
If you are a student who needs assistance due to a physical, mental and learning challenge, please contact Joyce Stern in Student Affairs. If you are a staff or faculty, please contact Jennifer Krohn for further assistance.
Software Solutions
http://www.kurzweiledu.com/kurz3000.aspx Kurzweil 3000 is the comprehensive reading, writing and learning software solution for any struggling reader, including individuals with learning difficulties, such as dyslexia, attention deficit disorder or those who are English Language Learners. Kurzweil also provides enhanced text and readying for persons with visual difficulties. the software can access virtually any inforamtion, whether it is printed, electronic, or on the Web.
Educators and independent research have demonstrated that Kurzweil 3000 provides not only the tools studnets need to improve their reading speed and comprehension, but also the features that make it possible for them to learn and study independently.
With the aid of visual and auditory feedback, the software helps students keep up with assigned reading, learn critical study skills and successfully complete wrtiting projects and tests. With its robust study skills tools, Kurzweil 3000 facilities active reading including: highlighting, text circle tools, annotations, Bookmarks, Voice Notes and Extract in order to create outlines, studey guides or word lists -all things that can improve their reading comprehension and retention.
Dragon Naturally Speaking
http://www.nuance.com/naturallyspeaking/products/default.asp
Dragon is a voice to test product, often used by those with physical challenges that can affect typing or using a computer. Dragon gives PC users the power to create documents, reports and emails. Surf the Web by voice or dictate and edit in Microsoft Word and Excel, Corel WordPerfect, and most other Windows-based applications. Dictate into a handheld device when you're away from your PC, or use a Bluetooth microphone.
Hardware Solutions
Assistive Listening decices are used along with a person's hearing aid. They can be plugged into the headphone jack of the computer, used on a table in a group discussion setting and used by a speaker to enhance the sound directly to a hearing aid. Personal listening devices are used by students with hearing difficulities and also for public events, where patrons can borrow a device for the duration of the event.
We understand the frustation that occurs when you can't type at a productive speed because of physical limitations. With FrogPad you will soon be on your way to typing regardless of only having the use of one good hand. Unlike previous approaches to one-handed typing FrogPad is intuitive and uses full sized keys just like the QWERTY keyboard. The letters have been arranged on the FrogPad to improve typing speeds over the QWERTY and half QWERTY methods. With the FrogPad you only need to use a maximum of two fingers at a time to access any letter.
There are many types of assistive devices for computer input. Keyboards and mice have been designed ergonomically and to aid those with difficulty typing or using the mouse.
Other Services...
Real-Time Captioning
In 2006, Grinnell College started providing closed-captioning services for Convocation speakers and other campus events. Caption Colorado is a service that employs staff who are certified captioners. They use a device, similar to a court reporter's recorder to input the text into a computer as a speaker is talking. This is a live feed. The captioner is hooked in by telephone using a special device that connects to the sound system, so they can be located anywhere in the country. The captioning is displayed on a screen so that persons in the audience who need assistance can be located near the screen. We try to provide the captioner some biographical information and topic information prior to the session so that they are able to load in the correct spelling of unique words used in the presentation.
