Assistive Technology for Students with Challenges

1. Assistive Technology for Students with Challenges Cale, Flora, Cinthiya, Aram and Michael

2. What is assistive technology? Assistive technology is any type of device that is used to help a student overcome a challenge. The technology can help them work around their difficulties that their disability presents them with.

3. Brief Overview • Special Education vs. Inclusive Education • Accessibility of technology for students with disabilities • Web Applications that encourage integration in the classroom

4. Technology in Special Ed and Inclusive Ed.

5. Technology in Special Education Classrooms

11. Technology in the Inclusive Classroom

12. Applications - Communication Devices PECS (picture exchange communication system) → designed to teach functional communication skills to learners by picking specific words by choosing icons. Once you pick the icon, verbal speech from the device is communicated out loud (on app). PECS is available in the Apple App Store.

13. PECS APP PECS BOOK

14. Benefits of PECS app relating to integration - versatile (home and school) - cost - accessibility - mobility - allows for self communication (own voice)

15. Students with Visual Disabilities: Firefly K3000

16. “...anytime, anywhere access to key reading supports for those individuals with the cognitive ability, but not the literacy skills, to learn from age appropriate content.” https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/firefly-k3000/id535277727?mt=8

17. Multiple colored highlighters • Graphic organizer • Writing templates • Text magnification and keyboard shortcuts • Adjustable toolbars • Flexible user management system • firefly iPad app • firefly web-based • Kurzweil 3000 for Macintosh • Kurzweil 3000 for Windows Key Features • Centralized and flexible user management • Cloud-based Universal Library • Usage reporting • Human quality text-to-speech • Google text translations to 64 languages • Reads text in English or Spanish • Customizable reading rate and presentation • Dictionary definitions by American Heritage http://www.kurzweiledu.com/products/k3000-benefits-subscription.html

18. Manage and monitor users remotely • Usage tracked to inform academic progress • Usage tracked to inform academic progress • Continuously improving with new functionality • Use any browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Safari) • Tools for English Language Learners and those with Learning Disabilities • Continuously updating with new features • Deliver support on personal computers, tablets, or any browser • Track and understand usage to increase academic performance Key Benefits • Anytime, anywhere access to literacy support • Includes over 1,800 Classic Literature texts. No file size or storage limitations • Enhances research based reading, writing, and study skills instruction • Students clearly understand what is being read to them • Use any browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Safari) • Supports language fluency for ELL • Meets the broadest range of learner needs • Meets the broadest range of learner needs • Manage and monitor users remotely http://www.kurzweiledu.com/products/k3000-benefits-subscription.html

21. Overall Benefits of Technology for Special Needs Students - Technology: • helps to equalize students • allows them to do things they could not do before • fosters independence

22. THANK YOU!