If we are not able to get a minimum of three people signed up for
a scheduled group date by a deadline of 3 days before the group session then that session will be canceled with no cost to those who have already signed up. We want to keep the group size to no more than 6 people so that we can keep the ratio of staff to participant at a functional level. Most group sizes will likely average out at about 4 to 5 people. They will start promptly and cannot run long due to other scheduled sessions so it does pay to be on time. Four or more sessions purchased at once results in a discounted rate of $25 per session. The initial group session attended is offered at no cost. In addition if you come back with a friend who has not attended our Groups before then you will earn another free group session. We also ‘may’ run other deals during school breaks or as ‘grant’ or ‘donation’ funding allows us to. Any such offers will be advertized to those on our contact listing. Payment-
Currently payment can be made to PROVAIL by check or cash. The payment can be delivered in person or mailed to PROVAIL with ‘Attention: Computer Group’ posted on the envelope. We hope to have an electronic payment system available soon. For those interested in coming to Computer Group on a somewhat regular basis (4 or more sessions scheduled out) we can create a financial agreement and bill for attended groups at the end of each month. If you do not have a financial agreement in place payment is due a minimum of 3 days prior to the scheduled group, please inform us as soon as possible if you no longer plan on attending a particular group date so that we know to find another person to take your place. If you do not attend your scheduled group or cancel with less than 3 days notice then we must still charge you for the spot as we will have insufficient notice to fill the spot and other participants in the group would also be negatively affected. However you may attend an alternate group date within 10 days if one is available, at no additional cost. If cancellation notice of more than 3 days is given then a full refund will be provided for the session or you may sign up for a different session as available. The latter option would be the case for those who have purchased a group rate package ahead of time. Activities-
Literally anything that connects to computers is game as an activity. We have a master list with dozens of topics that we will initially ask each participant to check off which areas are of interest to them so that we can provide the appropriate materials. Staffing-
One primary paid staff member will be conducting the groups. If a given group session has more than 4 people signed up for it then the group will be staffed with a second individual. This person could be either a volunteer or paid staff. Primary Staff-
Gabriel Laigo, 17 years on staff at Provail, working in the field of Assistive Technology. Andrea Mano, 7 years on staff at Provail and 19 years working in the field of Assistive technology. Volunteer Staff- All volunteers have had background checks, our ‘Boundaries’ training as well as our own crash course in Assistive Technology. Scheduled Groups-
We are currently scheduling 5 group sessions per week. Times are staggered to accommodate people with varying schedules. If you have strong preferences then please let us know. Additional group dates are being added as demand dictates. If the dates you want are full please let us know and well add you to a waiting list for add on group sessions or cancelations by other clients. All sessions are held at our Assistive Technology and Therapy Clinic at: 12550 Aurora Avenue N. Seattle, WA 98133. Contact Info-
Contact Gabriel Laigo, Assistive Technology Specialist at 206-826-1050 or gabriel@provail.org with any other questions regarding the group sessions or to sign up for group sessions. Who Should Sign Up-
Anyone with a disability and a desire to access a computer. We have an extensive background working with people of all ages from young children to the elderly, and with all types of disabilities from autism to traumatic brain injury to severe Cerebral Palsy. If you have cause & effect we can work with you. If you are looking to try tools to improve your access at University then we can work with you. How to Sign Up-
When you contact us with your interest in attending a group then we will collect some information from you to build a profile based on your specific case and work with that information as we fill our group sessions. No one will be turned away but we do want to make sure that you are a good match with others attending a particular group date. If you are a brand new client to PROVAIL services then you will also need to fill out our clinic application. Client Survey Info-
This survey is specific to attendance of our Computer Groups. The information collected is used to create a profile that we can use to help meet your goals in group and match you up well with other people looking to attend a group. The information collected includes: Age, Disability (challenges), Computer Experience, Computer related interests, other interests, times available to come, method of communication, estimated literacy level, other information applicant or family think important. Resources-
A. A wealth of knowledge from our A.T. staff as well as OT & SLP’s in our clinic. Individual PC computer stations for each participant with a variety of operating systems to choose from including: Windows XP, Vista & soon 7 as well as Linux. A wide variety of adapted, keyboards, trackballs, mice, joysticks, switch input devices, switches, text to speech, Speech recognition, scanning access tools, screen magnification, and Augmentative Communication options. D. A large software library including: Assistive Technology access programs, art programs, switch accessible software, Card making programs, office suite programs, many educational programs (literacy, math, money, numbers, increasing independence), custom power point projects, music software, audio & video editing, web based communication tools and of course many games of all types. E. A projector for working viewing one display as a group. Some Examples of Computer Group Activities & Descriptions
(Many other activities will be available as well)
Switch Access of the Computer-
How to access the computer with one or more ability switches. Exploration of hardware and software to accomplish this. Learning Basic Email Skills-
Setup and/or practice with an email account. We will look at: getting messages, reading, writing and sending messages. Using ‘Text to Speech’-
What ‘Text to Speech’ is and how it can help you. We will explore free and high end options. Accessible Computer Games-
Exploration of custom accessible games, switch accessible games and how to make general population games more accessible. Some very popular switch games include bowling and baseball that can be done as a whole group, projected up onto the wall. Computer Jeopardy-
A fun group activity using the “Jeopardy” game show format to learn about general computer issues. Power point format projected onto the wall. First time Computer User-
Learning the very basics about the computer and what sorts of computer activities are possible that might interest you. How ‘Windows’ works-
Learning how to navigate within the ‘Windows’ environment and what useful features are found within the operating system. Help with Reading & Writing-
Utilizing various software tools to practice reading and writing as well as features like ‘word prediction’ and ‘screen readers’ that can help to bridge the gap between current literacy level and functional use of the computer. Computer Access for the partially sighted-
Discovering useful tools that can assist with computer access for people with impaired vision. Speech Recognition-
Demonstration and trial with two different Speech Recognition platforms: Dragon Naturally Speaking & Windows Speech Recognition. Is it a functional tool for you? Adapted Rock Band! –
Once or twice a month we host a Rock Band session projecting the “Wii” game system onto the wall. We have microphones for those that can sing, a wireless drum set that up to two switches can be plugged into and two switch adapted guitars controllers so that users of all abilities can participate in a group session of fun with music.
