Date: February 16, 1998
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 1998-99 APP&R recommendations. The recommendations are summarized on this page in the table below.
In addition to the recommendations for 1998-98, we are adding a statement about audible talking sign technology, which is an area in which we anticipate making recommendations in the following year.
The following pages supply, for each section, further explanatory and supporting information.
Sincerely,
John Eulenberg
Chair
Accommodating Technology Committee
|
Item |
Requesting Unit |
Description |
Amount |
|
1 |
Office of Programs for Handicapper Students (OPHS) |
Campus-Wide Adaptive Software Site Licenses and Upgrades for Use in Microlabs |
$ 3,800.00 |
|
2 |
Office of Programs for Handicapper Students (OPHS |
Four-track cassette recorders with tone indexing for real-time captioning service |
4,500.00 |
|
3 |
Office of Programs for Handicapper Students (OPHS) |
Equipment for real-time captioning service |
3,500.00 |
|
4 |
Office of Programs for Handicapper Students (OPHS) |
Equipment for OPHS Satellite office in Clara Bell Smith Student Athlete Academic Center |
8,500.00 |
|
5 |
School of Music |
Grand piano accessible to individuals with physical limitations (DC 7 Pro professional version Disklavier) |
34,365.00 |
|
6 |
Accommodating Technology Committee |
Statement on Audible Sign Technology |
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total, All ATC Recommendations: |
$ 54,665.00 |
ATC Item #1: Campus-Wide Adaptive Software Site Licenses and Upgrades for Use in Microlabs
Through the past few years, the ATC has requested and received funding for several adaptive software packages. These packages afford members of the MSU handicapper community access to alternative input/output methods for microcomputers across campus. During the past two years, adaptive software requests from the committee have taken the form of site licenses for easier software distribution and maintenance.
ATC requests funding for software upgrades and version maintenance to the existing packages listed below.
|
Software Site License Upgrades |
|
|
Large print software license upgrade (10 user PC) |
$ 400.00 |
|
Large print software license upgrade (5 user Macintosh) |
200.00 |
|
Speech output software license upgrade (10 user PC) |
800.00 |
|
Speech output software license upgrade (5 user Macintosh) |
400.00 |
|
Voice input software license upgrade (10 user) |
800.00 |
|
Braille translation software license upgrade (5 user) |
800.00 |
|
OCR software upgrade (3 user) |
400.00 |
|
Total Site license upgrades: |
$3,800.00 |
ATC Item #2: Four-Track Cassette Recorders for Use in the OPHS Volunteer Reading Program
An important application of adaptive technology for teaching and learning is found in the OPHS volunteer reading program. Through the efforts of nearly 100 volunteers, more than 150 full texts and hundreds of miscellaneous support readings are completed each year. These recordings assist students with vision, learning and mobility impairments by affording them access to printed material via an audio presentation of the textual material.
The 4-track cassette recording equipment presently in use in the
13 OPHS recording studios is beginning to fail as a result of years
of nearly continuous operation. The office therefore needs to replace
the present equipment to enhance production quality and reliability.
A total of fifteen four-track recorders with tone indexing are
therefore requested at a cost of $300 per machine.
|
15 |
4-track cassette recorders with tone indexing |
$300 per unit |
$4,500.00 |
|
Total for 15 four-track cassette recorders with tone indexing: |
|
$4,500.00 |
ATC Item #3: Equipment for real-time captioning service
As of August 1997, the Office of Programs for Handicapper Students has had a staff position to provide real-time classroom captioning services for deaf individuals at Michigan State University. Currently, the employee performing the real-time service is providing the needed hardware and software.
OPHS requests funding to purchase a portable computer with active matrix screen for this purpose.
|
1 Portable Computer for real-time captioning services: |
$3,500.00 |
ATC Item #4: Equipment for OPHS Satellite Office In The Clara Bell Smith Student Athlete Academic Center
The Office of Programs for Handicapper Students (OPHS) the
accommodating technology needed for the new OPHS satellite office
located in the Clara Bell Smith Student Athlete Academic Center,
opening May 1998. Students with various disabilities shall have
access to this facility, regardless of whether or not they are
athletes.
|
Software |
|
|
|
2 |
Speech Recognition Software |
$ 500.00 |
|
2 |
Screen Reader Software |
1,800.00 |
|
|
Software Subtotal |
$ 2,300.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
Hardware |
|
|
|
2 |
Speech Synthesizers |
$ 2,100.00 |
|
6 |
Four Track Players |
1,200.00 |
|
5 |
Computer notetakers |
1,250.00 |
|
7 |
Talking Dictionaries |
1,650.00 |
|
|
Hardware Subtotal |
$ 6,200.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total requested: |
$ 8,500.00 |
ATC Item #5: MSU School of Music Technology Request: Grand Piano Accessible to Individuals with Physical Limitations
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 Pro. 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 School's ability to offer persons with disabilities the opportunity 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 control 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.
|
Disklavier grand piano, model DC 7 Pro |
$ 34,365 |
ATC Item #6: ATC Statement on Audible Sign Technology
During the 1997-98 academic year, the Accommodating Technology Committee (ATC) has conducted a preliminary investigation into a new technology that promises to dramatically enhance the experiences of blind/visually impaired students, faculty, staff and visitors at MSU. This new technology--known as "talking signs" or "audible signs"--employs small wireless transmitters which repeatedly broadcast short spoken messages to a small remote-control sized receiver. When the user points the receiver in the general direction of a transmitter, he/she receives--via the handheld receiver--a spoken message about the object in that direction. This technology has the potential to dramatically improve the campus experience for a number of blind/visually-impaired users.
The ATC believes that the potential long-term application of this technology at MSU should be explored in more depth during the 1998-99 fiscal year. The following major issues need to be addressed:
As the ATC begins the process of outlining such a study, a funding request could follow for next year's APPR process.
The URL of this document is: http://pilot.msu.edu/~atc/docs/appr9899.html.
Last updated 17 February 1998.