Chapter+8+Reflections

Chapter 8 Reflections

Assistive Technology for Computer Access

This chapter describes the asssistive technology devices that students can use to assist them in the use of computers. There is a wide range of items as simple as pointers or dowels to help the students to reach the keys of a keyboard and magnifiers to help them see the display screen to the high tech mice to allow the student more functional ability to use a mouse. It is not enough to just provide the computer and it's resources, without providing the technology to help the student use the computer. The development of joysticks, trackballs, touchscreens, head-pointing and eye-gazing systems all assist students where dexterity or articulation is a problem. Keyboards can also be customized to meet the needs of the student. The size of the keyboard can also be an issue affecting the students ability to use it. Technology is constantly moving forward to make things more accessble and user friendly.