Assistive technology for disabled people

If you have a disability or learning difficulty there's a huge range of specialist equipment that can help overcome barriers to studying and working. New products are being developing all the time so making sure you get what you need at a price you can afford can be mind boggling. To help you make sense of the most common adaptations, read on.

"Assistive technology is anything that helps you go about your daily life"

What is assistive technology?

Assistive technology is anything that helps you go about your daily life, but in particular it means technology that improves access to computers. Disabled people can find standard equipment difficult to use as it's often developed without taking their needs into account. This is a problem when 90% of new jobs require digital skills, however, assistive technology is a way of overcoming these barriers.

For example, a business manager with a physical impairment can dictate management reports using a microphone and voice recognition software, instead of using the keyboard. The microphone and software are examples of assistive technologies.

How can assistive technology help me?

Here are some of the most common ways that assistive technology can help make computers accessible, or simply make studying and working easier.

If you are physically impaired

If you find it slow or painful to use a standard keyboard or mouse, there are lots of alternatives you can try. These could include one-handed keyboards, a trackball mouse, an ergonomic mouse, or screen pointers that can be controlled by almost any part of the body.

Instead of typing you can use voice recognition software, such as Dragon Naturally Speaking, which turns your speech into text. Dragon can be used to dictate directly into Microsoft Word, Outlook and many other programmes. It takes time to train the software, but it can learn to recognise most voices and accents.

The disability charity AbilityNet produces some excellent factsheets, including a guide to keyboard and mouse alternatives, describing each solution in detail and listing UK suppliers.

If you are visually impaired

If you find it difficult to see the screen, you can try magnification software. Packages such as ZoomText and Lunar are relatively easy to learn and enable you to zoom in and enlarge everything on screen. You can also adjust the size, colour and shape of your mouse cursor.

A 'blind person can follow the screen using special screen reading software that converts each character or word into speech. Screen readers can also produce a braille readout on a tactile display that sits under the keyboard. The RNIB has a factsheet called Using a computer without vision. This describes the various packages and where you can buy them.

If you dyslexic or have learning difficulties

Some people find it easier to use pictures to plan their work or remember things. Inspiration is a computer programme that lets you draw diagrams called mind maps. You can use mind maps to plan essays, make revision notes and brainstorm ideas for work projects. Voice recognition software can also help people who struggle with spelling because recognised words are always spelled correctly.

How do I work out what's the best technology?

If you're a student, your college or university should arrange a needs assessment – a face-to-face meeting with a trained assessor who understands your disability and has experience of assistive technology. Always try out equipment before you commit to buying it, and consider what training and support you'll need.

How do I pay for the equipment?

In further education, the college will usually lend you equipment or install specialist software on computers in the library or resource centre. At university, you can apply for Disabled Students' Allowances to pay towards the costs. Employers have a legal duty to provide support for disabled people in the workplace and you can apply to the Access to Work scheme for 100% of the approved costs if you are starting a new job.

Written by Tony Stevens

Did you know?

The standard QWERTY keyboard layout was invented in 1874 to stop typewriter keys getting jammed.

Jargon Buster

Ergonomic:: Designed to be safe and comfortable
Tactile:: Something you can understand by touching
Remote access:: Controlling your computer over the internet

The solution you need might be on your computer already. The BBC My Web My Way website has lots of tips on how to customise your computer.
If you're a student, tell your disability or learning support advisor that you have a disability and ask about their procedures for arranging support.
To apply for Access to Work, speak to the Disability Employment Adviser (DEA) at your local Jobcentre, or contact your nearest Access to Work Business Centre.
If you have no other way of getting an assessment of your equipment needs, contact AbilityNet. Where possible, they will do an assessment free of charge using *remote access* software and a webcam.
Make sure you try out products before spending money on expensive equipment.

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