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Assistive Technology in the Schools . Mandated by law to be considered in the IEPallow student to remain in least restrictive environment and to provide access to the regular curriculum. What is Assistive Technology ?. Assistive Technology (AT) means any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of a student with disabilities. (New York State Educatio19
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1. Assistive Technology in the Schools Kit Frank, OTRAssistive Technology CoordinatorTST BOCES
April 10, 2006
2. Assistive Technology in the Schools Mandated by law to be considered in the IEP
allow student to remain in least restrictive environment and to provide access to the regular curriculum
3. What is Assistive Technology ? Assistive Technology (AT) means any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of a student with disabilities.
(New York State Education Department, January 2000).
4. TST BOCES Assistive Technology Team Receive referrals from the CSE
Evaluate students in the school environment
Involve educational team and parents
5. Asst. Tech. And Universal Design Assistive Technology individualized for one student
Universal Design makes items available on an as-needed basis to any student
6. Common Assistive Technology Needs in the Schools Reading
Writing
Communicating
Adapting the Curriculum for a Learner at a different level
Adapting the environment to allow access
7. Most commonly used AT in the schools Alphasmart family of word processors
Voice output, screen readers (computer talks)
Word Prediction
Adaptations to Windows
8. Other AT used in the Schools Adapted keyboards and mice
Alternative augmentative devices (communication devices)
Literacy software
Single switch hardware and software
Voice input (you talk to the computer)
Positioning, feeding, toileting aids
Listening devices
9. Goals for this presentation Become familiar with commonly used AT
Know the pros and cons of each and who could use it
Be comfortable to try it out with your students
Intro to less commonly used AT
10. Alphasmart devices Alphasmart
Neo
Dana
11. Alphasmart Simple word processor
No mouse
8 files
Interfaces with computer
12. Alphasmart: Pros Quick boot-up
Light and portable
Durable and inexpensive
Rechargeable model holds charge for a week
Interfaces with computer for formatting, saving, printing
Has spell checker
Add-ons (applets) include word prediction and typing
Uncomplicated, only word processing
Attractive and cool (to some)
13. Alphasmart: Cons Small four line screen
Word prediction and spell check less user friendly
Only word processing
Unattractive and uncool (to some)
14. Alphasmart: who is it for? Students with:
Difficulties with writing by hand
Need for computer for writing, need portable device
Ability to see the screen
Motivation to use it
Don’t need additional features
15. Alphasmart: tips for use Charge once per week
F keys represent 8 files
To interface with computer: plug into USB cable, open Word on computer, press send
Desktop\Let.doc
Save your documents on the computer, then delete from Alphasmart
Best to print through a computer, not connect directly to a printer
16. Neo by Alphasmart Same as Alphasmart but larger screen, better font
Still has only 4 lines showing at a time
..\
17. Dana by Alphasmart Basically a word processor but has other features
Uses a stylus
Uses Palm OS
Larger screen, variety of fonts available
Can save more than 8 files on the device
Interfaces with computer by 2 methods
18. Dana: Pros Alphasmart features plus:
Easier to see text
Includes address, memo pad, datebook
Can add Palm programs
Uses stylus
Even more cool and attractive
19. Dana: Cons Distractible features
Touchscreen is more fragile
More complicated to use
Stylus
Must load software on computer to interface
May not be cool and attractive enough
20. Word prediction ..\Desktop\Let.doc
Drop-down list suggests words
Used with any writing application (ie Word, email)
Voice output optional
Configurable
21. Word Prediction: Tips for use Usually anchored list is best
Encourage choosing by number rather than mouse
For more advanced student, anchor list near bottom, use 6-9 words, they don’t look at it until they need to
22. Word Prediction: Who is it for? Student with
3rd grade reading level or above
Spelling difficulty
and/or
VERY slow keyboarding
and/or
Word omission, substitution errors
23. Word Prediction:Pros and Cons Must try it first! Not for everyone
Must be able to scan the list efficiently
Some students find it confusing and forget what they wanted to say
Some students stare at the list forever
Helps improve spelling, may outgrow it in time
24. How can you tell if AT is successful? Measure output before and after for
Quality
Quantity
Independence
Speed
Data important to justify purchase
25. Other AT used in the Schools Adapted keyboards and mice
Alternative augmentative devices (communication devices)
Literacy software
Single switch hardware and software
Positioning, feeding, toileting aids
Voice input (you talk to the computer)
26. Adapted keyboards Most computer users prefer regular keyboard
Alphabetic layout only for user who will never use regular keyboard
Portability, size issues
27. Intellikeys Adapted keyboard
Configurable: latching, repeat,delay
Standard and custom overlays
28. Onscreen keyboard Use mouse (or other pointing device) to select keys
Occupies part of the screen
Configurable, should include word prediction
Don’t need to look at your hands
Need small excursion of movement
29. Joystick mouse Excellent for coordination difficulties
Speed and buttons configurable
Easy to learn for power wheelchair users, gamers
30. Small mouse For small hand
or
Person with lack of movement
Inexpensive, readily available
31. Headmouse Control cursor with head movement
Sensor on top of computer reads reflecting dot on forehead
Can be set for dwell to click
Used with Softtype onscreen keyboard
Very expensive
Not as intuitive as using hand for early learners
32. Alternative Augmentative Devices (communication devices) Used as part of a total communication approach
Used to communicate what you can’t communicate by other ways
Enhances speech development
Requires a team approach
Requires team commitment
33. Communication: Low-mid tech Big Mac
Step by Step
Cheap Talk
Other Recorded Voice devices
34. Communication: High tech Dynavox
Chat PC
Vanguard
35. Literacy Software Not technically Asst. Tech.
Used to support the Curriculum
Must be reviewed by teachers to determine usefulness within curriculum
Usually expensive
Demos available
36. Literacy Software Great for giving extra practice, reps
Great for eliminating interactional struggles
Enjoyable
Rewards
Tracks progress
37. Literacy software examples Laureate
Sound Reading Solutions
HEC (Intensive phonics)
Intellitools Literacy
38. Single switch Used for person with limited control of movement
Used to control toys, appliances, communication devices and computer
Appropriate for all cognitive levels
If you can find a consistent motion, we have a switch for you!
Variety of shapes, amount of pressure, positioning options
To make choices, must use scanning
39. Single switch: Scanning Choices are highlighted, you hit the switch at the right moment to choose
Allows person with control of only one movement to make choices
Cognitively challenging
Many programs available to teach it
Must set timing to maximize success
40. Voice input= Voice recognition= Speech recognition= you talk to the computer Example: Dragon Naturally Speaking
Requires a good modern computer
41. Voice input: Who uses it? People with coordination impairments
Severe writing impairments
Severe spelling impairments
Hand injuries
42. Voice input: Pros and Cons Does not do your composition for you
Requires motivation, training, patience
Must think about process as you write
Younger students usually cannot control voice well enough
Rarely successful in school setting
43. Assistive Technology in the Schools Kit Frank, OTRAssistive Technology CoordinatorTST BOCES
607-257-2530 x348
Kfrank@mail.tstboces.org