Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

An Exploration Of Pediatric Occupational Therapist's Perspectives On Functional And Assistive Mobility, Jennifer Allison, Amy Lyons-Brown

Spring 2024 Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium

Background: Occupational therapists (OTs) are highly skilled in assessing context, environment, and sensory-motor needs which are critical in addressing functional mobility and implementing assistive mobility devices. There is limited research on pediatric OT’s role in functional mobility. This study aims to explore pediatric OT's roles and perceptions of functional mobility and the implementation and use of assistive mobility devices.

Methods: Data was collected via an online survey with an option to participate in a follow-up interview. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used to summarize trends and differences in the data.

Results: Twenty licensed OTs working in a variety of …

Exploring The Provision Of Information Services For Visually Impaired Students: Lessons Learned From The University Of Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, Dotto Kabogolo,, Christian Mubofu

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This study employed a descriptive research method to investigate the provision of information services for visually impaired students (VIS) at the University of Dar es Salaam. The research conducted a comprehensive examination by employing a census sampling technique, targeting a population of 25 VIS. Qualitative methodologies were utilized to collect data, with thematic analysis serving as the means to categorize and describe the gathered information. The study's findings revealed that VIS have specific information needs, notably necessitating orientation programs for university management and the acquisition of effective computer application skills to manage their studies proficiently. Additionally, the study identified commonly …

Enabling Customization Of Discussion Forums For Blind Users, Mohan Sunkara, Yash Prakash, Hae-Na Lee, Sampath Jayarathna, Vikas Ashok

Computer Science Faculty Publications

Online discussion forums have become an integral component of news, entertainment, information, and video-streaming websites, where people all over the world actively engage in discussions on a wide range of topics including politics, sports, music, business, health, and world affairs. Yet, little is known about their usability for blind users, who aurally interact with the forum conversations using screen reader assistive technology. In an interview study, blind users stated that they often had an arduous and frustrating interaction experience while consuming conversation threads, mainly due to the highly redundant content and the absence of customization options to selectively view portions …

Building Assistive Technology (At) Competency In Academic Librarians: Perceptions Of Library Personnel And Students With Visual Impairments From Three Zimbabwean Universities, Jonathan Munyoro, Takawira Machimbidza, Stephen Mutula

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This qualitative study reflects on the perceptions of library professionals and students living with visual impairments from three Zimbabwean universities about the need for and ways of creating Assistive Technology (AT) competency in academic librarians. Some of the measures that may be used to increase the AT competencies of academic librarians are discussed. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from 19 participants comprising 13 library personnel and six students living with visual impairments. The study highlights important types of AT for individuals living with visual impairments, emphasises the importance of competencies in AT for academic librarians and suggest appropriate …

Does Speech-To-Text Assistive Technology Paired With Graphic Organizers Improve The Written Expression Of Students With Traumatic Brain Injuries?, Kayla Cuifolo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can range from mild to severe and can cause debilitating outcomes that require children to need specialized medical or educational services post-injury. Outcomes vary and are dependent on the location of injury, age, severity, and environmental factors. Some common deficits that happen as a result of a brain injury are fine motor and executive functioning skill difficulties. Fine motor and executive functioning skills are an important component of written expression. Therefore, this current study utilized a brief experimental analysis in order to determine the effects that speech-to-text assistive technology along with a graphic organizer has …

Emerging Services For The Visually Impaired In Academic Libraries, Noor Abutayeh, Berta García-Orosa

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This study sought to investigate access services that are presented to visually impaired users in academic libraries. There is a clear lack of digital resources and assistive technology in serving disabled/blind users in both libraries. Based on Mann-Whitney U-test results and p-value, there were similarities in website and databases accessibility and significant differences in providing some types of digital materials to visually impaired users. It is recommended that libraries have to continually adapt to the constantly turning cycles of technology in terms of major technology trends such as open-source software, mobile technology, and voice-activated technology. The world needs to …

Projection-Based Ar For Hearing Parent-Deaf Child Communication, Victor N. Antony, Adira Blumenthal, Ziyue Qiu, Ashely Tenesaca, Wanyin Hu, Zhen Bai

Frameless

Deaf infants born to hearing parents are at risk of language deprivation due to lack of sign language fluency and subpar parent-child communication. We present a projection-based Augmented Reality (AR) prototype designed to improve parent-child communication and American Sign Language (ASL) acquisition. Our system aims to non-intrusively augment play episodes by projecting just-in-time and context-aware ASL equivalents extracted from nursery rhymes being sung by parents. This paper presents the initial implementation of the prototype .

