Transcript Document
Why Assistive Technology?
Kathy Rielly
Assistive Technology Specialist
Integrated Center for Child Development
Canton, MA
Newton, MA
Assistive Technology devices and services
help individuals with special needs:
see
hear
communicate
play
remember
read
work with numbers
write
use a computer
study
Why Assistive Technology?
promotes self esteem
improves quality of life
increases productivity
enhances performance
increases independence
Assistive Technology and IDEA
http://idea.ed.gov/
Assistive Technology Device
...any item, piece of equipment or product that is used to
increase, maintain or improve functional capabilities of
individuals with disabilities.
Low-tech
• pencil grip
• adapted books
• slant board
• highlighters, tape
• magnifiers
• color coding
• picture communication
• sign language
• picture schedule
• extra time
• peer support
Mid-Tech
High-Tech
• word processor
• computer
• text to speech
• spell checker
• calculator
• digital recorders
• organizers
• e-books
• adapted keyboard
• adapted mouse
• adapted toys
• CCTV
• smartphones,
smartpens
• PDAs
• OCR software
• magnification software
• speech output devices
• switch, joystick access
• scanning access
• voice recognition
• environmental
control devices
Assistive Technology and IDEA
http://idea.ed.gov/
Assistive Technology Service:
Any service that directly assists an individual with a disability in
the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology
device, including:
Evaluation
Providing Devices
Selecting, Customizing, Adapting, Applying AT
solutions
Coordinating AT with other providers’ services
Training and Technical Assistance - Individual and Family
Training and Technical Assistance - Professionals
Assistive Technology Evaluation: the SETT Framework
developed by Joy Zabala
SETT Framework is built on the premise that in order to
develop an appropriate system of assistive technology
devices and services, teams must first gather:
• information about the student
• information about the customary environments in which
the students spend their time
• information about the tasks that are required for the
students to be active participants in the teaching/learning
processes that lead to educational success
Assistive Technology Evaluation: the SETT Framework
developed by Joy Zabala
The Tasks
• Specific tasks in the student’s natural environments that address IEP
goals, objectives
• Specific tasks required for active involvement in these environments
The Tools
• Devices, services and strategies needed to help the student succeed
• Analyze info gathered on Student, Environments, and Tasks
• Is student unlikely to make progress toward goals without AT devices and
services?
• If yes, describe a useful system of AT devices and services
• Brainstorm tools to address student’s needs
• Select promising tools and develop implementation plan
• Collect data on effectiveness and revise AT support plan as appropriate
Assistive Technology Solutions: Reading and Writing
Computer word processor with operating system level supports
• Vision: color, size of icons, display options, zoom
• Hearing: captions, visual alerts
• Physical-Motor: keyboard-cursor options, automated tasks
Text to Speech
• Operating system (Mac: Preferences: Speech, PC: Narrator)
• Word Talk for MSWord on PC: http://callcentre.education.ed.ac.uk/wordtalk/index.html
• Internet: Mac: speech controls, PC: Click,Speak
(download,Firefox))
• Read the Words (upload, listen or MP3)
• Classroom Suite, Clicker
• Kurzweil (Kurzweil) Read & Write (TextHelp), both in USB versions now
• WordQ (Quillsoft)
• Recordings for Blind & Dyslexic, Bookshare and Read OutLoud
Assistive Technology: Access to Reading
Read the Words:
Assistive Technology: Access to Reading and Writing
Word Talk:
Assistive Technology: Access to Reading
Bookshare.org
Assistive Technology: Access to Reading
Read OutLoud: Don Johnston
Read:OutLoud is an accessible text reader that provides below-grade level readers access to the
general curriculum. Since 92% of students with IEPs are reading below proficient levels, a
widespread solution is necessary. Up until now, it has been cost-prohibitive to provide technology to
every student with an IEP.
