Synopses of Presentations

2024

An Introduction to Speech Recognition as an Accommodation

1 October 2024
I shared insights into the use of speech recognition as a workplace accommodation. This non-technical discussion, intended primarily for case managers, supervisors, and HR professionals, highlighted essential considerations when speech recognition is recommended for a colleague with a permanent or temporary disability.

An Overview of Dragon Scripting (Custom Voice Commands) as an Accommodation

8 October 2024
Custom voice commands are indispensable, making it possible for employees who rely on Dragon to quickly and accurately perform complex tasks with a few spoken words. During this session, I introduced Dragon scripting — the process of creating personalized voice commands. This non-technical session highlighted key considerations for case managers, supervisors, and HR professionals when Dragon scripting has been recommended for a colleague with a temporary or permanent disability.

Barriers in Boilerplate

15 October 2024
I explored an overlooked barrier that impacts nearly everyone who uses a computer, but has especially pronounced effects on employees with disabilities: boilerplate text. After highlighting three specific ways this barrier manifests, I shared strategies I've developed to reduce, and in some cases, eliminate boilerplate barriers.

Computer Injuries 1: Introduction

16 January 2024
Overusing computers, tablets, and cell phones can lead to injury. During the first of three 30-minute webinars on computer injury prevention and accommodation, I recounted the story of my own overuse "journey." More generally, I described how and why computer injuries develop, and discussed the heightened risks for assistive technology users.

Computer Injuries 2: Prevention

23 January 2024
Computer injuries are largely preventable. During the second of three 30-minute webinars, I summarized best practices for prevention, including choosing appropriate equipment; knowing how to configure and adjust workstations; optimizing physical environments; and cultivating healthier working habits.

Also, I highlighted the circumstances that lead to overuse that are mostly — but not entirely — beyond an individual's ability to control.

Computer Injuries 3: Accommodations

30 January 2024
Accommodating employees who develop typing and mousing injuries can be challenging. During this 30-minute webinar, I summarized effective accommodation strategies, focusing on "low-hanging fruit" — easy modifications that bolster one's ability to work comfortably and productivity while minimizing the potential for computer injury and reinjury.

Dragon 1: Introduction to Dragon as a Workplace Accommodation

Tuesday 19 March 2024
This was my new "crash-course" on speech recognition for employment accommodation. Topics covered: What is Dragon and why use it? Which employees might benefit from Dragon? Which employees might not benefit? What are the prerequisites when accommodating with Dragon? What are the keys for successful implementation?

Dragon 2: The Art of Remote Assessments, Training, and Customizations

26 March 2024
I discussed the advantages and disadvantages of remote Dragon assessments, training, and customizations. I described the challenges, such as environmental sounds that reduce Dragon's accuracy: they may be inaudible during a virtual assessment. I concluded by addressing ways to transform disadvantages into advantages.

Dragon 3: Introduction to Customization

2 April 2024, and 4 April

Dragon customization makes the impractical practical, and the impossible possible. Through case studies, I demonstrated job tasks that were unrealistic to perform by voice, and how customizations enabled Dragon users to easily do them. I also introduced my method to adapt Dragon profiles to accents that Dragon doesn't currently support.

Life-Hacks 1: Introduction

21 May 2024
A crash-course on "life-hacks" as accommodations. I introduced three categories of things that can be created, modified, and tweaked; and gave examples of each.

Life-Hacks 2: Physical and Environmental Modifications

28 May 2024
A deep-dive into the art of constructing physical objects, altering physical objects, and modifying the environment. In several cases, the implmentation cost was zero. Others were in the $200 range. The most expensive solution: about $2000 for a custom-made workstation.

Life-Hacks 3: Software Customizations

4 June 2024
Software customization is an extremely effective, yet underused, way to accommodate. I shared examples of modifications for bridging the gap between a job task and an individual need (physical, cognitive, or learning). In one case, an employee was able to complete a task for the first time, quickly and easily. This simple "hack" took five minutes to create, and saves hours of daily drudgery.

The Skinny on Dragon Professional

15 May 2024
allyTO Lightning Talks: Accessibility Journeys & Lessons Learned

During a five-minute "Lightning Talk," I introduced Dragon as a speech recognition product, enumerated its strengths, addressed its limitations... and created an accurate Dragon user profile in 90 seconds!

2023

Barbaric Beauty: My Search for the Sounds of Ancient Klezmer

9 July 2023
Although Klezmer has been around for 1000 years, we know little about the sounds of Klezmer from centuries ago. The reason is simple. In the shtetls of Eastern and Central Europe, Klezmer was improvisational: it was taught and performed by ear. Klezmer musicians didn't write down their tunes.

During a 45-minute educational session at a music camp, I spoke about my journey to rediscover ancient Klezmer melodies. I performed my reconstruction of a doyne and a tanz as they may have been heard in a tavern in Krakow in 1704.

Efficient Alternatives to Drag-and-Drop for People with Disabilities

24 May 2023
Some computer users have difficulty with drag-and-drop, including people who have visual disabilities, upper-body disabilities, and certain learning disabilities. During this interactive session at the University of Guelph Accessibility Conference, I demonstrated alternative drag-and-drop techniques. My focus: practical methods that are easy to remember and easy to do: accessibility features built-into operating systems; alternative ways to select, copy, and paste; poorly-documented commands in Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook; macros; voice commands; and hybrid approaches.

Squeezing Better Performance from Dragon

12 September 2023
Driving a computer by voice can be life-altering. Yet many Dragon novices stop using the program. During this 30-minute session, I highlighted the reasons Dragon is challenging to learn and use, and outlined my strategies for stacking the odds in favour of people sticking with speech recognition.

Taking Speech Recognition to the Next Level

26 September 2023
Through case studies of employees with disabilities who rely on Dragon, I demonstrated how customization makes the impractical practical, and the impossible possible.

The Art of Remote Dragon Assessments, Training, and Customizations

19 September 2023
During this 30-minute session, I summarized what I've learned, since the start of the pandemic, about how to best provide Dragon services virtually instead of in-person.

2022

Accommodation Drivers and Costs

22 February 2022
During this 30-minute virtual session, I explored the question of who, in an organization, is best-suited to drive the accommodation process. I contrasted four models of accommodation stewardship, revealed common barriers to the smooth unfolding of the process, and challenged assumptions about the economics of employment accommodation.

Accommodations Gone Awry!

1 March 2022
During this 30-minute virtual session, I described the surprising consequences of inadequate and delayed accommodations. I demonstrated how one organization managed to waste over $200,000 in an effort to avoid spending $5000 to accommodate an employee.

Accommodation Stages

15 February 2022
During this 30-minute virtual session, I illustrated a five-stage employment accommodation planning model. The model makes it easy to spot when an accommodation gets "stuck" early on in the process.

Case Studies: Custom Dragon Commands

26 April 2022
Dragon has thousands of built-in commands for performing tasks quickly and easily. But sometimes built-in commands are not enough to get the job done. During this 30-minute virtual session, I showed how some Dragon users benefit from custom voice commands, including Dragon commands that doubled or tripled productivity, enhanced occupational health and safety, and made Dragon conform to the physical, cognitive, and learning needs of each individual.

“Dragon doesn't understand me:” Why people give up on speech recognition

12 April 2022
Driving a computer by voice can be life-altering. Yet many Dragon novices stop using it. During this 30-minute virtual session, I reviewed the history of speech recognition, highlighted the reasons Dragon can be challenging, and outlined strategies that stack the odds in favour of people sticking with speech recognition.

Introduction to the X-Keys and MacroWorks: Shortcuts as Accommodations

Thursday 14 July 2022
I taught an hour-long workshop at the RESNA Virtual Conference.

The X-Keys is a programmable keyboard. There are models with four, eight, 16, 24, and more buttons.

MacroWorks is software for programming and driving X-Keys keyboards. Using MacroWorks, an X-Keys can be programmed to type text; record keystrokes; control the mouse; open files, folders, applications, and webpages; and other tasks.

X-Keys is appropriate for people with upper-body disabilities (including individuals with one hand, reduced dexterity, limited reach, or repetitive strain injuries); for people with learning and cognitive disabilities; and perhaps others.

Through lectures, demonstrations, and discussions, learn to select, set-up, and program an X-Keys unit. No programming experience necessary.

Macros for Reading and Writing Difficulties

Thursday 14 July 2022
I presented a case during the Job Accommodation Show-and-Tell at the RESNA Virtual Conference.

I described how I accommodated a policy analyst with upper-body disabilities and dyslexia. I developed macros to reformat texts, read back sentences and paragraphs, and simplify the operation of Dragon and WordQ.

Muscle Memory Hacks for Keyboarding

Thursday 14 July 2022
I presented a case during the Job Accommodation Show-and-Tell at the RESNA Virtual Conference.

I discussed the importance of acknowledging that our clients are often needing to learn entirely new neuromotor skills when they switch to a new keyboard.

Strategies for Success with Dragon

19 April 2022
During this 30-minute virtual session, I discussed the obstacles that prevent people from taking full advantage of Dragon, and shared my ideas for remedies and workarounds. I demonstrated fast and reliable "voice-centric" techniques, and showed how to create a super-accurate Dragon profile in less than five minutes.

Why Keyboard-only Access Still Matters: Uncomfortable Accessibility Questions for the Age of Mobile Technologies

Thursday 26 May 2022
I presented a 45-minute workshop at the 13^th Annual Accessibility Conference.

From a technical standpoint, modern software is nearly 100% keyboard accessible. Yet most software is challenging to operate without a mouse. In this session, I argued for the ongoing relevance of keyboard access. I compared the current model of keyboard interactivity (hotkey based) to a rules-based system. A rule-based interface would be logical, discoverable, and enticing — whether accessed by keyboard, mouse, touch, gestures, voice, or other means.

2021

The Art of Remote Dragon Assessments, Training, and Customization

2 February 2021
I spoke at the virtual Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATIA) Conference.

What obstacles are encountered while providing remote Dragon assessments, training, and customizations? I begin by describing the challenges. For example, environmental sounds that impact Dragon performance may be inaudible during a virtual assessment. Then I outline strategies to "workaround" the difficulties. Finally, I address how practitioners might transform the obstacles into advantages.

Participant evaluations

The conference organizers received evaluations from 39 participants. The "overall quality of presentation" score was 4.54 out of 5, where "4" is "Very Good" and "5" is "Excellent." Participant comments included:

“Loved the great insights by someone who has done lots of Dragon assessments and knows the tips and tricks.”

“I thought this was a great session as I learned strategies that will be helpful in my practice.”

“I found Alan's presentation very beneficial. I appreciated his ideas on assessing an individual's home environment, and problem-solving to address quality of voice clarity.”

The Art of Software Automation with Macro Express Pro

7 July 2021
I presented a one-hour lecture/demonstration at the RESNA Virtual Conference.

Learn to create software shortcuts ("macros") for automating repetitive tasks in Windows applications. We will use Macro Express Pro to create shortcuts. Macro Express is an inexpensive and easy-to-learn scripting tool.

