adaptive technology computing site ergonomic workstation

ERGOPOD Locations
Campus Computing Sites: ATCS, Angell Hall, School of Public Health Library, School of Social Work, Architecture Computing Site,
Residence Halls: South Quad (central), East Quad (central)
Other locations: , Duderstadt, Ford School, School of Natural Resources, Science Learning Center, Taubman, Law School Computing Site, Digital Information and Dissemination Lab (DIAD)

How to Use the Ergopod

The Ergopod is the result of collaboration between the Adaptive Technology Computing Site (ATCS) at the University of Michigan and Ergoquest, Inc. of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Ergoquest designs and builds accessible workstations for disabled computer users; the ATCS has offers a broad array of computing applications for disabled students, faculty, and staff at the University of Michigan since 1985.

The concept of disability has expanded in recent years to include ergonomic (cumulative trauma) impairments and learning disabilities. The ergopod is an attempt to take what has been learned about computer accommodation in the ATCS and build it into a mobile ergo-assistive workstation that can be used in any location, school, college, department, or library within the university. It is designed to be a turnkey solution to computer accommodation. Each ergopod is supplied with a Goldtouch keyboard, ergonomic pointing device (trackball), closed circuit TV (cctv) and headset. Students are encouraged to purchase whatever special peripherals best meet their needs and connect them using the USB ports located on the pod.

The basis of the ergopod is an Ergoquest model 500 sit-stand-recline workstation. This workstation is designed to accommodate sitting and standing users as well as all types of wheelchairs. It can be used with a reclining chair or rolled over a twin bed. This platform was modified to include 2 CPUs (Mac and PC), closed circuit TV system, scanner, and flat panel (or two flat panels as indicated in the photo at the left) attached to a monitor arm. A KVM switch is used to switch between the Mac and PC. Software is acquired from a special loadset supported by campus computing sites and includes JAWS, Magic, Kurzweil 3000, and Dragon Naturally Speaking for the PC and Ilisten for the Mac. The Ergopod is 62" wide by 35" deep by 67" high.