Keeping it Simple Low Tech Computer Access

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Keeping it SimpleLow Tech Computer Access

• Low-Tech or No-Tech Computer Access Options

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Presenters

• Dr. Elizabeth Bagley, SC Dept of Ed Regional AT
  Specialist
• Susan Maloney, SC Dept of Ed Regional AT
  Specialists
• Randi Cogswell, OT, Lexington School District One
• Will Harmon, PT, Lexington School District One

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Positioning Aids

• It's important to think about furniture when we
  consider access to school activities. A
  one-size-fits-all approach just doesn't work as
  students vary greatly in size--and are growing
  all the time.
• A good "fit" and firmly supported feet help to
  stabilize the student, cutting down on fatigue.
• Better support makes the student more
  comfortable. Uncomfortable furniture can distract
  a student's focus from work.
• Good positioning can foster more participation by
  requiring less physical effort.
• There are adjustable-height desks/tables for
  elementary classrooms that can provide
  appropriate positioning for all students.

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Positioning Aids

• Non-slip surface on chair to prevent slipping
  (e.g. Dycem)
• Rolled Towel or Blocks for Feet

Dycem Activity Anchorpad Mobility
Matters www.mobilitymatters.com
Best Priced Products, Inc. www.amazon.com
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Positioning Aids

• Examples
• Idea Cart (Anthro)This adjustable table changes
  height with the turn of a crank. It's ideal for
  classroom or lab use. Cost 169- 239
• Tripp Trapp Chair (Therapro)This chair's seat
  and footrest can be re-positioned. Both the seat
  and footrest adjust vertically and horizontally
  to comfortably accommodate children to adults.
  Hip belt, pads, pommel and tray also
  available/Cost 199.95

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Examples

• Footrests (Ergo Solutions, Ali-Med)Footrests
  provide a secure base for a child--with feet flat
  and ankle and knee at 90 degrees. You can also
  use a stabilized box to achieve this
  position!Cost 45 - 55
• Seat Cushions (Pocket Full of Therapy) These
  products provide a variety of seating
  alternatives, all of which can be used safely and
  unobtrusively in a classroom or home setting.
• Pallone Ball ChairSit 'N' Fit DiscMove 'N' Sit
  Wedge Seat CushionBumpy Junior Disc Seat
  CushionClassroom Chair Seat Cushion

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Reading Aids

• Several aids are helpful supports for literacy
  activities
• Adjusting the position of books and reading
  materials to suit an individual student can make
  the content much more visible or accessible.
• Being able to turn pages, without having to call
  for help, frees a student to read at his or her
  own pace.
• Highlighting not only makes important information
  stand out, but helps students find information
  easier and faster.
• Portable alternatives to heavy dictionaries and
  other reference materials allow students to more
  easily find answers to questions and pursue their
  interests.

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Reading Aids

• PortaBook lightweight bookstand that opens to 5
  different angles, holds books open stores flat
  to carry easily. Can also be used to carry
  papers, pens, and pencils when closed.
• Page-Up Clever copy holder holds up to 20
  sheets of paper in an upright position. Use next
  to the computer or at the student's desk when a
  standing copy is needed. Small enough to throw in
  a backpack or purse or to fit between computers.
  Assorted colors.
• LightWedge Original Add extra, indirect light
  exactly where it is needed on the page. The light
  from the edge diffuses through the clear plastic
  that covers the page giving an even lighting to
  the entire page. The LightWedge has two light
  levels and helps the reader see and focus on the
  text, especially in poor lighting conditions.
  Don't forget that a filter can also be placed
  between the page and the LightWedge to offer the
  student color if needed.

PortaBook
Page-Up
LightWedge Original
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Reading Aids
Highlighter Tape
3 Point Erasable Highlighters
Hefty Index Tabs7K
Hi-Liter Pens

• Highlighting text has been a valuable study tool
  for many years. Unfortunately it is not always
  possible to highlight text in textbooks. It is
  never an acceptable alternative in library or
  reference books. Now with removable highlighting
  tape a student can highlight text where ever
  needed. The tape is transparent and comes in
  different colors. You can also write on it.

