Access Tomorrow Phase II

Portable Assistive Technology Software Budget and Narrative

Steve Jacobs, President
IDEAL Group, Inc.
steve.jacobs@ideal-group.org

Table of Contents:

1. Ongoing Success and Effectiveness of Access Tomorrow's Portable AT Software (AT-PATS)

2. Efficiencies Gained During Access Tomorrow Phase I and other Benefits

3. Benefits to Access Tomorrow Stakeholders

4. Replicatability of the Access Tomorrow Phase II Deliverables

5. In-Kind Contributions of IDEAL Group Services and Other Resources

6. IDEAL Group Access Tomorrow Phase II Budget

7. Important Notes

1. Ongoing Success and Effectiveness of Access Tomorrow's Portable AT Software (AT-PATS) [top]

"Steppingstones of Technology Innovation for Children with Disabilities" projects are formally referred to as "development projects." In addition, the term "development" was used freely to describe the wide range of work being completed by IDEAL Group as part of Phase I. However, it must be technically noted, that IDEAL Group's Access Tomorrow's Phase I "technology innovations" involved little, actual, development work (<5%).  Instead, the work involved pioneering ongoing technical support techniques, processes and services in support of converting, "portablizing," testing, maintaining, updating, enhancing, supporting and replacing (when necessary) already-existing open source and other low/no cost assistive technology (AT) applications. 

Many of these support services will need to continue as part of Access Tomorrow Phase II to maintain the integrity, currency and supportability of Access Tomorrow's Portable AT Software (AT-PATS). These support services include:

• Tracking and documenting user problems;

• Working with each application’s developer to resolve application bugs when users run into them;

• Working with IT professionals to resolve firewall, security and other technology issues that prevent AT-PATS from functioning within their information infrastructures;

• Working with IT professionals to “work around” internal IT policy barriers that prohibit the use of AT-PATS from within their information infrastructures;

• Working with individual users (and their parents) to resolve problems that prevent AT-PATS from being launched on their home PCs;

• Resolving interoperability issues between AT-PATS and other AT software; 

• Resolving interoperability issues between AT-PATS and mainstream software such as Word, PowerPoint, Internet Explorer, etc.;

• Testing, and modifying AT-PATS for each new each new Operating System;

• Identifying new AT software as it becomes available;

• Testing new AT software to determine if it has value-add when compared to currently used AT software;

• Converting and re-packaging new AT software in portable formats as it is selected to replace existing AT software;

• Applying and maintaining all new bug fixes, point releases and updates, for each portable AT application released by its developer;

• Maintaining a download center;

• Maintaining a download center website;

• Maintaining, updating and customizing AT-PATS talking menu;

• Maintaining current documentation for each new release of each AT application; Documentation will need to be updated when undergoing changes in any/all of the following areas:

  • Platform enhancements;

  • Point releases;

  • Operating System updates;

  • New Operating Systems

• Maintaining a support line to answer questions from Access Tomorrow stakeholders including teachers, IT professionals, parents, AT professionals and students;

• Resolving identified problems... quickly;

• Maintaining and supporting accessible, online, remote support systems capable of accessing, modifying and installing AT-PATS on PCs located behind firewalls and other security barriers.

• Maintaining close, technical, working relationships with:

  • Original developers of each AT application;

  • Developers of potentially new AT applications (for future use);

  • IDEAL Group's contractors who perform some of the technical work described above;

• Testing the read/write data transfer rates of flash drives as they become available at lower costs, to insure that they work satisfactorily.

• Handling unsolicited calls (many) from teachers, parents, AT specialists and other professionals who have read or heard about AT-PATS and would like to have one configured for a student outside of the scope of the project.

In addition to the the activities outlined above, the Web, Internet, PCs, open source AT, firewall technology, and other technology-based environments are going to evolve and change significantly over the next four (4) years, just as they have over the past two years.  These  changes will need to be identified, researched, understood, adapted to, embraced and integrated into the processes and technologies being used to support Access Tomorrow Phase II.

