Journal 8: Adaptive Technology

NETS IV

Communication

AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication): AAC is a broad term for forms of communication that supplement or enhance speech. Examples include electronic devices, picture boards, and sign language. AAC may be aided augmentative and alternative communication or unaided augmentative and alternative communication. AAC can also be a permanent addition to a person's communication or a temporary aid.

No/Lo Tech

Switches

Switches are a common solution for users with mobility disabilities, such as muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, cerbral palsy, spinal cord injuries, and head injuries, who need to use computers or other electronic devices, but have difficulty with the physical interface. To allow easy manipulation (even easier than a joy stick or other rolling device) a specially-designed switch may be composed of  one button, a few buttons, a sensory plate, or another of the whole host of adaptive switches available. It may also be touch-free (relying on motion sensors) or brain activation.  Switches can also be used as developmental aids, teaching children or adults how to interact with their external environment.

LITTLE Step-by-Step Choice with Levels Communicator

LITTLE Step-by-Step Choice with Levels functions by, allowing you to skip over a message without it playing in its entirety. By pressing the activation surface repeatedly, you can skip over multiple messages to get to your desired message. When you find the message you are looking for,  you can stop pressing the activation surface and the message will play in full. This is a great tool for answering multiple-choice questions, or communicating desires among a list of options.

For a classroom, if there were a student who was in a wheel chair and had to use a head switch, you could use this device as a toy to enhance comprehension and meaning.

BIG Step-by-Step Choice with Levels Communicator

BIG Step-by-Step Choice with Levels provides an option for easy-tech, quick-ready communication. It Allows you to skip over a message without it playing in full. By pressing the activation surface repeatedly, you can skip over multiple messages to get to your desired message. When you find the message you are looking for, stop pressing the activation surface and the message will play in its entirety. This is a great tool for answering multiple-choice questions, or communicating desires among a list of options.

1. Limited set of message choices (book pages)
2. During reading activity time
3. Switch access (head)
4. Mounting for the head switch
5. Activate a toy at specific times

High Tech Tool

Read&Write GOLD Designed to Improve Writing Skills & Reading Comprehension
Texthelp Software Also Helps Learning Disabled Students Improve Study SkillsThe application, developed by

Read&Write GOLD is designed to improve writing skills & reading comprehension. Texthelp Software also helps learning disabled students improve study skills. The application, combines text-to-speech, word prediction, and study skills features that make it easier for students to read, write, and organize thoughts and information in one place. Read&Write GOLD provides many functions to make it easier to put thoughts on paper and help ensure one's writing is free of spelling and grammatical errors.

Word Prediction:  Phonetic mapping is provided to help users find the right word.

Talking Dictionary: A 180,000-word dictionary that speaks both the word and the definition.

Read&Write GOLD reads text aloud and students can also listen to their own writing, which can make spotting mistakes easier.
 

Text-to-Speech

 
Read&Write GOLD reads text aloud to you from any document on your computer. I learned that the words are highlighted as they are spoken, which helps you to track where you are on the page and it is proven to raise comprehension levels by 20%

"With the use of a set of headphones, students can have books from the Academy's e-Library read aloud through Read&Write's text-to-speech functionality; plus items from the internet, worksheets and their own creative writing can be read back to them. Students can also make revision notes and have these read to them, or use the software to help learn poetry or lines for drama productions."

Marion Griffiths, Erasmus Darwin Academy

Accessibility

Screen magnifiers(SOFTWARE)

Screen magnification software is used by people with visual disabilities to access information on a computer screen. The software enlarges the information on the screen by "pre-determined incremental factor."  Most screen magnification software has the flexibility to magnify the full screen, parts of the screen or provide a magnifying glass view of the area around the cursor or pointer. These programs often allow for inverted colors, enhanced pointer viewing, and tracking options.

Voice recognition systems (HARDWARE)

Voice recognition allows a user to use his/her voice as an input device. Voice recognition may be used to dictate text into the computer or to give commands to the computer (such as opening application programs, pulling down menus, or saving work).

I commented on Jen's blog and Hawley's blog