ERIC Number: EJ875768
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2006
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1040-0435
EISSN: N/A
Accessible Microscopy Workstation for Students and Scientists with Mobility Impairments
Duerstock, Bradley S.
Assistive Technology, v18 n1 p34-45 Spr 2006
An integrated accessible microscopy workstation was designed and developed to allow persons with mobility impairments to control all aspects of light microscopy with minimal human assistance. This system, named AccessScope, is capable of performing brightfield and fluorescence microscopy, image analysis, and tissue morphometry requisite for undergraduate science courses to graduate-level research. An accessible microscope is necessary for students and scientists with mobility impairments to be able to use a microscope independently to better understand microscopical imaging concepts and cell biology. This knowledge is not always apparent by simply viewing a catalog of histological images. The ability to operate a microscope independently eliminates the need to hire an assistant or rely on a classmate and permits one to take practical laboratory examinations by oneself. Independent microscope handling is also crucial for graduate students and scientists with disabilities to perform scientific research. By making a personal computer as the user interface for controlling AccessScope functions, different upper limb mobility impairments could be accommodated by using various computer input devices and assistive technology software. Participants with a range of upper limb mobility impairments evaluated the prototype microscopy workstation. They were able to control all microscopy functions including loading different slides without assistance.
Descriptors: Graduate Study, Scientific Research, Workstations, Laboratory Equipment, Computer Uses in Education, Cytology, Biology, Educational Technology, Assistive Technology, Scientists, Physical Disabilities, Science Laboratories, Light, Undergraduate Study
RESNA: Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America. 1700 North Moore Street Suite 1540, Arlington, VA 22209-1903. Tel: 703-524-6686; Fax: 703-524-6630; e-mail: publications@resna.org; Web site: http://www.resna.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A