Tablet PCs in use today
Tablet PCs are being used in a variety of interesting and helpful ways today. The list below shows some of places where people have found it useful in doing things and in making information more accessible.
Mike Buckley, University of Buffalo.
Mike is a lecturer at the University of Buffalo, and has set up a number of projects relating to the Tablet PC and its role in the area of accessibility. In developing these software projects, he and his students have incorporated feedback from users with disabilities. Amongst the projects, Mike has developed "UB Talker". This software helps people with speech and motor disabilities communicate, and is being used by a number of people today. For more information about UB Talker, click learn about UB Talker.
For more information about the work Mike and his students are doing, including their activities at the Center for Handicapped Children, and more details about UB Talker, click learn about UB work with computers and accessibility.
Karen McCall, Karlen Communications.
Karen does workshops on using Tablet PC technology and Microsoft OneNote for students with disabilities, and she also does one on one training for school boards when they get Tablet PCs. While traditionally she has worked with students with visual disabilities, she is also beginning to work with students who have learning disabilities to determine how Tablet PC technology can help them in note taking.
Karen's web site has some great information of the practicalities of using some screen readers and magnification software on the Tablet PC. Check it out at http://www.iprimus.ca/~martha/new-technology.htm.
Karen is also presenting a free web seminar entitled "Tablet Technology and People with Disabilities" on August 15th 2006. For more details, visit http://easi.cc/forms/tablet.htm.
David Grant, Easter Seals Arizona.
David works with Easter Seals Arizona as VP for vocational programs and Assistive Technology. The Tablet PC has become his main daily device for training and demonstration, and has figured strongly in his work the a number of ways. Reasons for this include:
The ability to switch between modalities of input, (typing, handwriting recognition, and speech recognition), have lead to an increase in words per minute.
The ability to write directly on the screen eliminates the problem of having to switch between looking at ones hands and then back to the screen.
In some cases a Tablet PC-based AT solution can be more affordable than alternative solutions which use dedicated hardware.
Brookfield Zoo, Chicago
Brookfield Zoo has used Tablet PCs to help many students with disabilities participate in the educational activities at the zoo. Read about the "Every Student is a Scientist: Using Technology to Foster Inclusive Learning" program by clicking here.