This document is hosted on the Trace R&D Center Web site. Please visit our home page for the latest information about Designing a More Usable World - for All.
The following list was developed during the fall of 1993 and the spring of 1994, by a volunteer campus committeee consisting of Marcia Carlson, Bob Christiaansen, Kelly Ford, Jay Hinkens, Geoff Kettling, Mitch Lundquist, Mark Novak, JoAnn Salin, and J. Trey Duffy.
The original goal of this committee was to provide as much adaptation as possible for the least amount of money. Many of the prices, products, companies and technologies have since changed. However, for anyone involved with the adaption of public workstations, this list can serve as a valuable starting point.
(prices and availability subject to change without notice)
Be sure to get enough memory and disk space to support adaptations and applications wanted.
$457 (price is dropping) from MACC
(ACC 0302 for Apple Color RGB)
MacWarehouse$67.00
Reduces glare and improves contrast. Recommended for all users.
Choice of (or mix of) the Following Keyboards, With Keyguards, all three can be hooked up at the same time:
Split keyboards accommodate people with limited movement and those who need a more ergonomic (or difference in ergonomics); order keyguard with keyboard
(this is the standard keyboard, 101 or more keys, can be ordered with computer)
about $60.00
Keyguard designed for the single finger, mouthstick or headstick typist, preventing unwanted key presses. Attaches to keyboard with Velcro, may be removed at any time. Good for people with involuntary arm and hand movements (e.g. Cerebral Palsy).
(with IBM/Macintosh cables so it can be switched between IBM compatibles and Macs), purchase cables separately
North Shore Computers$330.00
Membrane keyboard (flat surface) for easier access, programmable. Keys may be grouped together to form larger keys. Keys/key groups can have individual set-ups; overlay sheets may be placed between the keyboard and the clear plastic cover to indicate the set-ups associated with each key. Compatible with speech synthesizer, - use with Ke:NX II interface for Macs.
$780.00
Ke:NX II (pronounced "connects") is a software program that permits Macintosh computers to be operated by means other than the standard keyboard and the mouse cursor-control device. Access strategies that may be used with Ke:NX II include single switch scanning or Morse code input and alternative keyboards. Other features include mouse emulation, macro compatibility, and speech output capability. Works with variety of standard software applications. Some customization is possible.
$149.95
Assistive tool (in place of the standard mouse) for limited range of motion, strength, and/or coordination. Requires less hand movement than a regular mouse. Ball requires minimal finger movement; ball can be manipulated with side of hand, forearm, or even elbow. One of the three click buttons is programmable. A footswitch can be purchased for an additional $29.95.
$395.00
Provides speech output -- pronounces folder and file names and reads letters, words, lines, menus, icons, window and other graphic elements -- for text-based Macintosh software. The numeric keypad is used instead of the mouse to input commands. The entire display (e.g., icons, ruler marks, windows) can be communicated. The manual is available in print, on tone-indexed cassette, on disk and in Braille. Standard package includes Braille reference cards. For people with vision impairments and with cognitive impairments (e.g., learning disabilities, brain injury) that make reading a computer screen difficult or impossible. The local vendor will provide training.
cost varies with features and quality, $39.95 for model LV-20
To use with OutSpoken, so as not to disturb others in the lab. Cheaper headphones will not hold up in lab use and may "leak" noise (i.e., be too noisy for others in the lab).
$900.00
Headpointing system that replaces the mouse and keyboard. User wears a lightweight headset. HeadMaster translates changes in the user's head position into changes in the cursor's position on the screen. Lightly puffing into a tube connected to the headset is equivalent to pressing the mouse button. For people with limited or no use of their arms. Must be used with software like ScreenDoors.
$450.00
REQUIRES 2 MB ram and a hard disk. ScreenDoors is the software recommended for HeadMaster (this or similar software must be purchased for HeadMaster to work). A variety of on-screen point & click keyboards which take advantage of Macintosh hardware. Comes with word predictor and customization features which include voice input, speech output, environmental control, portable systems and telephone access.
$95.00
Software application which magnifies anything that normally appears on the Macintosh display by a factor of 2 to 16 times. Enlarges both characters and graphics. Does not interfere with the application program. Visual cues let the user know where the cursor is located on the screen. Both black-on-white and white-on-black displays are possible.
