Re: [Accessibility_SIG] Digest for accessibility_sig@knowbility.org - 1 Message in 1 Topic

[Gary Morin]

Hi, Dallas,

I'm not sure of what the jargon (CLASS CM DADS?) means, but I believe the same is true of Medicaid or Medicare and insurance companies and that you're not alone in this situation.  Many of the Apple products or smart phone products, for example, have great native or installable applications for a wide range of persons with disabilities.  however, they ALSO have computer or other capabilities.  And that's the conundrum - from a consumer perspective, this is a good thing (plus they're cheaper!).  from a policy or rule perspective, it's not "targeted specifically for individuals with disabilities."

• Her CLASS CM thinks (Are you sitting down?) DADS will not approve of any suchsoftware, but will fund only if the software was "targeted specifically for individuals with disabilities". Despite recent disconcerting post-Cost-Containment-Initiative experience with DADS, I don't really believe they are that myopic.

It's hard to say whether or not "they" are myopic or the rules simply haven't caught up with technology.  Sadly, the people maintaining the rules aren't dependent on the technology or other reasonable accommodations and forms or features of accessibility that they're denying their consumers.  If they were, they might work harder to fix the outdated rules rather than find excuses for enforcing them.

On Wed, Mar 7, 2012 at 10:44 AM, <accessib...@knowbility.org> wrote:

  Today's Topic Summary

Group: http://groups.google.com/a/knowbility.org/group/accessibility_sig/topics

• Specialized Software Sought [1 Update]

 Specialized Software Sought

Dallas E Webster <d_we...@sbcglobal.net> Mar 06 09:19PM -0800  

I have a client with motor (moderate-to-significant), verbal (mild-to-moderate)
and learning (mild) impairments, who desires to use CLASS funding to apply AT to
get past some hurdles. Her IPC team has looked at my detailed evaluation and
recommendations, and has decided to concentrate of three software support areas:
Speech Recognition, Money Management and Typing. This client's impairments
suggest that she can clearly use GP COTS (general purpose, commercial
off-the-shelf) software, such as Dragon Naturally Speaking or Windows Speech
Recognition, Quicken or Excel Templates and Typing Instructor or Mavis Beacon
Teaches etc. She learns slowly but surely, with guidance. Other clients might
not do so well, but I have used these successfully with some people with similar
abilities.
 
Her CLASS CM thinks (Are you sitting down?) DADS will not approve of any such
software, but will fund only if the software was "targeted specifically for
individuals with disabilities". Despite recent disconcerting
post-Cost-Containment-Initiative experience with DADS, I don't really believe
they are that myopic. But I thought I'd try to see whether any of you can
recommend any such specialized software. Dragon Naturally Speaking likely
addresses speech impediments better than anything that is pure software (I know
of some hardware/software research, but no current products.
 
There are lots of alternatives Money Management software/sites that are much
easier to use than Quicken or Excel, even when supported by well-constructed
templates, especially some for kids. (But she has access to those already, and
has used them a little.)
 
Typing software is a natural for a specialized entry, e.g., teaching
two-fingered or two-fingers per hand technique. When I use the COTS programs, I
do feel like I'm forcing them to do things it wasn't meant to do. And I feel
that I have to use more than one program to cover this client. I know of several
tutorial programs or courses, and hardware, that apply to various motor/physical
challenges (one-hand, multiple fingers on each hand etc.), but have not used
any. Of course, speech recognition is often the best "typing" program, but that
is already at issue.
 
The client is able to use an iPhone or Android smartphone, not without their own
challenges. which might open up some interesting possibilities. Smartphones are
not good typing platforms for speed improvement. (It is actually more of an
equalizer, making 1-2 fingered, clumsy typists out of us all.) Swype on an iPad
might offer an improvement for her vs. normal on-screen keyboards. But most of
the apps I know of on these touchscreen platforms are not "specifically designed
for people with disabilities".
 
Your insight is appreciated -- including pointers.
 
 
P.S.: I am still looking for good literacy software and web sites. Amazingly,
although there are lots of candidates, they all seem to have a Catch-22,
requiring some reading ability to be able to use them to learn to read,
Dallas Webster
Assistive Technology Specialist
Upstream Technology
Making the Best of Your Abilities
(512)795-9760
(512)461-4696 (cell)
(512)795-9763 (voice/fax)
dal...@upstreamtech.org
www.upstreamtech.org


 

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Gary M. Morin
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[Cliff Tyllick]

Speaking only for myself, let me point out that the processes for making rules often allow for people affected by the rules to petition for the rules to be revised. I don't have the time, but it would be worthwhile for someone to research the rules and procedures for making the rules Gary's talking about. You might discover that there would be a way for Knowbility and other interested parties, including individuals as well as organizations, to get these rules opened up for revision.

 

That said, when the rules are opened for revision, you'll want to already have all your ducks in a row for proposing changes--in other words, already have well-stated arguments for why the old wording is outdated and what the new wording should be. There's a defined window for presenting input during the making of rules. You don't want to have your best idea hit you after that window closes.

 

Voting isn't the only way people can participate in our self-government. If these rules affect you personally, or if you represent the interests of people who are affected by these rules, you should educate yourself as to how the rules can be changed when they no longer make sense.

 

Again, that's just me speaking as myself, not for my employer.

 

End of soapbox.

 

Have a great day!

 

Cliff