Assistive TechnologiesAssistive TechnologiesED 2325ED 2325

Technology in the ClassroomTechnology in the ClassroomFaulkner UniversityFaulkner University

Dr. Beverly PriceDr. Beverly Price

DefinitionDefinition

Any equipment, modification, or Any equipment, modification, or accommodation that can improve a accommodation that can improve a

person’s capacity to learn, to person’s capacity to learn, to communicate, to solve a problem, or communicate, to solve a problem, or to complete a task through the use to complete a task through the use

of a computer.of a computer.

11% of children ages 6 – 14 have 11% of children ages 6 – 14 have some form of disability.some form of disability.

(about 4 million children)(about 4 million children)

Teachers must be informed of assistive Teachers must be informed of assistive technology to provide a learning technology to provide a learning environment in their classroom.environment in their classroom.

New assistive technology designed for New assistive technology designed for specific disabilities benefit those who specific disabilities benefit those who need them, but anyone, at anytime need them, but anyone, at anytime

may need them as a result of an may need them as a result of an accident or injury.accident or injury.

As the population ages more users As the population ages more users of technology will require some of technology will require some specialized accommodations.specialized accommodations.

Individuals with Disabilities Individuals with Disabilities Education ActEducation Act

For a student with special needs, a learning For a student with special needs, a learning environment without assistive technology environment without assistive technology does not meet the requirements of IDEA.does not meet the requirements of IDEA.

In the area of technology, the law specifies In the area of technology, the law specifies that computers be accessible to students that computers be accessible to students who use them.who use them.

The student’s IEP may specify the assistive The student’s IEP may specify the assistive technology that is to be used by the student technology that is to be used by the student in the classroom.in the classroom.

As a teacher, you may be called upon for As a teacher, you may be called upon for advice in locating or recommending the advice in locating or recommending the purchase of assistive technology.purchase of assistive technology.

Microsoft and AppleMicrosoft and Apple Provide accessibility features and Provide accessibility features and

assistance on their web sitesassistance on their web sites Some built in accessibility features in Some built in accessibility features in

their operating systemstheir operating systems Allow customization of computers to Allow customization of computers to

meet the input and output needs of meet the input and output needs of the usersthe users

Windows – accessibility optionWindows – accessibility option Apple OS X – Universal Access featureApple OS X – Universal Access feature

Hearing ImpairedHearing Impaired

Personal amplifierPersonal amplifier Amplified telephoneAmplified telephone Teletypewriter (TTY) or Telecommunication Teletypewriter (TTY) or Telecommunication

Devices for the Deaf (TDD) – has a keyboard, Devices for the Deaf (TDD) – has a keyboard, text display and coupler. Both users must text display and coupler. Both users must have a tdd. Place phone in coupler, type.have a tdd. Place phone in coupler, type.

Video Relay Service (VRS) - uses a sign Video Relay Service (VRS) - uses a sign language interpreter to translate voice and language interpreter to translate voice and sign communication. All communication sign communication. All communication goes through the interpreter.goes through the interpreter.

There are also some wireless services There are also some wireless services available.available.

Makes sounds louder and more understandable

Personal Amplifier Teletypewriter (TTY)

Video Relay Service (VRS)

Visually ImpairedVisually Impaired The graphical nature of the web is a big The graphical nature of the web is a big

obstacle to students with visual disabilitiesobstacle to students with visual disabilities For slight impairments, built in accessibility For slight impairments, built in accessibility

features may be enough (increased size of features may be enough (increased size of text)text)

Blind users may require special software such Blind users may require special software such as a screen reader that renders text to voiceas a screen reader that renders text to voice

Screen readers do require keyboard skillsScreen readers do require keyboard skills EXPENSIVEEXPENSIVE Text enlargement featuresText enlargement featuresExamples: Freedom Scientific’s JAWS, G W Examples: Freedom Scientific’s JAWS, G W

Micros Window Eyes, IBM’s Homepage ReaderMicros Window Eyes, IBM’s Homepage Reader

Screen

Readers

Web Page AccessibilityWeb Page Accessibility

Screen reader, talking browser, or any Screen reader, talking browser, or any assistive device can only work well assistive device can only work well with Web pages that meet the criteria with Web pages that meet the criteria for smooth integration of technologies.for smooth integration of technologies.

