Removing the "Dis" from Disabled

by Gordon Gibson

Technology is making life brighter for the disabled as they work toward independence. The California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office and the Department of Rehabilitation have teamed up to provide grants for the implementation of the "High-Tech Centers for the Disabled". They are providing instruction, guidance, training, and support in the use of state-of-the-art adapted computer technology. Access to adapted computer technology will allow most disabled students to 1) fully participate in courses or career paths in which computers play an integral part, and 2) avail themselves of the special benefits provided by computer access to students in general. The High Tech Center is divided into two sections: adapted word processing (ACT) and computer assisted instruction (CAI). The ACT section is designed for students who are unable to successfully access the screen, keyboard, or word processing in traditional computer classes. Programs in this area were chosen because they met the following criteria: 1) adaptations were in software; 2) adaptations work with standard systems; 3) all of the adaptations work together in whatever configuration is needed; 4) affordability of software; 5) learning ease of software and 6) provision of significantly improved access to microcomputers. significantly improved access to microcomputers.

Typing alone can be quite a chore for someone who uses a mouthstick or head wand. However, a "smart" word processing program that can increase typing speed by 75% with a few months practice is available. The key is a window that displays possible options - selected with one key stroke - in response to the beginning letters of a word. As the student uses the program, the words used most frequently are calculated and appear most often in the window. In conjunction with this, a keyboard adaptation in software allows a variety of control keys to be latched so the user can easily access double and triple key commands. Students who have relied on others to do their typing in the past are now proudly producing their own documents. The visually impaired and blind can access the screen through Vista, putting letters up to one inch high on the screen, and Freedom 1, reading the screen through Dec Talk. Freedom 1 also provides seven different voices for those with hearing difficulties in addition to their blindness.

Students with learning disabilities and acquired brain injuries are also benefitting from the new technology. Spelling checkers have allowed many to freely express themselves in written form while bypassing the constant fear of misspelled words.

The CAI section at the High Tech Center employs a number of standard instructional programs. Memory, cognitive reorganization, foundation skills, education, and production skills are some of the areas targeted. Skills learned or strengthened in the high tech center are put to use in mainstream classes.

There are 51 High Tech Centers serving 6,000 disabled students in California. The funding stops June 30, 1990 and many colleges are unable to continue the programs under their own funding. A letter to your assembly person and the Governor asking for the allotment of funds for 1 full-time staff person for each site will help these centers remain available for the disabled.