Adaptive Technologies Disability Related Information

Brief Synopsis

Originally an assistive technology products company in the early 1990s, Adaptive Technologies now provides an extensive array of assistive technology training and support services. A brief overview of our disability market skills is outlined below. For more information about specific service offerings, please explore our service pages.

Disability Market Skills

• Evaluating computer access and technology training for people with spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, ALS, upper extremity wounds or amputations, degenerative autoimmune disorders, repetitive stress injuries, dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADD, or ADHD.
• Training children with dyslexia, dygraphia, ADD, or ADHD on computer software accommodations that assist with language and learning – even the most challenging cases involving severe learning and attention problems.
• Providing accommodations and training disabled adults on software and electronic systems used within their workplace, including company database systems and common mass-market applications used within the business.
• General and specific computer skills training for people with physical and learning disabilities.
• Working with disabled entrepreneurs to provide technology accommodations, skills, and organizational solutions to help them succeed. Besides technology training, most of these cases involve job and skills training that directly related to running a small business.
• Working with disabled entrepreneurs to provide accessible information technology systems and internet systems to record transactions, organize information, and secure internet sales. Accessible web systems are especially important for disabled entrepreneurs with visual impairments or physical disabilities who use alternative computer access products.
• Working with people with visual impairments to help them access the computer and printed materials as affordably as possible.

Assistance for Disabled Entrepreneurs

For most people with physical disabilities or visual impairments, technology skills are crucial because many jobs involving physical labor or customer service (such as waiting tables, stocking shelves, building homes, etc.) are unavailable. Over the past 15 years, we've observed that the most financially successful disabled citizens are usually engineers or entrepreneurs. For many of our disabled citizens, entrepreneurship is often the most stable and rewarding career option available. However, success in any business venture requires hard work, education, and some computer technology skills.

We can help clients acquire the technology skills but must begin with an assistive technology evaluation. Beginning casework with an assistive technology evaluation and following through to a successful conclusion is called the "Evaluation Model". Following the Evaluation Model is the only viable option for disabled clients who seek employment as entrepreneurs.

Disability Market Mission and Challenges

Mission: To equip disabled citizens with the assistive technologies, resources, and knowledge that they need to succeed and reach their goals.

Challenges: We want disabled citizens all over the world to gain access to the technologies that will give them more personal freedom and improve their productivity. Major North American disability software and hardware companies have radically changed the worldwide disabled community, but a lot of work still needs to be done. Most people with disabilities don't take advantage of modern computer technology and countries outside North America have quickly fallen behind in the adoption of assistive technologies. Unfortunately, many of the problems outside North America relate to social attitudes about people with disabilities (especially in Asia). Hopefully, a more enlightened society will help disabled people receive the 21st century technologies that they deserve.