Adaptive Gaming As An Occupation: Motor Phenomena And Lived Experiences, Christina Floyd, Melanie Blaisdell, Madeleine Pope, Audrey Metzger, Donna Chen Tubig, Lauren Andaya, Christine Vincent

Occupational Therapy | Graduate Capstone Projects

Purpose: This qualitative study examined the lived experience and motor phenomena that occur in people with disabilities during the occupation of video gaming. Historically, the occupation of video gaming, also referred to as gaming, has not been inclusive of individuals with disabilities due to the design of traditional video gaming controllers. Typical gaming controllers require fine motor control, finger dexterity, and in-hand manipulation to grasp and use the controls on the device. Although, many people with disabilities do not have the fine motor skills required to access these devices, creating a barrier for this population to engage in …

Adaptive Video Gaming In The Classroom, Lauren Ferrell, Daniela Mari Recinto, Desarae Finck-Fugazi, Christine Angela Manalang, Noémie Von Kaenel

Occupational Therapy | Graduate Capstone Projects

Background: Limited resources exist to support adaptive gaming in school programming using Microsoft® Xbox Adaptive Controller for children. On the other hand, there is abundant evidence supporting motor, cognitive, and social benefits to gaming in rehabilitation.

Objectives: The goal of this program development project was to create a virtual gaming toolkit to support the interdisciplinary team’s use of adaptive gaming during school programming.

Methods: Through our needs assessment and collaboration with our community partner, we discussed the parent and caregiver need for guidance in order to use the Microsoft® Xbox Adaptive Controller and facilitate gameplay with peers. Through an extensive …

The Role Of Assistive Technology (At) In Enhancing The Educational Experience Of Students With Special Needs In Higher Education: A Case Of University Of Zimbabwe Library, Agnes C. Chikonzo, Masimba Muziringa, Jonathan Munyoro

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The study examined how assistive technology (AT) is being used to enhance the educational experience of learners with special needs at the University of Zimbabwe. Using a case study design, primary data were collected mainly through questionnaires from a sample of 82 respondents comprising students with visual impairment and albinism registered with the University of Zimbabwe Disability Support Services Library, a branch of University of Zimbabwe Library. The study results demonstrated that AT provides freedom by enabling respondents to complete academic activities that they were previously unable to do, such as studying, reading, writing, researching, web browsing, emailing, communicating with …

New Frontier In Technology: Smart Homes, Daria Domin

All Institute for Community Inclusion Publications

Third in a series of Innovative AT Practices briefs, New Frontier in Technology: Smart Homes describes an initiative by the Alaska Assistive Technology Program centered around adopting a range of technologies to develop “smart homes.” These homes are equipped with devices that allow for tasks, typically performed by humans, to be automated by voice, touch, and sensors. Smart home technology has shown a lot of promise to increase quality of life and independence for individuals with disabilities.

Combining Eye Tracking And Verbal Response To Understand The Impact Of A Global Filter, Franceli L. Cibrian, Jazette Johnson, Viseth Sean, Hollis Pass, Louanne Boyd

Engineering Faculty Articles and Research

Visual attention guides the integration of two streams: the global, that rapidly processes the scene; and the local, that processes details. For people with autism, the integration of these two streams can be disrupted by the tendency to privilege details (local processing) instead of seeing the big picture (global processing). Consequently, people with autism may struggle with typical visual attention, evidenced by their verbal description of local features when asked to describe overall scenes. This paper aims to explore how one adult with autism see and understand the global filter of natural scenes.

Audio Description As A Collaborative And Reflexive Tool (Practice Brief), Elizabeth A. Thomson

Student Affairs Publications

With approximately six million people who are blind, between the ages of 16-75+ years of age in the U.S., audio description (AD) is one way to increase people with disabilities' access when visual images are involved (American Council of the Blind, 2019). Snyder (2014) described AD as a verbal description of a program (i.e., performing arts, films, cultural events). Furthermore, AD is distinct from an art label, photo caption, or an audio tour offering more than context, but actual description of the situation (Thomson, 2017). In some cases, AD is available at art and cultural museums. This paper imagines AD …

Repurposing Visual Input Modalities For Blind Users: A Case Study Of Word Processors, Hae-Na Lee, Vikas Ashok, I.V. Ramakrishnan

Computer Science Faculty Publications

Visual 'point-and-click' interaction artifacts such as mouse and touchpad are tangible input modalities, which are essential for sighted users to conveniently interact with computer applications. In contrast, blind users are unable to leverage these visual input modalities and are thus limited while interacting with computers using a sequentially narrating screen-reader assistive technology that is coupled to keyboards. As a consequence, blind users generally require significantly more time and effort to do even simple application tasks (e.g., applying a style to text in a word processor) using only keyboard, compared to their sighted peers who can effortlessly accomplish the same tasks …

