Assistive Technology Availability Plan & Universal Access Workstation

ODS promotes a Fully Inclusive Universally Designed environment and the following Assistive Technology availability strategies and time line to initiate action towards this goal.

Long-term goal to be reached in five years:

Universal Access Workstation Program

The Universal Access Workstation (UAW) Program goal is to provide a group of the most often prescribed and used assistive/educational technologies for computer access by students with disabilities on all student access workstations and a specified number of UAW-Enhanced workstations in all labs and classrooms. The Services for Access and Assistive Technology (SAAT) initiative will offer the support for this strategy to provide students with an accessible and equitable academic experience.

1. All student access computer images will contain, at a minimum, a UAW suite of AT software packages and hardware for equal access including,

2. All student access labs will contain a Universal Access Workstation Enhanced (UAW-E) suite of AT software packages and hardware determined by the following formula:
    1 UAW-E in all labs.
    2 UAW-E all labs 50 or more workstations and/or are 24 hours.

UAW-E Package includes,

UAW-E Package includes the following ergonomic design,

Workstation with Ergonomic Accessibility,
a. Electronic/Hydrolic push button adjustable table
b. The work surface is a maximum of 38” and minimum of 20” deep
c. The workstation's knee well depth is a minimum of 20” and its width is a minimum of 36”
d. The work surface is a minimum of 30” from the floor and adjustable
e. The edge of work surface facing user is squared for installation of arm/wrist support
f. The keyboard is movable and adjustable
g. The chair is adjustable with firmly padded, breathable upholstery
h. A footrest for persons whose feet do not easily reach the floor

The Accessible Computer Lab and Classroom:

What Accessible Labs & Classrooms Look Like,
                                Automatic doors for access
                                Clear aisles to maneuver mobility devices
                                Five-foot radius between rows

Workstations:

If all workstations are not ergonomically accessible, the minimum number installed should be         located, next to the main aisle of the lab or classroom and at the beginning of a row of                 workstations.

Mid term goal to be reached in three to four years:

As an interim solution for equal access this form of the Universal Access Workstation Program should be implemented for no longer than four years. All student accessible labs and classrooms with student computer workstations should follow the formula below,

Mid Term Universal Access Workstation Program (Long term packages apply)

The Services for Access and Assistive Technology (SAAT) offers the support for this strategy to provide students with an accessible and equitable academic experience.  The amount of UAW’s located in any lab or classroom is determined by the following formula:

1 Universal Access Workstation (UAW) in all labs and classrooms that have 24 or fewer workstations.
2 UAW's with 1 including enhanced features for all labs and classrooms that have 25 to 50 workstations.
3 UAW's with 2 including enhanced features in all labs and classrooms that have 51 or more workstations.

Short-term goal to be reached in the next two years:

1. Development of the ODS Services for Access and Assistive Technologies.

2. Universal Access Workstation Program in all open labs and the Library

3. Development of AT Loan Program to fill gaps for auxiliary aids needed at APSU.               

4. ODS testing computers to mirror ODS AT Lab for appropriate testing accommodations.

5. Development of technical and training support programs for distributed AT.                

6. Create a budget line item for AT software/device upgrades, maintenance and acquisitions. 

By following the Assistive Technology Availability Plan, APSU will be moving forward to a Fully Inclusive environment that will benefit the entire APSU community as well as meeting the needs of persons with disabilities.