To determine if a web page is To determine if a web page is accessible for the student visit accessible for the student visit Web Accessibility InitiativeWeb Accessibility Initiative, provides a , provides a list of web accessibility evaluation list of web accessibility evaluation tools.tools.

Assistive Technology SoftwareAssistive Technology Software

Considerations:Considerations: The particular disability of the learnerThe particular disability of the learner Learner’s strengthsLearner’s strengths Learner’s academic needsLearner’s academic needs

Can assist with:Can assist with: ReadingReading CommunicatingCommunicating Organizing and processing new Organizing and processing new

informationinformation

Speech Synthesis SoftwareSpeech Synthesis Software

Allows students with speech and vocal Allows students with speech and vocal muscle disorders to participate in class muscle disorders to participate in class discussions.discussions.

Shortcut keys are customized to produce Shortcut keys are customized to produce frequently used phrasesfrequently used phrases

Allows students to type in a response quicklyAllows students to type in a response quickly The software reads it in a computerized voiceThe software reads it in a computerized voice On-screen talking calculators are also On-screen talking calculators are also

availableavailable

Speech-to-textSpeech-to-text

Can be used to control computers and Can be used to control computers and produce documentsproduce documents

In the classroom can be used by learners In the classroom can be used by learners to produce printed documentsto produce printed documents

As the student speaks the software typesAs the student speaks the software types The software learns to respond to the The software learns to respond to the

voice of the uservoice of the user Example: NuanceExample: Nuance iCommunicator – provides sign languageiCommunicator – provides sign language

Text-to-speechText-to-speech

Allows text that is scanned into the Allows text that is scanned into the computer to be read aloud to the computer to be read aloud to the studentstudent

Allows students to complete tests Allows students to complete tests and worksheetsand worksheets

Some freeware and shareware text-Some freeware and shareware text-to-speech programs are available on to-speech programs are available on the internet.the internet.

Specialized HardwareSpecialized Hardware

Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)

Requires that all schools ensure that Requires that all schools ensure that students with all types of special students with all types of special

needs are not excluded from needs are not excluded from participation in, or denied access to, participation in, or denied access to, educational programs or activities.educational programs or activities.

Alternatives to KeyboardsAlternatives to KeyboardsLimited Hand MobilityLimited Hand Mobility

Keyboard – placed over the keyboard, Keyboard – placed over the keyboard, prevents students from inadvertently prevents students from inadvertently pressing keys and provides a guide so pressing keys and provides a guide so that the student only strikes one key that the student only strikes one key at a time.at a time.

Screen-displayed keyboard – a graphic Screen-displayed keyboard – a graphic of a standard keyboard displayed on of a standard keyboard displayed on student’s screen. A pointing device is student’s screen. A pointing device is used to press the keys on the screen-used to press the keys on the screen-displayed keyboard.displayed keyboard.

Alternatives to KeyboardsAlternatives to KeyboardsLimited Hand MobilityLimited Hand Mobility

Touch window or touch screen – device that Touch window or touch screen – device that attaches to the front of the monitor that attaches to the front of the monitor that allows students to select items by touching allows students to select items by touching instead of using a keyboard.instead of using a keyboard.

Intellikeys keyboard – has a flexible design Intellikeys keyboard – has a flexible design permitting teachers to customize the permitting teachers to customize the keyboard with special overlays or templates keyboard with special overlays or templates that fit over the keyboardthat fit over the keyboard

**These devices allow students with mobility **These devices allow students with mobility issues or with cognitive disabilities to issues or with cognitive disabilities to participate independently in classroom participate independently in classroom learning activities.learning activities.

Other Input DevicesOther Input Devices

Joysticks and trackballsJoysticks and trackballs Hand-mounted pointersHand-mounted pointers Switches – operates like a mouse, Switches – operates like a mouse,

operated by a kick, tap, swipe, or puff. operated by a kick, tap, swipe, or puff. Can integrate with other devices such Can integrate with other devices such as Intellikeysas Intellikeys

**Many of these connect with USB and **Many of these connect with USB and are recognized instantly by the are recognized instantly by the computer.computer.

