Date: February 21, 1997
To: Dr. Paul Hunt
Vice Provost for Computing and Technology
Room 400 Computer Center
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824-1042

The Accommodating Technology Committee of CCSAC is pleased to present in this document its 1997-98 APP&R . The recommendations are summarized on this page in the table below. The following pages supply, for each section, further explanatory and supporting information.

Sincerely,

John Eulenberg, Chair, Accommodating Technology Committee

Item

Requesting Unit

Description

Amount

Totals By Units

1		Office of Programs for Handicapper Students (OPHS)	Equipment for OPHS Adaptive Technology Center
	1a		Resubmitted Request from 1996-97 ATC Recommendations	41,700
	1b		Adjustable-height computer work surface	1,600
			Subtotal, Item 1		43,300
2		Office of Programs for Handicapper Students (OPHS)	Campus-Wide Adaptive Software Licenses and Upgrades for Use in Microlabs	4,200
			Subtotal, Item 2		4,200
3		Libraries
	3a		Portable Closed Circuit Television Viewing Systems	15,000
	3b		Powered platform mobility aid	4,000
			Subtotal, Item 3		19,000
4		School of Music	Grand piano accessible to individuals with physical limitations (DC 7 II professional version Disklavier)	32,025
			Subtotal, Item 4		32,025
			Total, All ATC Recommendations:		$ 98,525

Recommendation Items 1 and 2: OPHS Funding Requests 1997-98

The items for this year's request (1a) resubmitted OPHS requests (see Appendix A), (1b) a new OPHS request, and (2) new general microlab requests.

Item 1. Equipment for OPHS Adaptive Technology Center

1a: Items Requested in 1996-97 ATC Recommendations

(see Appendix A of this section)

1b: Adjustable Computer Work Table

All computer tables in the OPHS Technology Center are of a fixed height. This makes it difficult (and in some cases) impossible for students using wheelchairs to comfortably use the needed adaptive equipment. For this reason, OPHS requests the purchase of one adjustable computer work surface.

Item 2. Campus-Wide Adaptive Software Site Licenses and Upgrades

There is a need to acquire maintenance upgrades for software purchased in previous years. This software includes speech output, large print output, voice input, and Optical Character Recognition (OCR). Each of these systems will require a relatively small amount of funding to keep the versions up-to-date and compatible with the latest applications on campus. Finally, in five locations on campus, Braille translation software is being used to produce paper Braille copy for students, faculty, and staff. In each case, slightly different versions of the software are running, making it difficult to trouble-shoot and maintain the systems. It is recommended that the university purchase a 5 user site license allowing a more seamless integration of Braille production across campus as well as a simple upgrade/maintenance program.

Item 1

Equipment for OPHS Adaptive Technology Center

1a: Items Requested in 1996-97 ATC Recommendations

3 Windows 95 based multi-media PC's with 21" displays	18,000
2 portable external Speech synthesizers	2,500
1 Power Macintosh system	4,500
1 refreshable 40-cell Braille display	6,100
1 Interpoint Braille embosser and translation software	5,200
1 CCTV enlarging system	3,400
7 handheld talking dictionary/thesaurus systems	2,000
Subtotal:	$ 41,700

1b: Adjustable Work Surface (Newly Requested for 1997-98)

1 adjustable height computer work surface

$ 1,600

Item 2

Adaptive Software Licenses and Upgrades for Campus-Wide Use in Microlabs

Large print software license upgrade (PC)	400
Large print software license upgrade (Macintosh)	200
Speech output software license upgrade (PC)	400
Speech output software license upgrade (Macintosh)	400
Voice input software license upgrade	600
Braille translation software (5 user site license)	2,000
OCR software upgrade	200
Subtotal:	4,200

Appendix A (Resubmitted from 1996-97 Request)

OPHS Adaptive Technology Center Needs

Given the university's recent move away from text-based interfaces such as MS-DOS toward graphical user interfaces such as Microsoft's Windows 95, a new generation of equipment is necessary to allow the OPHS Adaptive Technology Center to continue training students on equipment relevant to campus computing platforms. Of the three PC's presently in the tech center, only one is ready for Windows and capable of running Windows 95. For this reason, ATC requests funding for two desktop PC's with Windows 95. These machines should be equipped with both speech output and large print software. This combination will allow OPHS to begin preparing blind and visually impaired students for the new challenges found in Windows' visually oriented environment. Additionally, OPHS has recognized the need of several students with mobility and learning characteristics to have alternative methods to keyboard input. ATC thus recommends the purchase of a Windows-based PC with a voice input system comparable to that owned by Libraries, Computing and Technology. This system would allow students to become familiar with speech input technology before they have to make use of the equipment in a mainstream lab setting. Furthermore, the selection of a system comparable to that already available through L,C&T ensures an easy transition from the training environment to the mainstream lab.

Next, certain MSU colleges, such as Education make extensive use of Macintoshes. For this reason, ATC requests a Power Mac system allowing OPHS to work with students on this alternative platform.

