Project: Assistive Technology

Brett Cohen
Foundations II: EDPC 610
11/05/2007

This programmable keyboard is used to assist students with entering letters and numbers, navigating on-screen displays, and executing commands


I began my web search in the hope of finding an assistive technology device or software that I could imagine using sometime, maybe in the near future. I stumbled across a site, ATTO which is an acronym for Assistive Technology Training Online.
The word "online" stoppoed me ib my tracks. Any assistive training online is a rare commodity that could certaintly enhance online classes in conjunction with a somewhat traditional approach. I am a firm believer that education is heading toward a more personal touch and am optimistic enough to believe a variety of educational options will be available for all diverse populations within the next decade. Where eduacational is still streamlined and limited in its scope in delvering educational services for all diverse populations.
The resource section is divided into six different categories again my personal favorite is assistive technology on line.

The product section offers over 19,000 AT products and the site is very user friendly. There is information on how to navigate and use ATTO site including a site map, accessible design features, and plugins. What makes this site unique is that they are not selling the products,but more importantly providing a service; objective data on a particular product.
The products are listed in the AbleData data base according to each product's intended function.
I have just touched the iceberg of exploring this site. I want to get a more in depth look at the site this weekend. I wll get back and let everyone know of my findings. I encourage anyone to further investigate what this site has to offer in the way of assistive technology.

IntelliKeys is a flat, programmable keyboard that plugs into your computer. This "plug and play" keyboard is used to assist students who have difficulty using the standard keyboard or mouse. It comes with basic overlays that provide alternative keyboard layouts. These assist with entering letters and numbers, navigating on-screen displays, and executing commands. IntelliKeys can also be used as an alternative for mouse functions or as a switch.

Depending on your IntelliKeys version, follow either "Classic" or "USB" instructions from the following tutorials. More IntelliKeys tutorials and third party products are available at the IntelliTools website.

http://atto.buffalo.edu/registered/Tutorials/intellikeys/index.php