USING ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY TO PREPARE STUDENTS FOR ONLINE

TESTING

Janice Reese OT/L, ATPLittle Tennessee Valley Educational Cooperativejreese@taat.org www.at4kids.com

Assistive Technology

“For Americans without disabilities, technology makes things easier. For Americans with disabilities,

technology makes things possible” (Radabaugh, 1988).

     AT includes technology devices, strategies, and techniques that enable students to master tasks at home, school or work.  

They increase independence and improve quality of life—use of computers, toys, controls, equipment, communications, modifications, etc.

Guiding Principles

Goal of AT is to enhance capabilities and remove barriers.

A team approach is required to choose AT.

AT does not eliminate the need for instruction in social or academic skills.

Assessment  and intervention are an ongoing process.

*The Provision of Assistive Technology Services in Rehabilitation, Arkansas Research and Training Center, U of Arkansas

Learner Objectives

Become familiar with PARCC accessibility features and accommodations

Be able to identify, locate and use comparable supports within the curriculum

Offer support for student use with Web 2.0 or integrated tools 

Support identification of Personal Need Profile tools

Access in Testing Before…

A Look at PARCC

These tests will evaluate student progress according to the newly adopted Common Core State Standards (CCSS)

1. Online evaluation format2. Will offer a range of accessibility supports3. Demands expanded instruction with computer use and 

accessibility tools4. Must establish student Personal Need Profiles (PNP) 

PARCC alliance = shifting perspectives

Assess full range of CCSS Applies principles of UDL Expands use of technology Offers integrated accessibility features Opens use of general accommodations Fosters greater independence in assessment 

Who Benefits?

ALL students will have access to SOME features

Special Access Features for others… Students with disabilities (with IEP’s) Students with 504 plans ELL students ELL students who also have

disabilities (and an IEP)

Personal Needs Profile

Required for ALL students Determines which access supports

are necessary (allowed) for online testing

Based upon history and use, teacher observations, IEP or 504 documentation

*Determinations made by IEP & 504 teams, general educators, parents

PARCC is due to release practice tests.This will allow preview of the toolbar so 

students may begin looking at the supports they feel might be beneficial

PARCC Comprehensive Accessibility Policies

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Features for All Students

Accessibility Features*

Identified in advance

** Accommodatio

ns* Available to all participating students**For students with disabilities, English learners, and English learners with disabilities 

Accessibility Features for All Students

Tool, support, or preference that is built into the assessment system that can be activated by any student, at his or her own discretion. 

Universal Design features expected to benefit a diverse array of students and are available to all students.

Provided onscreen, stored in a toolbar, or are accessible through a menu or control panel, as needed.  

During the assessment, students can choose which accessibility features they need for specific items. Examples include: audio amplification, highlighting, pop-up glossary, etc.

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Accessibility Features for All StudentsAudio Amplification

Blank Paper (provided by test administrator)

Eliminate Answer ChoicesFlag Items for Review

General Administration Directions Clarified (by test administrator)

General Administration Directions Read Aloud and Repeated (by test administrator)

Highlight ToolHeadphones

Magnification/Enlargement DeviceNotePad

Pop-Up GlossaryRedirect Student to Test (by test administrator)

Spell CheckerWriting Tools

Common classroom supports Students need exposure prior to

testing use They decide which tools to use Can be turned on/off during test

Timing and SchedulingBreaks or Time of DayExtended time for completion

Settings are now considered standard accommodations available to all students.

Separate Location  Small Group Testing  Special Seating or space in room

Other Accommodations…

PARCC Comprehensive Accessibility Policies

17

Features for All Students

Accessibility Features*

Identified in advance

** Accommodatio

ns* Available to all participating students**For students with disabilities, English learners, and English learners with disabilities 

Special Accessibility Tools Must be documented in 504 or IEP Must be used routinely in class/with

testing Can be turned on/off by test

administrators

Special Features

Accessibility Feature Must be Identified in Advance by the PNP (During Test Registration Process)

Answer Masking ✔Audio AmplificationBackground/Font Color (Color Contrast)

✔

Blank Paper (provided by test admin)Eliminate Answer ChoicesFlag Items for ReviewGeneral Admin Directions Clarified (by test admin)General Admin Directions Read Aloud or Repeated as Needed (by test admin)General Masking ✔Highlighting Tool

Accessibility Feature Must be Identified in Advance by the PNP (During Test Registration Process)

Headphones or Noise Buffers

Line Reader Tool ✔Magnification/Enlargement Device

Note Pad

Pop-Up Glossary

Redirect Students to Test (by test admin)

Spell Checker

Text-to-Speech for Mathematics Assessment

✔

Writing Tools

For general Use For presentation  For responding  To modify timing or scheduling  Unique or emergency accommodations

Different Kinds of Accommodations

Presentation Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

Braille Edition of ELA/Literacy and Mathematics Assessment

Closed-Captioning of Multimedia Passages on the ELA/Literacy Assessments

Descriptive Video

Paper-and-Pencil Edition of the ELA/Literacy and Mathematics Assessments

Tactile Graphics

Text-to-Speech or Video of a Human Interpreter for the LA/Literacy Assessments, including items, response options, and passages.

