[Athen] AT solution for student with brain injury

[Karen Latimer]

Co-writer is still a thing (
https://learningtools.donjohnston.com/product/cowriter/). Other word
predictions include the Ginger suite, several google extensions (like
Grammarly which actually does sentence prediction), Read and Write for
Google, and others.  It will depend on which features they are looking for.
It might be worthwhile to try Read and Write for Google (
https://www.texthelp.com/products/read-and-write-education/) to see how the
combination of tools benefits her (speech input, word prediction etc).
There is a free 30 day trial on the extension. She might also find the
text-to-speech and highlighting tools useful.  I would also look at some
different trackballs/mice that might be less fatiguing and faster.  Typing
with an on-screen keyboard and a mouse is going to be pretty tiring.

The other question is if this is a physical barrier (i.e. accessing the
keyboard) or a cognitive one (knowing what to write and how to write it).
It might be a combo of both--which might lead you to other technologies...

If you have access to an AT Act program near you--you may be able to find a
specialist to help the student learn what works best for them (
https://www.at3center.net/stateprogram).

Best of luck...
Karen

On Mon, Feb 28, 2022 at 7:20 PM Monica Olsson <molsson at sbctc.edu> wrote:


> Looks like* co:Writer*

> <https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/cowriter-universal-app/lahlmdogjpblkonckkgbljegkiijjbag?hl=en>

> is still a thing.

>

>

>

> [image: Title: SBCTC logo - Description: Compass]

>

> *Monica M. Olsson (she/her/hers)*

>

> Policy Associate – Accessible IT Coordinator

>

> Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges

>

> *molsson at sbctc.edu <molsson at sbctc.edu>* • o: 360-704-3922 • c:

> 206-914-7187

>

> sbctc.edu <https://www.sbctc.edu/> • Twitter: *@SBCTCWashington*

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> ------------------------------

> *From:* athen-list <athen-list-bounces at mailman12.u.washington.edu> on

> behalf of Dan Comden <danc at uw.edu>

> *Sent:* Monday, February 28, 2022 3:46 PM

> *To:* Access Technology Higher Education Network <

> athen-list at u.washington.edu>

> *Subject:* Re: [Athen] AT solution for student with brain injury

>

> Hey Justin,

> I'd look at a couple of different approaches for this student, esp if

> fatigue is a factor. They can switch between methods to reduce fatigue that

> could result from a single approach.

>

> Something like a head pointer, on-screen keyboard (with word prediction)

> can give hands/arms a rest.

> Combine that with something that allows for word prediction (is Co:Writer

> still a thing?) in using standard input.

> There's always switch input as a fallback but from your description, it

> may not be needed.

>

> Based on your summary, I don't think pursuing speech input makes much

> sense. If basic dictation in Windows is not working well, it's likely that

> Dragon will be just as frustrating. Certainly going with a headset

> microphone would be the first step. I keep seeing folks struggling with

> speech trying to use the crappy built-in microphones on their laptops.

>

> I've been playing with LipSurf <https://www.lipsurf.com/> a bit -- it's a

> really cool extension for the Chrome browser that works much better than

> Dragon for browsing. Again, I'd recommend a headset over a desktop/laptop

> microphone. Could be this is a solution for general web browsing but if

> speech is difficult, it may not be worth spending a bunch of time pursuing.

>

> -*- Dan

>

> On Mon, Feb 28, 2022 at 10:46 AM Romack, Justin <

> justinr at disability.tamu.edu> wrote:

>

> Howdy assistive technology aficionados!

>

>

>

> I’m working with a student who has damage to their brain stem as a result

> of cancer and treatment.

>

>

>

> This student’s noted barrier is in writing. Their speech and dexterity /

> motor control has been impacted. I can have a conversation with this

> student and understand them reasonably well, but I do have concerns about

> Dragon’s effectiveness. They did mention trying the built-in speech

> recognition inside of MS Word and stated this solution was not useful. They

> also have difficulty using a mouse or keyboard for extended periods of time.

>

>

>

> We will look at Dragon as an option, but I’m curious what other solutions

> or strategies you all might suggest?

>

>

>

> Always grateful!

>

>

>

> Thanks,

>

> J

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>

>

>

> *Justin Romack*  | Assistive Technology Coordinator

>

> Disability Resources | Texas A&M University

>

> 1224 TAMU | College Station, TX 77843-1224

>

>

>

> ph: 979.845.1637 | justinr at disability.tamu.edu | disability.tamu.edu

>

> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

>

> *DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS *| One Division. One Mission.

>

>

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>

>

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>

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>

> --

> -*- Dan Comden                       danc at uw.edu <danc at washington.edu>

>     Access Technology Center   www.uw.edu/itconnect/accessibility/atl/

>     University of Washington      UW Information Technology

>

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-- 
*Karen Latimer, ATP*
*Senior Assistive Technology Specialist*
*Delaware Assistive Technology ​Initiative  *
*Center for Disabilities Studies*
*461 Wyoming Rd. *
*Newark, DE 19716*
*302-831-7469*
*www.udel.edu/cds <http://www.udel.edu/cds>*
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