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Dr. Todd Cunningham | April 14 | [email protected] | 647.542.3433 | www.learndifferent.org Page 2.1

Assistive Technology Tools

Area Type Description Reading Text-To-Speech

(TTS) Using synthetic speech, the computer reads text off the computer screen. This may help students to overcome difficulties with decoding.

TTS Voices The quality the TTS voice has an impact on how well an individual will comprehend what is read out loud. Voices that sound more natural (i.e. the tempo, rhythm and stress of language) are easy to identify individual words and results in faster processing which leads to better comprehension.

E-Dictionaries When a student does not know a word, they can look up the meaning of the word which will also have a picture of the concept associated with it. This is good for students who have limited receptive vocabulary.

Pictorial Dictionaries

Instead of providing text, a pictorial dictionary represents a word through a graphic or video.

Scalable Vocabulary

Based on the users vocabulary knowledge they can either increase or decrease the complexity of the written text. Scalable vocabulary increases or decreases word frequency, sentence complexity, and level of jargon.

Optical Character Recognition (OCR)

Software that converts an image file of typewritten text into machine-editable text file. OCR enables you to take a textbook, scan it onto the computer, and the computer then recognize what is text and what is not.

Study Tools Tools that are used by a reader to become “Active Readers”. An Active reader is a person who does not simply passively take in information but actively seeks out information to answer questions. Some tools Active Readers use are highlighting to identify important passages, Sticky Notes, Text Notes, and Recording Ideas through Voice.

Talking Pointer Talking Pointer software converts the mouse pointer into a reading tool. When the mouse pointer stops over text, the software will automatically begin to read the sentence or paragraph that the mouse is hovering over. This is great for quickly searching through a document trying to find an important point.

Dr. Todd Cunningham | April 14 | [email protected] | 647.542.3433 | www.learndifferent.org .2

Podcast (Text to Audio)

Converts a text file using TTS into an audio file (.wav or .Mp3) which can be loaded onto an MP3 player, iPod, or burnt to CD.

Podcast (Text to Video)

Converts a text file using TTS into a video file (.asf, .wma, .wmv, .wm) that will show the text on a screen and read out loud to the user. Can be loaded onto a PDA, Vpod, iPod, or other portable media device.

Auto Summary Identify main ideas or themes within a fiction of non-fiction passage. It may highlight the main ideas, put the main ideas in point-form, or extract the ideas into a separate document.

Auditory Highlighting

The TTS voice changes as a main idea is read aloud. This draws attention to important information being present.

Organization Graphic Organizer Pictorial or graphical ways to organize information and thoughts for understanding, remembering, or writing about.

Structural Organizers

A leaner way of using langue (words) to organize information and thoughts for understanding, remembering, or writing.

Personal Organizer This software allows one to use calendar functions to plan the day. Add important appointments and set alarms to remind you ahead of time. Look for programs that will synchronize with a PDA.

PDA (Personal Digital Assistants)

Also known as Pocket Computes, Palmtop Computers. These handheld computers may have built in features such as calendars with alarms, clock, address book, word processing, spreadsheets, voice recording, internet, and allow for the adding of additional software. PDA’s may interact with Personal Organizer software on one’s computer.

Smartphones The ideal mobile device. With the combination of a PDA and cellphone, this device can help with organization as well as connection to the web. Smartphones also act as a platform to added almost limitless Apps (application software) that provide users with a host of new tools they can always have with them.

Day Timer A paper calendar that an individual can take with them.

Form Filling Allows an individual to fill out a form on the computer using additional AT and then printing the form off or saving it on the computer.


Cue Card Cue card or flash card aid in the studding of new information. Provides a prompt word (the Cue) with a hidden definition or explanation that can be viewed.

E-test Software that allows for the development, or the scanning in of a test. Individual can then use additional AT such as TTS to read questions or Voice Recognition to fill in answers.

GPS GPS systems and software can help an individual determine where they are provided directions on how to get to where you are going. Many new Smartphone come with GPS installed.

File Organizers Software that allows users to store handouts or scan text in a visual organizational system allowing them to easily find where they have been saved on the computer.

Cloud-based computing

Cloud-based computing allows an individual to access their favorite software and files on any computer which is connected to the Internet. The information is stored on the server which the user can access remotely. According to a paper published by IEEE Internet Computing in 2008 "Cloud Computing is a paradigm in which information is permanently stored in servers on the Internet and cached temporarily on clients that include computers, laptops, handhelds, sensors, etc."

Writing Word Prediction As a student types, the computer generates a list of possible words the student is trying to type based on first letters and word patterns.

Voice Recognition User must train the computer to recognize their voice. The software and hardware enables the user to talk natural to the computer which will record exactly what they said. Users can also speak commands enabling hands free computing.

