Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Computer-based virtual worlds are increasingly used for activities which previously required physical environments. However, in its mainstream form, such a virtual world provides output on a graphical display and is thus inaccessible to a blind user. To achieve accessibility for blind users, an alternative to graphical output must be used. Audio and text are two output methods that can be considered. However, when using audio, care must be taken not to overload the audio channel. Channel overloading is possible with audio since it is not a selective output medium like the visual channel, that is, the user cannot choose what he/she wants to hear. Text should also be treated as audio, since a blind user consumes textual information as synthesized speech. In this research we discuss one possible solution to the problem of channel overloading, by the use of multiple exploration and navigation tools. These tools should allow the user to shape the information provided as audio output. Specially, we discuss the development of a virtual world client called Perspective, enabling non-visual access to virtual worlds by the use of multiple navigation and exploration tools. Perspective also serves as a framework for tool implementation and evaluation. Finally we give recommendations for improvements to current virtual world building practices and protocols, as to work toward an accessibility standard. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Rekenaargebaseerde virtuele wêrelde word toenemend gebruik vir aktiwiteite wat voorheen fiesiese omgewings benodig het. Tog verskaf so 'n virtuele wêreld, in sy standaard vorm, afvoer as 'n grafiese beeld en is dus ontoeganklik vir 'n blinde gebruiker. Om toeganklikheid vir blinde gebruikers te bewerkstellig, moet 'n alternatief vir die grafiese beeld gebruik word. Klank en teks is twee alternatiewe wat beskou kan word. Tog moet klank versigtig gebruik word, aangesien die klankkanaal oorlaai kan word. Die klankkanaal kan oorlaai word aangesien dit nie 'n selektiewe kanaal soos die visuele kanaal is nie, met ander woorde, die gebruiker kan nie kies wat hy/sy wil hoor nie. Teks moet ook as klank beskou word, aangesien 'n blinde gebruiker teks in die vorm van gesintetiseerde spraak inneem. Met hierdie navorsing bespreek ons een oplossing vir die probleem van kanaaloorlading, deur die gebruik van verskeie navigasie- en verkenningsgereedskapstukke. Hierdie gereedskapstukke behoort die gebruiker in staat te stel om die inligting wat as klank oorgedra word, te bepaal. Ons bespreek spesi ek die ontwikkeling van 'n virtuele wêreld-kliënt genaamd Perspective, wat nie-visuele toegang tot virtuele wêrelde bewerkstellig deur die gebruik van meervoudige navigasie- en verkenningsgereedskapstukke. Perspective dien ook as 'n raamwerk vir die ontwikkeling en evaluering van gereedskapstukke. Laastens verskaf ons voorstelle vir verbeteringe van die boutegnieke en protokolle van huidige virtuele wêrelde, as eerste stap na 'n toeganklikheidsstandaard vir virtuele wêrelde.

Submitted by Fabíola Silva (fabiola.silva@famerp.br) on 2017-12-05T18:26:15Z No. of bitstreams: 1 pryscillamdasilvapaula_dissert.pdf: 2199129 bytes, checksum: 2e2677f5a35e859d7d6101befee8b634 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-12-05T18:26:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 pryscillamdasilvapaula_dissert.pdf: 2199129 bytes, checksum: 2e2677f5a35e859d7d6101befee8b634 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-05-19 / Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, systemic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation of the synovial membrane of peripheral joints. People with rheumatoid arthritis frequently require assistive technology resources that are conceptualized in the search for solutions in the field of integral accessibility, recognized as a fundamental element in rehabilitation and social inclusion, promoting the independence of people with disabilities. Objectives: To describe the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of people with rheumatoid arthritis, to quantify those who have difficulties to perform daily life activities and to define the ideal assistive technology for each type of limitation. Patients and Methods: A prospective, quantitative, descriptive, clinical study was carried out with 198 people attending the outpatient clinic of a general hospital. A questionnaire on general and clinical data and a validated survey assessing limitations in daily life and instrumental activities, the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), were used for data collection. Results: The mean age was 57.9 (SD ± 11.2) years, there was a predominance of women between 51 and 67.9 years old (n = 107; 54%), most had not completed elementary school (n = 127; 64.1%) and were homemakers (n = 80; 40.4%). The survey identified that 98 (49.5%) people found it very difficult or impossible to climb stairs, 75 (37.9%) to raise their arms or take a high-up object, 65 (32.8%) to bend over to pick clothes up from the floor, 94 (47.5%) to remain standing on a bus, 73 (39.9%) to shop in their local shops, 80 (40.4%) to get on/off buses and 70 (35.4%) to sweep or mop the floor. Conclusions:There is a need to expand the indications by the professionals, to follow the adhesion of use by the patient, identifying their potentialities and difficulties. It is necessary to guide the family member who will advise the individual in their activities, clarifying about these resources and their importance for their social inclusion, and especially about how assistive technologies can prevent deformities in people with rheumatoid arthritis. / Introducción: La artritis reumatoide es una enfermedad crónica, autoinmune, inflamatoria y sistémica caracterizada por el comprometimiento de la membrana sinovial de las articulaciones periféricas. Personas con artritis reumatoide frecuentemente necesitan recursos de la tecnología asistencial que se define como la búsqueda de soluciones en el campo de la accesibilidad integral, reconocida como elemento fundamental en la rehabilitación e inclusión social, promoviendo la independencia de personas con discapacidad. Objetivos: Describir las características sociodemográficas y clínicas de las personas con artritis reumatoide, cuantificar las que presentaron dificultades para realizar las actividades en su quehacer diario e indicar la tecnología asistencial ideal para cada tipo de limitación. Casuística y métodos: Estudio clínico, cuantitativo, descriptivo, de tipo prospectivo, realizado con 198 personas atendidas en el ambulatorio de un hospital general. Se utilizó para la recogida de datos, un cuestionario con datos generales y clínicos y un instrumento validado que evalúa las limitaciones en las actividades del quehacer diario e instrumentales, el Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). Resultados: El promedio de edad fue 57,9 años (DP ± 11,2), predominaron mujeres entre 51 y 67,9 años (n = 107; 54%), la mayoría no terminó la enseñanza fundamental (n = 127; 64,1%) y eran amas de casa (n = 80;40,4%). Sumándose los dos niveles de mayor dificultad identificados en el instrumento de recogida, se obtuvo: 98 personas (49,5%) con mucha dificultad e incapaces de subir escalones; 75 (37,9%) de levantar los brazos y tomar un objeto que esté alto, 65 (32,8%) de inclinarse para recoger ropas del suelo, 94 (47,5%) de estar de pie en el ómnibus, 73 (39,9%) para hacer compras en los alrededores de su vivienda, 80 (40,4%) de entrar y salir del ómnibus y 70 (35,4%) para barrer o pasar una bayeta en el piso. Conclusión: Hay la necesidad de ampliar las indicaciones por los profesionales, acompañar la adhesión de uso por el paciente, identificando sus potencialidades y dificultades. Es necesario orientar al familiar que asesorará al individuo en sus actividades, aclarando sobre estos recursos y su importancia para su inclusión social, y principalmente sobre cuánto las tecnologías asistivas pueden prevenir deformidades en personas con artritis reumatoide. / Introdução: A expectativa de vida dos brasileiros aumentou para 75 anos e dois meses em 2014, e com isto observa-se o aumento na incidência de doenças crônicas, como a artrite reumatoide. Apesar do tratamento medicamentoso, estas pessoas necessitam de mobiliários especiais e dispositivos de tecnologia assistiva, que auxilia nos cuidados pessoais ou mudança na forma de realizar as atividades diárias. Objetivos: Descrever as característicassociodemográficas e clínicas das pessoas com artrite reumatoide, quantificar as que apresentaram dificuldades para a realização das atividades de vida diária e indicar a tecnologia assistiva ideal para cada tipo de limitação. Casuística e métodos: Estudo clínico, quantitativo, descritivo, do tipo prospectivo, realizado com 198 pessoas atendidas no ambulatório de um hospital geral. Utilizou-se, para coleta de dados, um questionário com dados gerais e clínicos e um instrumento validado que avalia as limitações das atividades de vida diária e instrumentais, o Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). Resultados: A média de idade foi de 57,9 (DP ± 11,2) anos, houve predomínio de mulheres entre 51 e 67,9 anos (n = 107; 54%), a maioria não completou o ensino fundamental (n = 127; 64,1%) e exercia a ocupação de dona do lar (n=80;40,4%). Somando-se os dois níveis mais altos de dificuldade identificados no instrumento de coleta, obteve-se 98 (49,5%) pessoas com muita dificuldade e incapazes de subir degraus, 75 (37,9%) de levantar os braços e pegar um objeto no alto, 65 (32,8%) de curvar-se para pegar roupas no chão, 94 (47,5%) de andar em pé no ônibus, 73 (39,9%) para fazer compras nas redondezas em que mora, 80 (40,4%) de entrar e sair do ônibus e 70 (35,4%) para varrer ou passar pano no chão. Conclusão:Há a necessidade de ampliar as indicações pelos profissionais, acompanhar a adesão de uso pelo paciente, identificando suas potencialidades e dificuldades. É necessário orientar o familiar que irá assessorar o indivíduo em suas atividades, esclarecendo sobre estes recursos e sua importância para a sua inclusão social, e principalmente sobre o quanto as tecnologias assistivas podem prevenir deformidades em pessoas com artrite reumatoide.