Finally, Braille output technology has become an important access tool for several blind students. The OPHS technology center serves as both a place where students learn to use Braille output technology and a place where Braille material production for a range of academic programs occurs. This portion of the request is therefore divided into a refreshable Braille display and a hard-copy Braille embosser. The refreshable Braille display will allow Braille users to access the Windows environment with electronic Braille. This technology is requested by students involved in technical computer work where a character-by-character rendition of the screen content is needed. The refreshable Braille display, for Braille users, is the most precise way of gathering exact screen layout and content. Whereas speech users can easily become disoriented in a complex video display, the Braille user retains many of the orientation cues afforded the sighted user. Additionally, a refreshable Braille display represents the only option for computer access by deaf-blind students. Although MSU has only 1 student who is both blind and has severe hearing loss, OPHS anticipates enrollment by other students with this dual impairment. The present hard-copy Braille embosser at OPHS has become dated by new embosser technology allowing the production of two-sided Braille documents. This double-sided printing feature is an important time and paper saver, and it would allow OPHS to produce Braille materials that are half the bulk of today's.

Braille is an important tool for students who need Braille handouts, syllabi, and other course-related reading. ATC thus requests funding for 1 new interpoint embosser and Braille translation software to supplement the existing single-sided embosser. One final request forwarded by students using the OPHS technology center is the need for assistive technology to enlarge paper copy such as books or handouts that serve to guide interactions with the computer. This equipment is generically referred to as a CCTV (Closed-circuit TV) which uses a camera and an X-Y table to enlarge, embolden, and visually enhance printed materials that are otherwise unreadable by the student with a vision impairment. The CCTV unit would be located immediately adjacent to a computer in the OPHS tech center and would allow a student to read standard printed materials and type the necessary instructions or information into the computer which also contains an enlarged display.

Another category of accommodating technology identified as helpful to students with various characteristics is the handheld electronic dictionary/thesaurus. The proposed equipment has speech output capabilities allowing students with a variety of learning and visual characteristics to hear the information as typed or displayed. The units would be used for demonstrating and teaching students about the impact of technology on their writing style and effectiveness. In addition to its use in the OPHS Technology Center, the equipment will be available on short-term loan to handicapper students for use in various academic settings.

Item 3: MSU Libraries Accommodating Technology Request - 1997-98

Over the past few years, funding through the Accommodating Technology Committee and the APP&R process has ensured the MSU LibrariesÕ ability to offer students, faculty, staff, and community borrowers with various disabilities equipment which will assist them in using the library more productively.

Item 3a. CCTV viewing systems

We are requesting 5 closed circuit television (CCTV) viewing systems to be shared among branch libraries. These systems would enable the Libraries to provide text magnification to library users with low vision needs. In addition, the CCTVs will be available to assist the library users who can benefit from word blocking, underlining, and other special features which help the patron to focus when reading.

In addition, the purchase of these units would ensure availability of branch library materials for patrons, would eliminate the need to send material to the Main Library to be read, and minimize transportation wear and tear upon a single machine. Branches, serving as home bases for the machines, would include: Business, Engineering, Mathematics, Clinical Center, and Special Collections.

Item 3b. Mobility Aid

We are also requesting the approval of the purchase of a powered platform mobility aid (motorized wheelchair) to assist those people who have walking difficulties due to a variety of ailments and physical challenges that inhibit mobility in and around the Main Library. This vehicle will be equipped with a basket and/or a tote in order to facilitate book retrieval.

It is important to seriously consider all types of accommodating technology since the availability of this equipment will make or break the library experience for some persons with disabilities.

Item 3. Items Requested by MSU Libraries:

Item 3a: 5 Portable Closed Circuit Television Viewing Systems $ 15,000

Item 3b: 1 powered platform mobility aid 4,000

TOTAL : $19,000

Item 4: MSU School of Music Technology Request - 1997-98

The MSU School of Music is requesting the purchase of a performance-grade grand piano which will be accessible to persons using an alternate input method (via computer interfacing).

The instrument requested is a 7-foot polished ebony professional version Disklavier, model DC 7 II. This instrument is suitable for general use by students, faculty and guest performers who will use it in Hart Recital Hall. Its added technological interfacing capability, however, will significantly expand the SchoolÕs ability to offer to play a concert grand piano in recital.

The School of Music, through this acquisition, seeks to afford musical performance opportunities to persons who cannot operate the piano keyboard and pedals in the usual fashion, but who are able to interface with the computer through an appropriate physical interface.

The piano is capable of being played by remote hook-up, so that long-distance learning capabilities and interactive performance arrangements can be implemented.

Michigan State University presently does not own a performance piano of these characteristics. This acquisition will enable MSU to participate in music data exchanges and recital events with other universities and conservatories throughout the world.

Though the instrument will be placed in Hart Recital Hall, it can be transported to other locations on campus for special occasions.

The Accommodating Technology Committee recognizes that, since this instrument has general capabilities for the MSU musical community as well as special interfacing for persons who need the alternative input mode, there may be discussions at other levels of MSU as to the proportion of costs which may be considered under the rubric Òaccommodating technologyÓ.

Attached to this document is a copy of a recent State News article (February 10, 1997) about the work that MSU School of Music Professor Deborah Moriarity is conducting with a gifted quadriplegic musician.

Item 4: Item Requested by MSU School of Music:

Disklavier grand piano, model DC 7 II $ 32,025

(7-foot polished ebony professional version)