Accessible Technology Initiative
Introduction to ATI
The Accessible Technology Initiative (ATI) is the CSU commitment to providing access to information resources and technologies for students and the university's public with disabilities (physical, sensory, cognitive and learning).
ATI serves as a roadmap for ensuring accessibility based on state and federal law. SSU supports the idea of an equitable environment for all diverse students, employees and others who interact with us.
New Accessible Workstations Touch Upon SSU’s Past
Although not widely known, Sonoma State University has a long and storied history of serving students with disabilities. One of SSU’s proudest days came on August 31, 1983 when it was selected by the Xerox Corporation to receive one of the first “talking computers” for students who are blind. This prototype computer, more commonly known as the Kurzweil Reading Machine, was the size of a dishwasher and valued at nearly $30,000.
University Library and DSS staff operating the original Kurzweil Reading Machine in 1983
SSU’s selection to receive this amazing technology was the
direct result of a joint proposal submitted to the Xerox Corporation by the University Library and
Disability Services for Students (DSS).
Just over twenty-five years after the acquisition of the Kurzweil Reading Machine, these two groups have collaborated again to install four accessible
workstations in the library. These new workstations incorporate a range of accessible
technology, such as magnification software for students with low vision and speech recognition
software for students with physical disabilities.
Furthermore, in a case of history repeating itself, the
new workstations have the latest Kurzweil Reading system, a smaller but similar version of the 1983
Kurzweil Reading Machine. Andrew Giese, a current SSU student and avid Kurzweil user, refers to the
new workstations as giving him “…independence that I never dreamed of.”
The new accessible workstations have been strategically placed throughout the University
Library, with two on the first floor, one on the second floor, and one on the third floor. For additional
information about these workstations, please visit the Accessible Workstation
webpage or contact Scott Kupferman, DSS assistive technology specialist and lab coordinator, at 4-4361 or email scott.kupferman@sonoma.edu.
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