2. Efficiencies Gained During Access Tomorrow Phase I and other Benefits [top]

• Even though approximately 95% of Access Tomorrow's Phase I technology innovations were non-developmental in nature (see #1 above) and will need to continue in order to insure the currency, usefulness and effectiveness of AT-PATS, this work will require a much smaller investment than it did in Phase I. 

• Benefiting the project even further, IDEAL Group is prepared to provide significant in-kind contributions of technology, services and human resources in support of Access Tomorrow Phase II. 

3. Benefits to Access Tomorrow Stakeholders [top]

• Reduces the pressure to select the appropriate AT software accurately during initial assessments. Unfortunately, it often take months to determine whether or not an AT application delivers the benefits predicted at the time of assessment; 

• Enables students to carry their AT software with them wherever they go;

• Enables students to  use their AT software on public-facing PCs such as in public libraries, community centers and university computer labs;

• Eliminates the stigma of having to use “special PCs;”

• Reduces cost;

• Reduces incompatibility/interoperability issues with other Software installed on the same PC;

• Eliminates vandalism and innocent corruptions of, PC-based, AT software installations;

• Eliminates licensing limitations that preclude using  AT software on every PC students desire/need to use;

• Eliminates of ownership issues resulting from schools purchasing AT software and then not permitting the student to install it on a home PC to do homework… or take it with them to another school;

• Eliminates the problem of too few AT software-equipped computers in AT labs. No more waiting in line to use special PCs;

• Eliminates high financial losses due to AT software abandonment;

• Eliminates acquisition red tape;

• Eliminates installation problems;

• Provides for AT transition continuity;

• Accommodates a wide variety of disabilities;

• Provides privacy and security above and beyond that provided by installed PC-based Software;

• Built-in Remote Support;

• Eliminates red tape and time delays conducting in-school AT evaluations requiring firewall breaches, installing and uninstalling software;

4. Replicatability of the Access Tomorrow Phase II Deliverables [top]

Designing an easily replicable, comprehensive, fully-supported Access Tomorrow Phase II deliverable will contribute a significant return-on-investment to current and future program stakeholders.  Part of our plan is to put together all the resources that have contributed to the success of EnvisionIT over the past fives years and make them readily available to other organizations in a cost effective manner.

• Established Track Record:
  As a user of EnvisionIT's curriculum, accompanying support technologies and implementation processes you become part of a proven system of operation. Scientific research has demonstrated the success of Envision program. You have history to learn from and to help you predict your own future.

• Faster Start Up:
  You have a short learning curve as an EnvisionIT user because you have assistance from a team of professionals who have lots of experience to draw upon in starting your own program successfully. You and your team will get on-the-job instruction.

• Less Risk:
  Your chances for success are significantly increased because of the experience, expertise and proven resources that have supported the EnvisionIT program in the past.

• Low Investment:
  Your front-end investment demands are low, which favors success within tightly budgeted educational environments.

• Purchasing Power:
  The group purchasing power of EnvisionIT users will minimize cost. A large EnvisionIT buying group helps to insure lower prices for EnvisionIT support services beyond the actual curriculum.

• Name Recognition:
  As an established EnvisionIT curriculum user you get the benefit of promoting and using an established, successful, brand of transition support.  As a new user of EnvisionIT you can grow and contribute to the creation of the brand.

• Program Support:
  As an EnvisionIT user you will receive valuable, ongoing support, including training, marketing materials, free and currently maintained AT software and and much more. Experts will assist you in developing a deplou=yment plan, website, download center and learning the best ways to effectively manage your program.

5. In-Kind Contributions of IDEAL Group Services and Other Resources [top]

Note: Rates have been decreased from the Access Tomorrow Phase I rate of $75/hour to $50/hour due to efficiency gains.

6. IDEAL Group Access Tomorrow Phase II Budget [top]

Note: Rates have been decreased from the Access Tomorrow Phase I rate of $75/hour to $50/hour due to efficiency gains.