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”?