Using Assistive

Technology in the
Classroom: Smartbox
Grid Pad
Florence Johnson
EDU 214
 What is Smartbox and what is the Grid
Pad?
 The company Smartbox creates types of tablets, apps, and accessories
specifically for people who have disabilities. Their products help many
different people with many different disabilities. These disabilities could be
physical, hearing or visual impairments, and or cognitive impairments. One of
their tablets is called the Grid Pad. On this tablet there is a variety of apps
that are specifically for communicating and/or doing functions that the person
may not be able to physically do such as turning on lights in a room. Their
tablets also are made with an anti-microbial shell keeping it clean. These
tablets can be attached to wheelchairs easily. They have a longer battery life
compared to other tablets because they are meant to be used all day. The
tablets are also louder than normal ones because the person using it may need
to be heard from a distance. They are designed for all access by touch, eye
gaze, switch, etc. to make it more accessible to many different people.
How is can the Smartbox GridPad be
used in the classroom and by who?
 The Smartbox Grid Pad is designed for a spectrum of people with disabilities.
These disabilities include, but are not limited to, Cerebral Palsy, Autism
Spectrum Disorder, developmental delays, neurological disorders, and visual
impairments, to just name a few. Within the classroom, the Grid Pad would
help students communicate in ways they physically may not be able to. I
believe that is the most important feature, that it allows the students to
communicate. It is important to students to feel heard. It would allow the
students to answer and/or ask questions as well. It could help some students
develop the skills to spell and/or read with continuous use. Since the tablet is
louder, it would be able to be heard across a room. The grid pad is designed
to be accessible by many people, that is why it can be used by touch, eye
gaze, switch, or pointer. It leaves no one out.
 Pros

 Accessible for many people depending on their abilities. Can be used by

touch, eye gaze, switch, or pointer. Just depends on the Grid Pad.
 Accessories can be added to it depending on what is needed.
 Can be attached to a wheelchair.
 Amplified sound.
 All day battery usage available.
 Anti-microbial shell on the Grid Pad.
 Many apps could be used on it.
 Cons

 I believe the main one would be the cost. The lowest costing Grid Pad, which
is the Grid Pad 10 starts at $5,435 USD. That is with no extra accessories and
without the “Intelligaze” feature. While the most expensive one with a
camera unit is the Grid Pad 15 which goes for $9,513 USD. Each added
accessory is an added cost.
 Not all Grid Pad models come with the feature for “eye gaze”, which would
be an added cost. Also not all Grid Pad’s have the ability to be used with eye
gaze.
 This technology does take some sort of trainings or research to use it to it’s
full potential.
Smartbox Grid Pads
 Website and Video

 If you click the link below it will take you to Smartbox’s website to their “What We
Do” page. It is really interesting to see what else they do and the other products
they make.
 https://thinksmartbox.com/what-we-do/
 The picture of the Grid Pad it will take you to the Smartbox product page for their
Grid Pad 15.

 Video introducing you to the Grid Pad 15 and all of it's features.
 Citations

Collins, B. (2018, 06). Smartbox. PC Pro, , 22-23. Retrieved from

http://ezproxy.library.csn.edu/login?url=https://www-proquest-
com.ezproxy.library.csn.edu/magazines/smartbox/docview/2056030385/se-
2?accountid=27953
 Web Links

 https://ezproxy.library.csn.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/docvie
w/2056030385?pq-origsite=primo