Assistive Technology

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Assistive Technology

• Kimberley Gress
• Kristin Kiernan
• Rachel Otremba

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Terms to Know

• Impairment
• Disability
• Handicap

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Impairment

• Impairment involves an abnormality or loss of
  function in a physical, anatomical, or
  psychological structure.
• May be present at birth or acquired through
  accident or disease.

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Disability

• When an impairment limits an individual from
  performing an activity in a manner normally
  expected for human beings.
• Ex. Communicating with others, hearing, movement,
  and manipulating objects

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Handicap

• A handicap arises when an individual is unable to
  fulfill a role due to an impairment or disability

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Cognitive Disabilities

• This could include learning disabilities in the
  areas of reading, writing, and/or math.

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Mild Reading Challenges

• Text-to-speech products such as WizComs
  Quicktionary Pen- learn to read, write, define,
  and pronounce words
• GoTalk4 -assists with word pronunciation or
  reading fluency
• Getting Real with Reading- software, which is
  structured and emphasizes life lessons in its
  content

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WizComs Quicktionary Pen
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Go Talk 4
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Getting Real with Reading
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Challenges in Math

• Coin-U-Lator- Talking device with coins and
  dollars as opposed to standard numbers
• Number Pattern Line- Hands-on tool for numbers in
  sequences or patterns
• CalcuLine- teaches basic math facts and concepts

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Coin-U-Lator
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Number Patter Line
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CalcuLine
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Writing Challenges

• Word Prediction Software
• WriteOutLoud Word Processor

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Activities for Understanding Peoples Challenges

• http//www.webaim.org/simulations/

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Physical Disabilities

• Physically Disabled impairment to a persons
  mobility or agility.
• Can involve fine-motor or gross-motor skills
• Joysticks-help in movement of motorized
  wheelchair. Defined as a device with a handle
  that moves in all directions. Also help with
  cursor movement on a computer screen.
• Switches- help with controlling computer. Also
  help with activating environmental control
  systems.

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Finger Tip Switch
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Joy Stick
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Sensory Disabilities

• Involve impairments associated with the loss of
  hearing or vision
• Blind Canes and sensory technology
• Tools to convert printed information
• Screen Readers
• Clear Keyboards
• Partially Sighted Close circuit television
• Partially Hearing FM amplification systems

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Clear Keyboard
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Text to Braille Converter
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At-Risk Students

• These students do not meet the federal definition
  of a student with a disability, but their lack of
  success in school parallels them to the low
  performance of students with disabilities.
• Students who have a difficulty reading can be
  provided with digital text in a text-speech
  program. http//www.kurzweiledu.com/index.asp
• Students who have a difficulty with math can be
  provided with an online calculator.
  http//www.math.com/students/calculators/calculato
  rs.html

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At-Risk Students

• Difficulty in written expression- can use a
  predictive word processor.
• Difficulty remembering things- can use a reminder
  service. http//www.pcreminder.com/

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Gifted and Talented

• Electronic Communities- way of connecting people
  from different communities to provide new avenues
  of expression
• Research- Globel Resources ex. Internet
• Interactive and multimedia presentations- Provide
  opportunities to display discoveries.
• Group work on websites and multimedia
  presentations.

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Tips for Teachers

• Use web accessibility checkers
• Be on guard for new solutions for academic
  performance problems
• Access professional development resources

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References

• Roblyer, M.D. (2006). Integrating Education
  Technology into Teaching. New Jersey Pearson
  Education, Inc.
• http//www.synapseadaptive.com/textHELP/RW/read__
  write_5.htm
• http//www.webaim.org/simulations/
• http//www.kurzweiledu.com/index.asp
• http//www.math.com/students/calculators/calculato
  rs.html
• http//www.pcreminder.com/