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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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: http://callcentre.education.ed.ac.uk/wordtalk/index.html 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

Assistive Technology: Access to Reading Read the Words:

Assistive Technology: Access to Reading and Writing Word Talk:

Assistive Technology: Access to Reading Bookshare.org

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.

Assistive Technology: Access to Writing bubbl.us:

Assistive Technology: Access to Writing Kidspiration

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)

Assistive Technology at Work: Universal Design for Learning http://udltechtoolkit.wikispaces.com/

Assistive Technology Solutions: Reading and Writing Hardware Language Master-Califone Card Master Califone (www.califone.com) ClassMate Reader Humanware (http://www.humanware.com/en-new_zealand/products) Neo, Dana Alphasmart Direct (www.alphasmart.com) Fusion Advanced Keyboard Technologies (http://www.keyboardinstructor.com/) Livescribe Smartpen Livescribe (Livescribe.com) Kindle Amazon (now with text-to-speech option) Rocket Reader AbleLink Technologies Ipod Apple

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

Assistive Technology Solutions: Studying-Organization web-based tools CueCard (PC) Flashcard Exchange (Mac) excellent tools, online-print Awesome Highlighter (http://www.awesomehighlighter.com/) 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 email Jott: dictate doccs, thoughts, reminders by phone, receive them by email 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

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

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

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

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

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”?