COMPUTERS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

** Watch for the publication of Information Access and Adaptive Technology by Coombs and Cunninghum

Most of us do one or more things a little differently than other people. Some of us wear eye glasses or contact lenses to see a little better. Some of us put cushions on our chairs so we can sit more comfortably. Some of us type everything because we don't like writing things out longhand.

If a person is in a situation where performing a function in the usual way is difficult, no one thinks much about it if that person amends the situation--and his own procedures--to enhance his performance.

Most of us do it so often that we don't even consider that we're adapting a situation to fit our own abilities--or disabilities. We're just making things a little more comfortable, a little easier on ourselves.

That's what adaptive computing technology is all about. Using special computing software and hardware to make things easier and more accessible for people with disabilities.

Computers have made much of the work that people do easier and less time-consuming, and adaptive technology offers people with disabilities the opportunity--not just to use computers--but to use computers to complete tasks that were previously not possible for them. Som heave called this liberation technology. For example, a computer and a screen reader can give a blind person access to online books and journals. A computer, scanner, and a screen reader provides a way for a blind person to read a printed book.

The ability to use computers, software and adaptive technology gives people with disabilities the tools to go to school and hold jobs.

EASI (Equal Access to Software and Information) has an extensive disability-related web site to provide a wealth of information. EASI also holds regular e-mail delivered workshops to provide participants with a solid grounding in adaptive computer technology to help their organizations utilize this tool to make their facilities more accessible.

This is a brief overview of adaptive computing technology and how it can help people with disabilities participate in our society.

DISABILITIES, DEMOGRAPHICS AND THE LAW

MAJOR DISABILITY TYPES:

Visual impairments
Physical impairments
Hearing impairments
Learning disabilities
Speech impairments

DEMOGRAPHICS:

there were 43 million disabled Americans in 1990
700,000 people are newly disabled each year (1% of all infants are born disabled and we have an aging population)
50% of people with disabilities are between 16-64 years old
74% of people with disabilities are unemployed

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

Aimed at making all private and public schools, libraries, businesses and facilities accessible to people with disabilities
Mandates "reasonable accommodations," be made, including the modification of equipment
Applies to all employers, including state and local government employers, with 15 or more employees
Makes it unlawful to discriminate in all employment practices, including: recruitment, hiring, promotion, training, lay-off, pay, firing, job assignments, leave, benefits, and all other employment-related activities

ADAPTIVE COMPUTING TECHNOLOGY IS A POWERFUL TOOL

ACCESS TO COMPUTERS AND INFORMATION

Providing a computer adaptation--perhaps by supplying a screen reader, a trackball instead of a mouse, or an infrared keyboard-- means people with disabilities can have complete access to computers and on-line information.

COMPENSATORY TOOLS

Computers and adaptive systems people with disabilities to complete tasks using a computer that are not usually done on a computer. Some of these tasks wouldn't be possible for certain people with disabilities if they didn't have a computer and adaptive technology. Tasks: reading, writing, taking notes, communicating, and accessing on-line information.

COST OF ACCOMMODATIONS

51.1% -- cost nothing but management's time
18.5% -- cost less than $100
11.9% -- cost between $100 and $500
6.2% -- cost between $500 and $1,000
4.0% -- cost between $1,000 and $2,000
8.0% -- cost more than $2,000
69.6% of accommodations cost $100 or less

(SOURCE: U.S. Department of Labor study of 367 federal contractors with 20,000 disabled workers)

HISTORY AND ORGANIZATION OF EASI

EASI was originally formed as a special interest group within EDUCOM's Educational Uses of Information Technology (EUIT) program. In 1994 EASI became affiliated with the American Association for Higher Education, a national organization of individuals dedicated to improving the quality of higher education. In addition to AAHE and EDUCOM, EASI has received support from The NEC Foundation of America, The Bell-Atlantic Charitable Foundation, Arkenstone, Inc., and Apple. For information on any EASI project, publication, or our contribution program, please contact one of the people listed below.

EASI CONTACTS

PHONE: (714) 830-0301
TDD: (310) 206-5155

Dr. Norman Coombs, Chair
Rochester Institute of Technology
Phone: (716) 475-2462
Fax: (716) 475-7120
nrcgsh@rit.edu

Dr. Sheryl Burgstahler, Vice Chair
University of Washington
Phone: (206) 543-0622
sherylb@cac.washington- .edu

Carmela Cunningham, Editor
Phone: (714) 830-0301 (Pacific Time)
Fax: (714) 830-2159
carmelac@aol.com

EASI
c/o American Association for Higher Education
One Dupont Circle, Suite 360
Washington, D.C. 20036-1110