[Athen] [External] Re: AT solution for student with brain injury

[Wershing, Alice D.]

Hello-

Have you considered varying the student's positioning to reduce fatigue?  It wasn't mentioned in the discussion.  It may be that the student can work longer from a reclined position or with ergonomic arm rests, with the trackball also anchored on an angle.   I have had individuals work from a reclined position with remote access, like keyboard, trackball etc.   If a Physical Therapist consult is an option, that may help in determining optimal positioning.

Within Windows, there is a keyboard setting for text suggestions.  It is under Typing: show text suggestions as I type.  This doesn't offer the range of options that Cowriter does, but it could be a start.

Additionally, using Mouse Keys may be an option for mouse use to explore.  I have used an added number pad and placed that on a angled surface.  It would be good to try a range of options.
Alice



Schedule a training session <https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/PellissippiStateDisabilityServicesAliceWershing@livepstcc.onmicrosoft.com/bookings/>

Alice D. Wershing, M.Ed., A.T.P., C.P.A.C.C.
Disability Services, Technology Specialist
TNecampus Accessibility Specialist
Pellissippi State Technical Community College
865-694-6751

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From: athen-list <athen-list-bounces at mailman12.u.washington.edu> on behalf of foreigntype at gmail.com <foreigntype at gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 2, 2022 5:27 PM
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Subject: [External] Re: [Athen] AT solution for student with brain injury

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Katherine et al ATHENites

There are some pretty useful alternatives for the Dasher app. Check out this link for more info:

https://alternativeto.net/software/dasher/

Wink Harner
On Wed, Mar 2, 2022 at 1:47 PM Katherine Deibel <kndeibel at metageekery.org<mailto:kndeibel at metageekery.org>> wrote:

I’ve been following this and wishing there was more interest in alternative text entry ideas like there were in the mid/late 2000s. I’m not sure how viable it is nowadays, but I wonder if an entry method like Dasher<https://www.inference.org.uk/dasher/> would be of benefit?



Katherine “Kate” Deibel, PhD

Library Accessibility Specialist

Twitter: https://twitter.com/metageeky
GitHub: https://github.com/metageeky



From: athen-list <athen-list-bounces at mailman12.u.washington.edu<mailto:athen-list-bounces at mailman12.u.washington.edu>> On Behalf Of Karen Latimer
Sent: Wednesday, March 2, 2022 2:24 PM
To: Access Technology Higher Education Network <athen-list at u.washington.edu<mailto:athen-list at u.washington.edu>>
Subject: Re: [Athen] AT solution for student with brain injury



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<mailto: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.





[Title: SBCTC logo - Description: Compass]Monica M. Olsson (she/her/hers)

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Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges

molsson at sbctc.edu<mailto:molsson at sbctc.edu> • o: 360-704-3922 • c: 206-914-7187

sbctc.edu<https://www.sbctc.edu/> • Twitter: @SBCTCWashington<https://twitter.com/SBCTCWashington> • Facebook: @WASBCTC<https://www.facebook.com/wasbctc/>



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From: athen-list <athen-list-bounces at mailman12.u.washington.edu<mailto:athen-list-bounces at mailman12.u.washington.edu>> on behalf of Dan Comden <danc at uw.edu<mailto:danc at uw.edu>>
Sent: Monday, February 28, 2022 3:46 PM
To: Access Technology Higher Education Network <athen-list at u.washington.edu<mailto: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<mailto: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









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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<mailto:justinr at disability.tamu.edu> | disability.tamu.edu<http://disability.tamu.edu>

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

    Access Technology Center   www.uw.edu/itconnect/accessibility/atl/<http://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

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Wink Harner Assistive Technology Consulting and Training Alternative Text Production Portland OR. foreigntype at gmail.com<mailto:foreigntype at gmail.com> 480-984-0034
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