EASI is proud that one of its instructors and long-time friends has
published yet another book. Joe Lazzaro has published several books on
computer access for people with disabilities as well as a number of science
fiction stories.
The press below is on his most recent book which I believe will be a really
handy tool to help people get a basic, beginning understanding of how to
make computers accessible for people with almost any type of disability.
Congrats, Joe!
Norman Coombs
GUIDEBOOK DESCRIBES PERSONAL COMPUTER ADAPTATIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS
WITH DISABILITIES
"ADAPTIVE TECHNOLOGIES FOR LEARNING AND WORK ENVIRONMENTS"
SECOND EDITION
BY JOSEPH J. LAZZARO
PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION: WWW.ALA.ORG
Adaptive Technologies For Learning And Work Environments, Second
Edition, is a comprehensive guide describing how to select,
install, and support assistive technology for persons with
disabilities. The text covers adaptations for Windows, Macintosh,
and Unix computer platforms, and shows how to operate PCs using
keyboard commands and shortcuts. The book spotlights built-in
accessibility utilities found on personal computers, and is a solid
guide to facilitate accessible learning, working, and independent
living. This completely revised edition breaks down the latest
hardware and software for making information technology accessible
for all! From desktop, notebook, and hand-held pcs, to the
internet, the book details in lay terms-the latest advancements in
assistive hardware and software, how to select the most appropriate
solution, how to implement them, and how to provide vital training
and technical support. Detailed chapters identify assistive
technology for persons with visual, hearing, motor, speech, and
learning disabilities. An entire chapter is devoted to public and
private sector funding sources, and extensive appendices are packed
with resources to help you locate agencies and organizations that
support adaptive technology. New to this edition are entire
chapters on keyboard commands, built-in accessibility utilities,
and internet/intranet accessibility. A detailed chapter uncovers
the secrets of pc hardware, software, and peripherals, showing you
the basics that you'll need to know in order to work with many
different forms of adaptive equipment. The text spotlights more
than 275 adaptive products: screen readers, screen magnification
software, braille printers and displays, scanners, voice command
and dictation systems, alternative input systems, Ttys, on screen
keyboards, alternative communication systems, word predictors, and
other solutions. This indispensable reference will give librarians,
educators, administrators, human resource staff, and people with
disabilities inside information and expert guidance on the many
forms of assistive technology. Below is the table of contents as it
appears in the book.
1 Personal Computer Hardware Basics
Who Should Read This Chapter?
The Central Processing Unit
Memory
Input Devices
Output Devices
Storage Devices
Expansion Slots and Circuit Cards
Input/Output Ports
Modems: Analog, Cable, and DSL
Portable PCs
Notebook Computers
Palmtop Computers
Global Positioning Systems
Selecting a Personal Computer
2 Driving the Computer from the Keyboard
The Graphical User Interface
Starting Windows and Basic Navigation
Logging In
Navigating with the TAB Key
Selecting Objects with the ENTER Key
The Start Button Hot Key
Switching from One Application to Another
Menu Navigation
Shutting Down Applications
Native Accessibility Utilities
Utility Manager
Control Panel Accessibility Utilities
Active Accessibility
Accessibility Utilities across Platforms
3 Technology for Persons with Vision Impairments
Speech-Synthesis Engines
Sound Cards
Screen Readers
Screen-Reader Commands
Narrator
Magnification Systems
Low-Vision Aids
Large Monitors
Closed-Circuit Television Systems
Handheld CCTV Systems
Head-Mounted CCTV Systems
Magnification Software
Braille Systems
Braille Basics
Braille Translation Software
Braille Printers
Braille Displays
Braille Note Takers
Optical Character Recognition Systems
Scanning Text into Your Computer
4 Technology for Persons Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
Text Telephones
Cordless and Cellular Phones
Text-Telephone Etiquette
Text Telephones and the Americans with Disabilities Act
Braille Text Telephones
Telecommunications Relay Services
Alphanumeric Pagers
Instant Messaging
Chat
Fax
Computer-Assisted Access
Baudot/ASCII Modems
Text-Telephone Software
Visual Indicator Software
Computer-Aided Transcription
CART Reporting
Computerized Sign Language Training
Signaling Systems
Captioning Systems
Making Captioned Videotapes
Electronic Amplification Systems
Hearing Aids
Assistive Listening Devices
Telephone Amplification Systems
5 Technology for Persons with Motor Disabilities
Adapted Keyboards
Keyboard Keyguards
Keyboard Modification Software
Macros
Key Modifier Software
Built-In Access Features
On-Screen Keyboard
Alternative Input Systems
Adapted Switches and Scanning Keyboards
Morse Code Systems
Word-Prediction Software
Speech-Recognition Systems
Speech-Recognition Hardware
Training
Speech on the Road
Environmental Control Systems
6 Technologies for Persons with Speech Disabilities
The Evaluation Process
What Is an Alternative Communications Device?
