Assessing the Provision of ICT for Inclusion: Sensory Or Physical Needs

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Assessing the provision of ICT for Inclusion:
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A guide to identifying ICT provision to help pupils with sensory or physical needs

Learners may have difficulty with hearing or vision, or their difficulties may be multi-sensory. They may have a physical disability arising from a physical, metabolic or neurological cause.

Does the difficulty lie in access to the ICT itself?

Although ICT can be an alternative tool for learners with physical or sensory difficulties, adaptations to the equipment itself may be necessary before it can be used.

Check that you have explored the ‘Accessibility options’ and ‘Control panel’ settings on your computer. This will help you configure the computer to meet a user’s individual access needs. Consider using the following.

Keyboard and mouse utilities, screen magnification and visual alerts are just a few of the utilities available.
If the pupil cannot use a mouse, the ‘Mouse keys’ facility transfers the movements to the numeric keypad.
If the pupil cannot use a keyboard, the on-screen keyboard transfers key presses to mouse clicks. On-screen keyboards are also useful for those pupils who have difficulty changing their gaze from the screen to the keyboard and back again.

Would providing peripheral equipment improve access?

Peripherals may be needed to improve access through the standard keyboard and mouse. Explore whether the pupil would benefit from the use of the following.

Keyguard This is a metal or plastic plate that covers the keyboard, leaving holes over individual keys. Poking through the holes activates keys. It provides a support for weak hands, a place to steady shaky hands and a means of avoiding unintentional key presses for shaky hands.
Wrist support This is placed in front of the keyboard so that a pupil with weak arms or wrists can rest on it.
Armrests These are usually clamped to the computer table to support weak or shaky arms using the keyboard or mouse.

Would an alternative input help?

Alternative inputs may be needed if the standard keyboard and mouse are not appropriate. You should explore whether the following will help the pupil.

Tracker ball and joystick These can replace the standard mouse, and the buttons can be programmed to operate as a ‘double click’ or a ‘drag-lock’ that enables the pointer to be moved across the screen without holding the button down.
Alternative keyboard, including mini-keyboard These are for those pupils with a small hand movement or expanded keyboards for those with a large hand movement or who could use a foot.
Computer with Braille keyboard This is for blind learners.

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Overlay keyboard This can present whole words and phrases for easy selection, reducing the physical effort of entering text.
Switches These may be used as inputs if both keyboard and mouse are not possible.
Speech-recognition systems These systems convert speech into text and can also allow the user to control the computer interface.

Would a software utility improve access?

Software utilities can often help learners with physical or sensory difficulties. You should consider the following utilities and explore whether the pupil benefits from their use.

Prediction software This works alongside other text programs to display word lists based on a combination of initial letters and frequency of previous use. The software speeds up text production and cut down the number of keystrokes by offering grammatically appropriate predictions that can be entered with one key press. Many can adapt to the user’s own vocabulary by adding new words to the lexicon. Most offer text-to-speech facilities so that writers with low vision can check the suggestions aurally before selecting.
Non-predictive word bank software This can cut down on the physical effort needed to enter text. On-screen word-bank software usually offers graphic support and text-to-speech to support those with sensory difficulties. Word banks on overlay keyboards can have additional tactile clues added to the overlays.
Braille translation software This can produce text and Braille versions. Pupils can produce both Braille and standard text printouts for their audiences.

What other hardware might help?

Depending on the pupil’s needs you could consider the benefits of using the following devices.

Portable tape recorder This can be used as an alternative to note taking.
Calculator, thermometer and electronic dictionary All are available in versions that have in-built speech.
Scanner with optical character reader (OCR) software This can import a page of text into a word processor on a computer. The word processor can then display the text in a large font or use text-to-speech to read it out.
Soundbeam or Midi music processor This can turn body movements or switch presses into music.

Where can I find out more?

Approaches to teaching learners with physical and sensory difficulties
This document is available on the Xplanatory web site
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Free downloadable access utilities
A range of utilities are available on Sensory Software International’s software web page
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Keyboards and Keyboard Access
This is an ACE Centre on-line resource. It outlines the various types of keyboards and typing programs available, and examines a few add-ons that could open up a conventional keyboard for use with learners with accessing difficulties.
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Making Windows Work For You
This resource, from ACE Centre North, shows you how to make adjustments to the settings and options built into the Windows operating system.
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Alternative Access to Computers
This resource, from ACE Centre North, contains information on assistive resources.
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An Introduction to Switches
This resource is available from the ACE Centre. It provides an overview of what can be possible by using switches, from the early stages of cause and effect to full control over the operating system of a computer.
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Using switches
The ACE Centre North has several information sheets on using switches:

Assistive technology resources to enable learners with a physical disability to surf the web
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Developing switching skills
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Switch assessment kit
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Using a switch to control battery-powered toys
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Using a switch to control mains-powered appliances
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ICT and physical or sensory impairments
Fact sheets are available from Abilitynet
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Using ICT for learners with visual difficulties
A fact sheet from the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB)
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Working with an Electronic Notetaker
This fact sheet is available from the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID).
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Working with a speech-to-text reporter
This fact sheet is available from the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID).
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Special note

This guide identifies particular ICT approaches and provision that you may consider using to support pupils’ individual needs. It follows the conventions introduced in the Code of Practice for SEN. The information should be used only as general guidance, since many pupils are likely to need specific solutions to meet their individual needs. Where pupils have particular disabilities or complex special educational needs, an expert assessment should be sought. Owing to the inter-linked nature of pupils’ needs, you will be referred to other guides in this series for further information.

Becta ICT information sheets

Hearing impairment and ICT
Physical disabilities and ICT
Speech and language difficulties and ICT
Visual impairment and ICT