New Law Helps Ensure Assistive Technology For Students Who Need It, Daria Domin, John Shepard

All Institute for Community Inclusion Publications

Fourth in a series of Innovative AT Practices briefs, New Law Helps Ensure Assistive Technology for Students Who Need It describes the legislative advocacy work conducted by the Illinois Assistive Technology Program to help pass a bill in the Illinois state legislature that mandates assistive technology to be considered as part of every individualized education plan (IEP) meeting.

From Active Duty To Agriculture: Engaging Veterans In Farming And Gardening, Daria Domin

All Institute for Community Inclusion Publications

Second in a series of Innovative AT Practices briefs, From Active Duty to Agriculture: Engaging Veterans in Farming and Gardening describes a long standing initiative by the Kansas Assistive Technology Program that aids veterans and active duty soldiers transitioning into civilian life by providing them with opportunities in agriculture.

Vrsensory: Designing Inclusive Virtual Games With Neurodiverse Children, Ben Wasserman, Derek Prate, Bryce Purnell, Alex Muse, Kaitlyn Abdo, Kendra Day, Louanne Boyd

Engineering Faculty Articles and Research

We explore virtual environments and accompanying interaction styles to enable inclusive play. In designing games for three neurodiverse children, we explore how designing for sensory diversity can be understood through a formal game design framework. Our process reveals that by using sensory processing needs as requirements we can make sensory and social accessible play spaces. We contribute empirical findings for accommodating sensory differences for neurodiverse children in a way that supports inclusive play. Specifically, we detail the sensory driven design choices that not only support the enjoyability of the leisure activities, but that also support the social inclusion of sensory-diverse …

Towards Universal Design For All: Understanding Japan’S Environment From An Accessibility Standpoint, Bailey Lai

EnviroLab Asia

No abstract provided.

At Act Data Brief, Daria Domin, John Shepard

All Institute for Community Inclusion Publications

Section 4 of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as amended (AT Act) authorizes grants to support programs that increase knowledge about, access to, and acquisition of assistive technology (AT) devices and services for individuals with disabilities and older Americans. These programs include 56 statewide AT programs that provide device demonstrations, device loans, device reutilization, training, technical assistance, public awareness, and assistance with obtaining funding for AT. This report is a compilation of data from these programs for FY 2018 and contains information about the activities of the statewide AT programs.

A National Data Summary Of State Assistive Technology Programs: Fiscal Year 2018, Daria Domin, John Shepard

All Institute for Community Inclusion Publications

Section 4 of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as amended (AT Act) authorizes grants to support programs that increase knowledge about, access to, and acquisition of assistive technology (AT) devices and services for individuals with disabilities and older Americans. These programs include 56 statewide AT programs that provide device demonstrations, device loans, device reutilization, training, technical assistance, public awareness, and assistance with obtaining funding for AT. This report is a compilation of data from these programs for FY 2018 and contains information about the activities of the statewide AT programs.

Paper Prototyping Comfortable Vr Play For Diverse Sensory Needs, Louanne E. Boyd, Kendra Day, Ben Wasserman, Kaitlyn Abdo, Gillian Hayes, Erik J. Linstead

Engineering Faculty Articles and Research

We co-designed paper prototype dashboards for virtual environments for three children with diverse sensory needs. Our goal was to determine individual interaction styles in order to enable comfortable and inclusive play. As a first step towards an inclusive virtual world, we began with designing for three sensory-diverse children who have labels of neurotypical, ADHD, and autism respectively. We focused on their leisure interests and their individual sensory profiles. We present the results of co-design with family members and paper prototyping sessions conducted by family members with the children. The results contribute preliminary empirical findings for accommodating different levels of engagement …

Provision Of Library And Information Service To The Visually Impaired In Ogun State, Nigeria, Glory Onoyeyan

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The paper reviewed literature to determine the information and library needs of the visually impaired and the kind of materials they utilize to satisfy their information needs. The paper also reviewed literature to determine the provision of special services by libraries for the visually impaired and the adequacy of library and information services provided. The review found that reading interests of persons with visual disabilities in Nigeria are varied just like those of sighted individuals. They receive information in alternative formats such as Braille, talking book/audio recording and large print. However, library materials are usually not available in quantities desirable …

