Abstract

The Adaptive Technology Lab seeks funding to replace equipment that has exceeded its useful lifespan. The equipment to be replaced is located in the Mary Gates Hall Computing Resource Center, which is the primary location for adaptive hardware and software for students with disabilities. Due to the age of this special equipment, repair costs and down time affect the availability of vital services to students with disabilities. This problem is exacerbated because warranties have expired and service location for one of the items is located out of state.

Background

The Adaptive Technology Lab provides access to computing for students with disabilities. ATL staff also serves as campus-wide consulting resource for other computing facilities in the University system. This facility exists to ensure students with the most comprehensive collection of services possible. In conjunction with the Mary Gates Hall Computing Resource Center, students have access to a modern, well-equipped computer lab with adaptive hardware and software. This proposal addresses the hardware and software needed to maintain this essential resource for UW students with disabilities.

The pervasive presence of technology in essentially every professional career requires that competitive candidates possess computing skills before entering the workforce. Students with disabilities should be included with their peers, not only because it is required of the institution, but because it is the right thing to do. It is not enough to provide students with access to software and computers. Faculty and students must be supported together so that the use of information technology becomes an integral part of course work, insuring that students have the skills necessary to be successful in the work place. Faculty and adminstrators need to have a resource where they can learn about the technology that students with disabilities use in order to for academic success. The ATL is the only unit on campus that supports all UW students and faculty with disabilities in a coordinated way, including:
“h Demonstrations of specific technology that benefits students with visual, mobility, learning or health impairments,
“h Training for students who need adaptive technology in order to complete coursework, engage in research, and compete successfully with their peers, Providing access to wired teaching spaces in the SACG Computing Classrooms,
“h Providing access to state-of-the-art hardware and software to help prepare students for work in the real world, and
“h Working with partners and other affiliate organizations across campus to address policy issues raised by the proliferation of instructional technology, including accessible design of software and web-based resources.

Benefits

Communication with students using the ATL have indicated that the current Braille embosser lacks the resolution and quality necessary for reading technical documents as well as for general academic resources. Also, there is a shortage of current software that provides access to computers for students who are blind. The existing scanner used for access to printed text by students with visual or learning disabilities was originally purchased six years ago. As part of an integrated reading package, it is a severe bottleneck for the productivity of students who need access to this type of accommodation.

We propose the purchase of a new embosser with acoustic cabinet, screen reading software and scanner. The acoustic cabinet for the embosser is needed to muffle the very loud noise generated by the embosser while it is running.

Student Access

The Mary Gates Hall Computing Resource Center is open to all undergraduate and graduate students. As a recently remodeled building, Mary Gates Hall is also very accessible to students with mobility impairments. Furniture within the Adaptive Technoloy area of the Computing Resource Center is also adjustable for the needs of those students who use wheelchairs.

Available Resources

The Adaptive Technology Lab is staffed with one manager, one professional staff lead and three part-time student consultants. In addition, Mary Gates Hall Computing Resource Center is staffed with a manager and large number of student consultants that can provide limited support during hours the ATL is not staffed. Staffing costs are provided by Computing and Communications and DO-IT. Training and support for adaptive technology hardware and software is available from Adaptive Technology Lab staff.

Installation Timeline

Hardware and software will be purchased as soon as funding is received and installed as soon as possible.

Departmental Endorsement

"Computing access for students with disabilities is vital for them to successfully complete the UW education and to prepare for future employment. The Computing & Communications Adaptive Technology Lab and the DO-IT program are nationally recognized as innovators and leaders in providing technology for students with disabilities. I endorse their proposal to upgrade hardware and software to benefit students with disabilities in the educational pursuits."-UWired ¡V Karalee Woody

Disabled Student Services ¡V Dyane Haynes

Items

Below are the items making up the current proposal. The asterisk (*) beside items signify that they were approved by the committee. This however was not implemented correctly for our database before 2005, so earlier years may not show this.

Click an item's title to view details on that item, or show all item details.