Frequently
Asked Questions (FAQ) Index
The
following are the most frequently asked questions of
the Alliance for Technology Access. As technology and
solutions continue to change, so do both the questions
and their answers. We invite all visitors to this site
to contribute, by sending either questions or suggested
answers to us at our ATAinfo
email address.
Many
of the following questions contain links to other sources
for a greater depth of coverage. Our links include:
- the
ATA book Computer and Web Resources for People with
Disabilities
- resources
from the ATA website
- resources
on the World Wide Web
The
questions are divided into the general categories of:
A. General Questions
B.
Funding and Systemic Questions
C.
Assistive Technology Training
Questions
D.
Specific Disability-Related
Questions
E.
Specific Technology Access Questions
F.
Web Access Questions
G.
Built-in Computer Features Questions
A.
General Questions:
A1
What is Assistive Technology? How do I know if I need
it?
A2
What's the best kind of computer to buy?
A3
What is AAC?
A4
What are environmental controls?
A5
Does assistive technology (AT) come with my computer?
A6
Where
can I find a low cost computer?
A7
How
do we go about creating an accessible computer lab/classroom?
A8
What
makes a good AT assessment?
A9
Who
is qualified to do AT assessments?
[return
to top]
B.
Funding and Systemic Questions:
B1
How is AT in the schools (K-12) funded? (IDEA)
B2
How can I get AT in my home for my (preschooler, school-age
child, parent, friend, etc.)
B3
How is AAC funded? (Medicaid, insurance)
B4
How is AT for post secondary education or for a job
funded? (Voc rehab)
B5
How can I fund technology for my retired family member,
etc. who has ALS, a stroke, etc.?
B6
I need adaptive technology to be more independent
in my home. Where do I get help? (Voc rehab)
B7
How can we ensure that the AT used in school is available
in the home for the student to use? (IDEA)
B8
Is a school district responsible for putting AT in
a private school setting? (IDEA)
B9
Is a school district responsible for providing AT
in the home if a child is home tutored? (IDEA)
B10
Is a school district responsible for providing AT
in the home if a child is home schooled? (IDEA)
B11
We are moving to a new school district. My daughter,
who has a learning disability, uses Write:OutLoud
and Co:Writer on a computer at school. The new school
does not have any Assistive Technology at all. What
can we do to make sure that she can continue to use
the tools that have worked for her here? We have a
computer at home with the software on it, but she
needs it in school as well.
B12
Are there any organizations that loan or donate computers?
B13
Are there grants that are available to schools or
classrooms that would help to fund AT?
[return
to top]
C.
Assistive Technology Training Questions:
C1
What university programs in AT are available?
C2
Where can an educational team receive training in
AT?
C3
What conferences are available that focus on AT?
C4
Where can I try AT devices and products before purchasing?
C5
I want to start a community technology center. What
do I need to know?
C6
Where can I get AT certificates/licenses outside of
the university system?
[return
to top]
D.
Specific Disability-Related Questions:
D1
What software is good for a child with autism?
D2
What technology is available for deaf/hard-of-hearing?
D3
What technology is available for blind/visually impaired?
D4
What technology is available for people with learning
disabilities?
D5
What technology is available for people with spinal
cord injuries?
D6
What technology is available for people with ALS/stroke?
[return
to top]
E.
Specific Technology Access Questions:
E1
What is voice recognition?
E2
Is there a way for someone who cannot use their hands
to access a computer?
E3
Is there a way for me to use a computer if I cannot
see?
E4
How can I use a computer when I can't use a mouse?
E5
How can I use a computer effectively with one hand?
E6
How can I use the computer if I can't use a regular
keyboard?
E7
I want to use the computer to write but I am a very
slow typist. Is there anything that will help me to
type faster?
E8
What can I do with a switch?
E9
What things will help me be more independent in my
home? (high and low?)
E10
Is there software that will help me organize my writing
more effectively?
E11
Is there a way for me to use the computer if I cannot
read?
E12
How can a person with a disability access a telephone?
E13
How can a person with a disability access email or
the Web?
E14
What is the role of a note taker?
[return
to top]
F.
Web Access Questions:
F1
What makes a website accessible?
F2
What software/hardware can be used to access the Web
by a person who cannot read?
G.
Built-in
Computer Features Questions:
G1 Are
there any features that are already on my computer
that will make it easier to use?
G2 I
have difficulty seeing things on the screen.
What features can help?
G3 I
have difficulty using a mouse, what features can help
me?
G4 Using
a keyboard is difficult. Are there any built-in features
to make typing easier, or to use the computer without
the keyboard?
G5 What
if I can not hear warning beeps and other system sounds?
[return
to top]
FAQ
Index | Previous | Next
|