1. Why Assistive Technology?
Kathy Rielly Assistive Technology Specialist Integrated Center for Child Development Canton, MA Newton, MA

2. Assistive Technology devices and services help individuals with special needs:
see
hear
communicate
play
remember
read
work with numbers
write
use a computer
study

3. Why Assistive Technology?
promotes self esteem
improves quality of life
increases productivity
enhances performance
increases independence

4. Assistive Technology and IDEA http://idea.ed.gov/
Assistive Technology Device
...any item, piece of equipment or product that is used to increase, maintain or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.
Low-tech
pencil grip
adapted books
slant board
highlighters, tape
magnifiers
color coding
picture communication
sign language
picture schedule
extra time
peer support
Mid-Tech
word processor
text to speech
spell checker
calculator
digital recorders
organizers
e-books
adapted keyboard
adapted mouse
adapted toys
CCTV
High-Tech
computer
smartphones, smartpens
PDAs
OCR software
magnification software
speech output devices
switch, joystick access
scanning access
voice recognition
environmental control devices

5. Assistive Technology and IDEA http://idea.ed.gov/
Assistive Technology Service:
Any service that directly assists an individual with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device, including:
Evaluation
Providing Devices
Selecting, Customizing, Adapting, Applying AT solutions
Coordinating AT with other providers’ services
Training and Technical Assistance - Individual and Family
Training and Technical Assistance - Professionals

6. Assistive Technology Evaluation: the SETT Framework developed by Joy Zabala
SETT Framework is built on the premise that in order to develop an appropriate system of assistive technology devices and services, teams must first gather:
information about the student
information about the customary environments in which the students spend their time
information about the tasks that are required for the students to be active participants in the teaching/learning processes that lead to educational success

7. Assistive Technology Evaluation: the SETT Framework developed by Joy Zabala
The Tasks
Specific tasks in the student’s natural environments that address IEP goals, objectives
Specific tasks required for active involvement in these environments
The Tools
Devices, services and strategies needed to help the student succeed
Analyze info gathered on Student, Environments, and Tasks
Is student unlikely to make progress toward goals without AT devices and services?
If yes, describe a useful system of AT devices and services
Brainstorm tools to address student’s needs
Select promising tools and develop implementation plan
Collect data on effectiveness and revise AT support plan as appropriate

8. Assistive Technology Solutions: Reading and Writing
Computer word processor with operating system level supports
Vision: color, size of icons, display options, zoom
Hearing: captions, visual alerts
Physical-Motor: keyboard-cursor options, automated tasks
Text to Speech
Operating system (Mac: Preferences: Speech, PC: Narrator)
Word Talk for MSWord on PC:
Internet: Mac: speech controls, PC: Click,Speak (download,Firefox))
Read the Words (upload, listen or MP3)
Classroom Suite, Clicker
Kurzweil (Kurzweil) Read & Write (TextHelp), both in USB versions now
WordQ (Quillsoft)
Recordings for Blind & Dyslexic, Bookshare and Read OutLoud

9. Assistive Technology: Access to Reading
Read the Words:

10. Assistive Technology: Access to Reading and Writing
Word Talk:

11. Assistive Technology: Access to Reading
Bookshare.org

12. Assistive Technology: Access to Reading
Read OutLoud: Don Johnston Read:OutLoud is an accessible text reader that provides below-grade level readers access to the general curriculum. Since 92% of students with IEPs are reading below proficient levels, a widespread solution is necessary. Up until now, it has been cost-prohibitive to provide technology to every student with an IEP.

13. Assistive Technology: Access to Writing
bubbl.us:

14. Assistive Technology: Access to Writing
Kidspiration

15. Assistive Technology Solutions: Reading and Writing
Organizers
Inspiration, Kidspiration (Inspiration): click to outline, export to document
FREE online- save, print, share: Exploratree.com, Bubbl.us
Speech-to-Text
MS Word, Powerpoint (Microsoft)
Dragon Naturally Speaking (Nuance), MacSpeech Dictate
SpeakQ (Quillsoft)
Word Prediction, Word Completion
autocorrect, form fill
CoWriter (Don Johnston)
Read and Write Gold (TextHelp), Kurzweil (Kurzweil)
WordQ (Quillsoft)
Classroom Suite (Cambium)