Despite the perceived importance of grab bars to facilitate aging-in-place and healthy aging, many community-dwelling older adults do not have them installed. The aim of this study was to investigate predictors of grab bar installation among well-educated community dwelling seniors. Data was collected quantitatively through an electronic survey of Oregon residents 50 years of age and older. The research analysis was completed using logistic regression with SPSS and qualitative analysis for the open questions. / Graduation date: 2012

The main objective of the presented research is to design, fabricate, fully characterize, and assess the usability and functionality of a novel wireless tongue-operated assistive technology, called Tongue Drive System (TDS), that allows individuals with severe physical disabilities (such as quadriplegics) to effectively access computers, drive powered wheelchairs, and control environments using their voluntary tongue motion. The system can wirelessly detect users' tongue movements using an array of magnetic sensors, and a magnetic tracer secured on the tongue, and translate them into a set of user-defined commands in real time, which can then be used to communicate with target devices in users' environment. The principal advantage of the TDS is that a combination of magnetic sensors and a small permanent magnet can capture a large number of tongue movements, each of which can represent one specific command. A set of dedicated tongue movements can be configured as specific commands for each individual user based on his/her preferences, lifestyle, and remaining abilities. As a result, this technology can benefit a wide range of potential users with different types of disabilities. The work carried out in this dissertation is largely split into three portions: (1) Development, fabrication and characterization of external TDS (eTDS) prototypes to verify the concept of TDS that is detecting and extracting user's intention through their voluntary tongue motion, utilizing a combination of magnetic sensors and a small magnet, as well as the application of this idea in the context of assistive technology. This part of the work is presented in Chapters IV, V and VI. (2) Assessment of the TDS performance in medium term usage for both computer access and wheelchair control. The main purpose of this work was to gain valuable insight into the TDS learning process and its current limiting factors, which could lead the way in designing new generations of TDS with improved usability. This portion of the work is described in Chapter VII. (3) Development and performance assessment of a multimodal TDS (mTDS), that operates based on the information collected from two independent input channels: the tongue motion and speech. This multimodal system expands the access beyond one input channel and therefore improves the speed of access by increasing the information transfer bandwidth between users and computers. This part of the work is presented in Chapters VIII and IX. This dissertation has contributed to the innovation and advancement of the start-of-the-art assistive technology research by exploring, realizing and validating the use of tongue motion as a voluntary motor output to substitute some of the lost arm and hand functions in people with severe disabilities for computer access, wheelchair navigation, and environmental control.