$495 and up (depending on features and language capability)
Text-to-Braille and Braille-to-text translator. Allows sighted person with no knowledge of Braille to type and edit text, and format it into Braille. Compatible with most word processing programs. Can work in grade 2 Braille in American English, British English, Castillian and Latin Spanish, French, Swahili, and Arabic and in grade 1 Braille in four other languages, and in Computer Braille Code. Compatible with most speech synthesizers, including synthesizers that work in languages other than American English. With an add-on (available from EVAS (Electronic Visual Aid Specialists), P.O. Box 371, Westerly, RI 02891, phone 800-872-3837, FAX 401-596-3979), can work in even more languages. Other features.
(prices and availability subject to change without notice)
Check with MACC for currently recommended brands, models. Make sure computer is compatible with the adaptive features listed below. Some brands currently available and that have models compatible with adaptive features include Value Point, Compaq, Dell, and CompuAdd. Be sure to get enough memory and disc space to support adaptations and applications wanted.
Recommended is NEC model 3FGX ($650) or model 4FG ($750); both are under university contract - contact MACC. Get with NEC anti-glare screen (about $70.00). Sometimes NEC has a special offer when the anti-glare screen is free with monitor; check before buying.
$52.50
Reduces glare and improves contrast. Recommended for all users. NOTE: If you buy the NEC monitor, get the NEC anti-glare screen. NOTE: Anti-glare screens are specific to monitors; get an anti-glare screen that fits the monitor.
Choice of (or mix of) the Following Keyboards, With Keyguards
(this is the standard keyboard, 101 or more keys, can be ordered with computer)
purchase keyguard from IBM along with the computer at the time of sale; for expanded keyboard for IBM compatibles, purchase keyguard from:
TASH, Inc.about $60.00
Keyguard designed for the single finger, mouthstick or headstick typist, preventing unwanted key presses. Attaches to keyboard with Velcro, may be removed at any time. Good for people with involuntary arm and hand movements (e.g. Cerebral Palsy).
Split keyboards accommodate people with limited movement and those who need a more ergonomic (or difference in ergonomics).
ask for keyguard when purchasing keyboard; if not available, a custom keyguard may be available from:
Prentke Romich Company$90.00-$200.00 and up
(with IBM/Macintosh cables so it can be switched between IBM compatibles and Macs)
North Shore Computers$350.00
Intellikeys keyboard can be hooked up to one of the other keyboards listed here (expanded or Health Care) at the same time. Membrane keyboard (flat surface) for easier access, programmable. Keys may be grouped together to form larger keys. Keys/key groups can have individual set-ups; overlay sheets may be placed between the keyboard and the clear plastic cover to indicate the set-ups associated with each key. Compatible with speech synthesizer, - for IBMs and compatibles, use with one of these interfaces: Scanning WSKE II or HandiKEY.
FREE!
Provides extended keyboard, mouse and sound access for DOS users. Features include single finger input, adjustability of keyboard sensitivity, screen graphic for computer sounds, toggle key. Developed by TRACE Research and Development Center.
$5.00
Same features as AccessDOS, but for Windows.
$115.00
Assistive tool (in place of the standard mouse) for limited range of motion, strength, and/or coordination. Requires less hand movement than a regular mouse. Ball requires minimal finger movement; ball can be manipulated with side of hand, forearm, or even elbow. A footswitch (connected to the trackball) is not available for the IBM;
$149.95
Same as Kensington Expert Mouse, except has three (instead of two) click buttons, one of the three click buttons is programmable.
$289.00 PC (internal)
$310.00 LP (external )
Hardware (card) for sight-impaired users that provides speech output -- reads letters, words, lines, menus, icons, window and other graphic elements. Purchase with Tiny Talk
Internal--does not require serial port, harder to connect headphone, more difficult to reach volume control, but less expensive. External is the opposite of internal.
NOTE: Must be purchased with software like Tiny Talk to operate.
$75.00
Software needed to run Doubletalk. Discount applied when purchased with Doubletalk.
NOTE: Doubletalk and Tiny Talk can be purchased together for $350.00 from OMS (internal version).
cost varies with features and quality, $39.95 for model LV-20
To use with Tiny Talk, so as not to disturb others in the lab. Cheaper headphones will not hold up in lab use and may "leak" noise (i.e., be too noisy for others in the lab).