Assistive Technology: Access to Writing
bubbl.us:
Assistive Technology: Access to Writing
Kidspiration
Assistive Technology Solutions: Reading and Writing
Organizers
• Inspiration, Kidspiration (Inspiration): click to outline, export to document
• FREE online- save, print, share: Exploratree.com, Bubbl.us
Word Prediction, Word Completion
• autocorrect, form fill
• CoWriter (Don Johnston)
• Read and Write Gold (TextHelp), Kurzweil (Kurzweil)
• WordQ (Quillsoft)
• Classroom Suite (Cambium)
Speech-to-Text
• MS Word, Powerpoint (Microsoft)
• Dragon Naturally Speaking (Nuance), MacSpeech Dictate
• SpeakQ (Quillsoft)
Assistive Technology at Work:
Universal Design for Learning
http://udltechtoolkit.wikispaces.com/
Assistive Technology Solutions: Reading and Writing Hardware
Language Master-Califone Card Master Califone
ClassMate Reader Humanware
Neo, Dana Alphasmart Direct
(www.califone.com)
(http://www.humanware.com/en-new_zealand/products)
(www.alphasmart.com)
Fusion Advanced Keyboard Technologies
Livescribe Smartpen Livescribe
(http://www.keyboardinstructor.com/)
(Livescribe.com)
Kindle Amazon (now with text-to-speech option)
Rocket Reader AbleLink Technologies
Ipod Apple
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Assistive Technology Solutions: Computer Access
Mac/PC operating system accessibility features
Alternative Keyboard, Layout, Keyguard
Programmable keyboard, onscreen keyboard
Modified Mice
Joystick
Trackball
Switch Access with visual or auditory scanning
Mouth Stick, Head Pointer, Sip and Puff
Voice Recognition
Touchscreen
Assistive Technology Solutions: Studying-Organization
web-based tools
• CueCard (PC) Flashcard Exchange (Mac) excellent tools, online-print
• Awesome Highlighter (http://www.awesomehighlighter.com/) wow!
• Google: easy to access, organize, share documents, calendar, notebook
• Delicious:save, share, access your bookmarks anywhere
• Idictate: dictate documents by phone, receive them by email
• Jott: dictate doccs, thoughts, reminders by phone, receive them by email
• Evernote: capture info, access and search from anywhere
PDAs (SymTrend), Pocket Endeavor and DynaVox CoPilot (AbleLink Tech)
smartphones, smartpens (Livescribe)
pagers, cell phones
digital voice recorders (Olympus)
portable (mini-laptops), handheld, wearable computers
Assistive Technology Solutions: Recreation
adapted recreation
• sensory input, reinforcement devices (Enabling Devices, AbleNet)
• mainstream battery operated toys: switch access
• adapted bowling, baseball, bubbles, art, music
• reading: Bookworm, ClassMate, Kindle, Rocket Reader, books on CD, DVD
• video: BrainPop, Discovery Streaming
online resources: literacy
• Tar Heel Reader
• Storyline Online
• Starfall
• MagicKeys
• Literacy Center Education Network
• Woodlands Junior School
• StoryPlace
• Reading A to Z and companion site- RazKids
• Audible
• Tumblebooks
Assistive Technology Solutions: Recreation
online resources: games, activities
• Priory Woods
• Zac Browser
• Arcess
• Do2Learn
• PBS Parents
• Help Kids Learn (Inclusive Technology’s site)
Other
• Wii
• social networking sites (Imbee, Toontown)
• adapted Ipods, remotes, games (RJCooper)
• Leap Frog: Tag books, Bookworm
Assistive Technology Solutions: Communication
PECS
communication books, boards, aprons
talking photo albums
leveled communicators: Step by Step
single message devices
•Talking pockets, buttons
Minspeak systems: semantic compaction
•Vanguard
Dynamic display pictographic devices
• Dynavox: MT4, V-Max, Palm Top
• Tango, Proloquo2Go
Other communication devices
• Tech/Speak
• GoTalk, Cheap Talk
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
Assistive Technology Supports: Autism
•Vizzle
•Facial Expressions Game
•Emotions Game
•Social Skills Builders
•Visual Strategies
•Autism Software by Mousetrial …links!
•AT for Children with Autism
•Simplified Technology …links!
•Visual Supports
•Article: Prescribing Communication Devices
•Hiyah
Iphone-Ipod Apps:
•Iprompt
•Help Kids Learn
•DT Trainer
•Bloom
•Behavior Tracker Pro
•Proloquo2Go
Assistive Technology Considerations:
what does this mean for parents?
Know the Law and the IEP:
• IDEA, NIMAS
• IEP: all teams must consider Assistive Technology (PLEP B)
• limitations: impossible to consider what they do not have knowledge of
Pay close attention to these well intentioned, sometimes appropriate
accommodations and modifications:
• extra time!
• peer assistance, TA support
• reduced workload-fewer problems, sentences, etc.
• consider…. could they perhaps do more, with greater independence,
if provided with access to appropriately matched AT tools and strategies?
Assistive Technology recommendations require taking a closer look:
• programming: specific tools and strategies in place
• types and levels of support being provided
• what does it “look like”?