Conducting Distance Assistive Technology Services

CONDUCTING DISTANCE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

Peggy Shireley, AT CoordinatorIPAT of North Dakotapeggys@ndipat.org

Marci Kinas Jerome, AT Program CoordinatorGeorge Mason Universitymkinas@gmu.edu

SESSION OBJECTIVES Provide an overview of conducting AT

demonstrations and meetings remotely using distance technology Provide an overview of synchronous technology

tools (such as Skype) Discuss the benefits and challenges of

conducting remote demonstrations and meetings

Provide participants an opportunity to ask questions and share their experiences

CONTENT TO BE COVEREDDistance AT Services

Definition of distance delivery History Benefits of conducting distance AT services Types of technologies used Questions

One State’s Model: IPAT of North Dakota Distance technologies used by IPAT of North Dakota How IPAT conducts distance AT services When IPAT uses distance AT services Where IPAT uses distance AT services Challenges of delivering distance AT services Questions

ARE YOU USING DISTANCE DELIVERY? We would like to hear from you…

DISTANCE SERVICES DEFINED Distance service is a method of providing

access to information and interaction when the participants are separated by time and/or distance

TYPES OF DISTANCE DELIVERY Asynchronous Delivery = participants access

the information on their own schedule

Delivery Methods Mail Message board forums Email Video – YouTube Audio recordings Voicemail Facsimile

TYPES OF DISTANCE DELIVERY Synchronous Delivery = participants are all

‘present’ at the same time

Delivery Methods Web conferencing Videoconferencing Educational television Instructional television Direct-broadcast satellite Internet radio Live streaming Telephone and web-based VoIP

HISTORY OF DISTANCE DELIVERY

Post Office 1728 in Boston, MA School of the Air 1951 in Alice Springs,

NT Radio and TV Classes 1964 in Madison, WI Fiber Optic Delivery 1990 Bismarck, ND Computers + Internet 1996 Jones

International University

WHY DISTANCE? We would like to hear from you…

BENEFITS OF DISTANCE SERVICE DELIVERY Expands Access

Meets the demand from those disadvantaged by distance and disability

Offers flexibility Accommodates individual circumstances and

needs

Enables Connection Between experts in other geographical areas Between experts and those they serve in other

geographical areas

BENEFITS OF DISTANCE SERVICE DELIVERY Cost Effective

Eliminates travel time Eliminates mileage costs Eliminates mailing costs of inappropriate

equipment choices

Enhances Efficiency What took a day onsite takes 1-2 hours Provides an introduction of needs beyond paper

reports Makes device feature match more accurate

CAUTION AGAINST “Using Technology for Technology’s Sake”

DISTANCE SERVICES CONSIDERATIONS Who: Participants

One to one connection, one to many connection What: Content

Seeing clients, product demonstration, PowerPoint, website/resource sharing

(also is a why) Where: Connection Sites

Home, satellite site When: Delivery

synchronous or asynchronous

We will focus primarily on synchronous delivery

A VISUAL MODEL

Distance AT

Technology

Participants

Content Connection

Delivery

TECHNOLOGY OPTIONS: QUICK REVIEW Video conferencing Web conferencing Collaboration tools

Also audio conferencing, but not focus of today’s presentation

VIDEO CONFERENCING TOOLS Polycom Tandberg Lifesize

Utilizing Existing Videoconference Networks Universities Community Colleges Human Services Telemedicine

VIDEO CONFERENCING FEATURES Real time audio and video with multiple sites View remote content Can have HD quality video, good for video

detail Stable connection With specialized equipment can bridge home

users and conferencing sites together

WEB CONFERENCING TOOLS (WEBINAR) Adobe Connect Microsoft Live Meeting Blackboard Collaborate (formerly Elluminate) GoToMeeting WebEx

WEB CONFERENCING FEATURES (WEBINAR) One-way (webinar) and two-way (discussion)

audio and video chat capability View remote content (PowerPoints, websites,

software demo) Text chat and moderated Q &A Polling Whiteboards Real time sharing of content and files Archival of recorded sessions for future

