Assistive Technology

Vanessa Barajas
EDN 303- 004

For the Visually Impaired

Screen Readers
What is it?
Program that provides
both sound and picture
to help explain what is
displayed on a
computer screen.
This device is crucial to students
who are visually impaired by giving
them computer accessibility in the
classroom or media center

Screen Readers
Academic Gains:

Students will be able

to complete activities
via computer that
otherwise would not
be able to complete,
due to not being able
to see what is being
displayed on the
screen.

(cont.)

Possible Barriers:

Software pricing
ranges from free to
very expensive. This
may mean that a
student may be able
to have access at
school, but not at
home.

Closed Circuit
Magnification
What is it?
Device that can
enlarge words and
objects on a screen
for easier viewing.
This device is crucial to
students who are visually
impaired in a classroom by
giving them the chance to read
through texts that would
otherwise be very difficult to
see

Closed Circuit Magnification (cont.)

Academic Gains:

Allows students with

low-vision to magnify
documents, pictures,
maps, and books;
improving schoolwork
overall.

Possible Barriers:

Most magnification
devices are very
expensive and may
not be available in
schools or at home.

Braille Translation Devices

What is it?
Device that is used
to translate screen
words and formatting
into readable braille.
Allows students who are
visually impaired in a
classroom to read digital
information in a tactile form

Braille Translation Devices (cont.)

Academic Gains:

With this device

students who are
visually impaired can
read their
assignments to
complete them
effectively.

Possible Barriers:

These devices are

very expensive and
may not be available
in many schools or at
home.

For the Developmentally &

Physically Challenged

Adaptive Keyboard
What is it?
A device designed to
help individuals
overcome physical
dexterity issues and
use a computer with
greater ease and
control.

This device allows students

in the classroom with
physical/developmental
disabilities able to type on a
keyboard and navigate online

Adaptive Keyboards
Academic Gains:

With this device

students with
disabilities can use
keyboard, complete
assignments online,
and other activities
involving technology
in school.

(cont.)

Possible Barriers:

Adaptive keyboards
are expensive an may
not be available at all
schools, or at home.

Alternate Communication Devices

What is it?
Device that helps
those with Downs
Syndrome, Autism,
and other illnesses
communicate easily.
These devices allows
students in a classroom to
improve communication with
their parents, teachers, and
peers

Alternate Communication Devices

(cont.)
Academic Gains:

With this device

students are able to
communicate in the
classroom to others
more effectively.

Possible Barriers:

These devices can be

expensive, and
multiple device
purchases will be
necessary as the
student develops

May be difficult to
learn how to use

Adaptive Student Desks

What is it?
Desk created for
children with
neurological
impairments, adapting
to their
specific needs.
Students with physical
limitations in a classroom
benefit from a desk
specifically designed for
them. This creates a better
environment to learn

For the Deaf & Hard of Hearing

Personal Amplification Device

What is it?
This device serves as
an audio enhancer
that directly
increases the sound
of noise around the
user.
With
this device students who
are deaf or hard of hearing in a
classroom are able to listen to
the teacher giving instruction

Personal Amplification Device

(cont.)
Academic Gains:

With this device

students will be able
to improve their
hearing of the teacher
and their peers,
overall improving
communication in the
classroom.

Possible Barriers:

These devices may

need to be fitted
carefully to the
student and require
maintenance often
May be expensive

Audio/Visual Communication
Devices
What is it?
These devices
combine residual
hearing with closer
views of mouth
movement to
enhance
understanding
With these devices, deaf or
hard of hearing students in
a classroom, can listen and
pay attention to the
instructor much more easily

Audio/Visual Communication
Devices (cont.)
Academic Gains:
Possible Barriers:
Deaf and Hard of
These devices can
hearing students
be very expensive
will benefit with
and may not be
these devices
available in some
because it takes
classrooms or
away the strain of
schools.
trying to listen to
their teacher during
instruction.

Voice to Text Translation

What is it?
This software device
captures spoken
words and translates
it into readable text
on a screen.
With this device, students that
are deaf or hard of hearing in a
classroom can read the
instruction as the teacher
speaks it

Voice to Text Translation (cont.)

Academic Gains:

With this device deaf

or hard of hearing
students will be able
to read instruction as
the teacher gives it.
This improves how a
student receives
instruction

Possible Barriers

This software may not

always be correct in
translating voice
Background noise
may affect how the
software translates