Session Code: WVR-001 Past, Present Future: Updating your Accommodation Toolbox

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Session Code WVR-001Past, Present
FutureUpdating your Accommodation Toolbox

• Teresa Goddard, Goddard_at_jan.wvu.edu
• Lisa Mathess, Mathess_at_jan.wvu.edu
• Thursday, Jan 29 from 800 AM-900 AM

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Learning Objectives

• List three of AT based solutions to reasonable
  accommodation scenarios based on real-life
  accommodation examples involving individuals
  working in various work settings.
• Identify three examples of AT products that are
  no longer commercially available.
• Identify three examples of currently available
  assistive technology products that could be used
  instead of products that are no longer
  commercially available.
• Identify three means of applying examples of
  emerging technology to reasonable accommodation
  scenarios.

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• Objectives
• JAN Overview
• Situations and Solutions
• Current Trends
• Future Developments
• Questions

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• Over 30 Years of Service
• Consultation on
• Job Accommodation
• Americans with Disabilities Act / Rehabilitation
  Act
• Entrepreneurship
• Experienced
• Free
• National
• Easy to Use
• Confidential

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• Ask JAN and we
• Meet you where you are.
• Help meet timelines.
• Assist with the interactive process.
• Give targeted technical assistance.
• Provide comprehensive resources.
• Maintain confidentiality.

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Situations Solutions
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• Example
• A state government employee was having difficulty
  using the telephone due to hearing impairment.

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• Past Accommodation
• A JAN Consultant discussed a number of telephone
  amplification options including telephone
  silhouettes from HATIS, which were designed for
  use with t-coil enables hearing aids.

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• Newer Approach
• In recent years HATIS products have been
  discontinued and Bluetooth streaming devices have
  increased in popularity. T-coil compatible
  headsets continue to be offered by other
  manufacturers.

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• Example
• A customer service representative with tremors
  stemming from Huntingtons disease was having
  trouble using his keyboard for data entry.

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• Past Accommodation
• The employer provided a large-button keyboard
  along with an Action Arm. The employee could then
  use a stylus to type on the keyboard while
  holding his arm stable.
• The Action Arm cost 149.

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Newer Approach The Thomas Steady Arm

• Keyboarding
• Writing
• Eating
• 499.99

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• Example
• A junior high teacher with multiple sclerosis was
  preparing to return to work after a year of
  medical leave. She had difficulty standing due to
  lower extremity weakness so could not write on
  the chalkboard as much as needed.

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• Past Accommodation
• Her employer purchased an LCD Pen Tablet with a
  projector for 8500, which allowed the teacher to
  sit and write on the pen tablet and project what
  she wrote on the chalkboard.
• Newer Approach
• Employer could purchase a smart board and iPad.

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• Example
• An employee with diabetes needs to record
  information on food and medication intake and
  blood glucose readings to help better manage the
  condition.

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• Past Accommodation
• Pen-and-paper diabetes logbook
• Newer Approach
• Apps to track medication/diet/exercise
• Track 3 Diabetes Planner 2.99, Google Play
• Glucose Buddy 0/some in-app costs, iOS/Google
  play
• Wearable fitness tracking devices such as Fitbit

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• Example
• A surgeon with Attention Deficit Disorder was
  having difficulty getting to the operating suite
  on time.

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• Past Accommodation
• A Timex Datalink Watch was programmed with
  reminders of his surgery times and other
  appointments.
• Newer Approach
• Alerts delivered through smartphones and smart
  watches.

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Gone But Not Forgotten
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(No Transcript)
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Accommodation Trends
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Mobile device policies

• Mobile devices such as tablets, cellular phones,
  smartphones, smartwatches and other wearable
  devices can be valuable productivity tools when
  used appropriately. They can also help employees
  maintain work/life balance, use concentration and
  relaxation techniques, manage health conditions,
  and keep in touch with those who support them
  without tying up office equipment and phone
  lines.
• However, devices can also serve as a distraction,
  or worse pose a risk to data. As a result many
  employers are developing and updating policies on
  use of personal devices and governing what types
  of devices and apps can be purchased for
  employees.

