ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY TOOLS

By: Elizabeth Schrecengost

WHAT IS ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY?

Any item, piece of equipment, or product that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED

Screen Reader A program that combines picture and sound to explain what is on a computer screen

Closed Circuit Magnification

Braille Translation Devices Used to translate screen words and formatting into readable braille

A device that can enlarge words and objects on a screen for easier viewing

PROS AND CONS

Screen Reader
Scenario: The screen reader can assist students by placing pictures and sounds to explain what is on a computer screen. This can be helpful for disabled students to do research on an assignment for class or even to read a passage or book online. Academic Gains: The screen reader can help disabled students learn much more information and improve their comprehension skills because they need to be able to understand what the screen reader is explaining to them. It also allows students to learn more about and handle technology. Potential Barriers: A possible problem with the screen reader is the fact that students may become too dependent on the technology and become distracted from teacher instruction. In addition, the student may feel isolated from other classmates since they would be the only ones using the screen reader.

Closed Circuit Magnification

Scenario: A disabled student in a class is unable to read along with the rest of the class a book for reading class; however his school provides him with a closed circuit magnification device which enlarges words and objects on a screen. The student is now able to read along any books or passages that he normally would not be able to. Academic Gains: The student will be able to complete any class activities that deal with the reading material the class read because he was able to read the material without any trouble. Thus, allowing him to comprehend the material, learn new vocabulary words, etc., just as other students would. Potential Barriers: A likely problem with this device would be the fact that since it is a piece of equipment it will always have a high chance of malfunctioning in some way which would prevent the student from reading any type of material. Not to mention the fact that if for some reason the power at the school goes out in the middle of reading class, the student will not be able to read.

Braille Translation Devices

Scenario: A student in a classroom is blind and is only able to read braille, but the class assignment requires the student to do research online. The school provides the student with a braille translation device which turns screen words into readable braille. The student is now able to read articles and do research online because he/she will be able to read the material. Academic Gains: The student will be able to learn new information online and be able to comprehend the online reading material because he/she will be able to read it. Not to mention the fact that he/she will not feel left out because he/she cant read screen words. In other words, they will feel included in the class. Potential Barriers: One disadvantage with the braille translation device would, again, be the fact that it is a piece of technology that is bound to have glitches or malfunction problems. In addition, it would be time consuming for the student and teacher to learn how to operate the device and it would be difficult for the school to find someone to fix it if for some reason it broke.

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR THE DEVELOPMENTALLY/PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED

Adaptive Keyboard A keyboard that reduces the strain on the user by alphabetizing the letters

Alternate Communication Devices A device that helps those with Downs Syndrome, Autism, and other illnesses, communicate easily

Adaptive Student Desk For students with neurological impairments, these desks adjust to their needs

PROS AND CONS

Adaptive Keyboard
Scenario: A student has trouble typing on a standard computer keyboard because he has trouble remembering where each letter is, thus becoming time consuming. However, the school provides him with an adaptive keyboard which is alphabetized, which facilitates the typing process for the student. This way, the student is able to type and use the computer easily and with little trouble, thus not falling behind and keeping up with his classmates. Academic Gains: By being able to type as easily as other students with the adaptive keyboard, the student is able to keep up with the lesson. In addition, the student would be able to type up homework or projects and get the same learning experience as the rest of the class. Potential Barriers: A potential problem with the adaptive keyboard is the fact that it may not always be available for the student in need. For example, the school may only have a few computers with an adaptive keyboard and some students may not be able to use it because others students are using it.

Alternate Communication Devices

Scenario: A student with autism is unable to learn along with his age mates due to difficulty to communicate with her teacher. However, the school provides her with an alternate communication device which helps her communicate with her teacher and other faculty members. Academic Gains: With this alternate communication device the student will be able to gain communication skills via the device and be able to comprehend more information, than she would without the device. She would also gain the necessary communication skills for the rest of her academic years. Potential Barriers: As always, due to the fact that this is a piece of equipment, it is prone to technical difficulties and malfunctions. If it does break down and the IT professional does not know how to fix this device then it would take up a lot of time to find someone who is able to fix it. In addition, the student may become too dependent on this device, which would prevent them from communicating with others normally.

