Assistive Technologies

Ms. Chelsea Jolley

What is Assistive Technology?

The term assistive technology refers to any device that is used to

improve a persons way of learning, assist in completeing a task, or
help to communicate through a computer. This could be a
modification, equipment, or device for a computer, smartphone,
tablet, etc.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau 11% of children 6-14 have a

type of disability.

Students with disabilities in grades K-12 usually have an IEP

(Individualized Educational Program) to help them learn. It is very
common for these IEPs to consist of some form of Assistive
Technology.

Assistive Technology in the

Classroom

What exactly does Assistive Technology help with?

Listening, organization and memory, math, reading, writing,

visual aid, interpretations, language barriers, etc.
What are some assistive technology tools available for use?
Graphic organizers and outlining, audio books and
publications,
electronic
math
worksheets,
alternative
keyboards, abbreviation expanders, freeform database
software,
optical
character
recognition,
proofreading
programs, speech-recognition programs, portable word
processors, personal FM listening systems, talking calculators,
spell checkers, and word prediction programs.
http://www.readingrockets.org/article/assistive-technology-kids-learning-disabilities-overview
Stanberry, Kristin. "Assistive Technology for Kids with Learning Disabilities: An Overview". Reading
Rockets. n.d. WETA 31 Jan 2016

Lets Learn

Closed Captioning and Subtitles -

This form of technology helps to

assist those who are deaf. When a
video is part of a lesson plan subtitles
allow the deaf student to be able to
participate and watch the videos with
the rest of the class. They are able to
read the words at the bottom of the
screen, and follow along with the rest
of their class.

FaceMouse

Personally, this is one of my

favorite assistive technologies.
FaceMouse allows users with
limited mobility to be able to surf
the web, research, and perform
many other tasks on a computer.
It allow the computer to be more
sensitive to face movements. For
example, head down could mean
cursor down, and opening your
mouth could be the same as
selecting the enter key.

I have attached a hyperlink for a

very
informative
video
on
FaceMouse.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=7gFy7o9vqMM&list=PL1A31CA479
D1F8699

Sip and Puf

Sip and Puff is a form of

technology
that
enables
a
parayzed user to control a joystick
with their breath. While controlling
this joystick with their mouth they
are able to control the different
functions of the computer. They
can use their breath to move the
cursor, the screen, and select
keys.

Word Talk

Word talk is a very neat tool for

the visually impaired and people
who cannot use a mouse. It is a
free add in for MicroSoft Word that
uses a speech synthesizer to read
texts out loud and allows you to
save the audio.

Supernova Access Suite

The supernova Access Suite is a

program created to help those
who need the help of braille. It is a
computer program with naturally
sounding speech and a screen
magnifier
supporting
braille
display. There are many forms of
this
program
offered
by
YourDolphin.com to help students
select the right program for them.

http://yourdolphin.com/

Disabilties and Assistive

Technologies

It is important to remember that

not one person is the same.
Everybody learns differently and
at their own pace as well.
Disabilities come in several
different forms, and affect many
different people. Education is
important for everybody, and there
are many different assistive
technologies out there. These
technologies are designed to help
the disabled with computers, and
other electronic devices.

Works Cited
-Gunter Glenda & Randolph. "Teachers Discovering Computers".
Shelly Cashman Series. Boston, MA. 2014. Print. 31 Jan 2016
-Stanberry, Kristin. "Assistive Technology for Kids with Learning
Disabilities: An Overview". Reading Rockets. n.d. WETA 31 Jan 2016
http://www.readingrockets.org/article/assistive-technology-kidslearning-disabilities-overview