Word Prediction and Abbreviation Expansion
Controlling a Communications Device
Keyboards and Touch Screens
Scanning Keyboards
Controlling a Personal Computer
Computers and Alternative Communication
7 Technologies for Persons with Learning Disabilities
What Is a Learning Disability?
The Evaluation Process
The Individualized Education Program
Deploying Technology
Personal Computers
Note Takers and Organizers
8 Foundations for Assistive Technology
The Assistive Technology Specialist
The Evaluation Process
Sample Adaptation
Low-Tech Solutions
Confidentiality
Training
Classroom Training
One-on-One Training
Following Up
Tutorials and Training Materials
Technical Support
Warranty Cards
Consumer Groups and Special Interest Groups
Online Help
9 Accessing the Internet and Intranets
Why Make the Internet and Intranets Accessible?
Definitions
The Internet
Intranets
Hardware Requirements
Adaptive Technology and Networks
The World Wide Web
Web Sites
Web Browsers
Internet Explorer
Home Page Reader
How Browsers Work
Search Engines
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
Web Site Validation
Sharing Resources
Electronic Mail
Online Chat
Newsgroups
Instant Messaging
Mailing Lists
10 Funding Adaptive Technology
Cost-Saving Ideas
Shareware, Freeware, and Demoware
Other Ways to Cut Costs
Personal Sources of Funds
Family and Friends
Lending Institutions and Credit Unions
Credit Cards
Government-Sponsored Sources of Funds
The Federal Vocational Rehabilitation Program
Medicaid
Special Education
The Social Security Administration-s PASS Program
The Assistive Technology Act of 1998
Veterans Benefits
Private-Sector Sources of Funds
The Easter Seals Society
The International Association of Lions Clubs
Independent Living Centers
Appendixes
Microsoft Windows 98 Keyboard Guide
Apple Macintosh Keyboard Shortcuts
Products for Persons with Vision Impairments
Products for Persons Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
Products for Persons with Motor Disabilities
Products for Persons with Speech Disabilities
Products for Persons with Learning Disabilities
National Resources for Persons with Disabilities
National Toll-Free Phone Numbers for Persons with Disabilities
Key Provisions on Assistive Technology IDEA 1997
A Guide to Disability Rights Laws
RESNA Technology Assistance Project State Contact List
An accessible html version of the text on cd-rom is available
separately to support users with disabilities. The text is readable
with any standard browser that supports HTML files.
About the Author
Joseph J. Lazzaro is project director of the Adaptive Technology
Program at the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind in Boston,
which provides rehabilitation engineering services and consulting
on assistive technology. The program provides assistive technology
free of charge to consumers, and provides evaluations, system
installation, training, and technical support for blind or visually
impaired consumers. He is also author of Adapting PCs for
Disabilities, published by Addison Wesley, and has written for
Byte, the New York Times, IEEE Spectrum, Windows, MIT Technology
Review, Computer Shopper, LAN Technology, and other publications.
He is an online instructor with EASI (Equal Access to Software and
Information) a group dedicated to providing online training and
resources on assistive technology. He is also a member of the
Science Fiction and Fantasy writers of America, and has published
fact and fiction in Analog, Artemis, and Absolute Magnitude
magazines. He maintains a web site at http://www.joelazzaro.com.
You can order print or CD-ROM copies of the book at the American
Library Association web site at www.ala.org or by calling 800-545-
2433, press #7 for the Order Department. The book is also available
from Amazon.Com.
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