Macros boost productivity and accuracy while reducing the physical and cognitive effort of operating a computer. Macros benefit everybody, but can be crucial to success for students and employees with physical, sensory, motor, learning, cognitive, and psychological disabilities.

Introduction to Software Customization for Windows

25 May 2021
I led a three-hour preconference course at the virtual University of Guelph Accessibility Conference.

Windows applications often have features that people with disabilities have difficulty accessing — or cannot access. During this hands-on session, we will co-create repairs to accessibility and usability failures. By modifying the behaviour of keyboards, mice, and programs, we will “tailor” solutions that better fit the physical, cognitive, and learning needs of individuals. The instructor will invite participants to suggest access problems relevant to their lives or professional practices, and demonstrate workarounds.

Potential Uses of the X-Keys for Workplace Accommodations

8 July 2021
I presented a show-and-tell session at the RESNA Virtual Conference outlining the different ways to customize an X-Keys USB keyboard.

“Dragon doesn't understand me:” Why people give up on speech recognition

23 November 2021
During this 30-minute session presented over Zoom, I discussed the reasons many people abandon Dragon, and offered strategies for improving the uptake of this useful technology.

Introduction to the X-Keys: Shortcuts as accommodations

30 November 2021
During this 30-minute session presented over Zoom, I demonstrated the myriad ways the X-Keys programmable keyboard can be used to create shortcuts.

Unconventional ways to accommodate reading and writing difficulties

7 December 2021
During this 30-minute session presented over Zoom, I spotlighted accommodations for employees with learning and mobility disabilities. The accommodations integrate Dragon and WordQ in novel ways.

Top Ten Computer Shortcuts of 2021

14 December 2021

During this 30-minute session presented over Zoom, I countdowned my ten best computer shortcuts of the past year.

2020

A Speedy Introduction to Computer Shortcuts

6 May 2020
During this webinar, I introduced a wide range of computer shortcuts that boost efficiency, ease cognitive load, reduce error, and improve health and safety.

The Art of Remote Dragon Assessments, Training, and Customization

I presented a poster session at the Disability and Work in Canada 2020 Virtual Conference, 25 - 26 November and 1 - 2 December 2020.

What are the obstacles when offering remote Dragon assessments, training, and customizations? I review the challenges, discuss "workarounds," and suggest ways practitioners might transform the challenges into advantages.

Automating Repetitive Tasks with Macros

I presented a two-hour webinar in collaboration with the Network of Assistive Technologists.

12 June 2020
During this hands-on session, I taught participants to create macros to enhance computer access for people with disabilities — and everybody else! After introducing each topic, I gave participants time to work through exercises. After each exercise, the group reconvened to discuss and show their work.

Creative Assistive Technology Solutions

I presented a poster session at the Disability and Work in Canada 2020 Virtual Conference, 25 - 26 November and 1 - 2 December 2020.

See one-of-a-kind, inexpensive ($0 to $400) assistive technology solutions "sculpted" to fit the unique needs of employees with physical, sensory, learning, and psychological disabilities. These accommodations made a critical difference to each individual's ability to work while doubling (or quadrupling) productivity, reducing error, improving occupational safety, and boosting morale.

Minimize Physical and Cognitive Effort to Input Boilerplate Text

15 September 2020
During a teleconference for members of the RESNA Access and Communication Technology Special Interest Group, I demonstrated two Macro Express scripts I developed to reduce physical and cognitive effort for an employee who types with one finger. One hotkey cycles through a sequence of five boilerplate texts in one direction; a second hotkey cycles through the texts in the opposite order.

Promises + Challenges: Speech Recognition as an Accommodation for Computer Injuries

I was a guest speaker at the 21^st Annual RSI Day Conference in Toronto.

28 February 2020
Is there a role for speech recognition when accommodating people with RSIs? During this 30-minute presentation, I highlighted the tremendous potential — and the exasperating complexities — of speech recognition software as an accommodation for people who have developed computer overuse injuries.

Show-and-tell: My Favourite Computer Shortcuts

22 April 2020
During this webinar I demonstrated and explained innovative computer shortcuts that I have made for my clients and that I use myself.

Super-accurate Dragon Profiles in Five Minutes

8 April 2020
During this webinar I demonstrated a four-step process for quickly creating responsive and accurate Dragon profiles. I explained the rationale for each step, and outlined additional steps when creating a profile for individuals who have speech difficulties.

Unconventional Assistive Technology Solutions (Part 1)

1 April 2020
I organized a series of five webinars on assistive technologies. During this session I demonstrated five, one-of-a-kind assistive technology solutions that I "sculpted" to fit an individual's unique needs. These solutions made a critical difference to each individual's ability to work while doubling (or quadrupling) productivity, reducing error, and improving occupational safety. The cost of these solutions was less than $400 each; some solutions were essentially free.

“I found your webinar very informative. Your creativity in technology solution finding was an exercise in outside-the-box thinking. These solutions were so practical and made so much sense.”

- Paul A., Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, Province of Ontario

Unconventional Assistive Technology Solutions (Part 2)

15 April 2020
In this webinar I demonstrated five more assistive technology solutions that I "sculpted" to fit an individual's unique needs. These solutions made a critical difference to each individual's ability to work while doubling (or quadrupling) productivity, reducing error, and improving occupational safety. The cost of these solutions was under $400 each; some were essentially free.

“Since attending your webinar, I've been brainstorming about macros that I never knew I needed in my life... until now!”

- Bo Hatch, Taber, Alberta

2019

Accessibility Elders: Honoring Wisdom, Embracing Change, Ensuring a Future

Presentation at the CSUN Conference, Anaheim California.

13 March 2019
Wendy Chisholm, Sharron Rush, and I facilitated a community discussion about accessibility, past and future. What lessons from today's accessibility practitioners can best guide future generations? We invited attendees to talk about their mentors, and to share "a-ha!" moments as users and as accessibility professionals.

About my co-presenters: Wendy is the Principal Accessibility Architect at Microsoft. Sharron is the Co-founder and Executive Director of Knowbility.org.

Macro Express, AutoHotkey and VBA: an Introduction to Software Shortcuts

Workshop at the RESNA Conference (part of RehabWeek 2019), Toronto.

26 June 2019
During this 90-minute demonstration, discover ways to modify the behaviour of keyboards, mice, and Windows applications to better fit the physical, cognitive, and learning needs of users with disabilities. Creating macros and implementing automation features are indispensable skills for assistive technologists who provide computer access solutions. Topics:

• Macro Express, AutoHotkey, and VBA basics.
• Keyboard remapping, e.g., add a "Tab" key to the right side of the keyboard, or "Backspace" to the left side.
• Change the behaviour of mice (and other pointing devices).
• Create shortcuts to automate repetitive tasks that are activated automatically, or by clicking, typing, or pressing key combinations.

Ten Everyday Tasks You Can Do Faster via Dragon Than Any Other Way

4 March 2019
Webinar sponsored by RESNA's Access and Communication Technology Special Interest Group.

Overview: During this 60-minute webinar, Alan Cantor shared techniques for efficiently performing everyday tasks by voice, including ways to speed dictation, revise text, format text, enter numeric data, and navigate around documents and web pages.

“This was a terrific webinar, Alan! Very well structured, briskly paced, clearly presented, and each point reinforced with a couple of examples. Highly recommended for anyone who's interested in this topic.”

- James Lenker, Associate Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Director of the Graduate Certificate Program in Assistive and Rehabilitation Technology, University of Buffalo

Ten Everyday Tasks You Can Do Faster via Dragon Than Any Other Way

30 April 2019
Webinar sponsored by RESNA's Access and Communication Technology Special Interest Group.

Overview: This was a repeat of a webinar Alan Cantor delivered earlier. He shared "voice-centric" ways to speed dictation, revise and format text, enter numeric data, and navigate around documents and web pages.

“Your introductory one-hour seminar was excellent and a first rate investment in continuous learning. I have used Dragon since 1997 [and] your suggestions were a great refresher. Perhaps your comments will encourage others to adopt this amazing, yet surprisingly under-utilized technology. Thank you, you offered a real community service with yesterday's session.”

- Jon Pascoe, Pascoe Management Consulting, Comox, British Columbia

Update on Speech Recognition Technologies

25 June 2019
Presentation to members of RESNA's Access and Communication Technology Special Interest Group, part of "Sharing Solutions, Igniting Ideas" at the RESNA 2019 Conference in Toronto.

Alan Cantor gave an informal talk about the rapid and significant changes to speech recognition technologies that are underway as a result of advances in machine learning.

2018

Exploring Links Between RSI Prevention and Accommodation

28 February 2018
International Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) Awareness Day, Toronto.

Overview: Alan Cantor spoke about the lessons he has learned about repetitive strain injury prevention while bringing people back to work after developing RSIs, and accommodating them to reduce the likelihood of re-injury.

Introduction to Dragon Voice Automation

12 July 2018
RESNA Conference, Arlington Virginia

Overview: During this four-hour lecture/demonstration, Alan Cantor showed participants how to automate tasks via Dragon custom commands.

Dragon Professional has thousands of built-in commands. But sometimes these commands are not enough to get the job done. Custom commands save time, energy, and frustration by automating tasks that are difficult, time-consuming, or impossible to perform with built-in commands. Topics: Custom commands that type text, insert graphics, open applications, manipulate windows, and simulate built-in commands. Also, demonstrations of "list" and "open-ended commands" — single commands that perform dozens (or millions!) of related actions.

Four Recent Cases (part of Sharing Solutions, Igniting Ideas)

13 July 2018
RESNA Conference, Arlington Virginia

Overview: During this presentation, Alan Cantor described four customized assistive technology solutions:

• A modified keyboard and document holder for an employee with one hand and limited finger strength and mobility.
• Custom Dragon commands that vastly simplify data entry for an employee with RSI.
• A method to efficiently select and copy non-English words that are not in Dragon's vocabulary.
• Keyboard macros for an editor whose injuries prevent her from clicking and dragging.

Driving Excel via Dragon Professional: Tips, Tricks, and Workarounds

15 July 2018
RESNA Conference, Arlington Virginia

Overview: Operating Excel using Dragon is challenging. Users often find that accessing spreadsheets by voice is slow, frustrating, and error-prone. But there are techniques and approaches that can improve the experience. During this interactive session, Alan Cantor reviewed strategies for using Dragon Professional to achieve (near) hands-free access to many (but not all) Microsoft Excel functionality. Topics:

• Voice-centric navigation, e.g., jumping to and selecting cells.
• Voice-centric ways to apply visual formatting to cells, e.g., fill colours, borders, and font sizes.
• Voice-appropriate ways to manipulate data, e.g., sorting and filtering.

Why Keyboard-only Access Still Matters: Uncomfortable Accessibility Questions for the Age of Mobile Technologies

27 November 2018
#a11y Toronto Meetup

Alan Cantor presents a Lightning Talk

Overview: What is the ongoing relevance of keyboard-only access at a time when touch input and speech interfaces are ascendant? Topics:

• Why keyboard-only access still matters.
• Why is driving a computer by keyboard becoming harder, despite accessibility improvements?
• Imagining an enticing, discoverable, easy to learn, and productivity-boosting keyboard-only interface.

