Assistive technology (AT) may be defined as "products, devices, or equipment, whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that are used to maintain, increase, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities" (Assistive Technology Act of 1998).
Common examples of AT used in the educational setting include (1) close caption televisions (CCTVs) that magnify materials for students with low-vision, (2) speech recognition computer software for students who have difficulty using a standard keyboard, (3) personal amplification devices for students who are hard-of-hearing, (4) screen reader computer software for students who are blind, (5) and reading/writing/learning computer software for students with learning disabilities.
Sonoma State University is a proud partner in the CSU Accessible Technology Initiative (ATI). The ATI is making strides towards ensuring that "information technology resources and services are accessible to all CSU students, faculty, staff, and the general public regardless of disability".
The Assistive Technology (AsTech) Lab has assistive technology hardware and software dedicated to serving the needs of students with disabilities at Sonoma State University. Current software includes Dragon Naturally Speaking, Kurzweil 3000, JAWS, Zoomtext, Open Book, Duxbury, and other commonly used programs. Other software can also be added to the workstations, as requested by students and approved by DSS.
(NOTE: Please contact the DSS Office for 24-hour access, 707-664-2677)
Guidelines and Policies for AsTech Lab Use for Students :
Register with Disability Services for Students (DSS) by following appropriate DSS procedures.
Sing in upon entering the lab.
Regardless of how many workstations are open in the lab, students are permitted to use only one station.
If all workstations are currently occupied, place your name on a waiting list. When all workstations are in use, students are restricted to a two-hour session.
Use care when operating lab equipment and respect the integrity of the equipment provided by the DSS by:
1. Leaving all control panel settings as set by DSS.
2. Neither adding nor deleting programs on the computers.
3. Not altering the computers in any other manner.
Use workstations for academic pursuits, completion of work assignments, or advancement of one's computer skills. Given the limited computer resources available, coupled with the demand for their use, computer game playing is not viewed as an acceptable use of site workstations.
Provide you own CD or similar if you intend to save your work. Users may not store their files on lab computers. Personal files left on the computers will be deleted. Lab staff is not responsible for any data loss regardless of cause.
Personal items such as books, backpacks, etc. should not be left unattended in the lab. DSS is not responsible for missing personal items.
Do not use tobacco products or consume food or beverage in the lab.
Do not copy computer softwre or other copyright protected data using lab equipment.
Please provide you own paper for printing.
Restrict your printing to a maximum of 25 pages.
When finished in the lab, please leave your workstation as you found it.
Contact the Assistive Technology Specialist to request training on any available assistive hardware or software.
Report any problems with equipment immediately, following the steps below in section "Reporting Technical Problems". Do not try to fix the equipment yourself.
In addition to the above mentioned, please adhere to the "SSU IT Computer Labs - General Use Rules, found at http://www.sonoma.edu/it/labs/rules.shtml
Disability Services for Students Responsibilities:
1. Make the AsTech Lab policies and procedures available to all students.
2. Monitor computer lab usage to ensure that an academic environment is maintained in the lab.
3. Provide computer hardware and software intended to assist students with academic pursuits.
4. Consult with faculty, staff, and students regarding the use of assistive technology.
5. Update software and hardware as needed and as budgetary constraints allow.
6. Respond to problems with equipment and provide for repairs in a reasonable time frame.
Reporting Technical Problems:
Hardware does fail, printers do get jammed, software can become misconfigured. When a problem occurs, it is our goal to fix it in a timely manner.
Report the problem to the IT Help Desk:
a. In person: Schulz first floor IT lobby
b. By phone: (707)664-4357
c. By email: helpdesk@sonoma.edu
Call Disability Services for Students (707) 664-2677
Leave a description of the problem in the AsTech Lab Suggestions/Complaint Box
Send a description of the problem in the following box:
When reporting a problem, please be sure to include as many details as possible, including any specific error messages you received and which applications you were using.
Specialized AsTech Hardware and Software:
The AsTech Lab provides students with disabilities access to several of the most commonly used assistive technology hardware and software. However, if a student has the need for more specialized assistive technology, DSS maintaines an assistive technology inventory that includes, but is not limited to:
Trackballs
Ergonomic mice
Ergonomic keyboards
Refreshable Braille displays
Portable Braille display
Perkins Brailler
Portable CCTV
Document holders
Adjustable tables/workstations
Wireless speech recognition microphone
Natural Reader software
ReadPlease software
Soothsayer word prediction software
Students registered with DSS may submit a request for the use of specialized assistive technology to the Assistive Technology Specialist or their Disability Management Advisor.
Lab Consultation Hours
The Assistive Technology Specialist strives to designate two hours per day, Monday through Friday, for lab consultation. The specific time schedule, unless otherwise noted, is between 11:00am to 12:00pm and 3:00pm to 4:00pm.
During this lab consultation, the Assistive Technology Specialist is in either the AsTech Lab or the adjacent Schulz 1057 office and is available to students who are seeking consultation, technical support, and other related information.
DSS operates a “rolling” portable computer workstation with the same assistive technology software that is available in the AsTech Lab. This workstation includes an adjustable, ergonomic table as well. Students who have an authorized need for assistive technology in a location on campus other than the AsTech Lab, the Rolling AsTech Workstation may be moved to meet their need.
The specialized assistive technology hardware and software listed in the previous section are also available on the Rolling AsTech Workstation.
For additional information and/or to reserve the Rolling AsTech Workstation, please contact the Assistive Technology Specialist at (707) 664-4361
The Assistive Technology Training Center provides training activities for SSU students, faculty, and staff interested in learning more about assistive technology. Training activities range on levels of involvement, from “hands-on” interactive modules to peer-to-peer mentoring. Further, when appropriate, activities include collaborative efforts with staff from Learning Skills Services, Information Technology, School of Education, other campus departments, and professionals from the community.
Examples of training topics:
ATTC 01: Assistive Technology Evaluation
ATTC 02: Introduction to Kurzweil
ATTC 03: Introduction to Dragon Naturally Speaking
ATTC 04: Introduction to JAWS
ATTC 10: Assistive Technology Academic Workshops
ATTC 10A: Reading
ATTC 10B: Writing
ATTC 10C: Math
ATTC 11: Assistive Technology Special Projects
If your are interested in participating in ATTC training, please contact the AsTech Lab Coordinator at (707) 664-4361. Our goal is to accommodate all training requests within 7 days.
Please Note: Students are expected to attend training sessions for which they have been scheduled. If a student fails twice to cancel a session prior to 8:30 a.m. on the day of the appointment and/or fails to attend a scheduled session within 10 minutes of the scheduled appointment time, the student must meet with their Disability Management Advisor before scheduling any additional training.
DSS maintains as Assistive Technology Lending Library for students with disabilities. This library serves as in infromation hub where students have the opportunity to check out information guides, vendor packets, demo CDs, training modules, and other assistive technology-related material.
Skip to Content
