[Home] [Search this Site] [Site Map] [About Us] [Contact Us]

Checklist for Access Technology Choices

When considering access technology for students with vision impairments, the following checklist can form the basis of initial investigations and discussions. Careful consultation, assessment and planning is necessary in order to achieve successful selection and introduction of technology.

Please consider the recommendations to be valid for one to two years due to updates in technology and changes in the needs of the student with a vision impairment.

About the Student

Student Name
Checklist completed by
Date
What size print does the student currently prefer? preferred print size minimum print size date tested tested by
What is the prognosis for the student's visual condition? stable progressive recent diagnosis or unknown
What problem/s will the technology solve? vision fatigue poor or slow handwriting inability to read own handwriting lack of access to school's computer system access to textual materials eg e-text novels and texts on CD, the internet etc other
What is the student's level of skill and experience with computers? keyboarding skills eg speed, accuracy uses computer at home uses computer at school hardware used software used
What subjects is the student currently studying?
What are the student's likely subject preferences in the future?
How does the student read? regular print regular print with low vision aid eg magnifier, electronic magnification unit audio braille large print e-text - via print, large print, voice output, refreshable braille display combination of above eg audio for initial reading of novel but large print for study purposes, magnifier for mathematics other
How does the student write? braille handwriting computer using green lined paper with black felt tipped pens using electronic magnification unit or low vision aids combination of the above eg green lined paper and felt tipped pen for mathematics, computer for essays other
What will the access technology be used for? as an alternative to handwriting mathematics spreadsheets as a calculator as an organizer accessing textual material on disk or CD eg novels, encyclopedias etc accessing audio materials eg MP3 files, DAISY to access the internet, email eg teacher emails class notes with other access technology eg to view the board, enlarge photographs, capture text from books, attached to braille display other

Top of Page

About the School

Primary, post-primary or specialist
Contact person for computer support in school
Support for computer / notetaker particularly with respect to loading new software or access to the internet in the networked environment
What are the short term goals, as identified by the student's Program Support Group, to be addressed by access technology?
What initial and ongoing training requirement for both the student and the staff will be required? professional development keyboarding skills computer familiarization alternative access instruction other
Where is the training available? eg visiting teacher workshops offered by the Statewide Vision Resource Centre supplier information technology teacher other
Is there a cost for the training?
Computer hardware used in school eg Apple PC other
Computer software used in school eg Word Excel Clicker internet other
Access to the school network and therefore access to: intranet / internet other networked software
Does student have access to the internet? What will this be used for? email communication between staff and student access to school software and personal files research other
Storage for technology at school

Top of Page

About the Technology

Before seeking advice from Statewide Vision Resource Centre personnel or sales personnel, list the attributes, which you believe the proposed technology will require. Specify if these attributes are needed now or may be needed later as an upgrade or option. Note also that additional software, software maintenance agreements (SMAs) and connecting leads may be required and these will add to the cost. It is very valuable for the student to trial the hardware and software prior to purchase to ensure its suitability; and also for you to verify compatibility of the components of the system.

Attribute	Comment
Print size - regular print or large print
Screen display eg enlarged menu bars and icons
Voice output
Type of screen eg contrast, size, adjustable lighting etc
Print hardcopy output
Large print hardcopy output
Personal reader - for student use eg scanner
Scanner - for text capture and production into alternative format
Text capture - typing text for production into alternative format
Electronic magnification unit - to capture images distance / near
Braille hardcopy output eg embossed
Refreshable braille output
Graphics output
Regular keyboard (QWERTY) input
Braille keyboard input
Voice input
Concept or alternative keyboard
Keyguard
Type of mouse eg track ball
Switching device
Touch window
Portability
Ease of use
Calculator eg basic, scientific
Compatibility with school computer system
Compatibility with home computer system
Compatibility with SVRC computer system
Compatibility with other technology eg scanner, embosser, refreshable braille display
Accessibility software eg built- in magnification high contrast options in Accessibility Options voice output options access software that can be downloaded from the internet
Access to the internet - modem or wireless
Ability to add options later
Ability to upgrade later
Memory requirements - particularly important if enlarging or voice output software is needed
Programs used by school eg Excel, WYNN
Other attributes

Top of Page
Home Page

Website editor Deb Lewis , Statewide Vision Resource Centre - Victoria, Australia. Last updated September 2007.
Contribute suggestions and feedback
Copyright/disclaimer