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Reading Aids

• Implementation of Highlighting
• New vocabulary
• Key words,
• Dates
• Important people or facts
• Definitions
• A sequence of steps or events or concepts pointed
  out by the teacher as being important
• Please see handout titled Removable Highlighting
  Tape and Tabs for further information

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Reading Aids
Removable Highlighter Tape Sheets
Transparency Files

• The use of color for reading and copying tasks
  has been examined and tried for many years. Helen
  Irlen of the Irlen Institute found that the use
  of special color filters helped some people who
  had consistently been unable to learn how to read
  easily and successfully. The use of colored
  pieces of clear plastic created a visual
  environment that allowed them to learn to read.
• Colored overlays can be most effective for
  individuals whose difficulties are isolated to
  reading. Colored overlays are an important first
  step in determining whether the Irlen Method can
  work for you and provide your students first
  experience with relief.

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Adapting and Protecting Early Childhood Books

• Page Fluffers

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Adapting and Protecting Early Childhood Books

• Laminating
• Using sheets of plastic laminate (Cleer Adheer,
  C-Line, available at Sam's Club or office supply
  stores, 10 per box of 50)
• Cut book apart and use laminating machine
• Page Protectors (floppy)
• slip the pages into page protectors and put them
  in a 3 ring binder. This works well if the child
  will be "pushing" or "sliding" the page from
  right to left rather than "lifting" each page to
  turn it
• Page Protectors (rigid)
• tag board or pieces of manila file folders
• Adapting Pages for Interaction

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Writing Aids
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Math Aids
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Communication Aids
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Craft Aids Scissors and Cutters

• "Mary Benbow" Scissors These scissors feature
  small finger loops coated in vinyl to help
  scissors stay on the child's fingers for a better
  grip.
• Softgrip Pointed-Tip Scissors This model opens
  effortlessly and cuts cleanly to its pointed tip.
  It can cut felt, fabric, ribbon, yarn, string and
  construction paper. The finger loops are roomy.
  Recommended for second through fourth grade.
• Loop Spring Scissors (Sammons Preston) These
  self-opening scissors require half the effort of
  regular scissors. For students with limited hand
  movement, these scissors offers a wide loop for
  an easy grip. Right and Left handed 8.95

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Craft Aids Scissors and Cutters

• Squeezzers These are ideal scissors for
  students with limited finger mobility and
  coordination. You close the short metal blades by
  squeezing the coated loop handles. When you ease
  the grasp, the blades open automatically. This
  product helps to reinforce a basic open and close
  pattern.
• This paper punch features a large, non-stick
  button for "whole hand" use. It punches paper,
  construction paper, self-adhesive labels and many
  other paper materials. It offers 13 different
  "punch" shapes. Use it upside down for greater
  accuracy.
• Adapt-A-Cut A revolutionary new way to cut for
  students who have problems with a "regular"
  scissor. The handle adapts with Velcro for extra
  support, a crossbar for horizontal support and
  "pushing" rather than grasping. The blade is
  safely inside the tool.

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Craft Aids

• Personal Paper Cutter
• Lyrax Crayons High quality wax crayons with a
  triangular shape to help encourage children to
  grasp them correctly. Set of 6 colors.
• Jumbo Paint Brushes
• Sponge tip painters. Kids simply press the round
  tip on the paper and a dot of color appears. As
  children learn more about coloring, they can make
  lines or cover an area with overlapping dots.

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Craft Aids
Chubby Crayons
Magnetic Art Set
Tempera Paint Markers
Wikki Stix
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Self Help Aids
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Miscellaneous Aids
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Resources

• Resources
• WATI Initiative (1997). Designing environments
  for successful kids A resource manual. WATI
  Amherst, WI. http//www.wati.org/
• High Low Tech Tools for People with Learning
  Disabilities. Richard Wandeman's Tips
  http//www.ldonline.org/bulletin_boards/techtalk/r
  wanderman.html