By: Stephanie Analitis, Hollie Feltner, Jeanne Gardner,

Hannah Schmaltz, Kristen Tyrrell

Assistive Technology In Special Education Classroom

1. Equipment (hardware)2. Programs (software)3. 2 Forms of AT• Benefits• Drawbacks

5. Training involved for student and teachers

Most Important Concepts

2. Prosthetic Devices includes a tapper, pointer, or language board where an individual can point to a word and turn pages of material.

3. Braille Writer- specialized typewriter that produces Braille language for the visually impaired.

4.Keyboards that are adapted to be used with a foot or fist.

5. An Input device enlarges content on a computer screen.

1. TTY is for individuals which facilitates communication for the hearing impaired.

Equipment (Hardware)

• Canvastic:

– a desktop publishing tool designed for K-8, students, and teachers.

– capabilities grow with users abilities.

• Click ‘N’ Colour

– Develops fine motor skills and improves hand eye coordination and patterning imagination..

• Custom Keyboarding Software:

– Students of all ages, abilities, and reading levels learn touch typing by using this simple intuitive programs. Programs have shown to increase students reading and spelling one-two grade levels.

Programs (Software)

• Text-to-Speech: computer-based content is put into spoken words. – Allows slower readers to process

text aurally and visually.– Also allows readers to highlight

words, add headers and footers, and also look up words in the dictionary and thesaurus.

• Speech Recognition: allows user to speak into the computer and operate it.– Students train the

computer to recognize their voices to dictate commands

– Relatively affordable (no more than $200).

2 Forms of AT

• Text-to-Speech:– Increases reading stamina.– Provides aural feedback while writing.– Enhances correspondence to spelling,

word identification, and word sound.– Frees mental capacity for higher

thinking order. • Voice Recognition: – Frees up cognitive working space. – Eliminates unreadable handwriting and

spelling errors. – 95% effective

Benefits of AT

– Text-to-Speech:• Systems can be expensive. • Problems securing access to digital textbooks. • Physical scanning is labor intensive and there

can be errors. • Bypass of reading when not combined with

proper learning strategies. – Voice Recognition:• Punctuation must be said. • Accuracy is hindered by accent or speech

impediment. • Only performs 1 step of writing process. • Voice files can be exposed to damage.

Drawbacks of AT

• The best way for teachers and students to learn how to use the hardware and software is by Adaptive Computer Technology lab. This lab presents 25 categories of adaptive hardware and software products, a standard equipment workstation with simple adaptations, and an ergonomic workstation.

• Perfect for professional development and pre-service training for teachers, therapists, and rehabilitation professionals, as well as people responsible for accommodating persons with disabilities in public access computer facilities.

Training Involved for Students and Teachers

1. Hearing aids and amplification devices that enable hearing-impaired students to hear what's going on in the classroom.2. Voice-Recognition software that turns the spoken word into type on a computer screen so students unable to move their limbs can take part.3. Glare-Reduction sceens, screen magnifiers, and Braille note-taking devices that enable visually impaired students to participate more fully.4. Technologies that enable severely disabled students to control their computers simply by following letters and commands on the computer screen with their eyes.5. Use of Tele-caption decoders for the hearing impaired.

Image Device Uses for Special Education Technology

• Designed for use by individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.

• Four styles: – Behind-the-Ear (BTE)– In-the-Ear (ITE)– In-the-Canal (ITC)– Completely-in-the-Canal (CIC)

• Hearing instruments are custom made for the user’s ear.

Hearing Aids and Amplification Devices

• Software that translates voice commands and is used in place of a mouse and keyboard.

Voice-Recognition Software

• Are computer screen overlays designed to increase contrast and to eliminate 99% of the glare to reduce eye strain, blurred vision, and stress.

Glare-Reduction Screens

• Alternative keyboards—featuring larger- or smaller-than-standard keys or keyboards, alternative key configurations, and keyboards for use with one hand.

• Electronic pointing devices—used to control the cursor on the screen without use of hands. Devices used include ultrasound, infrared beams, eye movements, nerve signals, or brain waves.

• Sip-and-puff systems—activated by inhaling or exhaling.• Wands and sticks—worn on the head, held in the mouth or strapped to the chin and used to

press keys on the keyboard• Touch screens—allow direct selection or activation of the computer by touching the screen,

making it easier to select an option directly rather than through a mouse movement or keyboard. Touch screens are either built into the computer monitor or can be added onto a computer monitor.

Technologies for Letters and Computer Commands

• Closed caption display system is designed for use of individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.

• These remote captioning systems allow closed captioning to be displayed outside of the normal onscreen viewing area.

Tele-Caption Decoders

1. What do I say? (Learning the sounds of letters)2. Seasons come and Seasons Go3. Understanding Non-Verbal Learning Disabilities 4. Deep Sea Discovery (Processing Disorders)5.

Using WEBQUEST for Activities in Special Education

• http://www.nybida.org/PDF/Handouts_35th/Hecker.pdf

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voice_recognition_software

• http://www.iser.com/special-needs-software.html

• http://www.abledata.com/abledata.cfm?pageid=19327&top=15193&trail=22,13436

• http://www.iser.com/canvastic-sw.html• http://www.iser.com/clickncolour.html• http://www.specialeducationsoft.com

Resources