2017

Transformations in Job Accommodation: a 25 Year Retrospective

December 2017
International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Toronto

Overview: Alan Cantor delivered a 40-minute talk to federal government employees about his quarter-century of providing employment accommodation and assistive technology services. He also speculated about how emerging technologies, especially deep learning, may impact on accommodation practices in the years ahead.

2015

Software Shortcuts

December 2015
International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Toronto

Overview: Alan Cantor, representing the University of Toronto, gave a talk on techniques for customizing computers to better fit the hands and learning style of employees with disabilities.

Introduction to NaturallySpeaking Voice Automation

June 2015
RESNA Conference, Denver Colorado

Overview: Alan Cantor taught a half-day course on NaturallySpeaking scripting, with a focus on automating repetitive work-related tasks.

Five Counterintuitive “Rules” for Squeezing the Best Performance from NaturallySpeaking

June 2015
RESNA Conference, Denver Colorado

Overview: Alan Cantor discussed strategies for improving NaturallySpeaking performance. The strategies arise out of challenging assumptions about how speech recogntion works. He showed that:

1. User profiles are expendable.
2. Accuracy does not continually improve.
3. Profile training is overrated.
4. Knowing how to gracefully recover from errors has greater impact on performance than improving accuracy.
5. Mouse emulation by voice is best used as a last resort.

Macro Solutions for Voice-enabling a Java Application

June 2015
RESNA Conference, Denver Colorado

Overview: Alan Cantor described how he provided reliable NaturallySpeaking access to a Java application using Macro Express scripts and Windows Control Panel settings.

Macros to Annotate PDFs by Voice and Keyboard

June 2015
RESNA Conference, Denver Colorado

Overview: Alan Cantor demonstrated macros he created to automate the adding of annotations to PDFs for an employee with upper body mobility restrictions.

Macro to Drag the Mouse by Dwelling on Start and End Positions

June 2015
RESNA Conference, Denver Colorado

Overview: Alan Cantor demonstrated two Macro Express scripts that enable a single-digit typist to drag the mouse by dwelling on the start location, and then either dwelling on the end location, or moving the pointer to the end location and pressing a key on the keyboard.

Laundry Rake for an Employee with Restricted Shoulder Mobility and Strength

June 2015
RESNA Conference, Denver Colorado

Overview: Alan Cantor discussed a laundry rake he made out of a barbecue tool, vinyl tubes, and Sugru for an employee with upper-body disabilities. Cost: $15 - $20.

A Recorder Builder's Odyssey

February 2015
Toronto Early Music Concert

Overview: Alan Cantor described his journey to England to learn to build recorders, and played a Telemann Fantasy for solo flute to demonstrate his scratch-built instrument.

2014

A Recorder Builder's Odyssey

October 2014
Toronto Early Music Fair

Overview: Alan Cantor gave on overview of the instrument's 800-year-long history; described his journey to England to learn to build them; and demonstrated his scratch-built instrument.

2013

A Recorder Builder's Odyssey

November 2013
Nerd Nite Toronto

Overview: Alan Cantor gave on overview of the instrument's 800-year-long history; described his journey to England to learn to build them; and demonstrated his scratch-built instrument.

Pushing the Envelope with NaturallySpeaking

June 2013
RESNA Conference, Bellingham, WA

Overview: Alan Cantor taught an in-depth pre-conference course on developing skills to take full advantage of NaturallySpeaking. Workarounds to common problems, and fast "counter-intuitive" ways to perform everyday tasks were demonstrated and discussed. The overall aim was to help users double their throughput with NaturallySpeaking.

Two NaturallySpeaking Techniques for Quickly Opening a Document by Voice

June 2013
RESNA Conference, Bellingham, WA

Overview: Alan Cantor demonstrated two techniques for rapidly opening documents by voice. Neither technique involves macros or scripting.

2012

Accommodation at University of Toronto

November 2012
University of Toronto

Overview: Alan Cantor, Health and Well-being Programs & Services, presented a webinar on the University of Toronto's approach to accommodating staff and faculty.

Keyboard Remapping for One- (and Two-) Handed Typists

June 2012
RESNA Conference, Baltimore

Overview: Alan Cantor demonstrated how he uses AutoHotkey to improve keyboard access to employees with upper-body mobility disabilities.

Macros, Hotkeys, Keyboard and Mouse Remappings, and other Computer Access Tricks

June 2012
RESNA Conference, Baltimore

Overview: Alan Cantor taught a post-conference course introducing macro scripting techniques.

NaturallySpeaking: the Basics and Beyond

November 2012
University of Toronto

Overview: Alan Cantor taught a 90-minute lunch-and-learn for NaturallySpeaking users at the University of Toronto.

Speech Recognition: Beyond the Basics

June 2012
RESNA Conference, Baltimore

Overview: Ray Grott of San Francisco State University and Alan Cantor of University of Toronto led a 70-minute workshop on improving the experience of speech recognition for people with disabilities.

2011

Computer Access: What People without Disabilities Can Learn from People with Disabilities

February 2011
University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Oshawa

Overview: Learn to perform tasks ten times faster — and with a lot less effort — by getting acquainted with the computer access techniques used by people with sensory, mobility, and learning disabilities.

Discover web browsing without a mouse, fast and accurate speech recognition technologies, abbreviation expansion methods, and undocumented commands that are built right into the programs you use everyday.

Through this exploration, you will better understand the vital importance of accessible software — not just for people with disabilities, but for everybody.

Implementing Accommodation Policies and Procedures

December 2011
6^th Employer's Duty to Accommodate Course, Toronto

Overview: Alan Cantor of University of Toronto, and Tom Proszowski of Disability Options Consulting, bring together the crucial elements of an accommodation strategy, considering legal requirements, corporate culture, and the needs of changing workforce demographics, to generate a step-by- step implementation plan. Learn how to implement an accommodation strategy that works for your organization.

Who should attend: Managers, human resource executives, corporate and union legal advisors, Human Rights Commission staff, labour relations professionals, labour lawyers, arbitrators and mediators, return-to-work consultants, and occupational health professionals.

Macro Grokking: Efficient and Reliable Interaction with Nonstandard Applications

June 2011
RESNA Conference, Toronto

Alan Cantor demonstrated macro scripting techniques that mimic programmatic access to applications that lack accessibility "hooks."

Speech Recognition: Beyond the Basics

June 2011
RESNA Conference, Toronto

Alan Cantor and Ray Grott led a workshop on speech recognition that focused on maximizing success by people with disabilities.

The Virtual Keyboard Interface: Improving Access to Mouse-Intensive Applications

March 2011
26^th International Technology & Persons with Disabilities Conference, San Diego

Overview: Despite accessibility standards, guidelines, specifications, and regulations for web content and software (e.g., WCAG, Section 508, ISO/TS 1607), many web-based, mainstream, and proprietary applications continue to be awkward, inefficient, or impossible to drive by keyboard.

During this presentation, I describe how third-party macro scripting utilities may be used to "overlay" an inaccessible application with a virtual keyboard interface: a set of keyboard commands, not native to the application, that allows users to control the program by keyboard.

Although memorization is needed to drive an application without a mouse, I illustrate how to design a virtual keyboard interface so that the commands are intuitive, discoverable, and easy to remember. Furthermore, I outline a simple technique for "recycling" the keyboard commands as NaturallySpeaking commands.

2010

Implementing Accommodation Policies and Procedures

December 2010
5^th Employer's Duty to Accommodate Course, Toronto

Overview: Alan Cantor brings together the crucial elements of an accommodation strategy, considering legal requirements, corporate culture, and the needs of changing workforce demographics, to generate a step-by-step implementation plan. Learn how to implement an accommodation strategy that works for your organization.

Who should attend: Managers, human resource executives, corporate and union legal advisors, Human Rights Commission staff, labour relations professionals, labour lawyers, arbitrators and mediators, return-to-work consultants, and occupational health professionals.

Super Shortcuts: an Introduction to Software Customization and Macros

October 2010, Toronto

Overview: Learn new ways to accommodate employees with disabilities in computerized workplaces by reducing the physical and mental effort of operating a PC. At the end of this session, you will know how to:

• Open any program, web page, or document by pressing a single key
• Activate any command in any Microsoft Office program by pressing a "hotkey," clicking an icon, or, if using speech recognition, saying a single voice command
• Create Microsoft Word "macros" that are activated by typing words or numbers
• Use a "macro recorder" to create your own commands

All of these shortcuts are easy to make. No special technical skills are required. The techniques for creating these shortcuts are poorly documented — and in some cases, completely undocumented.

Who should attend: This session is for both non-technical and technical staff, including:

• Staff who develop accommodation policy
• Professionals who carry out accommodation assessments
• IT staff who implement technical accommodations
• Legal staff who need to understand the latest accommodation trends and practices
• Legislators and government policy makers
• Employees with disabilities who are in the process of being accommodated

Customizing Microsoft Word: A Primer for Assistive Technologists

October 2010, School of Disability Studies, Ryerson University, Toronto

Learn how to "sculpt" Microsoft Word to better fit an individual's hand and mind. Topics:

• Simplifying the User Interface
• AutoCorrect
• Built-in commands
• Recording commands

NaturallySpeaking for Writers, Researchers and Journalists

April 2010, Toronto

Discover how to use NaturallySpeaking for "serious" writing projects. Learn commands and techniques that significantly ease the process of drafting, revising, and formatting documents.

Aim: To increase your throughput by 50% when using NaturallySpeaking to research on-line, and compose and edit documents.

Topics:

• Review: NaturallySpeaking basics
• Essential techniques: Draft, revise, and format
• Prepare NaturallySpeaking for specialized topics
• Discover undocumented editing and formatting commands
• Research on-line with NaturallySpeaking
• Adapt Microsoft Word (and other programs) for more efficient use of NaturallySpeaking

Optimizing NaturallySpeaking for Accuracy and Reliability

March 2010, Toronto

Learn to improve NaturallySpeaking performance by understanding what happens "under the hood" when you use the program. Many undocumented techniques will be presented.

Electronic Band-Aids: Healing Usability “Boo-Boos” with Macros

March 2010, Toronto

This presentation is based on a paper of the same name.

Today's operating systems and applications fall short of being highly usable, particularly for people with disabilities. After outlining a model for assessing software usability, I demonstrate how keyboard interaction with ribbons is less usable than the menus that the ribbons replace.

Usability problems are not unique to ribbons. Many standard and proprietary applications suffer from a glut of problems that reduce their usability.

In this presentation, I illustrate how I use macros to reduce physical effort, cognitive effort, and the likelihood or consequences of error, while increasing productivity and user satisfaction.

Understanding Web Accessibility

Greg Gay and Alan Cantor moderated several on-line course on Web accessibility. (Greg and Alan developed the course.)

This course helps Web authors develop the skills and understanding to create WCAG 2.0 compliant Web sites.

Learn more about “Understanding Web Accessibility.”