Use Of Assistive Technology In Blind Schools Of West Bengal: A Comparative Study, Sudipta Pradhan, Mahadev Samanta

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The present study compares use of assistive technology for the visually challenged students provided by the special schools in the Medinipur division under the Districts of Bankura, Purulia, Paschim Medinipur, Jhargram and Purba Medinipur and that of the special schools in the Burdwan division under the districts of Birbhum, Purba Bardhaman, Paschim Bardhaman and Hooghly for providing services to the visually challenged students of secondary and higher secondary level. The study reveals that the institutes meant for the visually challenged should increase access, availability and funding for assistive technology through efforts and initiatives. Only one institute in Medinipur division i.e. …

Skill Builder: Assistive Technology For Developing Skill And Habits, Aaron Kay

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

The Skill Builder application is assistive technology for helping individuals build skills through reminders and self-reporting feedback. The application has been built to support Android and iOS devices and followed a user-centric design methodology. Skill Builder’s architecture and development processes are set forth using cross-platform development environments and a native software development kit for the three different versions of the application that were built. The strengths and weaknesses of each of the platforms are explored.

Several studies have been proposed for helping individuals with different needs learn the skills to cope with their challenges. Applications of Skill Builder include students …

Stephen Hawking As Accidental Ambassador For Assistive Technologies, Martin E. Blair

Independent Living and Community Participation

An article about Stephen Hawking and his "role as a “spokesmodel” for the use of assistive technologies."

Note that the video embedded in the original article can be found on YouTube.

Applying A Universal Design Approach To Empower Children With Multiple Impairments In Assistive Technology Assessment, Trish Mackeogh, Karola Dillenburg, John Donovan

Other

Rapid developments in technology, coinciding with the shift in educational ideology towards the inclusion of children with multiple disabilities, has led to increased calls for a Universal Design (UD) approach to promoting, user-friendly, proactive, transparent, and accessible environments and to the importance of Assistive Technology (AT) applications. For children with disabilities, technologies provide opportunities for greater and more flexible access to activities then traditional interfaces if applied and matched successfully. Relatively high abandonment rates of assistive technology have been documented, often due to a lack of user involvement in the assessment process. The field of Universal Design is showing that …

Assistive Technology Guidelines For Higher Education Disability Support Staff, Brenda Delee

CCE Theses and Dissertations

With the changing laws and effective integration of assistive technology into the classroom environment, students can have the provision of multiple means to complete their work with greater independence. In post secondary education, any student who discloses a sensory, cognitive, or physical disability is eligible to request and receive assistive technology and other services. When used correctly, assistive technology can help students with reading, writing, math, and communication skills. With a possible influx of students, disability support staff must be prepared and willing to meet the needs and address issues relating to students with disabilities. If their needs are not …

Barriers To Fanfiction Access: Results From A Usability Inspection Of Fanfiction.Net, Jayne C. Lammers, Nicholas P. Palumbo

Journal of Media Literacy Education

As researchers encourage teachers to bring fanfiction into classrooms, questions remain about whether online fanfiction communities are accessible to all students. This paper presents results from a practitioner-oriented usability inspection of FanFiction.net, investigating challenges students with disabilities might encounter as they participate. Operating this website with screen reader assistive technology reveals navigation, social connection, and reading barriers users may face when trying to engage in typical fanfiction practices. This study offers implications for media literacy educators to consider as they work to bring online media into classrooms without further marginalizing students with disabilities.

Library And Information Services To The Visually Impaired Persons, Junaid Rayini

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Visually impaired people have the same information needs as sighted people. Just as sighted people might read a newspaper, listen to a CD or download electronic information from the Internet; visually impaired people also want access to relevant information in their chosen accessible format. Developing an efficient library service for print-disabled people is extremely important, because there are significantly fewer books available commercially in accessible formats compared to what is published in print for the general public. Libraries have a moral obligation to make information available to all categories of users regardless of their gender, age, race, political affiliation or …

“There Is Nothing Inherently Mysterious About Assistive Technology”: A Qualitative Study About Blind User Experiences In Us Academic Libraries, Adina Mulliken

Publications and Research

Eighteen academic library users who are blind were interviewed about their experiences with academic libraries and the libraries’ websites using an open-ended questionnaire and recorded telephone interviews. The study approaches these topics from a user-centered perspective, with the idea that blind users themselves can provide particularly reliable insights into the issues and potential solutions that are most critical to them. Most participants used reference librarians’ assistance, and most had positive experiences. High-level screen reader users requested help with specific needs. A larger number of participants reported contacting a librarian because of feeling overwhelmed by the library website. In some cases, …