Assessing Student's Needs for Assistive Technology (ASNAT)

Chapter 2 – Computer Access
Computer Access
Elizabeth A. Lahm, Ph.D., ATP, Paula Walser, CCC-SLP, ATP, and Penny Reed, Ph.D.
This chapter will address computer access which includes access to other devices such as toys, electric
appliances, and environmental control units. The focus is on access to other devices and not on the
devices that are being accessed. This chapter precedes the remaining chapters that focus on specific
content or disability areas because access crosses all of these areas. For many students the best system
for access must be determined before any content applications can be discussed.
Topics included in this chapter are: an overview of access including techniques and technologies for
direct selection, assisted direct selection, enhanced direction selection, indirect selection; assessment
procedures; and progressions of switch use. Some of these topics are referred to in other chapters as they
apply to specific content. This chapter will help you understand the wide variety of access devices that
are available and the specific features that can be matched to an individual student's needs. A table is
provided that overviews the advantages and disadvantages of the various types of switches available.
Also here is a review of freeware and shareware for computer access which lists software that can be
downloaded from the Internet.
All products mentioned in this chapter appear in a table at the end of the chapter along with the company
that produces them. A complete list of products and company contact information for them is compiled
in the Appendix.
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