Assistive Technology Applications

Transcription

1 Assistive Technology Applications Technology Description Dan Cooper Colored Overlay- These plastic colored overlays may help students with reading difficulties such as dyslexia and autism read black text printed on white paper. By changing the color of the paper via colored overlay research has shown increases in reading attributes. Reading Ruler- Reading rulers help to focus student attention and provide a scaffold for reading through the use of a partially transparent ruler. This ruler is appropriate for students with ADD, ADHD, and dyslexia. Kaitlyn S. translating notes using optical character recognition software (OCR) with voice synthesizer Braille and Speak Claire G. QualiEYE, this device offers the use of a mouse to anyone who still has controlled movement of either a finger or a head, but who may not be able to use their hands. A voice recognition software that will allow individuals who cannot type or write to turn their ideas into reality and demonstrate their knowledge through vocalization instead of through writing or typing. Ashley G. Personal amplification system - for students with hearing disabilities. A Personal FM system utilizes a teacher microphone that sends the sound through a transmitter. It can also be connected to a TV or radio and the student wears a receiver which can be attached to headphones or coupled to another hearing aid. Raised lines on paper - this is a type of scaffolding paper for writing and can be used for kids with learning disabilities, orthopedic disabilities, or partial sight. It is advantageous in terms of money! May C. DynaVox is a colorful display screen providing a range of vocabulary for those with visual and fine motor impairments. This device expands communication capabilities for students. Sip-N-Puff are mouth controlled joysticks that help those who do not have the use of their limbs to control the mouse on the computer. This technology is helpful since computers are highly used in the classroom today. Adam D. JAWS Screen Reader is a type of screen reader software that allows users with vision problems who cannot see screen output to hear text and descriptions of graphics. This type of AT is essential for computer users who are blind. It also outputs to refreshable Braille displays. MAGic is a type of screen magnification software providing low vision aid to those where type may be too small to read or Link to Find More Information

2 Katie O. Rachel H. John T. Jackie S. images are indecipherable. It is basically like a magnifying lens for the computer which keeps text sharp upon zooming. It also has speech function and is compatible with JAWS. Keys-U-See is a type of keyboard that has large print keys for people who have visual impairments such as macular degeneration or glaucoma. It also has one-touch internet and buttons to make these features easier to access. A large print keyboard is essential for those that have vision trouble and may need larger letters on their keyboards! Livescribe Pulse Smartpens are amazing tools that record what is being said while a student is taking notes, and then allows them to play back to write down anything that they may have missed. These pens would be beneficial for students that may have trouble with organization or note-taking skills or for those that have trouble with ADD or ADHD. MYTOBII P10 is a portable eyecontrolled communication device. Those with uncontrolled head movements can use this eye control software to communicate regardless of wearing glasses or contacts or nothing at all. People with cerebral palsy, high level spine injuries, or multiple sclerosis, just to name a few, can all use this product for ease of communication. WYNN is the innovative literacy software tool designed to enhance success for individuals with reading challenges and writing difficulties. By using the software's bimodal approach-simultaneously highlighting the text as it is spoken-wynn transforms printed text into understandable information that benefits readers of all ages. WYNN was developed with the help of special educators and individuals with learning difficulties such as dyslexia, dysgraphia and aphasia. My first assistive technology is called the orbitouch, which is a fully functional keyboard and mouse that is used by sliding two domes into different locations on the device. As noted on the website, this is extremely helpful for students, or anyone, who has injuries to their hands or wrist. My second technology is called Proloquo2Go and uses text-tospeech in a variety of manners. Whether it be by combining symbols or previously saved responses, this device is extremely useful for people who are unable to verbally communicate. Also notable about this device is that it can also be purchased in application form for the ipad or iphone, the former of which was mentioned in class as well as demonstrated to be an extremely useful AT source. Kurzweil 3000 is a text-reading software that allows students to See

