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Newsletter — Volume 6, 2003

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Adaptech Project
Adapted Computer and Information
Technologies

by Maria
Barile, Catherine Fichten, Jennison Asuncion

The
Adaptech Project research team is made up of professionals, students, and
consumers. We investigate the use of adaptive computer and information
technologies by Canadian college and university students with
disabilities. We are based at Dawson College in Montreal. We collaborate
with individuals across Canada who form part of our multisectorial,
dynamic and bilingual advisory board. Our primary objective is to provide
empirically based information to interested individuals, professionals and
organizations regarding universal accessibility of computer and
information technologies.

We have
completed three major research projects since 1996. The findings from
these three studies demonstrate that students, regardless of gender, age,
program of study or disability, make use of computer technologies
throughout their studies.

The
number and nature of the advantages that computer and information
technologies provide demonstrate their importance in the academic success
of students with disabilities. It is also noteworthy that personnel
responsible for providing services to students with disabilities report
that the use of computer technologies is beneficial not only to students
but also to the education community in general. About half of the students
in our samples had two or more disabilities. This implies the need for
workstations that are adapted to accommodate several different
disabilities at the same time. Students in our samples reported that they
"cross-use" adaptive technologies - that is, students witha given
disability use technologies that were developed for users with different
disabilities.

Despite
the fact that the Adaptech Project conducts primarily scholarly research,
our findings have important implications. These prompted us to share our
findings beyond the academic community. In addition to academic research,
we have undertaken projects that are likely to be of interest to persons
with disabilities as well.

In
today's society, people make use of computer technologies for a variety of
reasons. Unfortunately, computer technologies are not always adapted to
meet the needs of persons with disabilities. Nor are these technologies
always compatible with the hardware or software that is already installed
on their computers. In addition, hardware and software is expensive,
making it difficult for persons with limited financial means to have
access.

It is
for these reason that Adaptech has launched the "Free and Inexpensive"
project. This allows persons with disabilities the opportunity of trying
out software before buying. We are on the lookout for products that are
readily accessible and relatively inexpensive. Some of the programs are
trial versions that only function for a limited time or only include some
of the functions or features of the full program. Other programs are fully
operational.

Our
criteria for including a product involves a maximum cost of $150. By going
to our web site (www.adaptech.org) and visiting the Downloads section you
can view our list of software and judge for yourself which of these
products are useful in meeting your needs. We are not implying that these
programs are effective replacements for state of the art adaptive hardware
or software available to consumers. Rather, we offer these as short-term
solutions or as an opportunity for testing products before purchasing
them. We believe that "Free and Inexpensive" is a good place to start.

We
encourage you to visit our website to learn more about the Adaptech
Project, our research and recommendations and to discover "free and
inexpensive" products. We welcome your comments and would be pleased to
answer any questions you may have. We will be launching new research
projects in the near future and will keep you informed of our progress.

For
additional information, please contact us:

http://www.adaptech.org/

Maria
Barile: [email-masked]
(514) 931-8731 (3586)

Catherine Fichten: [email-masked]
(514) 931-8731 (1546)

Jennison
Asuncion: [email-masked]

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© 2003, Action des
femmes handicapées de Montréal