During the 1980's, Ball State saw a tremendous surge of computers and technology. The first speech compression was in 1982 and the first talking terminal in 1983. The ACT program has continued to take the lead in providing meaningful and effective accommodations on campus, as laws were established to protect the rights of disabled people. In 1990, a dedicated computer lab with adaptive technology was established and manned by students with disabilities, as it is today. Assessments are routinely conducted for individual, as well as, institutional needs.
Equipment is procured and installed, and training is available on the use of adaptations.
Large print materials can be produced either with a photocopy machine or through word processing. Keyboards are modified with large white lettering on a black background to enhance touch typing. A Nomad tactile graphics slate with speech output is available to enhance information as well. Keyboards are modified with Braille keycaps to facilitate touch typing and Loc-Dots to easily locate frequently used keys. There is a refreshable Braille keyboard available in the primary Adaptive Computer Technology lab.