The thesis research aims to further the study of human-robot interaction (HRI) issues, especially regarding the development of an assistive robot designed to help individuals possessing motor impairments. In particular, individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), represent a potential user population that possess an array of motor impairment due to the progressive nature of the disease. Through review of the literature, an initial target for robotic assistance was determined to be object retrieval and delivery tasks to aid with dropped or otherwise unreachable objects, which represent a common and significant difficulty for individuals with limited motor capabilities. This thesis research has been conducted as part of a larger, collaborative project between the Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University. To this end, we developed and evaluated a semi-autonomous mobile healthcare service robot named EL-E. I conducted four human studies involving patients with ALS with the following objectives: 1) to investigate and better understand the practical, everyday needs and limitations of people with severe motor impairments; 2) to translate these needs into pragmatic tasks or goals to be achieved through an assistive robot and reflect these needs and limitations into the robot's design; 3) to develop practical, usable, and effective interaction mechanisms by which the impaired users can control the robot; and 4) and to evaluate the performance of the robot and improve its usability. I anticipate that the findings from this research will contribute to the ongoing research in the development and evaluation of effective and affordable assistive manipulation robots, which can help to mitigate the difficulties, frustration, and lost independence experienced by individuals with significant motor impairments and improve their quality of life.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Linköping : Linköpings universitet, 2005. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Atualmente cerca de 15% da população mundial possui algum tipo de deficiência. Para estas pessoas o uso das tecnologias assistivas é essencial. A realidade aumentada surge como uma importante alternativa, para a criação de novas tecnologias assistivas, devido às suas inúmeras formas de rastreamento do participante, que, se combinadas, conseguem proporcionar novas possibilidades de interação. Entretanto, o uso da realidade aumentada, no contexto das tecnologias assistivas, não é uma panaceia, pois cada deficiência é única, assim como cada pessoa possui suas próprias particularidades. Portanto, é importante analisar a acessibilidade destas aplicações, para que o benefício do seu uso possa ser realmente assegurado. Esta dissertação propõe um modelo preditivo de avaliação, baseado no Design Universal e na norma ISO 9241-171. Este modelo é capaz de avaliar a acessibilidade de aplicações de realidade aumentada, quando usadas como tecnologias assistivas. O processo de avaliação consiste no preenchimento de questionários, compostos por questões claras e inteligíveis, para que possam atender à um público multidisciplinar, sem a exigência de qualquer conhecimento prévio em avaliação de acessibilidade. O produto da avaliação feita pelos questionários é um indicador de acessibilidade, que representa o grau de conformidade com os requisitos de acessibilidade. A aplicação dos questionários é sensível ao contexto, cada questionário inclui guias de utilização, que contém os requisitos mínimos do participante, para cada critério de avaliação, desta forma, é possível obter uma visão holística da avaliação, que pode ser customizada para cada participante ou generalizada para uma deficiência específica. O principal objetivo desta dissertação é propor um modelo preditivo, para a avaliação da acessibilidade, servindo aos educadores especiais, desenvolvedores e consumidores de tecnologias assistivas, como critério para a utilização ou não das aplicações de realidade aumentada. / Currently about 15% of the world population has some type of disability. For these people the use of assistive technologies is essential. Augmented reality emerges as an important alternative to the creation of new assistive technologies, due to its numerous forms of participant tracking, which, if combined, can provide new possibilities for interaction. However, the use of augmented reality in the context of assistive technology is not a panacea, as each disability is unique, as well as each person has its own peculiarities. Therefore, it is important to analyze the accessibility of these applications, to ensure the benefit of its use effectively. This work proposes a predictive evaluation model, based on universal design and ISO 9241-171 standard. This model is able to evaluate the accessibility of augmented reality applications, when used as assistive technologies. The evaluation process consists of completing questionnaires, composed of clear and intelligible issues, so that they can meet the multidisciplinary public, without requiring any prior knowledge in evaluating accessibility. The product of evaluation made by questionnaires is a numerical indicator of accessibility, which represents the degree of compliance with accessibility requirements. The questions are sensitives to context, each questionnaire includes guidelines, which contains the minimum requirements of the participant, for each criteria, it is thus possible to obtain a holistic view of the evaluation, which can be customized for each participant or generalized to a specific disability. The main objective of this work is to propose a predictive model for the evaluation of accessibility, serving special educators, developers and assistive technology consumers, as a criteria for the decision of use of augmented reality applications.