2009

Optimizing NaturallySpeaking for Accuracy and Reliability

November 2009, Toronto

Learn to improve NaturallySpeaking performance by understanding what happens "under the hood" when you use the program. Many undocumented techniques will be presented.

Understanding Web Accessibility

Greg Gay and Alan Cantor moderated an on-line course on Web accessibility three times, beginning 21 September, 12 October, and 9 November. (Greg and Alan developed the course.)

This course helps Web authors develop the skills and understanding to create WCAG 2.0 compliant Web sites.

Learn more about “Understanding Web Accessibility.”

The Five Minute Macro

June 2009, RESNA Conference, New Orleans

During this half-day hands-on session, discover easy software shortcuts that every assistive technologist should know. These shortcuts reduce the physical and cognitive effort of operating a Windows-based computer: Add shortcuts to launch applications, web pages, and documents; produce Word "macros" to insert text, tables, templates, and images by typing words; assign hotkeys to activate any command in Microsoft Office; record custom commands in Word; modify Microsoft Office applications to make any feature available via keyboard, mouse, or voice command; and use Wizards to produce Macro Express scripts.

All shortcuts can be created in under five minutes, and involve no programming.

Dive into NaturallySpeaking Custom Commands

June 2009, RESNA Conference, New Orleans

NaturallySpeaking has thousands of built-in commands. But sometimes these commands are not enough. Custom commands save time, energy, and frustration by automating tasks that are difficult, time-consuming, or impossible to perform with built-in commands.

During this half-day workshop, learn to script voice commands that type text, insert graphics, open applications, manipulate windows, and simulate built-in commands. You will also learn to script "list commands" — a single command that performs dozens (or millions!) of related actions.

Familiarity with NaturallySpeaking is essential. No programming experience is assumed.

Optimizing NaturallySpeaking for Accuracy and Reliability

June 2009, RESNA Conference, New Orleans

Learn to improve NaturallySpeaking performance by understanding what happens "under the hood" when you use the program. Many undocumented techniques will be presented.

A Method for Differentiating Homophonic First Names when Using Speech Recognition Technology

June 2009, SIG 11 Show-and-Tell, RESNA Conference, New Orleans

Despite the accuracy of speech recognition technology, homophonic first names will always be subject to error. During free-form dictation, no amount of context or data will enable the software to reliably determine whether a user means "Katherine," "Kathryn," or "Catherine;" or "Bobby," "Bobbi," or "Bobbie."

To address this difficulty, I demonstrate a mnemonic (memory aid) that makes homophonic names acoustically distinct.

Web Accessibility for Municipalities

June 2009, Ontario Municipal Information Systems Association Conference, Oshawa

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) is now in force, and as a result, Ontario municipalities are obligated to provide accessible Web sites. Attend this session to understand:

1. The meaning of Web accessibility.
2. How the AODA applies to municipalities.
3. Web accessibility standards.
4. The scoop on the new "Information and Communication Standards" and its impact on Ontario municipalities.

Co-presented with Shamir Furtado of Imex Systems.

Optimizing NaturallySpeaking for Accuracy and Reliability

March 2009, CSUN Conference, Los Angeles

Learn to improve NaturallySpeaking performance by understanding what happens "under the hood" when you use the program. Many undocumented techniques will be presented. Overview:

1. Descriptions of NaturallySpeaking acoustic and language models
2. A protocol for creating a new user
3. Techniques for improving accuracy and reliability
4. Techniques for maintaining peak performance

Jumping Over Virtual Barriers: Web 2.0 and Assistive Technologies

March 2009. Innoversity Summit. Toronto.

During a lively panel discussion moderated by Don Peuramaki, Alan Cantor, Kelly MacDonald of NBRS, and Jutta Triviranus and Charles Silverman of the Adaptive Technology Resource Centre at the University of Toronto spoke about usability challenges faced by the community of persons with disabilities; assistive technologies; best practices for Web design; current and coming international standards, regulations, and guidelines; and recent developments in captioning and descriptive video technologies.

2008

Speech Recognition Update: Transitioning to NaturallySpeaking 10

November 2008. Toronto.

Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10, released in August 2008, is a mixed bag. Its accuracy is unprecedented, but several features have troublesome side effects. For example, new commands meant to simplify dictation can cause blocks of text to disappear without warning. During this session, learn to take advantage of NaturallySpeaking while sidestepping its problems.

Boost Productivity with Macros

November 2008. EmployABLE 2008. Toronto.

Learn about software shortcuts that significantly reduce the cognitive and physical effort of operating a computer, including: macros activated by voice, hotkeys, typed words, and mouse; plus automatic, interactive, and "smart" macros.

Adding Keyboard Commands to Non-standard Programs and Web Applications

June 2008. RESNA Conference. Washington DC.

During this hands-on course, learn to use macro software to add keyboard commands to hard-to-access or inaccessible software.

Introduction to Job Accommodation

June 2008. RESNA Conference. Washington DC.

Learn the art and science of job accommodation during this highly-interactive half-day course.

“I Just Want it to Work” — Computer-Based Assistive Technology Training For People with Little Technical Ability or Inclination

June 2008. Educator's Forum. RESNA 2008, Washington DC.

A talk about experiences training people who have little technical ability and inclination to use computer-based assistive technologies.

Two Methods for Triggering Macro Express Scripts with NaturallySpeaking

June 2008. SIG-11 Show-and-Tell. RESNA 2008, Washington DC.

Different methods to activate Macro Express scripts via NaturallySpeaking were tested while voice-enabling a complex application. The application consisted of approximately 30 pages, each page with up to twenty fields and 25 hypertext links. Built-in NaturallySpeaking commands for interacting with form elements did not work reliably or, on many pages, did not work at all due to HTML and JavaScript problems.

An Interactive Macro to Automate the Downloading of Digitized Articles

June 2008. SIG-11 Show-and-Tell. RESNA 2008. Washington DC.

A demonstration of an interactive script to automate downloading of library articles.

Screen Reader Friendly “Find” Commands for Microsoft Word

June 2008. SIG-11 Show-and-Tell. RESNA 2008. Washington DC.

A demonstration of three new "Find" commands for a trial lawyer who is blind developed in Visual Basic For Applications (VBA).

Macros for Repairing Computer Access Problems

June 2008. Collaborative Assistive Technology Conference of the Rockies. Denver.

During this intermediate-level course, learn to script macros to repair inaccessible software. No programming experience necessary.

Macros for Success

June 2008. Collaborative Assistive Technology Conference of the Rockies. Denver.

Discover the world of shortcuts that streamline access to Windows-based PCs for persons with disabilities. Learn about macros that are activated by pressing hotkeys and typing words; customization techniques that will save you time and effort; and software tools that make it a snap to automate repetitive tasks. These easy-to-learn techniques can be implemented in five minutes or less.

Keyboard Access to Windows: Introduction

April 2008. Tech Fair Assistive Technology Conference. Albuquerque.

Learn ways to operate Windows without a mouse during this half-day course. These skills are fundamental for assistive technologists.

The Five-Minute Macro: Easy Shortcuts for People with Disabilities

April 2008. Tech Fair Assistive Technology Conference. Albuquerque.

During this hands-on course for beginners, discover undocumented and poorly documented shortcuts that improve computer access for people with disabilities.

Macros for Repairing Computer Access Problems

April 2008. Tech Fair Assistive Technology Conference. Albuquerque.

During this intermediate-level course, learn to script macros to repair inaccessible software. No programming experience necessary.

Super Shortcuts: Easy Ways to Customize PCs for People with Disabilities

March 2008. CSUN Conference. Los Angeles.

During this half-day pre-conference course, learn how to optimize Windows for people with a range of disabilities.

Voice-enabling a Web Application: Lessons Learned

March 2008. CSUN Conference. Los Angeles.

This paper highlights the trials and tribulations of scripting 300 NaturallySpeaking voice commands for a complex web application.

Escaping the Mousetrap: Keyboard Access to Windows

February 2008. WSIB Ergonomics Week, Toronto.

During this demonstration session, learn the "logic" that underlies keyboard interaction with Windows and Windows-based programs.

2007

Competitive Employment for People with Disabilities: Tips for Job Counsellors

December 2007. Toronto. Mazemaster / Youth@bilities.

Discuss ways to improve counselling practices so that young people with disabilities are successful in competitive employment.

Accommodation Strategies: the Big Picture

November 2007. Symposium on Disability and Employment. Toronto.

Panel discussion with Rick Schobesberger (Transport Canada), Sharon Myatt (Myatt & Associates) and Alan Cantor. Host: Employer Outreach Secretariat, Ministry of Community and Social Services.

What is employment accommodation? What are the 15 ways that people with disabilities are accommodated? What are the stages of an accommodation?

Barriers, Accessibility and Assistive Technologies

September 2007. Showcase Ontario. Toronto.

Gain insight into different kinds of barriers, including physical, architectural, informational, legislative, policy-related, institutional, and attitudinal. Learn strategies for identifying and removing barriers that prevent Ontarians with disabilities from achieving equality. See demonstrations of a speech recognition software system, a screen reader, and other assistive technologies.

Speech Recognition for Broadcasters

July 2007. Women in Film and Television 2007. Toronto.

Speech recognition technology has almost come of age. It is fast, affordable, and in certain circumstances, works remarkably well. But the question remains: what are those circumstances? During this session, discover the potential of speech recognition, and see demonstrations of speech recognition systems. The facilitator has introduced speech recognition systems to many people in the broadcast industry.

This session was presented in partnership with Innoversity.

Super Shortcuts: Easy Ways to Customize PCs for People with Disabilities

June 2007. Collaborative Assistive Technology Conference of the Rockies. Denver.

A full-day preconference course on macros, macro-like techniques, and user interface modifications.

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Macros (but were Afraid to Ask)

June 2007. Collaborative Assistive Technology Conference of the Rockies. Denver.

A two-hour lecture/demonstration on macros.

Macros for Repairing Computer Access Problems

June 2007. RESNA Conference. Phoenix.

During this hands-on session, learn to script macros that reduce the physical and cognitive effort of running Windows-based programs. Working from case studies and guided exercises, participants will repair everyday access problems experienced by people with a wide range of disabilities. Access problems to be addressed include missing hotkeys, inefficient keyboard navigation, user interface inconsistencies, programming errors, and overly-complex program features.

Text Macros for Choosing Folders

June 2007. SIG-11 Computer Applications Show and Tell. RESNA Conference. Phoenix.

This case study describes a technique for automating the task of changing folders using macros that are activated by typing words and codes. The case study.

Super Shortcuts: PC Customization for People with Disabilities

May 2007. Ontario Association for Physical and Health Disabilities. Toronto.

Learn techniques for streamlining access to Windows-based PCs for persons with disabilities. These shortcuts dramatically reduce the physical and cognitive effort of operating a computer. All of the demonstrated shortcuts can be created in less than five minutes, and require no special PC skills.

Computer-based Assistive Technologies: An Introduction

April 2007. York-Seneca Institute for Mathematics, Science and Technology: Redefining the Possible: Breaking Barriers with Technology.