16. Assistive Technology at Work: Universal Design for Learning

17. Assistive Technology Solutions: Reading and Writing Hardware
Language Master-Califone Card Master Califone (
ClassMate Reader Humanware (
Neo, Dana Alphasmart Direct (
Fusion Advanced Keyboard Technologies (
Livescribe Smartpen Livescribe (Livescribe.com)
Kindle Amazon (now with text-to-speech option)
Rocket Reader AbleLink Technologies
Ipod Apple

18. Assistive Technology Solutions: Computer Access
Mac/PC operating system accessibility features
Alternative Keyboard, Layout, Keyguard
Programmable keyboard, onscreen keyboard
Modified Mice
Joystick
Trackball
Switch Access with visual or auditory scanning
Mouth Stick, Head Pointer, Sip and Puff
Voice Recognition
Touchscreen

19. Assistive Technology Solutions: Studying-Organization
web-based tools
CueCard (PC) Flashcard Exchange (Mac) excellent tools, online-print
Awesome Highlighter ( wow!
Google: easy to access, organize, share documents, calendar, notebook
Delicious:save, share, access your bookmarks anywhere
Idictate: dictate documents by phone, receive them by
Jott: dictate doccs, thoughts, reminders by phone, receive them by
Evernote: capture info, access and search from anywhere
PDAs (SymTrend), Pocket Endeavor and DynaVox CoPilot (AbleLink Tech)
smartphones, smartpens (Livescribe)
pagers, cell phones
digital voice recorders (Olympus)
portable (mini-laptops), handheld, wearable computers

20. Assistive Technology Solutions: Recreation
adapted recreation
sensory input, reinforcement devices (Enabling Devices, AbleNet)
mainstream battery operated toys: switch access
adapted bowling, baseball, bubbles, art, music
reading: Bookworm, ClassMate, Kindle, Rocket Reader, books on CD, DVD
video: BrainPop, Discovery Streaming
online resources: literacy
Tar Heel Reader
Storyline Online
Starfall
MagicKeys
Literacy Center Education Network
Woodlands Junior School
StoryPlace
Reading A to Z and companion site- RazKids
Audible
Tumblebooks

21. Assistive Technology Solutions: Recreation
online resources: games, activities
Priory Woods
Zac Browser
Arcess
Do2Learn
PBS Parents
Help Kids Learn (Inclusive Technology’s site)
Other
Wii
social networking sites (Imbee, Toontown)
adapted Ipods, remotes, games (RJCooper)
Leap Frog: Tag books, Bookworm

22. Assistive Technology Solutions: Communication
PECS
communication books, boards, aprons
talking photo albums
leveled communicators: Step by Step
single message devices
Talking pockets, buttons
Minspeak systems: semantic compaction
Vanguard
Dynamic display pictographic devices
Dynavox: MT4, V-Max, Palm Top
Tango, Proloquo2Go
Other communication devices
Tech/Speak
GoTalk, Cheap Talk

23. Assistive Technology Supports: Autism
Vizzle
Facial Expressions Game
Emotions Game
Social Skills Builders
Visual Strategies
Autism Software by Mousetrial …links!
AT for Children with Autism
Simplified Technology …links!
Visual Supports
Article: Prescribing Communication Devices
Hiyah
Help Kids Learn
DT Trainer
Iphone-Ipod Apps:
Iprompt
Bloom
Behavior Tracker Pro
Proloquo2Go

24. Assistive Technology Considerations: what does this mean for parents?
Know the Law and the IEP:
IDEA, NIMAS
IEP: all teams must consider Assistive Technology (PLEP B)
limitations: impossible to consider what they do not have knowledge of
Pay close attention to these well intentioned, sometimes appropriate accommodations and modifications:
extra time!
peer assistance, TA support
reduced workload-fewer problems, sentences, etc.
consider…. could they perhaps do more, with greater independence, if provided with access to appropriately matched AT tools and strategies?
Assistive Technology recommendations require taking a closer look:
programming: specific tools and strategies in place
types and levels of support being provided
what does it “look like”?