Output & Input

It is important to understand a computer system's various components. Which parts can you adapt or replace for better student control? You can modify computers in two primary ways to make them more usable by students with disabilities:

• Change how information is displayed or printed (output).
• Change how the computer is controlled (input).
  

The individual student's abilities and needs determine the adaptations to make.

Output

Monitors

With increased emphasis on graphics and Internet use, standard 17" monitors make the computer easier to use. Monitor adaptations include: Replacing the monitor with an even larger (19-21") screen area, Using a magnification lens, or ·Using a screen filter. Character Enlargement and Screen Magnification software programs are available that can increase the size of objects and text on the screen.

Sound Cards

Multimedia computers include a sound card and CDROM drive to maximize the integrated use of graphics, animation and sound in software programs and Internet sites. Sound cards vary in sound quality; 16 and 32 bit cards are available. Sound cards are necessary for software programs using auditory features that "read" the words aloud and describe the graphics on the screen.

Printers

You can print information in a variety of sizes by changing the font size within the software program. A color printer is required to print colorful graphics and text, which can be very rewarding to students. Information can also be printed in Braille with a Braille embosser connected to a computer.

Input

Input Devices

The mouse and keyboard are the primary tools (input control peripherals) that a student uses to put information into a computer and to control software programs. Everyone needs ways to efficiently control the computer. Often low-cost modifications can make them easier to use.

Keyboard
The standard keyboard consists of:

• 104 - ½ inch square keys spaced closely together,
• Gray or beige keys labeled with ¼ inch capital letters; the small labels are not centered on the keys, and
• § A layout designed for typists in a "QWERTY" layout, which reflects the first 6 letters on the top letter row. This layout may be difficult for students who use a "hunt and peck" method to type.

Mouse The standard mouse requires the student to hold and move the mouse to coordinate the pointer's movement on the screen. He must also be able to click, double-click and drag the mouse. These very exact movements may be difficult for students with disabilities. Some mice come with software drivers that allow the user to customize its features.

External Peripherals

Peripherals are computer hardware devices that can be added to the computer to increase the number of resources to be manipulated and used within the computer environment. These include drives for exchanging information for storage and retrieval purposes (i.e. CDROM and Zip drives) as well as video, photos and other graphical and auditory information.

CD-ROM, CD-Writer and DVD Drives These drives connect to a computer providing the means for large files to be stored on media other than the hard drive. For example, many software programs with graphical programs need a CD to be inserted into the drive when the student wants to use it. CD-Writers are able to store 650MB of data on a single CD. Many people store large graphics files on CDs to free space on their hard drives. DVD drives are primarily read-only devices used for storing large files such as movies and audio programs.

Zip Drives
The ZIP drive is a high-capacity floppy disk drive available in 250MB and 100MB sizes. Each disk is able to hold the same amount of information stored on 100250 floppies. Zip disks are slightly larger than conventional floppy disks, and about twice as thick. Because they're relatively inexpensive and durable, they have become a popular media for backing up hard disks and for transporting large files.

USB Removable Storage Disks
These small devices are sturdy and easy to use. It is a great solution for transferring files between computers and for storing files. Simply plug the device into any open USB port and it shows up as an external drive. Files located on the system hard drive can be moved to the device for storage or to transfer to another computer much as would be done with a floppy drive. One example: Disk-on-Key.

Digital Cameras Cameras that take photos in a digital format can connect and send pictures directly to a computer. The photos can then be used in software and presentation programs.

Scanners Scanners can be used to digitize pictures and graphics. Simply place the photo/graphic on the scanner bed and scan it into your computer! Text from any source can also be converted into a format readable by the computer. When used with optical character recognition (OCR) software, the scanned text can be edited and saved as a word processing file. Often, students use this peripheral so that text can be read to them for increased comprehension.

Education Peripherals

Intel Play Microscope (Mattel + Intel Play)
Intel QX3 Microscope combines video and still camera pictures offering three levels of magnification (10x, 60x, and 200x). It detaches easily so you can zoom in on whatever you like. It even plugs into your USB port for easy installation. The software lets kids view a specimen in real time and capture it as a short movie, a still image, or in time-lapse sequence. Once they've captured an image, kids can use paint tools to embellish their creations, apply a variety of special effects, or piece together their creations to build a slideshow, complete with music.
Cost: $99.95

Intel Play Me2Cam (Mattel + Intel Play)
The Me2Cam consists of a video camera and Fun Fair software that allows kids to be IN onscreen games. However, the camera doesn't work with other software for use as a webcam. No mouse is needed since kids will use their bodies to make things happen inside the games. You can print images of the child in action as s/he plays the game.