Discover the exciting world of assistive technologies that individuals with disabilities use to further personal, education and vocational goals. You will see speech recognition systems, alternative keyboards, screen readers, “Smart” macros, and much more.

Creative Approaches to Workplace Accommodation

March 2007. Scarborough Centre for Employment Accessibility. EmployABLE 2007. Scarborough.

Alan facilitated a workshop for employers on practical and creative ways to accommodate young adults (between 18- and 35-years-old) with disabilities.

Introduction to Assistive Technologies

March 2007. Scarborough Centre for Employment Accessibility. EmployABLE 2007. Scarborough.

Alan demonstrated a wide range of assistive technologies, including speech recognition, screen readers, screen enhancements, and macros.

Enhance Accessibility and Usability with “Smart” Macros

March 2007. CSUN Conference, Los Angeles.

Learn about macros with built-in intelligence. “Smart” macros make decisions and take action based on feedback from the user, the computer, or both. These macros dramatically improve accessibility and usability of mainstream and proprietary software.

Smart macro paper.

PDF Accessibility Survey: Progress and Contradictions

March 2007. CSUN Conference, Los Angeles.

In a recent survey, people with disabilities were asked to describe their PDF experiences. The conclusion: Although PDF may be technically accessible, reliable access remains elusive. Discover the barriers that remain, and what can be done to minimize them.

Executive summary of PDF survey.

Accommodating People with RSIs in Computer-Intense Jobs

February 2007. International RSI Awareness Day, Toronto.

What contributes to success — and to failure — when employees are returning to work after developing computer-induced injuries? Alan Cantor, who has been accommodating employees with RSIs for 15 years, shared his perspectives.

Escaping the Mousetrap: Driving Windows from the Keyboard

January 2007. Scarborough Centre for Employment Accessibility.

During this half-day hands-on session, learn to drive Windows by keyboard alone — without a mouse, pointing device or MouseKeys! The skills you will learn are indispensable for individuals who are blind, have low-vision, operate PCs with a finger, toe, head-pointer or mouth-stick, have mouse-induced repetitive strain injuries, and have certain learning disabilities. As a bonus, using the keyboard is significantly faster and more accurate than pointing-and-clicking.

2006

Technologies for People with Disabilities in the Film and Television Industries

October 2006. Innoversity Summit: Media Access and Participation (MAP) Initiative. Toronto.

What are the unique barriers to people with disabilities in the film and television industries? During this session, we will discuss this question, and brainstorm industry-specific solutions.

The State of PDF Accessibility Today

September 2006. Showcase Ontario. Toronto.

In this session, the accessibility of PDF for persons with disabilities is reviewed. Topics covered:

• About accessibility
• The history of accessible PDF
• Status of PDF accessibility
• Problems with PDF accessibility
• Conclusions

The Five-Minute Macro: Easy Shortcuts for Assistive Technologists

July 2006. Manhattan.

Alan Cantor facilitated an all-day, hands-on session for New York City Department of Education rehabilitation professionals on macros and other software shortcuts.

“Intelligent” Macros that Reduce the Cognitive Effort of Operating a Computer

June 2006. SIG-11 (Computer Applications) Show-and-Tell at the RESNA Conference in Atlanta.

Macros that automate repetitive tasks reduce the physical effort of running a personal computer. During this presentation, I demonstrate macros that also lessen the cognitive effort of learning and operating software.

Presentation notes on macros that reduce cognitive effort.

Introduction to Job Accommodation

June 2006. Preconference workshop at the RESNA Conference in Atlanta.

This workshop introduces an approach to accommodation planning that enhances the productivity, comfort and safety of employees (and students) with disabilities, while respecting their privacy, autonomy and dignity. Through presentations, discussions, brainstorming and case-study exercises, participants will: understand key concepts about employment accommodation as they relate to people with disabilities; know the reasons for and the consequences of improperly planned accommodations; learn a general approach to workplace accommodation planning; and apply this approach to cases of employees and students with disabilities who need accommodation.

Case Study: Keyboard Training and Hotkey Macros Quadruple Productivity

March 2006. General session at the CSUN Conference in Los Angeles.

This case study describes how training on keyboard access to Windows and hotkey macros enabled an employee with a disability to perform a complex task four times faster by keyboard than when using a combination of a keyboard, a mouse, and MouseKeys. She was able to complete a task that had previously taken over an hour in 16 minutes, and without aggravating a previous mouse-induced repetitive strain injury. Read the case study.

2005

Wormholes through Windows: Enhancing the Usability and Accessibility of Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office

5, 12, 19 and 26 October 2005. Four-part on-line course produced by EASI.

Discover ways to operate your Windows-based PC faster, more accurately, and with less energy. During this four-part interactive course, you will customize your PC, experiment with built-in commands, and try out unconventional techniques. By the end of the course, you will be using your PC faster and with less effort than you ever imagined possible.

Modern software is malleable; it can be molded to fit your hands and working style. During this course, you will tailor Windows and Office to fit you. Modern software features built-in commands that can significantly increase productivity, yet many of these "tricks" are poorly documented or undocumented. Let Alan Cantor be your guide to the techniques and features that will help you become a more efficient and effective PC user.

This series will benefit people with all kinds of disabilities, plus teachers, seniors, assistive technologists, rehabilitation professionals, and IT professionals. The course will also interest individuals without disabilities who struggle with awkward laptop keyboards and pointing devices, who operate PCs in noisy or otherwise distracting environments, or who want to use software more quickly and directly.

Keyboard Access to Windows: Advanced

June 2005. RESNA Conference. Atlanta, Georgia.

The ability to use Windows without a mouse is an essential skill for assistive technologists. Keyboard techniques are indispensable for individuals who have visual impairments; operate computers with a finger, toe, head-pointer, or mouth-stick; have mouse-induced RSIs; and have certain LDs.

This course takes participants beyond the basics to introduce intuitive — and counterintuitive — techniques that enable keyboard users with disabilities to operate a PC more quickly, accurately and with less energy expenditure. Topics include customizing the appearance and functioning of Windows to improve its keyboard interface; creating global hotkeys; and modifying applications to enhance keyboard access.

Introduction to Macro Express

June 2005. RESNA Conference. Atlanta, Georgia.

Running Windows without macro software is like cycling in the mountains — on a one-speed bicycle. Macros reduce the physical and mental effort needed to operate a PC while multiplying speed and increasing efficiency.

Learn to tap the power of Macro Express to create software solutions for people with disabilities, including macros triggered by hotkeys, typed text, mouse clicks, pop-up menus, and events. You will also make workarounds for accessibility problems in mainstream products. No programming experience is needed.

You will leave the workshop with a collection of functioning macros, and the skills to develop new ones.

Case Study: Keyboard Training and Hotkey Macros for an Operational Support Person with Cerebral Palsy in a “Paperless” Office

June 2005. Job Accommodation and Computer Applications Show-and-Tell. RESNA Conference. Atlanta, Georgia.

The productivity of an employee with cerebral palsy quadrupled after she was taught how to perform tasks by keyboard instead of a mouse, and provided with 17 macros.

Soaring to New Heights or Going Down In Flames: The Promises and Perils of High-Tech Assistive Technologies

June 2005. 8^th Annual Assistive Technology Summer Institute. Litchfield Park, Arizona.

Assistive technologies afford people with disabilities opportunities to independently pursue vocational, educational and personal goals. This presentation highlights both the promises and perils of computer-based assistive technologies (including health and safety risks associated with their use); recommends strategies for minimizing the risks; and argues for a more comprehensive approach to accommodation planning.

Discover Creative Approaches to Accommodating Employees with Disabilities

May 2005. Alan Cantor was the guest speaker at an HRPA Dinner Series event. Sheraton Centre Hotel, Toronto. Topics:

• How prevalent is disability, now and in the future?
• What is accessibility?
• What is accommodation?
• How are employees with disabilities accommodated?
• Why do accommodations sometimes fail?
• What factors contribute to successful accommodations?

Dimensions of Usability: Toward a Rational GUI Keyboard Interface

March 2005. CSUN 2005. Los Angeles.

The Windows keyboard interface is fairly accessible, but not particularly usable. I will discuss and demonstrate features of a truly functional keyboard interface for a hypothetical Windows-like GUI. This GUI greatly streamlines keyboard interactions while simultaneously improving mouse interactions.

Dimensions of Usability: the paper.

Radical Software Surgery: Case Studies In Advanced Customization

March 2005. CSUN 2005. Los Angeles.

Commercial applications are rarely as accessible or usable as they could be. People with disabilities regularly encounter software tasks that they cannot perform, or can perform only with great difficulty. I describe four customization techniques that improve Windows accessibility and usability: modifying the user interface; recording commands; developing Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) procedures; and scripting macros. I draw on case studies to illustrate how these techniques produce accessibility and usability enhancements that can be achieved in no other way.

Radical Software Surgery: the paper.

Gears for your PC: More Speed and Less Sweat with Macros

17 February and 3 March 2005. Alan Cantor presented two web-casts on macro techniques, hosted by EASI. He described a wide range of macro techniques for Windows-based PCs, many of which are undocumented or poorly documented.

2004

Keyboard-only Access to Windows: Advanced

October 2004. 2.5 hour hands-on class on keyboard-only access at Closing the Gap. Minneapolis.

The ability to use Windows without a mouse is an essential skill for assistive technologists. Keyboard-only techniques are indispensable for individuals who are blind; who have low-vision; who operate computers with one finger, toe, or stump; who use head-pointers, mouth-sticks or similar appliances; who have mouse- induced repetitive strain injuries; and who have certain learning and cognitive disabilities.

The audience for this course is individuals who have prior knowledge of how to operate Windows without a mouse. In this hands-on session, participants will learn intuitive — and counterintuitive — techniques to enable keyboard-only for only users to work more quickly, accurately and with less energy expenditure. Topics include customizing Windows to improve keyboard-only access; creating global hotkeys; and modifying applications to enhance keyboard-only access. By the end of the this course, participants will understand the untapped potential of keyboard-only interface, and be better equipped to teach people with disabilities to operate a Windows-based PC without a mouse, pointing device, or MouseKeys.

Creating Accessibility Enhancements for Microsoft Word

August 2004. Manhattan.

Alan Cantor facilitated an all-day, hands-on session for New York City Department of Education rehabilitation professionals on techniques for improving the accessibility and usability of Microsoft Word. These techniques include: built-in commands, the macro recorder, UI modifications, AutoCorrect, and Visual Basic.

Introduction to Job Accommodation

June 2004. Half-day pre-conference course, RESNA Conference.

The goal of this workshop is to introduce participants to an approach to accommodation planning that enhances the productivity, comfort and safety of employees (and students) with disabilities, while respecting their privacy, autonomy and dignity. Through presentations, discussions, brainstorming and simulation exercises, participants will: understand key concepts about employment accommodation as they relate to people with disabilities; know the reasons for and the consequences of improperly planned accommodations; learn a general approach to workplace accommodation planning; and apply this approach to cases of employees with disabilities who need accommodation.

