Assistive Technology
Trisha Hasty
My experience with Assistive Technology
Screen Readers
*A tool that can show and read aloud text that has been typed, scanned, or is from the Internet. Some screen readers can even translate the text to braille for students with visual impairments. A screen reader can also identify common graphics.
Who does it help?
*This can help students who have difficulty with reading and writing and students with visual impairments.
How does it benefit students in the classroom?
*This tools gives students access to a multitude of resources that they may have otherwise never had access. There are a limited number of resources that have been translated into Braille but with this assistive technology, students with visual impairments have access to all the same resources as those students without visual impairments. This can also help students who have difficulty reading with the research process. With this tool, students can increase the speed at which they research.
What kind of assistive technology is it?
*Communication
Sources:
*Stanberry, Kristin, and Raskind, Marshall H. (2009). Assistive Technology for Kids with Learning Disabilities: An Overview. http://www.ldonline.org/article/33074/
*Watson, Leonie. (2005). What is a Screen Reader? http://www.nomensa.com/blog/2005/what-is-a-screen-reader/
Speech Generating Device
*An electronic device that allows the user to choose the message that will be spoken aloud through a computer-generated voice. They are also called voice-output communication aids (VOCA). Depending on the individual person's needs and challenges, additional devices may be used in conjunction with the speech generating device (SGD) such as switches, controls, and headbands.
Who does it help?
*Students who are unable to use natural verbal language to communicate or students with low verbal expressive communication.
How does it benefit students in the classroom?
*This tool allows students who may be unable to use natural verbal language to verbally communicate. This allows them to communicate with a broader range of individuals including peers who may not have been able to communicate with them otherwise. Students are able to voice their opinions and desires the same as other students.
What kind of assistive technology is it?
*Communication
Sources
*Curtis, Diane. (2005). Disabled Bodies, Able Minds: Giving Voice, Movement, and Independence to the Physically Challenged. http://www.edutopia.org/assistive-technology-class-school-participation.
*The Bridge School. Speech Generating Devices. http://www.bridgeschool.org/transition/multimodal/sgd.php
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