playback

WEB COLLABORATION TOOLS 1 on 1, Small Group Conferencing

Google Plus Skype

Remote Content Sharing Join Me

File Sharing Dropbox Microsoft Sky Drive

WEB COLLABORATION FEATURES Free (for basic services) Conferencing

Connect one or more users with audio and/or video

View remote content, real time sharing File Sharing

Central location for documents shared between multiple users

Access files from any location with internet connection

DISTANCE SERVICE OPTIONS Let’s review some scenarios

SCENARIO 1: WEB CONFERENCING/COLLABORATION TOOLS

Participants

One to One

Content

Discussion

Demonstrate Hardware

Delivery

Synchronous

Answer Questions

Troubleshoot

Connection

Home

Unable to travel long distance

Considerations

Internet speed/reliabilityComputer processing power

Client tech savvinessSoftware availability

accessibility

Technology

Real time video and audioIntuitive interface

Not bandwidth hogFree/low cost

Challenges

Video quality, dropped calls, tech skills

SCENARIO 2: WEB CONFERENCING/COLLABORATION TOOLS

Participants

One to One

Content

Discussion

Demonstrate Software

Delivery

Synchronous

Answer Questions

Troubleshoot

Connection

Home

Unable to travel long distance

Considerations

Internet speed/reliabilityComputer processing power

Client tech savvinessSoftware availability

accessibility

Technology

Real time video and audioView remote content

Intuitive interfaceNot bandwidth hog

Free/low cost

Challenges

Video quality, dropped calls, content display lag, tech skills

SCENARIO 3: VIDEO CONFERENCINGParticipants

One to One

Content

Discussion

Demonstrate Hardware/

Software

Delivery

Synchronous

Answer Questions

Troubleshoot

Connection

Site

Willing to travel to

satellite site

Considerations

Available Tech SupportSite Scheduling

Internet speed/reliabilityComputer processing power

Client tech savviness

Technology

High quality real time video and audio

Remote content sharing

Challenges

Equipment costs, maintenance, technical expertise

SCENARIO 4: WEBINARParticipants

One to Many

Content

ResourcesDiscussionDemonstrate Hardware/

Software

Delivery

Synchronous

Answer QuestionsDiscussion

Connection

Home

Considerations

Client internet speedClient tech savviness

Intuitive client interfaceAccessibility

Number of connections

Technology

Real time video and audioView remote content

Intuitive presenter interfaceAdditional tools: polling,

Q&A, recording and archiving

Challenges

Real time tech support, compatibility, # of connections

QUESTIONS AT THIS POINT

IPAT OF NORTH DAKOTAMaking a Case for Distance AT Delivery

ABOUT IPAT The Interagency Program for Assistive Technology

(IPAT) increases access to assistive technology in North Dakota by engaging in activities that: raise awareness disseminate information provide training and assessments work with policy makers loan equipment for trial-use, and demonstrate assistive technology (AT) devices to individuals of all ages with disabilities and those experiencing the effects of aging throughout the state.

IPAT increases AT acquisition by making available a used equipment bulletin board and an alternative financial loan program specific to the purchase of AT devices and services. http://www.ndipat.org

DISTANCE TECHNOLOGIES IPAT USES Asynchronous Delivery

Delivery Methods Mail Email Video - YouTube Voicemail Facsimile Website Facebook Blogging

DISTANCE TECHNOLOGIES IPAT USES

Synchronous Delivery

Delivery Method Videoconferencing Web Conferencing/Collaboration Tools

DISTANCE TECHNOLOGIES IPAT USES VIDEOCONFERENCING

Polycom System Camera Speaker TV Internet Connection

POLYCOM COMPONENTS Camera – Speakers – TV – Internet

Connection

POLYCOM UPSIDES AND DOWNSIDES

Polycom UPSIDES Reliability Picture Quality Ease of Use Ability to involve a number of people

Polycom DOWNSIDES Video and Audio not synchronized Freezing of Video

DISTANCE TECHNOLOGIES IPAT USES Web Conferencing/Collaboration Tools

Skype Free software download Computer or Tablet Camera Microphone Internet Connection

SKYPE COMPONENTS Free software download – Computer –

Camera – Microphone – Internet Connection

SKYPE UPSIDES AND DOWNSIDES

Skype UPSIDES Affordability Reliability Ease of Use

Skype DOWNSIDES Dropped Calls Audio can echo Video quality can be unpredictable Synching of audio and video can be off

DISTANCE TECHNOLOGIES IPAT USES Web Conferencing/Collaboration Tools Screen Share – Join.me

Free software download Computer or Tablet Internet connection

JOIN.ME COMPONENTS Free software download – Computer –

Internet

JOIN.ME UPSIDES AND DOWNSIDES Join.me UPSIDES

Affordability Reliability Ease of use

Join.me DOWNSIDES Internet speed

HOW IPAT USES DISTANCE DELIVERY

Internal Staff Development Entire staff is taking a social media class

together via videoconferencing Staff teach each other new equipment

Assistive Technology Training Noon hour topical trainings Individual training on specific devices, software

or iPad apps

HOW IPAT USES DISTANCE DELIVERY

Equipment Demonstration AAC devices Keyboards CCTVs

Virtual Tours and Experiences IPAT Technology Access Centers Exhibit floor of the AT Expo in Fargo Present an award

HOW IPAT USES DISTANCE DELIVERY Determine Individual Device Needs

Teleconference call Videoconference

AT Tech Act Activities Reconvene stakeholders in statewide

collaboration Weekly staff meetings Consumer Advisory Committee meetings IPAT Board meetings In-house IT and computer troubleshooting

WHEN IPAT USES DISTANCE DELIVERY When travel is prohibitive

Weather Location Vulnerability of end-user

When the service requested fits the distance learning format Device exploration Device training AT training Meet an end-user prior to services

WHERE IPAT USES DISTANCE DELIVERY

Rural Clinics statewide UND Medical School – Telemedicine sites and bridge

Regional Human Service Centers Polycom systems

University and School Systems Interactive Video Network

Homes of Clients

Between IPAT offices

CHALLENGES OF DISTANCE DELIVERY Routine technical glitches Scheduling Having the correct equipment and know-how

on the recipients end Slow internet speed Interactions are not as personal Reluctance of end users to embrace the

technology

QUESTIONS ABOUT DISTANCE DELIVERY