Haifa University
Address:
The Karten CTEC Centre
University of Haifa,
The Interdisciplinary Clinical Centre,
Mount Carmel,
Haifa,
31905,
ISRAEL
Centre Head:
Dalia Sachs
Phone number:
+972-4-8240503
Email:
Website:
http://hw.haifa.ac.il/clinicalcenter/hebrew/karten.htm
Host organisation name:
The Keren, Haifa University
Date centre established:
January 2003
Focus of Centre:
1. To improve the quality of life and independence of people with physical and/or cognitive or learning disabilities by using adaptive computer technology for mental stimulation, for the development of their communication and life skills, for further education and for training in computer related occupations.
2. To provide a facility to the university (i) to carry out research in adaptive computer technology and (ii) to give its Occupational Therapy students the opportunity for hands-on experience in the use of adaptive computer technology to help people with disabilities
The Clients
People with disabilities who come for training courses a few times a week for a period of time, usually a couple of months. Other clients come for evaluation and planning a personal computerized environment, or to have training in the use of assistive technology.
The services are intended for children and adults who have to cope with physical, sensory, cognitive, or mental health disabilities. Type of disabilities catered for: Cerebral palsy, PDD, ADHD, ALS, CVA, TBI, Burns, Deaf, Hearing impairments, Blind, Sight impairments, Physical impairments, Cognitive impairments, Sensory impairments, Rheumatic disease, Parkinson, Alzheimer, Diabetes, Metabolism disease etc.
The Technology
12 workstations
Assistive Technology
Software like: Screen magnifiers, Screen readers, Text-to-speech and Speech-to-text software, Grammar checkers and more. Hardware like: Special Keyboards: with big keys, large print keyboard with high contrast colours, small keyboard for using with one hand, Special mouse: trackballs, joysticks, graphics tablets, touchpads, touch screens, foot mice, a microphone with speech recognition software, sip-and-puff input, switch access, and vision-based input devices.
Staffing
5 staff
Opening hours:
Five days a week, Sunday till Thursday from 8:00 am to 16:00 pm.
Services on offer to the network
The Karten Institute provides aid and consultation in the following areas:
• Workstation adjustments, assistive technology devices and means for alternative communication: Karten Haifa assesses individual computer accessibility and offers advice regarding suitable hardware, software, and accessories. Guided practice and adaptation as required – at the premises or at the client’s home, on loan, for those not mobile enough to come to the centre.
• Ergonomic counselling: For adjustments in the client’s work station or the client’s home station
• Windows, Office, and Internet guidance: With a variety of programs directed towards professional training on a group and individual basis.
• Solutions to easing tiredness and pain in the hands, back, neck, and eyes as a result of prolonged work
• Acquiring control of helping technology through learning and practice
• Technological solutions for children with writing difficulties and motor, sensory, communication, or cognitive handicaps
• Diagnosis of physical work skills to evaluate a person’s working ability after an injury, illness, or trauma
• Consultation for professionals and institutions who want to set up computer workstations adjusted for people with special needs
• Personal and group training on the uses of a basic computer for purposes of professional training, employment, studying, and leisure activities
• Practice by means of the computer to improve cognitive skills
Partnership
We work with other healthcare organizations, like the national insurance institute of Israel, The ministry of defence and the welfare services in Haifa and the north of Israel. They send us patients for evaluation and also for training courses. We also work with rehabilitation centres which we provide them evaluation and consultation about assistive technology.
Any other information
The Centre is located on University of Haifa. The staffs are multi-disciplinary including occupational therapists, speech therapists, computer teachers, and computer and technology experts.
Host organisation
Haifa University
www.haifa.ac.il/index_eng.html