Using iPads for Students with Reading and Writing Disabilities

Using iPads accessibility and Apps to support students with reading and writing disabilities in content areas Presented by: Elizabeth Pitel

In 2012- Took job as an Technology Teacher Coach/Trainer • Meeting the needs of special education students is a passion My Story • From 1999-2012, I was a Special Education teacher in a variety of subjects and settings • Using instructional technology to help students was a passion

Why use iPads with students with reading and writing disabilities? • Students in Least Restrictive Environments • Need modifications to text • Need assistance with reading • Have difficulty with transferring thought to written text • iPads have functionalities to assist with this

Ever seen this? • Students with disabilities In Class Resource setting • Despite all planning and prepping, lesson changes without warning • Worksheet or book handed out, student unable to complete without assistance and on the spot modifications • Support teachers have to work in overtime to meet everyone’s needs

iPads • Classroom or individual student iPads can come to the rescue to provide • Independence • Problem Solving • Equal access to all materials • Saves time modifying and prepping materials • Allows support teachers to easily meet needs of all

Accessibility Basics • Things to look for with students • Voiceover- reads everything on screen with a single tap (including web pages, eBooks, documents) • Color Invert- good for students with visual or attention disabilities, reverses contrast

Accessibility Basics

Accessibility Basics • Things to look for with students • Voice Recorder built into keyboard

Test it out! • Try this… • Voiceover • Color Invert • Dictating into a program

Apps • Most apps are free but a few shown cost money for more advanced features • Remember Apple allows for schools to buy apps in volume, bulk pricing. Prices show are retail.

Scanner/OCR Readers • Solutions! • Have worksheets or text that causes issues for students with dyslexia or dysgraphia? • Students can take pictures of any text or notes, • It can be converted into editable text to be edited or manipulated • Then apps can read the text aloud

Scanner/OCR Readers • What apps to try • Doc Scanner + OCR (Free) and iSpeech • CamScanner (Free) and iSpeech • Prizmo ($9.99) • All in one solution

Scanner/OCR Readers • Depending on final result needed text can be copied and edited in any platform • Word processing • Web Design • Presentation Creating • Inserted into a graphic organizer or notebook

Demo time! • Watch as the iPad converts a document into text • You can try too!

Speaking of Graphic Organizers • Apps exist to help students record information in new ways

Sample Graphic Organizer Apps For those who struggle with mapping due to dysgraphia, pre built shapes and text tools help out • Mind Mash(free) • iBrainstorm (free)

iBrainstorm:Premade graphic organizers, add text: type, talk or paste Mindmash:Add shapes and textType, talk or paste

Text Suggesting Apps • Spell Better (Free) • Co-writer ($20) • Predictive Typer Lite (free)

Text Suggesting Apps • Goes beyond keyboard recommendations • Understands your sentences as it suggests words • Customizable dictionaries • Co-Writer reads sentences aloud as you type them

Word Prediction Software predicts words as you type Finished pieces can be shared out in a variety of ways: copy and paste, or using share button

Demo Time • As I type, watch what happens to the word suggestions • You can try it out too!

Audio Recording Apps • Not just for dictation • Students can also explain their thinking with visuals by talking instead of writing • QuickVoice (free) good for lectures • Educreations (free) • Explain Everything (free)

Audio Recording Apps • Educreations and Explain Everything • Built in classroom tools, teachers and students can make and share presentations

Educreations • Paste in converted text • Type • Draw • Record

Using iPads for Students with Reading and Writing Disabilities