[Trainer-talk] Assessing Consumers

Fri Nov 12 22:52:01 UTC 2010

I have been using Talking Typing Teacher in two ways to assess typing speed. 
I use the "typing speed" option from the main menu, and ask clients to type 
for 2 minutes. In this exercise they must think of what to type. I will then 
perform two other tests, I will go to "word practice" on the main menu, and 
ask clients to type dictated words, and I will go to "sentence practice" and 
typically select level 2. If they client struggles with spelling in level 2 
I will take them down to level 1. I report all of the numbers for the 
counselors, as we found recently that typing something that is being 
dictated reduces a clients typing speed. This made a tremendous difference 
for clients being placed in Customer Service settings, like a call center, 
where customers were dictating information.
I have also been assessing Windows Concepts skills along with the Assistive 
Technology the client has used in the past. If the client has not used AT in 
the past I ask a series of questions regarding how they have navigated the 
computer in the past. This helps me give a better estimate of length of time 
needed for training, if counselors ask for it.
I have recently been asked to assess reading skills. I am currently 
assigning a reading that I know is 328 words long and timing people, as well 
as asking people to read for 10 minutes, and seeing how far they get. I have 
been asked to assess the clients level of fatigue, how long can they read 
before they get tired.
I have been using college text books, short stories I have found over the 
years, that are in Word format, so that I can judge font size if needed, as 
well as allowing people who need or are interested in using a CCTV, and 
reporting what level of magnification they use, any color enhancements, and 
how long it takes them  to read 328 words.
Counselors seem to be interested in reading speed, not grade level.   The 
reading speed has been used as leverage to encourage clients to use digital 
texts.
I was most recently asked to find a way to assess a clients skills for a 
specific job setting, a call center. In this case I will be assessing the 
clients Braille reading speed, ability to type while being spoken to, and 
ability to multi-task on the computer, switching from one application to 
another.  This assessment will be interesting... The counselor wants me to 
recreate, as closely as possible, a call center environment, I hope that 
answers your question.

-----Original Message----- 
From: Steve Cook
Sent: Tuesday, November 09, 2010 6:50 AM
To: List for teachers and trainers of adaptive technology
Subject: Re: [Trainer-talk] Assessing Consumers

Thanks Nancy.

Steve Cook
Assistive Technology Specialist
SC Commission for the Blind
1430 Confederate Avenue
Columbia, SC 29201
Office: (803) 898-8788
Fax: (803) 898-8882
E-Mail: stcook at sccb.sc.gov

-----Original Message-----
From: trainer-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org 
[mailto:trainer-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of nancy coffman
Sent: Tuesday, November 09, 2010 8:46 AM
To: List for teachers and trainers of adaptive technology
Subject: Re: [Trainer-talk] Assessing Consumers

We use Talking Typing Teacher to test typing speed. I will have them edit a 
docunent. I use Jaws, System Access, Zoomtext and Magic.

nancy coffman

-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Cook <STCook at sccb.sc.gov>
Sent: Tuesday, November 09, 2010 7:13 AM
To: List for teachers and trainers of adaptive technology 
<trainer-talk at nfbnet.org>
Subject: [Trainer-talk] Assessing Consumers

Good Morning All,

Here at the SC Commission for the Blind when we bring in consumers to assess 
their skills for training.  We assess their typing skills, over all computer 
skills with the assistive technology they have used in the past, and 
spelling and vocabulary.  What other areas are agencies assessing consumers 
in before entering training for employment?  Also, what are you using to 
assess the consumers with?  Thanks for your help!

Steve Cook
Assistive Technology Specialist
SC Commission for the Blind
1430 Confederate Avenue
Columbia, SC 29201
Office: (803) 898-8788
Fax: (803) 898-8882
E-Mail: stcook at sccb.sc.gov

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notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of the 
information contained herein (including any reliance thereon) is STRICTLY 
PROHIBITED. Although this transmission and any attachments are believed to 
be free of any virus or other defect that might affect any computer system 
into which it is received and opened, it is the responsibility of the 
recipient to ensure that it is virus free and no responsibility is accepted 
by SCCB., for any loss or damage arising in any way from its use. If you 
received this transmission in error, please immediately contact the sender 
and destroy the material in its entirety, whether in electronic or hard copy 
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