assistive technology tools by r. williams
TRANSCRIPT
Assistive Technology Tools
Rachel Williams ED 505 Online Spring Two
Dr. B. Ray
Assistive technology (abbreviated as AT) is any item, piece of equipment, software or product
system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with
disabilities.
What is Assistive Technology?
● AT can be high tech such as special purpose computers.● AT can be hardware such as prosthetics, attachment
devices (mounting systems), and positioning devices.● AT can be computer hardware, like special switches,
keyboards, and pointing devices.● AT can be computer software such as screen-readers or
communication software.● AT can be inclusive or specialized learning materials and
curriculum aids.● AT can be specialized curricular software.
Examples of AT Devices
There is a wide range of assistive technology (AT) services and devices to which a child may be entitled. It is important for families to understand how Federal laws affect their child’s right to AT. Provided below are brief summaries of laws that impact the provision of assistive technology and special education services.Federal laws are amended regularly.
Therefore, it is important to keep up to date on these changes. Website addresses have been identified below for government offices and other organizations that provide current, in-depth information on laws that affect a child’s access to AT.
Laws regarding AT
Americans with Disabilities Act ( ADA )
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act
Assistive Technology Act of 1998
Fair Housing Act Amendments of 1988
The Hearing Aid Compatibility Act of 1988
Federal Government Procurement of Accessible Information Technology
Links for Laws
● Hearing aids● Signaling devices● Vibrotactile switch● Pictures, photographs, objects● Communication boards● Assistive listening devices (e.g., amplified
phone system)● Phonic ear● Headphones (to keep the listener focused, adjust
sound, etc.)
Hearing Impaired Device Technology
● FM amplification systems (e.g., auditory trainer)
● TDD/TTY for phone service● Closed-captioning television● Real-time captioning● CD-based (text)books, electronic books● Audio-voice amplification device for
teachers● Telecaption decoders● Vibrotactile systems
Closed captioning displays the audio portion of a television program as text on the TV screen, providing a critical link to news, entertainment and information for individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. Congress
requires video programming distributors (VPDs) - cable operators, broadcasters, satellite distributors and other multi-channel video programming distributors - to close
caption their TV programs.
An example of hearing impaired device
● Eyeglasses● Large-print books● Books on tape● Magnifying glass● Slate and Braille stylus● Stencil● Tape recorder● Cassettes● Stereo headphones● Lighting contrasts● Adapted paper (e.g., raised surfaces, highlighted lines, various
colors, sizes)● Pen lights● Calculator with large keys or large display● Talking calculators
The many Seeing Impaired Device Technology Items for
people● Self-sticking notes (such as Post-It� notes)● Highlighters● Color-blind aides● Braille writer (to take notes, store information, print
in various formats)● Braille translation software (translates inputted text
that can be Brailled)● Braille printer● Computer with speech output or feedback● Operating system special-accessibility options
(screen enlargement, adjustment of keyboard, sound, display, mouse)
● Glare-reduction screens● Talking electronic dictionary, thesaurus, spell
checker● Video magnifiers● Voice-output screen-reading software● Voice amplification or voice projector● Screen readers
The National Association for Visually Handicapped (NAVH) provides the NAVH Seal of Approval to commercial publishers for books that meet their large print standards.[3] (Lighthouse International acquired NAVH in 2010).[4]
The standards[5] call for:● Maximum limits on size, thickness, and weight● Minimum limits on margins● Type size at least 16 point, preferably 18 point● Sans serif or modified serif font recommended● Adequate letter and word spacing● Flexible binding recommended to allow open book to lie flat
Seeing impaired device and image: Large Print books
● Highlighting tape● Post-It notes● Picture schedule● Written schedule● Social stories● Written or picture-supported directions● Aids to help find materials (e.g., color tabs)● Editing devices: correction fluid (such as Liquid Paper or Wite
Out) correction tape, correction pen, highlight tape● Sentence windows● Graphic organizers to visually help in developing and structuring
ideas● Single-word scanners (reading pens) or hand held scanners● Portable word processors
Learning Disabled Device Technology Aids Students with high-incidence disabilities
(learning, behavior, or cognitive disabilities) to increase, maintain, or improve their functional capabilities. ● Talking word processors● Hand held computers● Voice-recognition products● Software for organizing ideas and studying● Electronic organizers or reminders● Word-prediction software (assists in
spelling and sentence construction)● Multimedia software for production of ideas
(e.g., PowerPoint®)● Talking electronic device or software to
pronounce challenging words● Software for concept development,
manipulation of objects, math computations● Portable word processor to keyboard instead
of write● Closed-captioning television● Text-reading software● Tactile or voice-output measuring devices
With Pages™: In word processors such as MSWord™, OpenOffice™, LibreOffice™ or Pages™, you can use wordQ’s word prediction and speech feedback to find/hear adjectives that describe your skills on a resume.
