Slide 1

Assistive Technology for Reading

Low-tech devices
Correction tape write on it and erase it, it can be removed without damaging the paper or text.

Reading Helper - white plastic strip with highlighting down the middle; multiple colors and sizes the middle to help students track text as they read

Page Flags removable; use to emphasize words/text, etc.

Reading stands - Using an adjustable book holder can free up hands for page turning, highlighting or just easy reading.

Typoscope - Masks paper for easier reading. Provides a 1/2" X 5" wide opening for reading

Electronic magnifier - Magnifiers can help to enlarge printed text on paper or monitors. There are mountable screens, hand-held magnifier sheets and scopes, glasses and magnifiers on stands that can be used. Some include lights for focused reading. The student holds the magnifier over the text to be read and adjusts its position as needed. Views can be increased from 2X to 12X the original size.

Mid-tech devices
7 level blue communicator - It allows the user to record and play back 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16 different messages per level. There are seven levels for recordings, giving you a total of up to 112 messages (in the 16 window setting).

On-the-go 7 level black communicator - A powerful, portable, easy to use and very durable speech output device. Use it as an introductory communication aid and also for curriculum enrichment

7-Message Take or Place N' Talk Communicators/Accessory - The unit allows you to record up to 48 6-second messages on six levels including the level changer recordings. When the level changer button is pushed, this communicator announces (your recording) the contents of each selected level.

Cheap talk 8 - Record 48 6-second messages on 6 levels. Messages can be recorded and re-recorded as often as you wish

Attainment talker - The AT6 has 6 messages with a large (2-inch) active area for each message.Touch each active area to play back recordings.

Message mate - allows the user to speak a variety of recorded messages simply by pressing a key.

High-tech devices
Screen readers accessing screen via sound or touch, i.e. JAWS, Window-Eyes, TelleBraille N SpeakScreen magnifiers - magnify and manipulate look of the screen, i.e. built-in computer screen readers, ZoomTextText to speech: Ureader; Read & Write; Built in on Mac OS; Kurzweil - write or choose picture and device speaks, i.e. Ureader, built-in (MAC), KurzweilVoice recognition: Dragon Naturally Speaking; iListen (Mac) - speak instead of writing or using mouseDragon Naturally Speaking, iListen (MAC)Word prediction programs: Co-Writer; SoothSayer; Telepathic 2000 - speak instead of writing or using mouseDragon Naturally Speaking, iListen (MAC)

Example of mid-tech device7 level blue communicator

Example of high-tech deviceWord prediction program