When we’re trying to get to grips with new tech to use in our hectic working lives, what we sometimes need is a patient, kind and knowledgeable person to show us the way.
Meet Michael Cheung from Posturite; he trains people on how to get the best from their assistive technology. Dragon, Read & Write, Phonak Roger and Mindview are all in his repertoire – plus many more. A human training professional brings value that a generic software instruction manual simply cannot.
“I wouldn’t consider myself a tech geek” laughs Michael. “I know my stuff but I’m first and foremost a teacher. When I’m training an employee who considers themselves a technophobe, I aim to put them at ease. I emphasise that there’s no judgment and that everyone learns at their own pace. I also break down complex concepts into simple, manageable steps, making the learning process less intimidating.”
In this blog, we’ll look at:
- Good examples of who is benefitting from assistive technology (AT)
- The AT you could use to support you and your team when working and studying.
What kinds of assistive technology are available now?
Assistive technology is any tool, device, or software that assists people with difficulties in tasks that may be challenging for them, such as communication, mobility, or learning. It ranges from simple solutions like coloured backgrounds to more advanced options like voice dictation software.
With today’s better awareness of neurodiversity, there’s also now a greater recognition of the benefits of AT.
“Different disabilities require different assistive technologies” the ATIA explains. “AT helps people who have difficulty speaking, typing, writing, remembering, pointing, seeing, hearing, learning, walking, and many other things.”
Mindmapping software is one example of AT. Michael (pictured above) trained a project manager with ADHD who was struggling to stay focused and start tasks. “With this neurodiversity, she often found it challenging to organise her thoughts and maintain concentration, which impacted her productivity. I provided one-to-one training on MindView which helps users visually organise ideas and tasks. This tool allowed the project manager to break down her projects into manageable steps and stay focused even when distractions arose. The visual structure of MindView helped them to better organise her workflow, making it easier to start and complete tasks efficiently.”
“I trained a judge who had hearing loss to use his assistive tech”
The senior district judge was struggling to hear proceedings clearly in the courtroom, despite wearing hearing aids. Posturite recommended Phonak Roger audio equipment, which transmits sound from the speakers in the courtroom directly to his hearing aids.
Michael provided in-person training on using this technology. “The training helped the judge feel more confident and effective in his role.”
Challenges with dyslexia
Michael recently helped an experienced social worker with dyslexia who was struggling to complete her report writing due to stressful challenges with reading, writing, and spelling. It was taking her numerous hours to write just one report. “I provided training on Dragon dictation software, which allows users to dictate their thoughts and have them transcribed into text automatically. This AT significantly improved her productivity and made the writing process much more manageable.”
A new version of Dragon has just come out specifically for use with mobile phones too, called Dragon Anywhere.
Challenges with text size
The Posturite assistive technology training team also worked with a young trainee paralegal who had a vision impairment and was struggling to read text on their 32-inch screen, even with its large size. ZoomText Magnifier and Reader was recommended, a software that enlarges and enhances on-screen text and images while also reading out the text and image descriptions on screen. This training enabled the paralegal to comfortably read documents and navigate their computer, greatly improving their efficiency and reducing eye strain.
Why do assistive technology training?
Personalised AT training ensures that your employee can fully utilise the tools to meet their specific needs, leading to better productivity and job satisfaction. Without this tailored support, the technology might end up gathering dust, and the investment you made won’t produce the desired results.
Many AT training sessions are delivered online, but in-person training can be preferable for some clients, especially those who learn better with hands-on guidance and face-to-face interaction. Michael and his colleagues do visit homes as well as workplaces (and even cafés with Wi-Fi!) to ensure the training happens in an environment where the trainee feels most comfortable. The training fee remains the same regardless of the location.
The number of sessions recommended varies and is determined during the individual's Workplace Needs Assessment. Two training sessions of two hours each is common.
Author in distress…
It’s fascinating for AT training professionals to meet people in all kinds of lines of work. Michael tells me he once had the chance to assist a 99-year-old author who was in distress and had repeatedly contacted a software company’s customer service for urgent help.
The gentleman was frustrated about not managing to install his Dragon dictation software successfully. Michael managed to gain his confidence over the phone and guided him through finding, downloading, installing and activating the software, and setting up a Dragon voice profile. Although he didn’t have a disability, the software was crucial for capturing the author’s thoughts and writing efficiently. It was inspiring to see how technology could support his passion and determination.
Assistive technology can be beneficial for everyone
One major misconception is that AT is only for people with disabilities.
In reality, AT can benefit anyone by enhancing productivity and efficiency.
“I use MindView mind mapping software in my job” Michael explains. “With back-to-back meetings all day, it helps me quickly jot down and organise my ideas, allowing me to revisit and develop them whenever I have free time.”
AT can be incredibly useful for both neurodiverse and neurotypical people. It can:
- Enhance productivity
- Reduce stress
- Help us work smarter not longer
- Help manage deadlines
These ultimately contribute to a better work-life balance.
AT needn’t be time-consuming to learn. Many of the latest AT tools are designed to be user-friendly and intuitive, making them accessible to people with varying levels of tech knowledge.
Confidence and empowerment
“Before the training, my clients often feel apprehensive because they don’t know what to expect or even worry about being judged for having a neurodiversity” Michael tells me. “However, after the session, they frequently feed back that they feel relieved and empowered. They realise that the assistive technology software is there to help them overcome their challenges.
Making tasks more manageable and less stressful is often the aim.
One training client mentioned to Michael that he had been in the same position for 20 years. Despite his extensive experience, he lacked the confidence to apply for a senior role due to his neurodiversity. As a result of the training sessions, he not only felt empowered to apply for a managerial position, but also took the initiative to enrol in a part-time university course. A significant shift in his mindset and career aspirations!
Read & Write is one of the tools which can transform confidence at work. Features like text-to-speech, word prediction and screen masking help users with dyslexia, ADHD, and other learning differences to process information more effectively and improve their literacy skills.
Grammarly is brilliant
I was surprised to hear Michael enthusing about Grammarly because I wasn’t aware of the majority of its capabilities.
“Many of our clients absolutely love Grammarly. They often share how they relied on Grammarly during their university years, crediting it with helping them pass their courses. Now, they use it at work. Grammarly’s ability to enhance writing clarity, correct grammar and provide style suggestions make it an invaluable tool.”
Using Assistive Technology is being proactive
Using AT is definitely not a sign of weakness or an inability to perform tasks independently. On the contrary, using AT is a proactive approach to optimising your workflow and managing your workload more effectively.
“What I love most about my job is seeing the difference assistive technology can make in someone's life. It's incredibly rewarding to help someone gain independence. With my training I get to empower people and watch them achieve things they never thought possible. There’s nothing more fulfilling than that!”
Michael Cheung is a member of the Enablement team at Posturite. Book Assistive Technology Training with Posturite or an Assistive Technology and Reasonable Adjustments Review. Enquiries are welcome at [email protected].
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