Learning disabled device: Word Prediction Software
Recently mobile apps (whether iOS or Android) have begun adaptation to people with physical disabilities. One such company that focuses on this matter is Sesame Enable. They are offering an iOS document hands-free reading app, an Android hands-free eBook app, and a library for other developers to incorporate hands-free technologies in their apps.
Physically Disabled Device Technology: Apps
● Pictures, photographs, objects● Communication boards● Communication books● Eye-gaze or eye-pointing systems● Simple voice-output devices● Word cards or word manipulatives● Word window● Writing guides● Voice-output devices with levels● Voice output with icon sequencing● Communication software (allows for communication boards and visual
displays)● Augmentative communication devices (visual display, printed or speech
output)
Assistive Technology for Communication: Aids students who have difficulty in communicating effectively (i.e., they are unintelligible, have no or very little verbal skills, or
have limited language proficiency).
● Dedicated augmentative communication system
● Text-to-voice and voice-to-text software
● Talking word processing with writing support
● Word prediction, abbreviation, or expansion options to reduce keystrokes
● Software that allows communication via pictures and symbols
● Head-pointing devices● Touch screens● Translating devices: voice
language (e.g., English) to output different voice language (e.g., Spanish)
● Electronic and software dictionaries
Ajorquera01. (2012, October 15). Assistive Technology Devices. Retrieved March 25, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJ-liIwc82g&feature=youtu.be Assistive Technology Laws. (2015, January 1). Retrieved March 25, 2015, from http://www.fctd.info/resources/techlaws.php Assistive Technology to Meet K12 Needs. (n.d.). Retrieved March 25, 2015, from http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/methods/technlgy/te7assist.htm Closed Caption Information. (2013, January 1). Retrieved March 25, 2015, from http://www.myaccount.charter.com/customers/support.aspx?supportarticleid=1635 Head Tracking and Pointing. (n.d.). Retrieved March 25, 2015, from http://abilitynet.wikifoundry.com/page/Head Tracking and Pointing
References
Large Print. (2014, March 14). Retrieved March 25, 2015, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Large-print Lofton, K. (2012, August 29). WHAT IS ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY? Retrieved March 25, 2015, from http://www.loftonspace.com/news/kevin/On_08/29/2012/what-is- assistive-technology/ Roblyer, M., & Doering, A. (2013). Integrating educational technology into Teaching (2nd ed.). Columbus, Ohio: Merrill Prentiss Hall. Touch-Free Smart Phone. (2014, January 1). Retrieved March 25, 2015, from http://sesame-enable.com/ Quick Links. (n.d.). Retrieved March 25, 2015, from http://www.goqsoftware.com/
References
Understanding Assistive Technology: Simply Said. (2010, November 10). Retrieved March 25, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DB9pKkZoJDc What is Assistive Technology? How Is It Funded? (n.d.). Retrieved March 25, 2015, from http://www.atia.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3859
References