Creating Accessibility Enhancements in Word

June 2004. Full-day, hands-on, pre-conference course at RESNA 2004, Orlando.

Learn poorly-documented techniques for creating accessibility enhancements to Microsoft Word (and by extension, to other Office products) by using built-in commands, user interface customizations, macros, and Visual Basic. During this course, you will tap the power of Visual Basic for Applications (VBA). VBA gives access to the inner-workings of all Office applications. VBA allows you to do things programmatically rather than through the user interface, and is an ideal environment for creating accessibility and usability enhancements for people with disabilities. No prior programming experience is assumed.

Tips, Tricks, and Juicy Tidbits: Getting the Most Out of Speech Recognition

June 2004. Ray Grott, Kirk Sviqeland, and Alan Cantor presented an advanced workshop on speech recognition at the RESNA Conference in Orlando.

Enhancing the Accessibility and Usability Of Microsoft Office Applications Using Visual Basic

March 2004. CSUN 2004. Los Angeles.

Learn how "Visual Basic for Applications," the programming environment built into Microsoft Office, is used to create custom commands, improve accessibility, and enhance usability.

Conference paper on VBA at CSUN 2004.

Breaking Barriers: Accommodating People with Disabilities

March 2004. Toronto District School Board workshop, at the Geneva Centre, Toronto.

Alan Cantor presented on physical and attitudinal barriers that young people with disabilities face in the workplace.

2003

Understanding Accessibility Laws and Their Effects on the Development and Design of your Web Site

December 2003. Mary-Jo Monk, Senior Policy Advisor, the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario, and Alan Cantor presented at Web Site Usability & Accessibility for Government. Ottawa.

The Ontarians with Disabilities Act (ODA) (2001) was created to improve the identification, removal and prevention of barriers faced by persons with disabilities and to make related amendments to other Acts. This act outlines that the Government of Ontario shall provide its Internet sites in a format that is accessible to persons with disabilities, unless it is not technically feasible to do so. This session will discuss the importance of the Act and its effect of your Web site. Topics:

1. Understanding the impact of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act on your Web site
2. Incorporating the Act into your Web site design, development and evaluation process
3. Best accessibility practices regarding government Web sites

In February 2004, an article by Scott Foster about this presentation appeared in itbusiness.ca.

Improving Access to Windows Using Macro Software

November 2003. Alan Cantor facilitated a half-day, hands-on workshop, at the 6^th Accessing Higher Ground: Assistive Technology and Accessible Media in Higher Education. Boulder, Colorado.

Macro software allows users with (and without) disabilities to operate Windows-based PCs with greater speed and less energy expenditure than is possible using "standard" techniques. During this hands-on workshop, participants will (1) learn many ways that people with disabilities can benefit from macro software, and (2) create a variety of macros that enable users with disabilities to operate a computer faster, easier, and more efficiently.

How to Code Accessible HTML Data Tables

November 2003. Alan Cantor described and demonstrated proven techniques for coding accessible HTML data tables at the 6^th Accessing Higher Ground: Assistive Technology and Accessible Media in Higher Education. Boulder, Colorado,

Learn proven ways to improve the accessibility of HTML data tables. Topics include: Access issues for people with different disabilities; simple vs. complex tables; techniques for all data tables; techniques for simple tables; techniques for complex tables; testing tables for accessibility; and techniques for remediating data tables.

Keyboard-only Access to Windows: Introduction

November 2003. Alan Cantor facilitated this half-day, hands-on workshop at the 6^th Accessing Higher Ground: Assistive Technology and Accessible Media in Higher Education. Boulder, Colorado.

This session introduces concepts and techniques for operating Windows by keyboard alone, i.e., without using a mouse, pointing device or MouseKeys. Topics include: fundamental principles of keyboard-only access; universal keyboard commands; file management; and special considerations for using keyboard-only techniques with MS-Word, Excel, and Internet Explorer.

Rethinking Disability: Barriers, Accessibility, and Accommodation

September 2003. Alan Cantor facilitated a three-hour workshop for staff at the Shaver Hospital (part of the Niagara Health System) in St. Catharines, Ontario. Topics included:

• What is disability?
• How prevalent is disability, now and in the future?
• How do disabilities arise?
• What is accessibility?
• What are barriers?
• What is accommodation?
• How are employees with disabilities accommodated?

Approaches to Coding Accessible HTML Data Tables

September 2003. Alan Cantor described techniques for coding accessible HTML data tables — and his experience communicating these techniques to web developers — at the W3C WCAG Techniques Task Force Face-to-Face Meeting, Toronto.

Playing Around: Games for Grown-ups

Alan Cantor facilitated his eighth games workshop at the 30^th Blue Skies Music Festival, Clarendon, Ontario, August 2003.

Magoo, Blue Skies Festival Master of Ceremonies, poses with friends

During this workshop for adults, we play uproarious games that tease the intellect, energize the body, and spark creativity. The curriculum consists of ice breakers, informal dramatics, and word and action games.

Alan's workshop included a smorgasbord of old favourites (e.g., "Mime Rhyme," "Music Magic," and "Clothespin Tag") plus a delectable assortment of new games.

Prerequisites: Playfulness 101 (or equivalent) and a proven aptitude for giggling.

ADAPTABLE: a Creative, Practical and Inclusive Approach to Workplace Accommodation Planning

June 2003. Half-day pre-conference course at RESNA Conference. Atlanta.

This workshop introduces an approach to accommodation planning that enhances the productivity, comfort and safety of employees (and students) with disabilities, while respecting their privacy, autonomy and dignity. Through presentations, discussions, brainstorming and simulation exercises, participants will: understand key concepts about employment accommodation as they relate to people with disabilities; know the consequences of improperly planned accommodations; learn ADAPTABLE, a general approach to workplace accommodation planning; and apply the ADAPTABLE approach to cases of employees with disabilities who need accommodation.

Keyboard-only Access to Windows: Advanced

June 2003. RESNA Conference. Atlanta.

Discover intuitive — and counterintuitive — techniques to enable keyboard-only users to work more quickly, accurately and with less energy expenditure. Topics include customizing Windows to improve keyboard-only access; creating global hotkeys; and modifying applications to enhance keyboard-only access.

Improving Access to Windows Using Macro Software

June 2003. RESNA Conference. Atlanta.

Macro software allows users with (and without) disabilities to enter text and operate a Windows-based PC with greater speed and less energy expenditure than is possible using "standard" techniques. During this hands-on workshop, participants will (1) learn many ways that people with disabilities can benefit from macro software, and (2) create a variety of macros that enable users with disabilities to operate a computer faster, easier, and more efficiently.

Coding Practices and Accessibility Testing Techniques for HTML Data Tables

June 2003. SIG-11 Show-and-Tell. RESNA Conference. Atlanta.

• Simple vs. complex tables
• Techniques for all data tables
• Techniques for simple tables
• Techniques for complex tables
• Testing tables for accessibility

Accommodating Volunteers with Disabilities

May 2003. Alan Cantor was a panelist in the "Involving and Accommodating Volunteers with Disabilities" forum at the Volunteer Centre of Toronto in Scarborough, Ontario.

Macro Techniques: Wormholes Through Windows

March 2003. CSUN 2003. Los Angeles.

Learn how macro software and macro-like features enable users with disabilities to operate Windows- based PCs with greater speed, ease, and efficiency. The presenter will demonstrate macro writing techniques using suggestions from the audience.

Macro Techniques: Wormholes Through Windows: the paper.

2002

Making the Most of Speech Recognition

December 2002. National Ergonomics Conference and Exhibition. Las Vegas.

What kind of impact can speech recognition have on your existing ergonomics program? Although not yet a mature technology, speech recognition has great potential as a partial (or total) replacement for the keyboard and mouse. Nevertheless, many individuals who switch to speech input use it inefficiently, give up on it altogether, and may even develop permanent vocal injuries. You will learn about how common shortfalls in planning and implementation, and unrealistic expectations about the technology's capabilities, contribute to these risks.

Introduction to Keyboard-only Access to Windows

November 2002. Accessing Higher Ground: Assistive Technology in Higher Education. Boulder Colorado.

This half-day, hands-on session introduces concepts and techniques for operating Windows by keyboard alone, i.e., without using a mouse, pointing device or MouseKeys. Topics include: fundamental principles of keyboard-only access; universal keyboard commands; file management; and special considerations for using keyboard-only techniques with Word, Excel, and Internet Explorer.

Speech Recognition: An Accommodation Planning Perspective

November 2002. Accessing Higher Ground: Assistive Technology in Higher Education. Boulder Colorado.

This session describes an 11-stage planning model that increases the likelihood that students will benefit from speech recognition software; and reviews common misconceptions that prevents them from achieving success with the technology.

Keyboard Virtuosity: Customizing Windows for Mouse-Free Operation

November 2002. Accessing Higher Ground: Assistive Technology in Higher Education. Boulder Colorado.

The default settings for Windows (and most Windows applications) are not conducive to mouse-free operation. On the contrary, standard installations often feature objects that are hard (or impossible) to access by keyboard alone. During this session, I will describe and demonstrate dozens of ways to modify the appearance and operation of Windows and Windows applications to enhance keyboard-only access. Many of these techniques are undocumented or poorly documented.

Playing Around: Games for Grown-ups

August 2002. Blue Skies Music Festival. Clarendon, Ontario.

During this workshop for adults, we play uproarious games that tease the intellect, energize the body, and spark creativity. The curriculum consists of ice breakers, informal dramatics, and word and action games such as "Music Magic", "Mime Rhyme "and "Clothespin Tag".

Prerequisites: Playfulness 101 (or equivalent) and a proven aptitude for giggling.

Keyboard-only Access To Windows — Fundamentals

June 2002. In this pre-conference session at the RESNA Conference, in Minneapolis, learn concepts and discover techniques for operating Windows by keyboard alone, i.e., without using a mouse, pointing device or MouseKeys. Topics include: fundamental principles of keyboard-only access; universal keyboard commands; file management; and special considerations for using keyboard-only techniques with MS-Word, Excel, and Internet Explorer.

Improving Access to Windows Using Macro Software

June 2002. In the second of two pre-conference sessions at the RESNA Conference, learn to use macro software. Macro software allows users with (and without) disabilities to enter text and operate a Windows-based PC with greater speed and less energy expenditure than would be possible using "standard" techniques. During this hands-on workshop, participants will (1) learn many ways that people with disabilities can benefit from macro software, and (2) create a variety of macros that enable users with disabilities to operate a computer faster, easier, and more efficiently.

Keyboard-only Access to Windows: Fundamentals

March 2002. Alan Cantor facilitated the first of two half-day preconference workshops at CSUN 2002 in Los Angeles. The "Fundamentals" course is a hands-on session that introduces concepts and techniques for operating Windows by keyboard alone, i.e., without using a mouse, pointing device or MouseKeys. Topics include: fundamental principles of keyboard-only access; universal keyboard commands; file management; and special considerations for using keyboard-only techniques with MS-Word, Excel, and Internet Explorer.