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• ADA implications for mobile device policies
• Policies must be applied in a nondiscriminatory
  way
• Employers may need to consider policy
  modification as an accommodation
• Ways to employ mobile devices as workplace
  accommodations
• Using an accessibility feature to make a mobile
  device accessible
• Using an app or accessory as all or part of an
  accommodation
• Using a mobile device as an accommodation

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Accommodation Example

• An HR professional from a school district, was
  responding to a request by an individual who
  wanted to use a video phone and Video Relay
  Service (VRS) to make and receive calls. They
  had been using a TTY, but it was no longer
  working. A consultation with IT personnel
  revealed that it was not possible to install the
  type of high-speed Internet connection needed to
  use a video phone at the employee's workstation.
• A JAN consultant suggested exploring whether the
  employees needs could be met using a video relay
  app and a tablet with a front-facing camera. The
  consultant also discussed that a data plan or
  other wireless access would be needed, and that
  appropriate use may need to be discussed.

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BYOD

• BYOD stands for Bring Your Own Device. This is a
  type of IT-related policy allowing employees to
  bring their own privately purchased phones,
  laptops, tablets and other devices such as
  wearable technology to work and using these to
  access networks, information and applications
  that are owned or otherwise controlled by the
  employer. This allows employees to do
  work-related activities on their own devices.
• Variations on this type of policy are sometimes
  called, Bring Your Own Phone (BYOP), Bring Your
  Own Technology (BYOT) and Bring Your Own PC
  (BYOPC).

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• ADA implications for bring your own device
  programs
• Reimbursement issues may limit participation.
• Policies must be applied in a nondiscriminatory
  way.
• Employers may need to consider policy
  modification as an accommodation.
• Some policies require that employees be willing
  to surrender their device in the event of an
  investigation.
• Potential privacy issues
• Individuals who use their device for management
  of medical conditions may be temporarily without
  a way to do that.
• Individuals who use their device as a primary
  means of communication may be temporarily without
  a way to communicate at work and at home.

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Accommodation Example

• A newly hired social worker was successfully
  using an iPhone that met her accessibility needs
  in her day-to-day life. However, the employer
  wanted her to use a company-issued BlackBerry for
  work-related tasks.
• The employee wanted the employer to issue an
  iPhone instead of a BlackBerry, or modify their
  policy to allow her to use her personal iPhone
  for work.
• After contacting JAN, the employer learned about
  accessibility options for BlackBerry phones
  including a screen reader, and what models were
  compatible with the BlackBerry Screen Reader.

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Bluetooth Streaming Devices

• Pairs with mobile phones and other sound sources
• Sends sound into hearing aids for amplification
• May be designed for use with one type or many
  types of hearing aids

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New and Emerging
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Tecla Shield

• Wirelessly controls tablet/phone by using
  wheelchair controls or a standard switch
• Open source DIY option
• Commercially available

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• Software to Enhance Accessibility
• Discover 508 for SharePoint
• Creates alternative views of SharePoint pages for
  AT users
• Mobile and online versions available
• Equidox
• Automated PDF conversion tool
• Simplifies conversion and publishing of
  accessible PDFs

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Fin by Fin Robotics Inc

• Wireless controller
• Gesture
• Controls head mounts
• 59 for blind individuals
• 105-169

http//www.finrobotics.com/
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Ring by Logbar Inc.

• Control paired devices
• Gestures
• Vibrate and LED alerts
• 269.99

http//www.beadinggem.com/2014/03/one-ring-to-rule
-them-all.html/
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• Cuff Smart Jewelry
• Pairs with a smartphone
• Fitness tracking
• Personal safety features
• Multiple styles
• Vibrates to indicate call or notification
• 29 and up

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• NFC (Near Field Communication)
• Provides contactless communication between NFC
  tag and enabled devices
• Can be used for
• Sharing information/files
• Electronic identity documents
• Smart device automation
• Connecting to networks
• Payment

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In Development
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Orbital Ring Bluetooth (ORB) by Hybra Advance
Technologies

• Bluetooth headset
• Voice-to-text
• Scrolling text caller ID
• Text messages
• Meeting reminders
• 129-175

http//www.digitalgalleryindia.com/blog/2013/01/09
/
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Nod by Nod, Inc

• Controls devices remotely
• Change presentation slides
• Type notes
• Environmental Control Units
• 149, Early 2015

https//hellonod.com/
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Amazon Echo

• Speech-controlled speaker system
• Voice recognition - further distances
• Timers, news, information
• Invitation only
• 199, 99 Prime members

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• Future Approach
• Clothes that monitor transmit biomedical info

 Stepan Gorgutsa, Université Laval
http//www.futuretimeline.net/blog/computers-inter
net-blog.htm.VLbSBivF_To
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• JAN Consultants can be reached M-F 9am-6pm ET
• Phone - [phone] (voice) [phone]
  (TTY)
• Email - jan_at_AskJAN.org
• Skype - Janconsultants
• Text - [phone]
• Chat available online at http//AskJAN.org

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Questions? AskJAN.org
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