Adaptive Technology Center Accommodates All

Imagine if tomorrow you awakened paralyzed or lost your sight in a car accident.

Imagine if you fell down a flight of stairs, resulting in a disabling head injury that affects your ability to learn. 

Attending IU — and your involvement on campus — would undoubtedly be changed.
Now, instead of doing research papers on a laptop computer, you might require the use of a split keyboard or joystick mouse. Instead of reading Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness” from a textbook, you would listen to it, as it was read from an electronic book that functioned through high-speed scanning.

All of these innovations are made possible through IU’s Adaptive Technology and Accessibility Center.

The center “works with students, faculty and staff on all eight Indiana University campuses with and without documented disabilities for whom adaptive technology will help them reach their career goals,” said Margret Londergan, ATAC manager.
The overall perception of the ATAC from the IU community has been very positive, Londergan said.

“People are thrilled that we are here and are providing the kind of services that we can provide,” she said. “Before I started the ATAC, the technology-based help we are able to provide was not available.”

Despite the large number of students served, the ATAC occupies a small space.
“When we began, the space fit us better, but as we’ve grown it’s become more crowded,” Londergan said. “We strive to provide the best service possible. There really isn’t any room for us to expand in the current space.”

Despite its cramped quarters, ATAC strives to meet the diverse needs of all students.  
“I’m very proud of the work that we’ve done in helping to make IU accessible to individuals with disabilities and in raising awareness of web accessibility,” Londergan said.

The ATAC is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and is located in Herman B Wells Library’s East Tower. Visit www.indiana.edu/~iuadapts for more
information.