Assistive Technology
Reading
Reading – Low Tech, Mid Tech, High Tech Predictable Books Changes in text size, spacing, color, background Book adapted for page turning Use of pictures/symbols with text Talking electronic device to speak challenging words Single word scanners Scanner with Optical Character Recogition and talking
word processor Electronic books
Low TechPredictable Books Predictable books are a standard for early
readers. Predictable books repeat patterns and use sing-song rhymes and rhythms to help students acquire reading skills.
See the Monroe County Library site in Indiana for lists of predictable books.
For older students lyrics of popular songs could be a possibility.
Changes in text size, spacing, color, background
Big books offer large size print and spacing. Most publishers have big books they publish.
Changes in text size, spacing, color, background
In order to change background color on a page, color overlays are available.
Some students find it helpful to use this low tech alternative.
To read more on this topic visit: Using Colors to Meet Special Needs as reported by Don Johnston at: http://www.donjohnston.com/djlearning/usingcolortxt.htm
Read more on color overlays at: The Irlen Method color overlays at: The Irlen Method
Add color with
overlays
low tech
Books adapted for page turning
Adapted Books from Adapted Creations (Mayer-Johnson Co.) offers an exciting series of adapted books for children with physical disabilities and augmentative communication needs. The books have: Laminated pages Page adaptation for easy turning Mayer-Johnson Picture Communication Symbols Augmentative communication overlays Learning activities
The books come in a variety of topics including: Science & Math Concepts
Books adapted for page turning
To learn more on this topic visit some of these sites:
Mayer-Johnson Co. Page Turning Excerpt – Augmen
tative Communication Exploration – Johnny Pages
Use of picture symbols with text
Using picture symbols with text was first made known by the rebus method for teaching reading.
Visit rebus rhymes from enchanted learning.com
Picture from The Handbook of Augmentative Communication.
Talking electronic device to speak challenging wordsMid Tech
Franklin Speak and Spell devices – visit Franklin.com
Single word scanners – Mid Tech/High Tech Reading pens Assistive Technology
for K-12 students
Planon Docu Pen
Quicktionary Reading Pen II - Read About It Here!
Dictionary online site to read words
CD roms
Single word scannersReading Pen II Reading Pen II - Oxford English PlatformIndependent
A revolutionary aid, the Reading Pen II is the world's only handheld scanning device that enables users with learning disabilities to improve reading comprehension.
Retains a history of the last 80 words scanned for easy review Enables users to hear a single word or a full line of text spoken aloud in seconds Displays words in large font on the LCD screen Shows scanned words divided into syllables Contains over 240,000 definitions from the Concise Oxford English Defines words within the definition using a cross-reference feature Reads or spells words or dictionary definitions aloud with built-in text-to-speech
capability
Not recommended for persons with low vision or impaired fine motor control.
Visit Franklin.com to see more devices
Books on Tape Recordings for the Blind & Dyslexic RFB&D have been
available for quite some time. Visit the RFB&D website at http://www.rfbd.org/
As of December, 2005 the traditional playback device will no longer be available. It is being replaced by a cassette device that plays CD’s. For further explanation visit: https://custhub.rfbd.org/BrowseProducts.asp
Scanner with Optical Character Recogition and talking word processorHi Tech
Read the research. Screen Readers and Optical Character
Recognition from SchwabLearning.org Listening to the printed page – from
Closing the Gap Building Independence – High Tech devices that
have changed people’s lives. The Alliance for Technology Access
Electronic BooksHi Tech
Project Gutenburg – free electronic books Listing of ebook sites Netlibrary – demo – www.netlibrary.org ipod electronic books – apple.com Audible.com – electronic books
