Running head: ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

Assistive Technology
Ashli P. Livingston
North Greenville University
October 5, 2015

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Assistive Technology
According to Understood.org (2014), assistive technology is any equipment that enables
someone with an impairment to overcome their hardships in order to comprehend, interact, and
perform tasks easier. When it comes to the classroom, teachers can allow their students to use
these certain assistive devices to complete their assignments. Assistive devices can consists of
screen magnifiers, smart pens, brail readers, and many other items that help handicapped
children in the classroom. Many assistive apps and software programs have been made
accessible for teachers to use as well.
One device the can help visually impaired students is the Aquos Handheld Portable
Touchscreen Video Magnifier and OCR Reader. MaxiAid (n.d.) states that this device can,
[m]agnify text up to 10x in live mode and up to 30x in OCR mode. The screen width of this
item is about 5 inches. When a customer buys this video magnifier, they are given a free case that
stands it up. The device can hold up to 8GB of data. With the magnifier, they can enlarge the text
of a computer screen if the class were doing an assignment on the internet on a given day. The
Aquos Video Magnifier can be purchased from MaxiAids.com and it can be purchased for
$895.00.
Another useful device that can be used to assist a student with a disability is the Braille
Sense U2 QWERTY. This keyboard is made specifically for students with hearing and sight
problems. This assistive technology, provides all the functionality of a laptop computer,
including Wi-Fi, document processing, DASIY playback and more (Braille Sense Plus
QWERTY n.d.). With the Braille Sense U2 QWERTY, students are able to perform all of the
normal computer functions that students without a handicap can do. They can use the braille on

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the keyboard to maneuver through the internet or to type a paper. One can purchase the braille
reader from Enablemart.com, and the price of the device is $5,637.00.
In some cases, teachers may have students who have difficulties with motor skills. If a
student is having some problems with maneuvering the mouse for a computer, one can use an
Optimax Joystick. With the helpful tool, students can have precise tracking and cursor control
(Optimax Wireless Joystick, n.d.). This is an excellent technology when students are in the
computer lab. For the students with a disability that is compatible with this device, they are able
to control a computer without having to move around a mouse constantly. The joystick allows for
quick and easy movement. According to Optimax Wireless Joystick (n.d.), color coded buttons
[are] mounted sub-flush to prevent accidental activation. The device can be found on
Infogrip.com where it is being sold for $395.00.
The final physical assistive technology device useful for classroom use is the Intellikeys
USB keyboard. This keyboard is aimed towards students who have Autism. Intellikeys USB
(n.d.) states, [t]he universal design of the overlays provides large, well-spaced keys in high
contrast colors to help students locate letters, numbers, words, and directional arrows. The
device is available for purchase at Enablemart.com for $395.00. Teachers will have full
participation in the classroom on computer work days because the students who normally have
issues with keyboards will have assistance with Intellikeys.
Apart from physical assistive technology devices, many apps and soft wares have been
invented as well. One of the apps that is available for a tablet is called SoundingBoard.
According to Leibs (n.d.), [t]he app provides pre-loaded communication boards -- symbols with
recorded messages -- and a simple platform for creating new ones. The app is made for children
who cannot speak very well. It works by having a picture icon match up with a message. The

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student simply clicks on the picture and the message that is associated with that given picture is
delivered to the student. Students can also make their own messages as a way to communicate
with their teachers and classmates. This app is a wonderful way for each student to communicate
in the classroom. Students who have speech impediments or other speech related issues finally
have a way to communicate effectively with the teacher. The app is free for access on iTunes.
WordQ + SpeakQ 4, is a computer software that was made for students who cannot speak
and comprehend words at a fast pace. WordQ + SpeakQ 4 (n.d.) states, WordQ lets you type
words you know and SpeakQ lets you use voice-to-text to say the ones you dont, from single
words to entire paragraphs. This software also assists in helping a student learn better ways to
say a word that they cannot normally say. When a teacher is giving lectures, a student can type
out the words that he or she says, and the software can repeat the words that were typed for the
student in case they did not understand something that the teacher said. The software can be
purchased at Enablemart.com, and the school package is at a price of $2,915.00.
Because of assistive technology, teachers and students can have a more successful school
day. The technology that has become available for students with disabilities has made them
become more comfortable in the class. It is important for these devices to be integrated into the
classroom so that no child is ever held back from success by a disability.

Aquos Video
Magnifier

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Computer Software

Braille Reader
SoundingBoard App

Optimax Joystick

Intellikeys Keyboard

References
Aquos Handheld Portable Touch-Screen Video Magnifier and OCR Reader. (n.d.). Retrieved
October 5, 2015.
Assistive Technology: tools that help with learning. (2014, June 1). Retrieved October 5, 2015.
Braille Sense U2 QWERTY. (n.d.). Retrieved October 6, 2015.

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IntelliKeys USB Keyboard. (n.d.). Retrieved October 6, 2015.
Leibs, A. (n.d.). SoundingBoard AAC app from AbleNet. Retrieved October 6, 2015.
OPTIMAX Wireless Joystick. (n.d.). Retrieved October 6, 2015.
WordQ SpeakQ 4. (n.d.). Retrieved October 6, 2015.