ADARA Conference May 28, 2005 Pamela Luft, Ph.D. Kent State University

1. Information and Skill Needs of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Consumers Regarding Computer and Assistive Technology ADARA Conference May 28, 2005 Pamela Luft, Ph.D. Kent State University Transition Services Preparation & Training

2. Do Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Consumers Understand Their Own Technology Needs? • Assistive Technology • Scherich (1996) • 62% of accommodations were NOT appropriate • 65% had inappropriate equipment • 16% had poor work site awareness of needs • 74% wished for different accommodations—but were not sure what would be better Transition Services Preparation & Training

3. Do Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Consumers Understand Their Own Technology Needs? • Assistive Technology • ADA requires the worker to make requests • They must be knowledgeable • Only 5% of employers denied requests made by employees Transition Services Preparation & Training

4. Do D/HoH Consumers Understand Their Own Technology Needs? • Computer Technology: • Study of D/HoH students • Basic Computer Functions • General Computer Applications • Internet Skills • Word Processing • Personal Hearing Aid Usage • Presentation Software (PowerPoint) • Amplification/Recreation Accommodations • General Amplification • Signal & Alerting Systems • Telephone & Communication Usage Transition Services Preparation & Training

5. Survey Example Transition Services Preparation & Training

6. Transition Services Preparation & Training

7. Computer Technology • Sample of 2 middle and 2 high schools • No school or age group scored higher than 40% on: • Basic Computer Functions • Word Processing • Presentation Software (PowerPoint) • Signal Systems • Telephone & Communications Systems Transition Services Preparation & Training

8. Computer Technology • High School #1 scored highest on: • General Applications: 53% • Internet Skills: 53% • Middle School #1 scored highest on: • Hearing Aids: 40% • Amplification/Recreation: 45% • General Amplification: 50% • Signal Systems: 22% Transition Services Preparation & Training

9. Summary of Skills • Adult D/HoH workers: • Have inadequate assistive technology • Do not know better devices to request • D/HoH students in school: • Are not learning adequate computer skills • Do not have a basic knowledge of personal assistive communication or alerting devices • Lack of access to knowledge and skills • 89.54% of D/HoH students are educated in the public schools (USDoE, 2002) Transition Services Preparation & Training

10. Challenges for RCDs • How to efficiently and effectively provide: • initial information and access about assistive technology • updated information and access about assistive technology • basic computer and personal assistive technology knowledge that is not learned in public schools Transition Services Preparation & Training

11. References • Luft, P., Bonello, M. & Zirzow, N. (2003).Technology Skills Assessment for Middle- and High-School Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students. Twenty-ninth annual conference of the Association for College Educators of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, San Antonio, TX. • Scherich, D. L. (1996). Job accommodations in the workplace for persons who are deaf or hard of hearing: Current practices and recommendations. Journal of Rehabilitation, 62, 27-35. • U. S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. (2002). Twenty-fourth annual report to Congress on the implementation of the individuals with disabilities education act. Washington, DC: Author. • Contact Information: Dr. Pamela Luft pluft@kent.edu (330) 672-0593 Transition Services Preparation & Training