3 Matthew B. Jie C. Ryan S. scan their books page by page and have the text read aloud to them by an automated voice. It has many settings that pace the reading according to one's personal preferences. You can also highlight words and run them through a pronunciation guide or dictionary. It also has expansions for note-taking and translation guides. This software is perfect for students who may have trouble paying attention while reading or even those who have reading difficulties associated with dyslexia or other learning disabilities. It is also ideal for English language learners Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART) captioning is useful for deaf or hard-of-hearing students in schools where a translator is not readily available. They can be used for broadcasting, note-taking, and other communications. The NoHands Mouse is a computer mouse operated by use of both feet. It is usefully for students or professionals who have little, no, or painful use of their arms or hands. Along the same lines, Naturally Speaking is an alternative input program that allows users to control and type on the computer through their voice. This is also very beneficial to people who do not have the ability to manipulate a keyboard. Hearing Loop is made of a coil of wire that could amplifies sound and reduces background noise. Users of hearing aids with a loop can set their goals to a certain setting to receive the transmission. Hearing loops can be permanently installed or portable and it provides hearing assistance to hearing aid users Headswitch is necessary for wheelchair students. It can be operated by a knee, elbow, etc with very light pressure. People with disability could learn to use the switch to start an automatic auditory scan interact and communicate. Using this method disabled student could participate in the class activities like making choices and offering opinion. Tobii C8 is a lightweight, portable device that allows people with communication disabilities to communicate using text or symbols. It creates digitized speech for face-to face contact, , chat, or text messages. It also allows users to surf the web, write documents, play music and games, and control a TV, DVD player, and other household devices. VisionKey is a portable eyetracking keyboard that allows the user to type and talk using eye movements. Users can create documents, , play games, surf the net, and listen to music. The system works with both PC and Mac. The keyboard can be

4 Nick C. Brandon L. Stephanie S. Jackie S. worn in a sitting, reclining, or laying down position. I often got frustrated when I found out that many educational videos are not closed captioned. This meant that the interpreter would have to sign for a half hour straight. The first is a site that offers closed captioning software, so that you can go back and add captioning to the videos you use in class for the benefit of deaf students. The next resource I posted is an online catalog for assistive technology products. This is a valid resource for purchasing products for the students in your class. Read:OutLoud 6 is a computer program that allows students to utilize different sources, from ebooks to files on the internet such as PDF documents and the program will read it aloud to the student. It is easy to learn how to use which is important in any new technology, and the website provides help and advice on how to make your curriculum fit the program along with tutorials to help teachers learn how to use the software. Kidspiration is a program that allows students to have a more visual learning experience in understanding concepts and ideas and helps to strengthen vocabulary building. Students can design concept maps and expand upon them with text. It has more child friendly and visually stimulating pictures and contains math tools including manipulatives to aid in learning math. ISER is a website that provides information regarding assistive technology directories, where parents, students, and special needs persons may visit to find information on assistive technologies available to them. There is a link for parents to click on, which showcases software tips and strategies to help their children at home. Most of the information on this page is for homeschooling, but parents could also use the links to help their children at home with homework or extra practice. ChinCheeka is a technology resource for movement impaired children to use. The software looks like a large pad that sits around the child's neck, and they simply rotate their chin to touch one of the buttons on the device. One of the switches maneuvers the mouse, or "selector," on the screen, and the other selects it. This is a helpful tool with the child shown as he works on "create-aword," and many "talk and scan" programs on the computer. Kurzweil 3000 is a text-reading software that allows students to scan their books page by page and have the text read aloud to them by an automated voice. It has many settings that pace the

5 Matthew B. Jie C. reading according to one's personal preferences. You can also highlight words and run them through a pronunciation guide or dictionary. It also has expansions for note-taking and translation guides. This software is perfect for students who may have trouble paying attention while reading or even those who have reading difficulties associated with dyslexia or other learning disabilities. It is also ideal for English language learners Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART) captioning is useful for deaf or hard-of-hearing students in schools where a translator is not readily available. They can be used for broadcasting, note-taking, and other communications. The NoHands Mouse is a computer mouse operated by use of both feet. It is usefully for students or professionals who have little, no, or painful use of their arms or hands. Along the same lines, Naturally Speaking is an alternative input program that allows users to control and type on the computer through their voice. This is also very beneficial to people who do not have the ability to manipulate a keyboard. Hearing Loop is made of a coil of wire that could amplifies sound and reduces background noise. Users of hearing aids with a loop can set their goals to a certain setting to receive the transmission. Hearing loops can be permanently installed or portable and it provides hearing assistance to hearing aid users Headswitch is necessary for wheelchair students. It can be operated by a knee, elbow, etc with very light pressure. People with disability could learn to use the switch to start an automatic auditory scan interact and communicate. Using this method disabled student could participate in the class activities like making choices and offering opinion