CAPES; CNPq / O emprego da Manufatura Aditiva (AM) vem aperfeiçoando a confecção de produtos assistivos customizados, mas para a sua utilização se faz necessário gerar o modelo geométrico digital. Uma das alternativas para obtê-lo é com o uso de escâneres 3D. Após a digitalização, dificilmente o resultado alcançado, geralmente uma malha digital da superfície 3D do modelo físico, pode ser utilizado diretamente na AM. Para tanto, é exigido alguns tratamentos desta tmalha em programas CAD (Computer-Aided Design) 3D. Algumas dessas ferramentas, tanto os escâneres 3D quanto os programas CAD 3D, são viáveis, mas de alto custo. Além disso, a etapa de tratamento da malha não é abordada nos estudos encontrados, prejudicando a disseminação dessas tecnologias. Desta forma, o presente trabalho propõe um método de baixo custo para o desenvolvimento de órtese de membro superior visando a fabricação por AM, tendo como foco principal a abordagem das etapas de tratamento da malha e modelagem da órtese. Como objeto de estudo foram utilizados 12 moldes em gesso de punho, mão e dedos confeccionados por um terapeuta ocupacional. A digitalização dos moldes em gesso ocorreu com o emprego de dois sistemas de baixo custo, o sensor do Kinect 360 e o programa Remake, e um de alto custo para servir como referência, o escâner REVscan. Para as etapas de tratamento da malha e modelagem da órtese foram utilizados dois programas CAD 3D gratuitos: Blender e Meshmixer. Os digitalizadores de baixo custo geraram malhas que foram validadas ao compará-las as geradas pelo REVscan. Diferentemente do Remake, o Kinect gerou malhas sem defeitos e em menor tempo, porém, apresentou os maiores desvios dimensionais e os maiores tamanhos de arquivo. Os defeitos apresentados nas malhas geradas pelo Remake foram do tipo lacunas e foram corrigidos com êxito pelos programas CAD 3D. Na etapa de tratamento da malha foi constatada a relevância da etapa de suavização das bordas no resultado final da órtese. Os resultados ressaltaram a importância da etapa de tratamento e correção das malhas para o desenvolvimento de produtos assistivos visando a fabricação por AM. De forma geral, foi possível desenvolver órteses personalizadas utilizando as ferramentas de baixo custo. Os procedimentos descritos neste estudo podem auxiliar no desenvolvimento de produtos assistivos e propiciar a disseminação desse conhecimento nas empresas e instituições dispensadoras de órteses. / The use of the Additive Manufacturing (AM) has improved the production of customized assistive products, but its use needs to generate the digital geometric model first. One of the alternatives to get it is with the use of 3D scanners. After the scanning, hardly the result achieved, usually a digital STL (stereolithography format) mesh of the 3D surface of the physical model, can be used directly in AM. Therefore, it is required some mesh treatments in 3D CAD (Computer-Aided Design) programs. Some of these tools, both 3D scanners and 3D CAD programs, are feasible but high cost. In addition, the mesh treatment step is not addressed in the studies found, hampering the spread of these technologies. In this way, the present work proposes a low cost method for the development of upper limb orthosis aimed at manufacturing by AM, focusing mainly on the steps of mesh treatment and orthosis modeling. As object of study were used 12 gypsum molds of wrist, hand and fingers made by an occupational therapist. The 3D digitizing of plaster casts occurred using two low-cost systems, the Kinect 360 sensor and the Remake program, and a high-cost scanner to serve as a reference, the REVscan. For the steps of mesh treatment and orthoses modeling, two free 3D CAD programs were used: Blender and Meshmixer. The lowcost scanners generated meshes that were validated by comparing them to those generated by REVscan. Unlike Remake, Kinect generated non-defective meshes and in less time, however, presented the largest dimensional deviations and the largest file sizes. The defects presented in the meshes generated by Remake were of the gaps type and were corrected successfully by 3D CAD programs. In the mesh treatment step, it was verified the relevance of the procedure of smoothing the edges in the final orthosis result. The results highlighted the importance of the meshes treating step for the development of assistive products aiming the manufacture by AM. In general, it was possible to develop customized orthoses using low-cost tools. The procedures described in this study can assist in the development of assistive products and facilitate the dissemination of this knowledge in companies and institutions that provide orthosis.