Keyboard-only Access to Windows: Advanced

March 2002. Alan Cantor facilitated the second of two half-day preconference workshops at CSUN 2002 in Los Angeles. The "Advanced" session built on the "Fundamentals" course to teach intuitive and counterintuitive techniques to enable keyboard-only users to work more quickly, accurately and with less energy expenditure. Topics include customizing Windows to improve keyboard-only access; creating global keyboard shortcuts; using macro software; and modifying applications to enhance keyboard-only access.

2001

The Vocational Expert Model and Employment Accommodations

November 2001. Half-day workshop at the Fall 2001 Conference of the Canadian Association of Rehabilitation Professionals, Ontario in Ottawa.

1. You will learn ADAPTABLE, a general approach to accommodation planning.
2. You will understand how to prevent secondary conditions that may result from the use of assistive technologies.
3. You will apply the ADAPTABLE approach to cases of employees with disabilities who need accommodations.
4. You will know factors that contribute to the success and failure of the accommodation process.

ADAPTABLE: a Creative, Practical and Inclusive Approach to Workplace Accommodation Planning

October 2001. Half-day workshop for the Federal Public Service Job Accommodation Network, Treasury Board Secretariat, Ottawa.

Customizing Windows to Enhance Usability for Older Users

September 2001. A hands-on, 90-minute workshop at the "International Conference on Technology and Aging" in Toronto.

The default settings for Windows and many Windows applications complicate access for older users. During this session, I demonstrate dozens of ways to modify the appearance and operation of Windows and Windows applications that enhance accessibility and usability for older users. Many of these techniques are undocumented or poorly documented. Instructional strategies when teaching computer skills to novice users in their 60s, 70s and beyond in light of the functional limitations common to this population are also discussed.

Playing Around: Games for Grown-ups

August 2001. A workshop for adults at the 28^th Annual Blue Skies Music Festival, in Clarendon, Ontario

During this workshop, we play uproarious games that tease the intellect, energize the body, and spark creativity. The curriculum consists of ice breakers, informal dramatics, and word and action games such as Music Magic, Mime Rhyme and Polite Conversation.

Prerequisites: Playfulness 101 (or equivalent) and a proven aptitude for giggling.

Improving Computer Access Through Keyboard Shortcuts — Advanced

June 2001. Pre-conference course at the annual RESNA Conference, Reno, Nevada.

This hands-on session builds on the basic course on keyboard-only access to Windows (taught at RESNA 1998, 1999, and 2000) to introduce intuitive and counterintuitive techniques to enable keyboard-only users to work more quickly, accurately and with less energy expenditure. Topics include customizing Windows to improve keyboard-only access; creating global keyboard shortcuts; using macro software; and modifying applications to enhance keyboard-only access.

Beyond Ergonomics: Strategies for Preventing and Accommodating Computer Overuse Injuries

June 2001. Alan Cantor presented this session at "Inclusion by Design — Planning the Barrier- free World." This international congress was hosted by the Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work, Montréal.

Learn an approach to preventing and accommodating computer-induced repetitive strain injuries. Crucial to the approach is the idea that four distinct factors contribute to the development of RSIs must be considered: the ergonomics of the individual's work station, their work habits, their working conditions, and their activities outside work.

ADAPTABLE: A creative, Practical and Inclusive Approach to Accommodating People in the Workplace

June 2001. This presentation at "Inclusion by Design — Planning the Barrier-free World" describes a proven approach to accommodation planning that enhances the productivity, comfort and safety of employees with disabilities — without compromising the privacy, autonomy and dignity of the individual.

Keyboard Virtuosity: Customizing Windows for Mouse-Free Operation

March 2001, CSUN Conference, Los Angeles

"This is a special two-hour session based on a chapter in the presenter's forthcoming book on how to operate Windows without a mouse."

When Windows and Windows applications are installed, most default schemes and settings are not, in general, conducive to mouse-free operation. On the contrary, standard installations often feature objects that are hard (or impossible) to access by keyboard alone. This session describes dozens of ways to modify the appearance and operation of Windows and Windows applications to improve keyboard-only access. Many of these techniques are undocumented or poorly documented.

Speech Recognition: An Accommodation Planning Perspective

March 2001, CSUN Conference, Los Angeles

Speech recognition has almost come of age. Although not yet a mature technology, voice input has great potential as an alternative to using a keyboard and mouse, both for people with and without disabilities. Yet many individuals who switch to speech input do not become proficient users. Instead, they use the software in limited or inefficient ways, or "give up" on it altogether.

This presentation describes ways to enhance the effectiveness of speech recognition as a workplace and educational accommodation. The first part details an accommodation planning model that attempts to circumvent implementation problems by identifying critical stages during which things can go awry. The second part examines common misconceptions about the nature of voice input technology, how it works, and how to best use it. Addressing these assumptions can help lessen disappointment when the technology proves to be more complicated than expected, or does not perform as imagined.

Speech Recognition: an Accommodation Planning Perspective: the paper.

2000

Old Games for the New Millennium

August 2000. This was the fifth year that Alan presented a games workshop at the Blue Skies Music Festival, Clarendon, Ontario.

During this workshop for grown-ups, we play traditional games that tease the intellect, energize the body, and spark creativity. The curriculum consists of ice breakers, informal dramatics, word games, and action games such as "Music Magic, Mime Rhyme" and "Oh no no no!"

ADAPTABLE: a Creative and Practical Approach to Workplace Accommodation Planning

June 2000. Pre-conference course at RESNA Conference.

The aim of this half-day workshop is to introduce participants to an approach to accommodation planning that enhances the productivity, comfort and safety of employees (and students) with disabilities, while respecting their privacy, autonomy and dignity.

Improving Computer Access and Use Through Keyboard Shortcuts

June 2000. Pre-conference course at RESNA Conference.

This half-day, hands-on session introduces concepts and techniques for operating Windows by keyboard alone, i.e., without using a mouse, pointing device or MouseKeys. Keyboard-only techniques are indispensable for individuals who are blind; who operate computers with one finger, toe, or stump; who use head-sticks, mouth-sticks or similar appliances; or who have mouse-induced repetitive strain injuries. Topics include: fundamental principles of keyboard-only access; universal keyboard commands; global shortcuts; file management; and special considerations for using keyboard-only techniques with MS-Word, Excel, and Internet Explorer. Problem-solving strategies are demonstrated, and the advantages and limitations of keyboard-only techniques are discussed.

Roundtable on Improving Accessibility and Usability of Information Technology

May 2000. Alan Cantor facilitated a roundtable discussion at the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Conference, Victoria College, University of Toronto. Guiding questions:

1. What needs to happen to ensure that the next generation of technology is fully accessible to people who are blind?
2. How should we position ourselves to influence manufacturers to achieve our goal?

Through the Wormhole: Exotic Computer Shortcuts for People with Disabilities

March 2000. Alan Cantor presented at CSUN 2000. Los Angeles.

Poorly-documented Windows shortcuts that enhance access for people with disabilities are presented, including keyboard-only strategies, hotkey and macro software, software customization techniques, and voice recognition tricks.

Through the Wormhole: the paper.

Beyond Ergonomics: Strategies for Accommodating Computer Overuse Injuries

February 2000. Alan Cantor was an invited speaker at "International RSI Awareness Day" in Toronto. In his talk, he addressed three questions:

1. Why do attempts to accommodate computer-induced RSIs often fail?
2. What are the limitations of the ergonomic approach to accommodating computer-induced RSIs?
3. What RSI accommodation strategies are effective?

1999

Demonstration of Alternative Access Techniques

Alan Cantor demonstrated alternative access techniques that he teaches to people with disabilities at the Adaptive Technology Showcase, University of Toronto, 18 November 1999.

RSI Prevention Workshops for Graduate Students

28 and 30 September 1999. Alan Cantor presented three 90-minute seminars on computer injury prevention for graduate students at York University.

Beyond Ergonomics: Strategies for Preventing and Accommodating Computer Overuse Injuries

September 1999. Alan Cantor presented a 90-minute session on RSI prevention and accommodation for the Enabling Resource Centre for People with Disabilities, Public Service Commission, Ottawa.

Look Ma, No mouse! Keyboard-only Access to Windows

June 1999. Alan Cantor facilitated a half-day pre-conference course at RESNA 1999. Long Beach, California.

This hands-on session introduces concepts and techniques for operating Windows by keyboard alone, i.e., without using a mouse, pointing device or MouseKeys. Keyboard-only techniques are indispensable for individuals who are blind; who operate computers with one finger, toe, or stump; who use head-sticks, mouth-sticks or similar appliances; or who have mouse-induced repetitive strain injuries. Topics include: fundamental principles of keyboard-only access; differences in keyboard access between Windows 95, 98 and NT; universal keyboard commands; global shortcuts; file management; and special considerations for using keyboard-only techniques with MS-Word, Excel, and Internet Explorer. Problem-solving strategies are demonstrated, and the advantages and limitations of keyboard-only techniques are discussed.

Enhancing Word 97 Accessibility with Built-in Commands, Macros & Visual Basic Procedures

June 1999. Alan Cantor facilitated a full-day workshop on customizing Word for people with disabilities at RESNA 1999.

This workshop introduces techniques for creating accessibility enhancements for MS-Word by using built- in commands, customizing the user interface, and writing Visual Basic procedures.

Visual Basic is a programming language that gives access to the inner-workings of all Office applications. It allows you to do anything programmatically that is normally done manually through the user interface. Because Visual Basic is integrated into all Office applications, it is an ideal environment for creating features for people with disabilities.

Prerequisites: Visual Basic is easy to learn. However, an elementary understanding of computer programming is assumed, as is excellent knowledge of Word.

Demonstration of Unique Keyboard-only Techniques

June 1999. Alan Cantor demonstrated techniques for helping people learn to perform tasks via keyboard:

1. Assigning hotkeys to desktop shortcuts in the Windows operating system.
2. Automating multi-step processes by scripting macros in Keyboard Express and Macro Express.
3. Using the "Shortkey" activation feature in Macro Express. To perform a task, a user types a word rather than pressing a combination of keys.
4. Assigning deadkey hotkeys in Microsoft Word.

RESNA 1999 in Long Beach, California, SIG 11 Show-and-Tell.

Speech Recognition as an Educational Accommodation: Benefits and Limitations

June 1999. Alan Cantor presented a workshop on voice recognition technology for a group of university service providers from across Ontario, in Windsor.

Tricks for Keyboard-only Access to Windows

June 1999. Alan Cantor facilitated a one-hour workshop on essential keyboard-only techniques on at Frontier Computing in Toronto.

Learn poorly-documented techniques for operating Windows by keyboard alone, i.e., without using a mouse, pointing device or MouseKeys. Keyboard-only techniques are indispensable for individuals who are blind; who have low-vision; who have certain learning disabilities; who operate computers with one finger, toe, or stump; who use head-sticks, mouth-sticks or similar appliances; or who have mouse-induced repetitive strain injuries. Topics:

1. Indispensable keyboard commands and techniques.
2. How to create one-key shortcuts for launching applications and opening folders and files.
3. Special keyboard-only techniques for Microsoft Word.
4. Get answers to your questions about Windows' keyboard-only interface.