Word Recognition | Command Recognition

Works just like voice recognition but instead of recognizing full sentences, this software recognizes a word at a time.

Word/Picture Bars Floating bar at the bottom of the screen that houses frequently used words or pictures with words attached that can be dragged and dropped into a document. Eliminates the need to type, spell, or recall a word.


Spell Check | Creative Spell Check | Talking Spell Check

Identifies miss spelt words and generates a list of probable words. Spell check now can read generated words out to the student, use phonetic spelling patterns to help predict alternative words. Dictionaries have also been added to help the student identify the correct word.

Editing Assistance Identifies when grammatical rules have been violated and provides suggestions. Many combine a spell check. Grammar assistance look analyzes sentences for grammatical violations and provide suggestions. Some of the programs allow for tailoring of the type of grammar to be focused on.

Homophone Check Identifies words that are pronounced the same but spelt differently so the student can ensure they have used the right word. Dictionaries have also been added to help the student to identify the correct word.

Writing Style Assistance

Provides suggestions on how to increase the readability of a passage.

Word Bar / Word Bank

Either a floating bar, or a bar fix to the bottom or side of the screen. Provides words associated with a chosen topic. Most of these programs can have customized dictionaries installed.

Structural Organizers

A tool used that which assists users in the outlining their text in the rewriting face. Provides a linear format and offers the user the ability to easily rearrange their ideas.

Discreet Voice Recognition

A voice recognition system that translates speech into writing text on a computer. Instead of full sentence, this software will recognize individual (discreet) words or small phrases.

WIKI Motor Wheeled Mobility These divises allow an individual who phsycall can

not move do to physical o health conditions. Most cocomed are wheelsharis and motorized carts. Wheelchairs can me manual,powered, sports. Items to consider are is the seat, seatbacks, armrests,controls, front riggigs, wheels and rear tires, casters, and hand rims.


Switches Are divces that allow for a simple to complex responses with an individual push or pushes one or many switchies. Things to consider are what does the individual need access too, what are the range of movments, effort and fatigue involvled inusing th switch, feedback to the user regarding activation, can the individual operate t switch setup (Bryant & Bryant, 2012).

Scanning A procedure that draws attention to an item an individual would like to select. Scanning divices usally present visual display of infmeration n a sequential manner. The individual uses a switch to select the desired peace of information.

Portable Word Processor | PDA + Keyboard | Laptop

Is any word processing tool that is easily transportable. Main function is allowing an individual to type notes into the unit, and then unit can then download this text file onto a computer to print them up at a later point.

Netbooks/Tablets Is a laptop that is smaller than a regular notebook computer and does not have all the processing power of a Notebook computer. It is desire to do 90% of all the computing you need. It can run any Assistive Technology and any word processor, web, or presentation software.

Digital imaging There are times where it is hard to copy certain types of information off of the front board. In math class symbols and numbers are hard to key into a portable word processor or to write down. Science class may present diagrams and charts that need to be recorded accurately. Digital cameras allow one to take a picture of the board and enlarge it on a computer at a later date.

Note Taking Software

Integration of different modes of note taking which may include a word processor, scratch pad, voice or video recording, and images. Allows a student to keep all their notes in one location on their computer which prevents them from search where they have saved the files. May have color coding features.

Interactive White Boards

Combining the simplicity of a whiteboard with the power of a computer. Is like a whiteboard but has a touch-sensitive display which connects a computer and digital projector to show the computer image on the board. You can then control computer applications directly from the display, write notes in digital ink and save your work to share later.


Podcast Is a collection of digital media files which can be distributed over the internet or through conventional digital storage means. Podcasting in education enables the recording and dissemination of class instructions, support material, and other educational material that involves audio and or visual material. This material then can be placed back on a portable media player or personal computer.

Paper-based Computing | Pentop computing.

Instead of using a computer to run applications or perform functions, the use of a smart pen and paper are used. Some of the features that are possible are math calculations, creating music, spell-check, day timer, digitize your written notes, or records what you are hearing while taking notes.

Math Calculators

Fact Sheets Provides students with a list of formulas they may need to know or list of steps they need to complete to answer a question.

Voice Recognition for Math

Allows a student to talk a math equation aloud to the computer. The computer will write the equation down.

Scratch Pad Software that acts like a peace of paper. Provides users a place to write down math equations either through the keyboard or inking (using a digilise pen on the computer). Students who have poor organization's ability, this software can help keep their page neat so they can see what steps they are on.

Prompting Provides the student automatic prompt on what is the next step to complete within the question.

Language

Referances: Bryant, D. & Bryant B. (2012) Assistive Technology for People with Disabilities, Second Edition. New York, Pearson.

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