Technology at Work

By Mary J. Dufton

Today, a wide range of products and special training are removing employment barriers for those of us with disabilities. Whether the disability is visual, hearing, cognitive or speech or mobility related, assistive devices are available for integration into the workplace. Innovations like "sip-and-puff" devices for mobility disabilities and specialized telecommunications for hearing loss are just a few of the many devices that make this possible.

Special training and personal consultation match workers with technology and tailor work stations to individual needs and capabilities. For example, the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) can demonstrate the assistive devices available for those with low vision or blindness -- from computers with voice synthesizers, screen magnification or larger monitors, to talking calculators. The CNIB also counsels individuals and employers on selecting the best equipment, and provides referrals on vendors and devices. The organization offers limited training, but has a technician who will perform the training in various programs.

According to Eduardo Gomez, CNIB’s high-tech consultant, "Employers need to be more open to hiring people with disabilities, to accept and involve them in the process of acquiring technical aids. That is, discuss with them first what they think they need and follow through, rather than the employer assuming they know what their employee needs and speaking for them."

The Bloorview MacMillan Centre in Toronto also assists individuals with disabilities in the workplace. It reviews common work activities such as answering the telephone and operating a computer, and assesses how the individual functions. The centre then establishes which adaptive devices are needed and makes recommendations to the employer. For example, a differently shaped mouse or a trackball may be suggested.

Andr‚ Demers is an adaptive computer technology specialist with Environment Canada’s Adaptive Computer Technology (ACT) program. This comprehensive program is offered to Environment Canada employees with all types of disabilities and includes needs assessments, integration of tools onto the employees’ desktops, training and ongoing user support.

"Before assistive technology, many people with blindness, low vision or other disabilities were not able to do their jobs or couldn’t work at all," says Demers. "In this age of highly computerized office environments, many people with disabilities do not have access to the same type of support mechanisms that their able-bodied co-workers have. This is what the ACT program strives to provide."

Some of the adaptations used by people with low vision include screen magnification and colour changes on screens for enhanced readability. For those who are blind, there are Braille printers, screen-reading packages with voice synthesizers so that what is not seen is heard, and notetakers with portable keyboards and a Braille display or built-in voice synthesizer.

Software packages that convert error messages from a sound to a flash are available for individuals with hearing disabilities. Low-tech devices such as flashing beepers attached to clothing are a godsend in a workplace emergency such as a fire alarm.

Blissboards and voice-recognition software provide the user with alternate ways to input written text on a computer and are commonly used to assist many people with speech or mobility-related disabilities.

Individuals with physical disabilities can also use alternate pointing devices such as a head mouse, which features a green dot applied to the user’s forehead to point at the computer screen, and read by a camera on the monitor. Keyboard trays can be set up with a foot mouse, a mouse stick (operated by the mouth) or "sip-and-puff" combinations to control the computer.

The cost of these products ranges from virtually nothing to thousands of dollars. For example, some utilities that can change the layout of the keyboard to accommodate a physical or hearing disability can be downloaded from the Internet for no change. However, products such as screen readers, Braille displays and eye-gaze systems can cost thousands of dollars.

Today, many Canadian suppliers provide a large variety of assistive devices. Some vendors cater exclusively to those who are blind or have low vision. Others service people with all disabilities. Here’s a quick run-down of who’s who in assistive technology and the wide range of equipment available.

The Microcomputer Science Centre, located in metropolitan Toronto, Ontario, offers technology to accommodate various disabilities including low vision, blindness, quadriplegia, learning disabilities, hearing loss, speech and language disabilities and cognitive disability. It is recognized by programs such as the Assistive Devices Plan, Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (if it involves a workplace-related injury) and insurance companies.

Barouch Chai, president and founder, says, "The workplace must be barrier free to tailor solutions for anyone getting back to work. Technology is progressing so fast, soon adaptive technology will be on everyone’s computer. It used to be that voice recognition was only for those who could not type; now it is becoming a standard feature on computers so that anyone can use it. Even people without disabilities appreciate its convenient, hands-free approach."
Telephone: (905) 629-1654
E-mail: microsci@ican.net
Website: http://home.ican.net/~microsci

Aroga Inc. is located in North Vancouver, B.C. Its products include Braille devices, communication devices and speech and language software. It targets a wide range of disabilities. Aroga works to supply the most appropriate technology to each situation and provides after-sales support and training. It is a partner with Industry Canada to develop technical aids and is also an authorized reseller of conventional computer technology for companies such as IBM, Hewlett-Packard and Digital.
Telephone: 1-800-561-6222
Website: http://www.aroga.com

Betacom has service centres in Montreal, Quebec City and metropolitan Toronto. It has three divisions:
- Betacom Products and Services targets people with visual disabilities, offering closed-circuit televisions, speech synthesizers, screen reading programs and talking notetakers.
- Betacom Optic offers a variety of low-vision aids including magnifiers, telescopes and eyewear. All products are dispensed through eye-care professions throughout Canada. It does not deal specifically with high-tech products, but can make referrals.
- Bridges is a division for physical disabilities and communication disorders. It has computer access adaptations such as voice-input products, and includes clinical materials and tools for assessments, therapy, education and reference and a range of software and hardware tools.
Betacom also offers support materials, seminars and on-site training.
Telephone: (905) 838-1411
E-mail: betacom@netcom.ca
Website: http://www.betacom

Frontier Computing, located in Toronto, Ontario, serves people who are blind or have low vision. Products include Braille displays, printers and translators, electronic magnifiers, image enhancers, large-print packages, notetakers, scanning software, scanners, hardware and software speech products, voice recognition and Braille displays. It also offers and English and French Braille transcription service.
Telephone: (416) 489-6690
Website: http://www.frontiercomputing.on.ca

The Canadian Assistive Devices Industry Association (CANADIA) provides information on standards in assistive technology and its manufacturers.
Contact: Chuck Letourneau
Telephone: (613) 820-2272
Website: Canadia@starlingweb.com

Whatever your disability, there is something for you in the ever-changing world of assistive technology. It’s just a phone call, or a journey to cyberspace, away.

(Mary J. Dufton is a freelance writer living in Ottawa, Ontario.)