Section Two: Using Disability Services and Accommodations
General Accommodations

Assistive Technology

Assistive technologies are computer-based adaptations which enable persons with disabilities to fully utilize computer applications and access electronic information. De Anza is committed to full and equal access to the educational electronic environment, including instruction, web and information resources and laboratories.

In order to accomplish this, the Special Education Division has established a training and instruction lab, the Computer Access Lab, an alternate media production program and on-going consultation with the campus community to ensure technology access across all campus programs.

Computer Access Lab (CAL)

Courses include:

• Special Education 140
  • to learn what assistive technology will best work, given your needs and goals
  • includes both basic evaluation of assistive needs and more advanced, individualized, or specialized training.
• Special Education 145
  • basic computer and word processing skills using the assistive technology you need.
• Special Education 190
  • Lab opportunity to use CAL computers to
    
    • complete course assignments
    • work on assistive technology skills
    • use specialized assistive technology not available elsewhere on campus.

The Lab is equipped with up-to-date computer hardware and software based on the recommendations from the Chancellor’s Office funded High Technology Training Center. The assistive technology available is configured to work well with standard educational and work station applications, is supported by the technology team, and is integrated as much as possible on campus. Students may learn to use these through individual and group instruction in the lab. There are access tools for students with learning or cognitive disabilities, vision impairments, and mobility limitations. A complete list of current software and hardware is detailed on the CAL web-site, www.deanza.edu/cal.

Alternate Media Production

An Alternate Media Specialist works with students and college staff to ensure that alternate media are made available to eligible students. See the section on Alternate Media for more information.

Assistive Technology Support in On-Campus Locations

Special Education staff members consult across campus to improve computer accessibility.

De Anza supports a standard set of assistive technology, which includes Zoomtext, JAWS,
DragonNaturally Speaking, and Kurzweil 3000. Wherever possible, these are accessed directly through the network.

For specific information and assistance with assistive technology in campus labs, contact the CAL staff. They may also support you by providing technology in other campus locations where computers are used. Some software can be provided to many different locations over the network. In other cases, some programs and hardware need to be installed locally on one computer.

The assistive technology available at De Anza is the current industry standard and is intended to meet most needs. If you believe your adapted computer needs are not being met, contact your DSS counselor/EDC advisor to discuss the situation.

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