Assistive Technologies for
Students with Disabilities

Susan M. Cooper, Ed.D. is Director of Academic Computing and Media at California State University, San Bernardino, 5500 University Parkway, San Bernardino CA 92407. We are pleased to showcase on the DET/CHE Web Site the materials Dr. Cooper presented in Session at the Eleventh Annual DET/CHE Conference, "Creating Learning Connections," November 17-21, 1996, Monterey, California, hosted by Monterey Peninsula College, and held at the DoubleTree Hotel, Monterey.

The following documents, Guide to Self-Instructional Computing Resources and Disability Awareness Program, serve well together as a valuable model for other media centers planning to provide special resources for disabled students. The documents are given here in detail to allow adoption of the principles in more depth.

Guide to Self-Instructional Computing Resources

Computer Labs

It is the policy of the department of Academic Computing and Media to provide access to self-instructional computer labs for general use. The purpose of these labs is to give students access to basic software applications (e.g., word processing, statistical packages, database and spreadsheets) as tools for completing general class assignments. Demonstration workshops for lab software and services are available to students on a first-come, first-serve basis. Students interested in signing up for a demonstration will find the current schedule and registration desk in PL-1109. A current quarter and CSUSB picture ID must be presented at the time of registration.

All work created in the labs must be saved to diskette. Students must bring their own diskettes which are available for purchase in the Coyote bookstore or at most retail stores. The computer lab assistants do not have diskettes to "loan" or for sale.

Self-instructional computer labs are located in the wedge portion of the Library building, rooms PL-1104, PL-1105 and PL-1109. The following is a list of equipment and software available in the labs:

PL-1104 25 PowerMac 8500 PageMaker PhotoShop Director WordPerfect 3.1 Claris Works 4.0 HyperStudio SPSS for Mac PowerPoint Netscape Campus Network Access PL-1105 25 Dell Pentium 100 PageMaker PhotoShop Director WordPerfect 6.1 Quattro Pro Paradox SPSS PC PowerPoint Netscape Campus Network Access

PL-1109 40 PowerMac 7100/80 AV WordPerfect 3.1 Claris Works 4.0 HyperCard 2.2 SPSS for Mac PowerPoint Netscape Campus Network Access 40 Dell Pentium 100 WordPerfect 6.1 Quattro Pro Paradox SPSS PC PowerPoint Netscape Campus Network Access

Assistive Workstations

The department of Academic Computing and Media is committed to insuring all students have access to technology. To fulfill this commitment we have established six assistive computer workstations in our labs for use by students with disabilities.

In addition to providing access to the standard software available in the labs, these workstations have been equipped with assistive software and hardware devices. Students with disabilities ranging from learning to mobility, as well as hearing and visual disabilities, will find these workstations suitable to complete computer related tasks. Work areas are partitioned to reduce visual and noise distractions. Training is available to students registered with the SSD office. Each student's needs are assessed and then matched with the appropriate software and hardware necessary to utilize available lab resources.

PL-1109 Station 1  Dell Pentium 133 MHz OutSpoken for Windows Open Book HandiCode Zoom Text MegaDots (Server) Connected to Juliet Braille Printer Station 2  Dell Pentium 133 MHz JAWS for Windows HandiCode Zoom Text MegaDots (Server) Connected to Juliet Braille Printer Station 3  Dell Pentium 133 MHz DragonDictate KeyRep HandiCode Zoom Text MegaDots (Server) Adjustable height table Station 4  9150 Apple Workgroup 120 MHz Ergonomic adjustable keyboard Co:Writer Write Outloud Ke:nx Complete Access Package Head Mouse Magic Cursor

PL-1104 System: Station 1  8500 PowerMac 120 MHz Co:Writer Write Outloud Ke:nx Complete Access Package PL-1105 System: Station 1  Dell Pentium 133 MHz OutSpoken for Windows Open Book DragonDictate KeyRep HandiCode Zoom Text Adjustable height table Accessory Hardware: IntelliKey keyboard Micro keyboard AirMouse VCR Combo unit Tape Recorder CCTV reader Headphones Microphones No Hands Mouse (MAC & Windows) Scanner

Lab Hours

During the academic year, the hours of operation for self-instructional labs are Monday - Thursday 8am-10pm, Friday 8am-5pm, Saturday & Sunday 9am-5pm. Maintenance for network servers is performed on Fridays 8am-9am; network servers may  be unavailable during that period. Lab hours will vary, depending upon maintenance needs during quarter breaks and the summer sessions. Schedules are posted in and around labs, and the Self-Instructional Lab Information telephone number (x5067) provides current lab hours.

Printing Services

All workstations in the computer labs are connected to both black laser printers and color ink jet printers. The current charge is 11 cents per page for black laser printing and 60 cents per page for color ink jet printing. Charges for printing are deducted from a "copy/printing card" which is available for purchase from vending machines located in PL-1109, the Library and the Student Union. Print jobs are released from the print queue when a valid card is inserted in the card reader attached to the print server.

E-mail Accounts

E-mail and internet access is available to currently enrolled students on a system named ACME. Students may obtain an ACME account by registering with the student assistant in PL-1109 during regular lab hours. Current quarter ID and photo must be presented to register for an account.

Lab Consulting Services

Student Consultants:  Academic Computing and Media hires and trains student assistants from all majors to provide support for lab users. Student consultants are prepared to provide student users with assistance in all lab supported software applications, log-on and log-off procedures, interpreting system and error messages, explaining the operation and functioning of lab equipment, and general problem-solving skills. The student consultant is not responsible for tutoring students in software applications, system equipment operations or homework.

Staff Consultants:  Staff members are available for faculty consulting about the self-instructional lab facilities during open lab hours. The staff consultants' responsibility is to provide faculty users with assistance in all lab support of software applications, log-on and log-off procedures, interpreting system and error messages and explaining the operation and functioning of lab equipment.

Academic Computing Staff

Dr. Susan M. Cooper
Director of Academic Computing & Media, x5619, PL-002

Chani Beeman, Lab Management, x5075, PL-1108d

Lab demonstrations and tours, lab maintenance and Student Assistant supervision are coordinated by Chani Beeman. Questions, concerns and suggestions for future development and support of self-instructional computing are encouraged and welcome.

Steve Burdick, Equipment Technician, x3082, PL-003c

Repair requests for hardware located in faculty, librarian and staff offices and instructional labs should be directed to Steve Burdick.

Steve Martin, Network Management, x3057, PL-1108c

Steve manages the Self-Instructional local area networks and internet connectivity for ACM computing facilities. Upgrades and software compatibility questions may be directed to Steve Martin.

Frank Slaton, Professional Development and Facilities, x5062, PL-012

Faculty, Librarian and staff consultation services are provided by Frank Slaton. Consulting services include multimedia, hardware and software purchase and use, facility planning and professional development related to technology.

Sherwin Smith, Student E-mail Assistant, x3069, PL-1109

Services include the allocation and maintenance of student ACME accounts and system documentation.

Lab Information Line: 880-5067

Provides information about current lab hours and scheduled lab closures for the current quarter.

Academic Computing Support Staff Line: 880-5071

Provides off-campus telephone contact with Academic Computing support staff. Voice menu provides options that transfer callers to staff telephone extensions.