Demonstration of Assistive Technologies

May 1999. Alan Cantor demonstrated a voice recognition system, keyboard-only techniques, and alternative keyboards and pointing devices at a Town Hall Meeting on disability issues organized by Dr. Carolyn Bennett, Member of Parliament, and Industry Canada, Toronto.

Escaping the Mouse-Trap: an Evaluation of the Accessibility and Usability of the Keyboard-only Interface to Windows

May 1999. Alan Cantor presented on Developers Day at the 8^th International World Wide Web Conference, Toronto.

This paper evaluates the accessibility and usability of keyboard-only access to Windows 95, 98 and NT. I identify the people who need a good keyboard interface; highlight barriers they encounter when using Windows without a mouse; recommend ways to improve the keyboard interface; and establish design principles that developers can apply to ensure that applications are as accessible by keyboard as by mouse.

Escaping the mouse-trap: the paper.

Beyond Ergonomics: Strategies for Accommodating Computer Overuse Injuries

March 1999. Alan Cantor presented at CSUN 1999 in Los Angeles.

An approach to accommodating people with RSI is presented. This approach considers ergonomics, plus the individual's work habits, working conditions, and activities outside work.

ADAPTABLE: A Creative and Practical Approach to Accommodating People with Disabilities

February 1999. Alan Cantor facilitated a workshop for members of C.A.R.P. Ontario Inc., (Canadian Association of Rehabilitation Professionals), North York, Ontario.

Learn an approach to accommodation planning that enhances the productivity, comfort and safety of employees with disabilities - without compromising the privacy, autonomy and dignity of the individual.

What's your RSIQ? Computer Injury Prevention for Journalists and Broadcasters

January 1999. Alan Cantor conducted a workshop on computer injury prevention geared to the needs of journalists and broadcasters. Hosted by the Canadian Media Guild at the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Commission) Broadcast Centre, Toronto.

1998

What Every Computer Professional Needs to Know about Repetitive Strain Injuries

December 1998. Alan Cantor was the opening speaker at a full-day workshop on RSI at the IBM Centre for Advanced Studies Conference, sponsored by IBM and National Research Centre of Canada.

Misconceptions about computer-induced repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) abound. Many people believe, for example, that carpal tunnel syndrome is the most prevalent computer injury; that using "ergonomic" office equipment safeguards against RSI; and that fast and accurate voice recognition technology will solve the RSI problem.

The aim of this presentation is to correct common misconceptions and to provide fundamental information about RSI. You will learn:

• a definition for RSI;
• the parts of a computer users' body that are vulnerable to injury;
• the causes of RSIs;
• RSI risk factors and how to minimize them;
• warning signs that an injury may be developing;
• steps to setting up a computer work station;
• the importance of healthy computer work habits; and
• strategies for accommodating computer-induced RSIs.

Breaking Barriers: New Approaches to Accommodating Employees with Disabilities

November 1998. Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA).

In January 1998, changes to the Workers' Compensation Act increased the onus on employers to return injured workers to the workplace and accommodate their disabilities. Requirements already exist under other legislation such as the Human Rights Code to accommodate disabled employees. In addition to these legislative pressures, increasing numbers of motivated, highly-skilled persons with disabilities are entering the work force. Employers who have hired them report that they are particularly productive employees whose enthusiasm for the job is infectious to others.

This workshop presents a creative and practical approach to workplace accommodation planning. This approach enhances the productivity, comfort and safety of employees with disabilities.

Playing Around: Games for Grown-ups

August 1998. Alan Cantor facilitated a two-hour games workshop at the 25^th Annual Blue Skies Music Festival, Clarendon, Ontario.

During this workshop for adults we play uproarious games that tease the intellect, energize the body, and spark creativity. The curriculum consists of ice breakers, informal dramatics, and word and action games such as Music Magic, Mime Rhyme and Polite Conversation.

Look Ma, No Mouse: a Workshop on Keyboard-Only Access to Windows 95

June 1998, RESNA 1998, Minneapolis.

This hands-on session introduces concepts and techniques for operating Windows by keyboard alone, i.e., without using a mouse, pointing device or MouseKeys. Keyboard-only techniques are indispensable for individuals who are blind; who operate computers with one finger, toe, or stump; who use head-sticks, mouth-sticks or similar appliances; or who have mouse-induced repetitive strain injuries. Topics include: fundamental principles of keyboard-only access; universal keyboard commands; global shortcuts; file management; and special considerations for using keyboard-only techniques with MS-Word, Excel, and Internet Explorer. Problem-solving strategies are demonstrated, and the advantages and limitations of keyboard-only techniques are discussed.

ADAPTABLE: a Creative and Practical Approach To Workplace Accommodation Planning

June 1998, RESNA 1998, Minneapolis.

This workshop introduces an approach to accommodation planning that enhances the productivity, comfort and safety of employees (and students) with disabilities, while respecting their privacy, autonomy and dignity. Through presentations, discussions, brainstorming and simulation exercises, participants will

1. Understand key concepts about employment accommodation as they relate to people with disabilities.
2. Learn ADAPTABLE, a general approach to workplace accommodation planning.
3. Apply the ADAPTABLE approach to cases of employees with disabilities who need accommodation.

Avoiding the Mouse-Trap: an Evaluation of Keyboard-only Access to Windows

March 1998. CSUN 1998.

This presentation discusses the usability of Windows' keyboard-only interface; establishes requirements for Windows-compatible expanded keyboards; and highlights barriers faced by anyone who demands keyboard-only access to Windows.

Disability in the Workplace: Successful Accommodation Planning

January 1998. Alan Cantor led a workshop at "NATCON 1998" hosted by the National Consultation on Career Development / Colloque national touchant le développement de carrière, Government Conference Centre, Ottawa.

The aim of this presentation is to introduce participants to the principles of accommodation planning and implementation. ADAPTABLE is a practical and creative approach to accommodating employees (and students) with disabilities. Topics include: accommodation basics; the legal duty to accommodate; the costs and benefits of accommodating; the reasons that accommodations sometimes fail; the ingredients of successful accommodations; a seven-stage model of accommodation planning; and twelve accommodation strategies. Audience: professionals in human resources, occupational health and safety, disability management, health care, and education; people with disabilities; and labour and union representatives.

1997

The ABCs of Planning and Implementing Workplace Accommodations

October 1997. Alan Cantor facilitated a well-attended workshop at the "National Conference on Supported Employment: Partnerships in Changing Times," Toronto.

This workshop introduces ADAPTABLE, a practical and creative approach to accommodating employees and students with disabilities.

Fifty Ways to Prevent and Accommodate RSI

October 1997. Alan Cantor conducted a workshop on computer injury prevention strategies for the RSI Support Group, Lakeshore Area Multi-purpose Project (LAMP), Etobicoke, Ontario.

Playing Around: Games for Grown-ups

August 1997. Alan Cantor facilitated a workshop on communication, recreation and team-building at the 1997 Blue Skies Music Festival, Clarendon, Ontario.

ADAPTABLE: a Creative and Practical Approach to Workplace Accommodation Planning

June 1997. Alan Cantor facilitated a half-day instructional course at RESNA 1997. Pittsburgh.

The aim of this workshop is to teach participants a creative and practical approach to workplace accommodation planning. Applying the ADAPTABLE approach enhances the productivity, comfort and occupational safety of employees with disabilities, while respecting their privacy, autonomy and dignity.

An Evaluation of Keyboard-only Access to Windows for Single-digit Typists

June 1997. Alan Cantor presented a scientific paper at RESNA 1997. Pittsburgh.

This paper describes the current status of keyboard-only access to Windows 95 for "single-digit typists" — individuals who operate a computer with one finger, toe, or stump; or who use a head-stick, mouth- stick or similar appliance. The analysis emerged while planning and implementing an accommodation for an adult who types with one toe. The paper asks whether keyboard shortcuts are usable in practice; establishes requirements for Windows-compatible expanded keyboards; and highlights barriers faced by anyone who demands keyboard-only access to Windows.

An Evaluation of Keyboard-only Access to Windows for Single-digit Typists.

The RSI Factor

May 1997. Alan Cantor conducted an information session on computer injury prevention geared to the needs of journalists and broadcasters. Host: Canadian Media Guild, Toronto.

Keys to Successful Employment Accommodation

May 1997. Alan Cantor gave a presentation and was a panel discussant at The "Equity and Accommodation Workshop" hosted by the Canadian Association for Career Educators and Employers, Toronto.

Breaking barriers: New Approaches to Accommodating People with Disabilities

April 1997. Alan Cantor conducted a full-day workshop on accommodation planning, wellness, and injury prevention for about 200 students and faculty at the University of North Carolina, the Department of Medical Allied Health Professions, Chapel Hill NC.

1996

Marketing Workplace Accommodations to Employers

In June 1996, Alan Cantor presented a three-hour workshop for the Training Coordinating Group for Persons with Disabilities. The aim was to help staff better promote job seekers to prospective employers.

Playing Around: Games for Grown-ups

August 1996. Alan Cantor facilitated an experiential workshop on communication, recreation and team-building at the Blue Skies Music Festival in Clarendon, Ontario:

“During this workshop for adults, we will play uproarious games that tease the intellect, energize the body, and spark creativity. The curriculum includes word, drama, and action games such as Alliteration Soup, Polite Conversation and Mime Rhyme.

Prerequisites: Playfulness 101 (or equivalent) and a proven aptitude for giggling.”

The Future of Workplace Accommodations: Containing Costs and Maximizing Effectiveness

October 1996. Alan Cantor was a guest speaker at The National Conference on Disability and Work.

Today's computer-based assistive technologies allow people with injuries and disabilities to pursue independently their vocational, educational and personal goals. Consequently, there is a growing reliance on these devices as workplace accommodations. This presentation highlights the promises of computer-based workplace accommodations, documents the health and safety risks associated with over-reliance on these devices, recommends strategies for minimizing the risks; and argues for a more comprehensive approach to supporting employees with injuries and disabilities.

Accommodation planning is shown to be an exercise in creative problem solving. The success of the undertaking depends on an openness to new ways of thinking.

Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSIs): Risk Factors and Prevention Strategies for Employees who use Alternative and Augmentative Communication Systems

August 1996. Lecture delivered at thePittsburgh Employment Conference for Augmented Communicators, Pittsburgh.

Unreasonable Accommodations: The Promises and Perils of High Technology

April 1996. Lecture delivered at the I Have Something to Say Conference, London, Ontario.

During this lecture, I critiqued the idea of reasonable accommodation; discussed the promise of high-tech accommodations; outlined the problems associated with high-tech accommodations; suggested strategies for minimizing these problems; argued for a more comprehensive approach to supporting employees with disabilities; and showed an example of a high-tech accommodation that went awry.

1995

Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSIs) at the Adapted Keyboard: Preventing Computer Overuse Injuries in Persons with Disabilities

March 1995. Alan Cantor spoke at the CSUN Conference in Los Angeles.

Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSIs) at the Adapted Keyboard: the paper.