$900.00
Headpointing system that replaces the mouse and keyboard. User wears a lightweight headset. HeadMaster translates changes in the user's head position into changes in the cursor's position on the screen. Lightly puffing into a tube connected to the headset is equivalent to pressing the mouse button. For people with limited or no use of their arms. Must be used with software like HandiKEY, HandiKEY Deluxe or Scanning WSKE II.
$695.00 to $1,195.00
Use with Headmaster. Software program and hardware adapter that allows computer operation with one to five switches. Provides integrated augmentative communication and computer access; word prediction, abbreviation expansion with full macros, many other features. Works with standard software. For people with very limited mobility, speech impairments.
$395.00
Uses a scanning/direct select matrix approach as an alternative keyboard input. Word prediction and abbreviation expansion, other features. Can be configured for auditory scanning.
$216.00
Screen magnifying software. Requires VGA, SVGA or XGA display. Magnifies text, graphics and Windows applications to 2 times; text-based applications up to 12 times. Many other features.
$495 and up (depending on features and language capability)
Text-to-Braille and Braille-to-text translator. Allows sighted person with no knowledge of Braille to type and edit text, and format it into Braille. Compatible with most word processing programs. Can work in grade 2 Braille in American English, British English, Castillian and Latin Spanish, French, Swahili, and Arabic and in grade 1 Braille in four other languages, and in Computer Braille Code. Compatible with most speech synthesizers, including synthesizers that work in languages other than American English. With an add-on (available from EVAS (Electronic Visual Aid Specialists), P.O. Box 371, Westerly, RI 02891, phone 800-872-3837, FAX 401-596-3979), can work in even more languages. Other features.
(prices and availability subject to change without notice)
Each computer with adaptive equipment should be on an adjustable height table, have a fully adjustable task chair and access to a magnifying lamp.
$379.68 (UW discount, which is 49% off retail)
When ordering, be sure to specify glides or casters, enamel color and laminate finish; Krueger requires that these be specified when ordering. Table height adjusts from 23 to 30 inches high. Adjustment is made with a crank that is on the surface of the table and can be either on the right or left side of the table (it is interchangeable). This table has a width of 27.5 inches and a depth of 33 inches. This size table is recommended, as it will hold all the adaptive equipment. A smaller table, with a depth of 21.25 inches, is also available.
about $320.00, depending on features (this is UW discount price, 53% off retail)
Purchase with arm rests and with 5 wheel base. This chair has choice of pneumatic or mechanical seat height adjustment. The back with lumbar support is height adjustable independent of the seat. The seat and the back are adjustable in tilt, independent of each other. The arm rests adjust up and down. All above adjustments are with minimal effort. With screwdriver, arm rests adjust in and out. Available in non-static and clean-room finishes. Other options. Also available in stool height.
$1700
Prints on 8.5" by 11" tractor feed Braille paper. Can produce six or eight dot Braille, graphics. 34 characters per line; 15 characters per second. Built-in speech synthesizer provides information on printer status. Three-key pad to configure printer settings. Supports most Braille character sets; manufacturer can create custom program character sets. Connects to parallel or serial port; interfaces for both types of ports are included.
Can be shared with both Macs and IBMs at the same time. If this option is chosen, additional hardware (cables, connectors, etc.) will be needed.
$21.95
For Each Adapted Workstation: Keytops are large print labels that are placed on computer keys. Letters are in 38 point type rather than the usual 18 point type. Numeric symbols are 32 point type (not the usual 14 point type). Available in black on white or white on black. Quantity discounts available.
$21.95
For Each Adapted Workstation: Small adhesive-backed labels that can be attached to the home row or other appropriate keys. A raised bump in the center of the indicators serves as a tactile guide for placing the fingers. NOTE: New keyboards come with this feature built-in; this product is for older keyboards without home row indicators.
To magnify printed materials (books, papers, etc.) that a person may need to read from or copy from while working on the computer. Can be shared by two or more adapted machines in one location. If this option is chosen, keep track of the use of the lamp. High usage indicates need for additional lamp(s) to be purchased.
revised
7.28.93
corrected
3.11.94
This document is hosted on the Trace R&D Center Web site. Please visit our home page for the latest information about Designing a More Usable World - for All.