Adaptive Student Desk

Scenario: A student with neurological impairments that prevents him from sitting comfortably in a standard classroom desk. Because he is not comfortable he has trouble concentrating, thus, has trouble learning. However, the school provides him with an adaptive student desk which meets his specific needs and allows him to sit comfortably. As a result he is able to focus more and learn a bit more easily. Academic Gains: The student will be able to pay attention because he is more comfortable, thus being able to learn more effectively.

Potential Barriers: A possible barrier would be the amount of time the school would have to wait simply to order the desk and perhaps even the high price the school may have to pay. In addition, this desk may not be available in all of the students classrooms (i.e. music class, art class, etc.) For this reason the school may have to purchase more than one, in order to fully accommodate and meet the students needs.

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING

Personal Amplification Device

An audio enhancer that directly increases the sound of noise around the user

Audio/Visual Communication Devices Combines residual hearing with closer views of mouth movement to enhance understanding

Voice to Text Translation

A software device that captures spoken words and translates it into readable text on a screen

PROS AND CONS

Personal Amplification Device
Scenario: A student who has a hearing impairment is not able to learn alongside his classmates because he is unable to hear what his teacher is saying. Therefore, he does not understand what the lesson is about. He often has to stand/sit close to his teacher. The school provides him with a personal amplification device which enables the student to hear everything around him because it amplifies the surrounding sounds. He is now able to hear the entire lesson whether it is reading or math. Academic Gains: With the personal amplification device the student is able to hear his teacher, thus being able to learn the material just like the rest of the class. In addition, the student will be able to succeed in all of his/her classes because the device is specifically for them. Potential Barriers: An impending barrier would be the fact that if the student were to accidentally break the device, it would take some time to replace a new one. In addition, some sounds may be too loud for the device, thus being too loud for the student. It could also cause further damage to the students hearing if it is worn for too long and too often.

Audio/Visual Communication Device

Scenario: The student with hearing and visual impairments has difficulty hearing and seeing the teacher. However, the school provides the student with an audio/visual communication device which zooms in on the teachers mouth in order to enhance understanding. The student is now able to comprehend teacher instruction, thus being able to complete assignments. Academic Gains: With this device the student is able to understand teacher instruction, which enable him to keep up with the rest of the class academically. The student will also gain the technological skills to operate this device, given the fact that he/she will use this device often. Potential Barriers: Again, considering the fact that this is an expensive piece of equipment it is prone to malfunctions and software problems, which can take up time to fix or replace. In addition, the device may not be available in all of the students classes, which would prevent a student from learning in other classes that do not take place in the classroom where he/she keeps his/her communication device. It can also make the student feel isolated from the rest of the class. Not to mention the fact that it may create a distraction for other students.

Voice to Text Translation

Scenario: A student is having trouble hearing the teacher and sits too far to read his/her lips. As a result the school provides the student with a voice to text translator which is a software that captures spoken words into readable text. This enables the student to read everything the teacher is saying, and not miss a single detail. Academic Gains: The student is able to follow instructions and complete assignments. In addition, the student may be able to refer back to the text, if he/she is not sure what to do. In addition, this will increase the students reading comprehension because he/she will have to constantly read. Potential Barriers: A potential problem would be that the software may have to constantly be updated, or perhaps it may break down, which would be time consuming and pricey to replace. Also, some teachers may talk too fast or may not annunciate words properly which would cause the device to write down the wrong words, which in turn would confuse the student.

REFERENCES
The Beginning Teachers Guide to Assistive Technology. Retrieved from http://www.uncw.edu/ed/tech/edn303/EDN%20303%20Screens.html
[Lewjdaddy]. (2008, April 15). Assistive Technology [Video File]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXchQnJ6PoE .