An ergonomically adjustable workstation, called an "ergopod", has recently been developed by U-M’s Adaptive Technology Computing Site (ATCS) and Ergoquest Inc. of Grand Rapids. The ergopod has been designed primarily for people with disabilities or special ergonomic needs.

Each ergopod is equipped with a PC and a Macintosh, an NEC Professional Series LCD display, accessibility software, an ergonomic keyboard, trackball, closed-circuit TV, scanner and headset. Multiple USB ports on the pod also allow users to provide personally owned keyboards, mice, and headsets. An ergonomic chair is also provided.

Ergopods are being installed throughout the winter term in various locations on campus. Ergopods will be located in selected Campus Computing Sites and the Media Union, and will be available as a turn-key accessibility solution for affiliated schools, colleges, and departments. Other units may want to consider these ergopods as models when making workstation accessibility decisions.

The ITCS adaptive technology load set provides software for the blind, visually impaired, and learning disabled users:

Dell Pentium 4

• JAWS (screen reader)
• Magic (image enlarger)
• Kurzweil 1000
• Kurzweil 3000
• Dragon Naturally- Speaking

Macintosh

• iListen

In the Media Union, the load set will include access to College of Engineering/CAEN software. The former Adaptive area in the lower level of the Media Union has been converted back to normal, public computer access.

For more information about the ergopods or other adaptive technology issues, contact Jim Knox (ITCS, jimbo@umich.edu) or John Muckler (CoE/CAEN, johnm@umich.edu).