assistive technology tools are tools that assist those who are visually impaired, developmentally...

Assistive Technology Tools

Assistive technology tools are tools that assist those who are visually impaired, developmentally physically challenged and deaf/hard of hearing with the use of technology.

Assistive Technology for the Visually Impaired

Screen Reader- is a program that combines sound and picture to help describe what is on a computer screen

Closed Circuit Magnification- is a device that can amplify words and objects on a screen for easier viewing

Braille Translation Devices- are used to convert screen words and formatting into braille

Pros and Cons Academic Gains Barriers Screen Reader- gives

both a visual and sound for comprehension

Closed Circuit Magnification- great visual aid for those who are visually challenged but not blind

Braille Translation Devices- great for those who are completely blind

Screen Reader- not so great for those who are both blind and audio impaired

Closed Circuit Magnification- the device can become a distraction for those in the classroom with impaired child

Braille Translation Devices- becomes a barrier if child has not yet been taught how to read braille

Assistive Technology for the Developmentally Physically

Challenged

Adaptive Keyboard- is a keyboard that decreases the strain on the user by alphabetizing the letters

Alternative Communication Devices- Are devices that helps those with Down ’s Syndrome, Autism, and other disabilities communicate without difficulty

Adaptive Student Desk- are for children with neurological deficiencies, these desk modify to their necessities

Pros and Cons Academic Gains Barriers Adaptive Keyboard- assist

with easily locating keys Alternative

Communication Devices- great for non verbal students to communicate with others

Adaptive Student Desk- makes the classroom setting more comfortable for those students who need them

Adaptive Keyboard- May hinder the development of adapting to a Qwerty keyboard later in life

Alternative Communication Devices – the device may glitch or cause interaction problems

Adaptive Student Desk- may not be in every room due to expense

Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Personal Amplification Device- Is an acoustic enhancer that directly increases the sound of noise nearby the consumer

Audio/visual communication devices- Combines residual hearing with closer views of the mouth movement to enhance comprehension

Voice to text translation- A software device that captures articulated words and translates it into intelligible text on screen

Pros and Cons Academic Gains Barriers Personal Amplification

Device- great for individualized assistance

Audio/visual communication devices- good tool for those who read lips/ mouth movement

Voice to text translation- great for those who are only hearing impaired but not for those who are both blind and deaf

Audio/visual communication devices– the device may hinder the learning environment for others by providing distraction

Voice to text translation- causes problems for young learners who can not yet read and of course the usual technology issues of glitching