November 8, 2009

Assistive Technology Services

Access to electronic information is critical for the educational and career achievement for Auburn University students with disabilities. Assistive Technology Services (ATS) are available to assist faculty, staff, students, and other personnel to ensure the accessibility of university programs and services.

• Mission
• Alternate Format Services
• Assistive Technology
• Training
• Equipment Check-Out
• Tours and Presentation
• Research and Development

Mission

1. Assist individuals in exploring assistive technology possibilities
2. Help individuals obtain resources regarding assistive technology
3. Train individuals to used the appropriate assistive technology
4. Provide media conversion: large print, braille, tactile images, e-text
5. Provide assistive technology in classrooms and labs located on campus
6. Increase assistive technology awareness through tours and presentations
7. Research and develop new technologies and techniques that might benefit persons with disabilities

Assistive Technology

Assistive technologies are available throughout campus to enable access to Auburn University programs and services. Auburn University’s Assistive Technology Lab is located in 1235 Haley Center. This lab is equipped with several different types of technologies to help students with disabilities. The Assistive Technology Lab has voice recognition, speech output, braille printers and displays, and screen enhancement software available. The Assistive Technology Lab is also the production center for all braille, tactile images, and E-Text.

Assistive Technology is also available in the Ralph Brown Library. A workstation for the visually impaired loaded with JAWS speech output software, Openbook, and TextHelp text to speech software is located near the circulation desk on the first floor. An adjustable workstation is available on the same floor located in an accessible carrel. This workstation has the voice recognition software Dragon Naturally Speaking installed. The library also has five wireless Internet-ready laptops available for students to use in the library. The text to speech software TextHelp is available on these machines.

Assistive software and hardware available on campus:

• JAWS (Located in the Assistive Technology Lab in 1235 Haley Center and the first floor of the Library)
• Openbook Ruby, OCR Reading Machine (Located on the first floor of the Library)
• Refreshable Braille Display (Located in the Assistive Technology Lab)
• VersaPoint Brailler (Located in the Assistive Technology Lab)
• Duxbury Braille Translation Software (Located in the Assistive Technology Lab)
• Tactile Image Enhancer (Located in the Assistive Technology Lab)
• Zoomtext (Located in the Assistive Technology Lab and the first floor of the Library)
• CCTV (Located in the Assistive Technology Lab and Library)
• Electric and Manual Adjustable Tables (Located in the Assistive Technology Lab and Library)
• Dragon Naturally Speaking (Located in the Assistive Technology Lab and Library)
• Variety of Mice, Trackballs and Keyboards (Located in the Assistive Technology Lab)
• TextHelp! ScreenReaders (Located in the Assistive Technology Lab and Library)
• 4-Track Players to use with Books on Tape (Available for Checkout through PSD)
• Assistive Listening Devices (Available for Checkout through PSD)

Training

To be productive and successful, students and faculty may need the assistance of adaptive technology. The PSD Assistive Technology Specialist is available to make an assessment of the individual’s need and provide recommendation for appropriate assistive technology. The Assistive Technology Lab is available for students and faculty to visit to view and work with the various adaptive technology tools.

Many times assistive technology requires training. Our staff offers individualized training to help students and faculty use their system effectively. Training is available at the Assistive Technology Lab in 1235 Haley. Training can also be arranged for other locations on campus. The speed and intensity of training will be tailored to meet the needs of the users.

If you would like more information about assistive technology or would like an assistive technology evaluation contact The Program for Students with Disabilities at (334) 844-2096.

Alternate Format Services

Students with certain disabilities need alternate formats for their textbooks and class materials. For visually impaired students, alternate formats allow improved accessibility by providing information in braille, audio, or E-Text. Students with print disabilities often benefit from alternate format materials to improve reading comprehension, and/or speed.

Students who use alternate format materials must work closely with PSD by turning in requests in a timely manner. Students who need textbooks converted to E-Text are given priority registration to help ensure that they receive their material within a reasonable time. Book requests made after the beginning of the semester will be processed in the order received. Students must prove that they have purchased the textbook, and sign a contract stating they will not share, copy, or otherwise distribute the copyrighted material. Students are required to submit a syllabus to ensure scanning schedule matches the order of reading required for the class. If a student’s progress in a class has been delayed because PSD has not been able to provide them with the material in an appropriate alternate format, PSD will notify the instructor. Professors are asked to provide textbook information and assigned readings as early as possible to expedite the alternate format conversion process and to ensure that the student receives his/her materials in a timely manner. Students who need class notes or other in-class material converted are encouraged to submit materials the same day they received them in class. Students are encourage to submit any articles needed for courses at least a week in advance. Articles will be processed in the order received.

Most material converted by PSD is posted on a secure website. The student is given a user name and password to access this secure information. The information submitted is only available the semester that it is requested. The student will be trained on how to access their online texbooks and notes. Training on the use of screen readers will also be available. Screen reading software is available on a desktop on the first floor of the library and is installed on labtops that are available for use in the library.

PSD also orders taped texts from Recordings for the Blind and Dyslexic (RFBD) in New Jersey under an institutional membership program. Students who rely on taped texts are encouraged to obtain a private membership. More information about RFBD can be found at the RFBD website.

Equipment Check-Out

PSD has assistive devices available for loan on a semester basis. PSD has FM Systems and 4 Track Players available to eligible students with disabilities. Students are charged at the end of each semester for pieces of equipment that are not returned or are abused by the borrower.

Tours and Presentation

The Assistive Technology Lab offers informational tours to interested classes and organizations. These tours offer first-hand experience with the latest assistive technology devices. Tour visitors benefit from not just seeing pieces of lab equipment, but also experiencing the machines’ special capabilities. If your class or organization is interested in participating in a Lab tour or would like our department to come and do a presentation on assistive technology, please contact the Program for Students with Disabilities to make an appointment by calling (334) 844-2096.

Research and Development

Our goal is to make Auburn University programs and services barrier free for students with disabilities. It is also our goal to provide support that helps to better prepare students for employment. We want Auburn University students to have the skills and the knowledge to accommodate themselves after graduating from Auburn University. Researching and developing new ways to better serve Auburn University students with disabilities is a top priority.