ASL Video for the Mathematics Assessments for a Student Who is Deaf or Hard of Hearing 

ASL Video of Test Directions for a Student Who Is Deaf or Hard of Hearing.

Response Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

Braille Note-Taker

Calculation Device and Mathematics Tools (on Non-calculator Sessions of Mathematics Assessments)

Scribing or Speech-to-Text (i.e., Dictation/Transcription or Signing) for the Mathematics Assessments; and for selected response (not constructed response) items on the ELA/Literacy assessments.

Scribing or Speech-to-Text (i.e., Dictation/Transcription) for constructed responses on the ELA/Literacy Assessments

Word Prediction on the ELA/Literacy Performance-Based Assessment (PBA)

Accommodations for English Language LearnersExtended Time

General Administration Directs Clarified in Student’s Native Language (by test admin)

General Administration Directs Read Aloud and Repeated as Needed in Students Native Language (by test admin)

Scribe or Speech-to-Text: Responses Dictated for Mathematics Assessment in English

Word-to-Word Dictionary (English/Native Language)

Similar Accessibility Tools

Software supports Web 2.0 tools Built-in accessibility features Digital content

Student Uses for Special Access Features

Must be documented (504 or IEP) Given daily/weekly access Opportunities for recreational use Used during assessments Document their progress; collect

samples

*Example: use of prediction software or apps (Co:Writer)

General Instruction and Use of Tools

Should be available on all systems Use for web access and general texts Encourage student exploration of

tools Create PNP for each student

Writing Test Sample

http://www.parcconline.org/samples/english-language-artsliteracy/grade-7-elaliteracy

What is AIM?

Accessible instructional materials (AIM) are materials that are designed or converted in a way that makes them usable and accessible across the widest range of student needs (print, digital, graphical, audio, video). 

The term AIM refers to print instructional materials that have been transformed into new formats:

Large print Braille Audio Digital text

http://aim.cast.org/learn/accessiblemedia/allaboutaim

SOFTWARE PROGRAMS

Microsoft and Apple Accessibility Tools An array of built-in access features to

accommodate those with vision, hearing, and/or mobility impairments. Includes: Narrator, Magnifier, Mouse and keyboard control adaptations

Word Prediction Provides word choices and prompts for correct

writing Keystroke Reduction Text-to-Speech provides auditory feedback

Examples: Text-To-Speech / Word Prediction Read-Aloud feature online Library or text books Free web toolbars Bookshare (www.bookshare.org) http://aim.cast.org/experience/trainin

g/aim_implementation_guide#.UsXgK_RDvTo

WordQ Co:Writer (or other apps)

Accessibility FeatureBackground/Font Color (Color Contrast)

-Mac (System Preferences>Accessibility>Seeing> Display) -Windows 7 (START>Control Panel>Ease of Access>Optimize Visual Display)-Windows XP (START>Control Panel>Accessibility Options>Adjust the contrast…)

Magnification/Enlargement

-Mac (System Preferences>Accessibility>Seeing> Zoom ) -Windows 7 (START>Control Panel>Ease of Access>Ease of Access Center>Magnifier)-Windows XP (START>All Programs> Accessories> Accessibility> Magnifier

Highlighter Highlighters available in Microsoft Word and other Word Processing Programs

Integrated Supports

Accessibility Feature

Note Pad All computer support word processing programs- Microsoft Word, WordPad, OneNote, Notes (Mac), Pages (Mac), etc.

Pop-Up Glossary

Mac- Right click any word and select “Look Up”Word- Review Tab>Click “Research”>enter a word or phrase to look up

Spell Checker/Writing Tools

Word processing program standard features: spell check, copy, paste, underline, bold, italicize, bullets, tables, graphs, etc.

General Resources

www.udltechtoolkit.wikispaces.com (Web 2.0 tools) www.eduapps.org (MyStudyBar) www.atbar.org (ATBar) www.mits.cenmi.org/resources/MITSFreedomStick.aspx

(Freedom Stick) www.access.ecs.soton.ac.uk/projects/access-tools

(Access Tools Flash Drive) www.bookshare.org (digital books for SpEd students) www.dropbox.com (cloud storage for docs) www.donjohnston.com (Co:Writer software and app) Chrome Webstore / Google Play

Google Chrome Apps

Read & Write for Google Keyboarding instruction Note taking Mind mapping Calculators Text To Speech readers

Apple Apps

*lists on resource sites

Audio Exam CreatorPDF/doc managementDocument annotation and editingTTS readers, highlightingMagnification options (limited)                                                                                                       **Do NOT use typing instruction apps

Tutorial Resources

www.livebinders.com (TAAT 2013 file)www.spectronicsinoz.comwww.freetech4teachers.comwww.makeuseof.comwww.ipadacademy.comhttp://www.inclusivetlc.com/Resources.aspx

Blogs to Follow

AT4Kids (me)    www.at4kids.com   

Assistive Technology Blog http://bdmtech.blogspot.com/

Spectronics    http://www.spectronicsinoz.com/blog/

Teaching All Students     http://teachingall.blogspot.com/ 

Software options

Simon SIO Roller Typing FirstKeys 2 WordQ ReadPlease Chrome apps Apple apps Web 2.0 Supports