Adaptive Computer Education — More than “High Tech”

Abstract

French

Advances in technology have greatly broadened the range of occupational opportunities available to persons with disabilities. While technical devices help in making participation in computer-based work functions possible, a variety of strategies are required to help individuals with special needs prepare for, acquire, and maintain employment. The experience of the Centre for Adaptive Computer Education, a vocational training programme for adults with disabilities, highlights several strategies that have proven effective in helping persons with disabilities to access work training and employment. Techniques used embrace a number of structural and behavioural approaches to training, including extended training time, individualized curricula, individual tutoring, stress management training, behaviour management, supportive counselling, and promotion in the workplace.

Keywords

Rehabilitation vocational Technology Vocational guidance (education)

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Angeio

Hurlburt

Oddo

(1991). The function of the computer workstation for the physically disabled worker. Work, 1(4), 22–28.

Amaroli

R.C.

(1986). Hiring the handicapped: Overcoming physical and psychological barriers in the job market. Journal of American Insurance, Fall, 13–19.

Brown

(1989). Computer Access in Higher Education for Students With Disabilities: A Practical Guide to Selection and Use of Adapted Computer Technology (2nd ed.). U.S. Department of Education.

Demasco

Oliviera

Peterson

Walsh

(1988). The application of computer-based workstations for vocational rehabilitation. In Proceedings of the International Conference of the Association for the Advancement of Rehabilitation Technology, Montreal, Canada, June, 1988. Washington, D.C: RESNA Press, 1988, 390–391.

Geist

C.S.

Calzaretta

W.A.

(1982). Placement handbook for counselling disabled persons. Springfield, Ill: Charles C. Thomas.

Johnson

V.A.

Greenwood

Schriner

K.F.

(1988). Work performance and work personality: Employer concerns about workers with disabilities. Rehabilitation Counselling Bulletin, 11, September, 50–57.

Lee

K.S.

Thomas

D.J.

(1990). Control of computer-based technology for people with physical disabilities. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.

Myers

Horstmann

Kett

Koester

(1988). Computer literacy training for rehabilitation patients. In Proceedings of the International Conference of the Association for the Advancement of Rehabilitation Technology, Montreal, Canada, June, 1988. Washington, D.C: RESNA Press, 1988, 422–423.

Nova Scotia Department of Labour (1992). Minimum Wage Order. Halifax: Author.

10.

Rusch

F.R.

Hughes

(1989). Overview of supported employment. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 22, 351–363.

11.

Statistics Canada (1989). Health Activities Limitations Survey. Ottawa: Author.

12.

Statistics Canada (October, 1992). The Labour Force. Ottawa: Author.

13.

Stride

(1986). Terminal operators program: Development of a computer training program for the severely physically disabled. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 53, 147–149.

14.

Taylor

(1991). Telecommunications: A life skill for persons with disabilities. Closing the Gap, 10(2), 1, 28, 29.

15.

Vanderheiden

G.C.

(1983). The practical use of microcomputers in rehabilitation. Rehabilitation Literature, 44(3-4), 66–70.

16.

Vanderheiden

G.C.

(1987). Service delivery mechanisms in rehabilitation technology. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 48, 703–710.

17.

Wilgosh

L.R.

Skaret

(1987). Employer attitudes toward hiring individuals with disabilities: A review of recent literature. Canadian Journal of Rehabilitation, 1(2), 89–98.