Adaptive Technology = Access to information and greater independence
- What is Adaptive Technology?
- Training and Advice
- In the classroom
- Out on the road
- In the workplace
- Making websites and software accessible
- Get in touch
- Related Links
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What is Adaptive Technology?
Adaptive Technology is any technology that is specifically designed to help blind, deafblind and vision-impaired people access information. This includes -
- Talking screen reading software that reads in synthetic speech what is on the computer or mobile phone screen
- Refreshable electronic braille displays which convert electronic text into braille
- Braille embossers which produce paper braille from computer files
- Electronic note takers and personal organisers with speech or braille output
- Products which magnify information on a screen or change text and background colours to suit different eye conditions.
Today, the ability to access a wide range of IT systems at home or in the work place is essential. With support blind, deafblind and vision-impaired people are able to find or retain employment in a variety of industries and settings and also study alongside sighted students by taking full advantage of the opportunities made possible by computers, electronic texts and the Internet.
Adaptive technology enables blind, deafblind and vision-impaired people to have greater independence and an enhanced quality of life through access to information and life-long learning.
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Training and Advice
The Adaptive Technology Services team at the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind (RNZFB) provides training and advice to blind, deafblind and vision-impaired people throughout New Zealand. They -
- Carry out personalised adaptive technology equipment assessments in the workplace, place of study or at home
- Ensure the adaptive technology is correctly installed, configured and operated at work, home or education institutes
- Work with employers, Government agencies and other businesses to assist them to make their in-house software, websites and other IT systems accessible to blind, deafblind and vision-impaired people.
The team also keeps RNZFB members up to date with the latest developments in adaptive technology and works to raise awareness in New Zealand about what adaptive technology can do. An adaptive technology help desk is also available to assist users.
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In the classroom
"I think this course is a great resource for members and I think that more people should take advantage of it."
"I found the course very useful and it gave me a goal to work towards. Thanks for making it all possible."
The Adaptive Technology Service provides classroom tuition where members learn computer skills using adaptive technology in a supportive environment alongside other blind, deafblind and vision-impaired students.
Classes range from short courses of one or two days on specific topics, right up to full time courses lasting for ten weeks. The long courses can lead to NZQA credits towards the Level 2 Certificate in Computing.
An assessment at the start of a course determines what adaptive technology is needed. Students then learn to use Microsoft Windows applications such as Word, Excel and Outlook in conjunction with their specific adaptive technology.
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Out on the road
The RNZFB provides training to members outside the main centres and in the workplace via its Mobile Adaptive Technology Training Unit (MATTU).
Complementing the work done by RNZFB Adaptive Communications Instructors, this service reaches members who are unable to attend a course because of travel or who would find a classroom environment difficult to work in.
MATTU offers –
- Flexible short term training programmes
- Adaptive technology demonstrations
- Basic adaptive technology support
- One-to-one training in the community.
How the MATTU service works–
Mr A lives in Palmerston North, a 1.5 hour drive from Wellington where a MATTU staff member is based. Mr A lacked confidence, is in his 50s and had never used a computer before. He was worried his lack of skill would hold a class back.
A MATTU staff member visited Mr A at his home and provided training in using adaptive technology to access email and the Internet. Reconnected again with family, friends, business associates and information, Mr A now has the confidence to start job hunting. With basic computer skills mastered, he is considering MATTU and classroom based training on other applications.
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In the workplace
"The new monitor is amazing and I realise now how much I have been struggling over the past few years. It is again a pleasure to read manuals and articles, instead of something to be ignored and I have a job coming up which I would not have been able to do without this equipment."
With personalised assessments the Adaptive Technology team and Adaptive Communications Instructors ensure the equipment or technology used is right for the individual.
In the workplace, at home or at an educational institute, equipment is installed by the team to ensure the adaptive technology is configured and working correctly.
The idea that blind, deafblind or vision-impaired people cost more to employ is a myth.
Funding for most adaptive technology, equipment or modifications required for the workplace is available through various government agencies such as Workbridge and ACC.
Every situation and need is different and costs vary. The RNZFB offers no-obligation estimates and quotes.
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Making websites and software accessible
"It’s great to have the opinion of an expert rather than just making knee-jerk reactions based on hear say."
The Adaptive Technology Service works closely with a wide range of software developers, Government agencies, employers and service providers to ensure software, websites, intranets and other IT initiatives meet internationally recognised accessibility standards.
Advising on how software can be made accessible to blind, deafblind and vision-impaired users, the team also configures the software and the adaptive technology to work together.
Part of the Adaptive Technology Service includes website testing for accessibility. They –
- Identify problems and offer technical solutions
- Introduce clients to RNZFB members who act as real-life non-technical users
- Work with software application designers to identify accessibility barriers and help to resolve them
- Train blind, deafblind and vision-impaired people to use the software application or website following the consultancy service provided.
Conducting an accessibility audit and making adjustments while software is being developed is usually far less expensive to an organisation than relying on configuring the adaptive technology used by a RNZFB member.
Workplace consultancy and configuration costs are negotiated with the Adaptive Technology Service.
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Get in touch
The RNZFB is the primary provider of vision-related rehabilitation service to 11,700 blind, deafblind and vision-impaired New Zealanders.
The Vodafone New Zealand Foundation is supporting the RNZFB to bring adaptive technology to as many blind, deafblind and vision-impaired people as possible.
To find out how Adaptive Technology Services could work for you contact -
RNZFB Adaptive Technology Manager
email: ats
0800 24 33 33
Related Links
Adaptive
Technology
Vodafone NZ Foundation and RNZFB partnership