Author: Heidi Koester

KPR presenting at RESNA 2018 Conference

Join KPR along with practitioners and researchers from the assistive technology community at the RESNA 2018 conference. We’ll present on our AT-node research database along with tips on conducting assistive technology research.

As always, I’m looking forward to the RESNA annual conference, this year to be held in Washington, DC from July 11-15. I’ll be giving 3 presentations, along with Sajay Arthanat. Continue reading “KPR presenting at RESNA 2018 Conference”

Study published on effectiveness of Scanning Wizard

We developed Scanning Wizard, then researched whether it actually helped improve performance for people who use switch scanning to communicate.

We’re pleased to announce that our paper on the effectiveness of Scanning Wizard has been published in the journal Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology. Scanning Wizard is a free tool that helps assistive technology teams optimize switch and scanning setups for individuals who rely on switch access. This post summarizes the study and provides links to the published paper. Continue reading “Study published on effectiveness of Scanning Wizard”

Scanning Wizard in the Classroom

A hands-on experience teaching switch access to occupational therapy students

Grand Rapids, MI — This summer, a Western Michigan University class of occupational therapy graduate students experienced assistive technology first-hand. WMU instructor Cara Masselink included Scanning Wizard in her Therapeutic Use of Technology curriculum to demonstrate an innovative service—- and to foster empathy in her students.

Occupational therapy student using Scanning Wizard, showing a grid of letter items on computer screen
Continue reading “Scanning Wizard in the Classroom”

Evidence on computer text entry by people with disabilities

Ever wonder how quickly people can type with different accessibility interfaces? Is it useful to know the typing speed for the “average” user with cerebral palsy on an assistive keyboard?

Sajay Arthanat and I have been working together to organize the available research evidence on text entry rates (typing speeds) for people with disabilities. This has been a fun project that’s allowed us to revisit the literature published since 1986. Continue reading “Evidence on computer text entry by people with disabilities”