Introdução: A instabilidade postural é uma das causas de incapacidade no individuo idoso e o uso de andadores é uma das estratégias para gerar maior estabilidade e segurança na manutenção da postura ortostática e na realização da marcha. Existem atualmente andadores considerados especiais por utilizarem coletes e sistemas de sustentação ou suporte parcial do corpo. Apesar dos benefícios da utilização destes andadores, estes apresentam alto custo. Com o intuito de se apresentar uma alternativa de qualidade e baixo custo, desenvolveu-se um andador com suporte de tronco confeccionado com PVC na UTFPR. O suporte de tronco acoplado ao andador tem o objetivo de suportar o peso do usuário no caso de uma queda. Objetivo: Avaliar a influência da utilização do andador desenvolvido com suporte de tronco, na oscilação corporal e marcha de idosos com instabilidade postural. Método: Foram realizados testes visando analisar a resistência mecânica do material utilizado e ensaios com o andador já construído. O PVC mostrou ser um material com alta resistência nos testes de flexão e impacto. A massa máxima suportada pelo andador no teste realizado foi de aproximadamente 226 kg. Após a avaliação do equipamento, 9 idosos com instabilidade postural foram submetidos à avaliação da oscilação corporal ou estabilometria e, 3 idosos à análise de marcha, sem e com a utilização do andador desenvolvido. Resultados: Com a utilização do andador desenvolvido houve diminuição da oscilação corporal em todos os idosos participantes. Sem a utilização do equipamento o valor médio da estabilometria foi de 10,297 cm² e com o andador foi de 3,264 cm². Na avaliação da análise de marcha com sensores acelerômetros localizados na articulação do quadril, sem o andador desenvolvido, os idosos tiveram uma maior extensão e menor flexão e, com o andador estes valores inverteram-se. Com o andador, a média da flexão direita passou de 15,33° para 20,67° e a extensão de 10° para 7,33°. O tempo necessário para realização de um percurso de 12 metros foi maior com a utilização do andador desenvolvido. Os resultados apontam para uma melhora na estabilidade e equilíbrio do idoso com a utilização do andador. A análise da marcha demonstrou uma reorganização da amplitude da passada, mas sem uma alteração significativa. / Introduction: Postural instability is one of the causes of disability in the elderly and the use of walkers is one of the strategies to generate greater stability and safety in the maintenance of orthostatic posture and gait. There are currently walkers considered to be specials because they have braces and support systems or offer partial support of the body. Despite the benefits of using these walkers, they are very expensive. In order to present an alternative of quality and low cost, a walker with trunk support was developed, made of PVC. The trunk support attached to the walker is intended to support the weight of the user in the event of a fall. Objective: To evaluate the influence of the use of the walker with trunk support on body sway and gait of the elderly with postural instability. Method: Tests were carried out to analyze the mechanical resistance of the material used as well as the structure of the walker. PVC has proven to be a material with high resistance when submitted to flexion and impact tests. The maximum mass supported by the walker in the test was approximately 226 kg. After testing the equipment, 9 elderly with postural instability were submitted to evaluation of the body sway or stabilometry, and 3 elderly to gait analysis, with and without the use of the walker developed. Results: Using the walker there was a decrease of body sway in all elderly participants. Without the use of the equipment the stabilometry average value was 10,297 cm² and when using the walker it was 3.264 cm². In the evaluation of gait analysis with accelerometer sensors located at the hip joint, without the walker the elderly had greater hip extension and lower hip flexion and, with the walker the results had inverted values. For that, the average flexion on the right hip rose from 15.33° to 20.67° and the extension decreased from 10° to 7.33°. The time needed to finish a course of 12 meters was higher using the walker. The results point to an improvement in stability and balance for the elderly using the walker. The gait analysis demonstrated a reorganization of the length of the stride but without a significant change.

This is a qualitative study of one student’s use of assistive technology in the public school system from preschool to fourth grade. The data collected for this case study include interviews, participant observation, field and diary notes, video tapes, and other documents including school records and a teacher memoir. Throughout the study, the goals were to stay open to and reflect emerging patterns rather than to fit data into previously determined categories. The report describes how Michael--with cerebral palsy that affects his speech and prevents his standing or holding a pencil--used computers, augmentative communication devices, and other electronic technology. On one level the report becomes the story of a student who moves from a separate special education facility into an elementary school where he is integrated fulltime into a fourth grade class. Discussion and conclusions explore (1) types of support he required, (2) barriers to technology use as well as problems of "abandonment" of technology acquired, (3) the effect of integration into general education on his use of technology, and (4) how providing assistive technology influences and changes teachers’ roles. / Ed. D.