Alternative Keyboards

TrackballHead Mounted Pointer

Digital Media SoftwareDigital Media Software

Can provide special learning Can provide special learning opportunities for students with opportunities for students with physical or learning disabilities.physical or learning disabilities.

Engages students with various digital Engages students with various digital media which allows students to learn media which allows students to learn using their own learning styles.using their own learning styles.

They are interactive, which allows They are interactive, which allows students to remediate, review, or students to remediate, review, or progress at their own pace.progress at their own pace.

Digital Media Specialized for Digital Media Specialized for Students with Special NeedsStudents with Special Needs

Virtual Reality Education for Assisted Virtual Reality Education for Assisted Learning (VREAL) – places deaf or Learning (VREAL) – places deaf or hard-of-hearing students in a virtual hard-of-hearing students in a virtual reality scenario to learn math, reality scenario to learn math, reading, language arts, and science.reading, language arts, and science.

--VREAL characters use speech, text, and VREAL characters use speech, text, and sign language to direct and instruct sign language to direct and instruct students to solve real-life problems.students to solve real-life problems.

Digital Media Specialized for Digital Media Specialized for Students with Special NeedsStudents with Special Needs

Clicker – presents words in Clicker – presents words in grammatical groups for students who grammatical groups for students who struggle with reading or have struggle with reading or have delayed language skills.delayed language skills.

- - Students click on a word that then moves Students click on a word that then moves to a position in a sentence, after clicking to a position in a sentence, after clicking on several words the sentence is read on several words the sentence is read aloud to the student.aloud to the student.

Software Accessibility – Software Accessibility – Accessibility FeaturesAccessibility Features

Most basic features give users alternative Most basic features give users alternative methods to receive information.methods to receive information.

Audible output is provided for all visual Audible output is provided for all visual information.information.

Voice over descriptions are provided for Voice over descriptions are provided for video clips. video clips.

Text caption is provided for audible content.Text caption is provided for audible content. Captions can be turned on or off for video Captions can be turned on or off for video

clips.clips. All of the above are alternative means to All of the above are alternative means to

understand information.understand information.

Captioned Media Improves Captioned Media Improves Comprehension for:Comprehension for:

Students with hearing disabilitiesStudents with hearing disabilities Reading disabilitiesReading disabilities ESL studentsESL students Help with motivation, confidence, Help with motivation, confidence,

and reading comprehensionand reading comprehension

Creating Accessible Media:Creating Accessible Media:

Video editing softwareVideo editing software

-Video Edit Magic-Video Edit Magic

-Apple iMovie-Apple iMovie

-GeeThree’s Slick Caption-GeeThree’s Slick Caption

-MAGpie – free from the National -MAGpie – free from the National Center for Accessible MediaCenter for Accessible Media

Like all technology, assistive technologies need to be used at

the right time and with the appropriate curriculum goals in

mind to provide access to learning.

Examples of Appropriate UseExamples of Appropriate Use

1. Ms. Daniels has 2 students with dyslexia in 1. Ms. Daniels has 2 students with dyslexia in her classroom. The class is reading her classroom. The class is reading Island of Island of the Blue Dolphins. the Blue Dolphins. Ms. Daniels uses the Ms. Daniels uses the classroom SMART board to present a concept classroom SMART board to present a concept map that introduces students to the story’s map that introduces students to the story’s setting and provides them with background setting and provides them with background information. She will use the same program information. She will use the same program later to illustrate plot development as the later to illustrate plot development as the story proceeds. The organization helps the story proceeds. The organization helps the dyslexic students comprehend the whole dyslexic students comprehend the whole story.story.

Example #2Example #2

2. Mr. Kamla’s third grade class is studying 2. Mr. Kamla’s third grade class is studying energy. One of his students has cerebral energy. One of his students has cerebral palsy, which makes it difficult to navigate palsy, which makes it difficult to navigate the online tutorial with captioned video the online tutorial with captioned video clips. Mr. Kamla created these tutorials for clips. Mr. Kamla created these tutorials for his classroom learning centers. Mr. Kamla his classroom learning centers. Mr. Kamla used Intellitools’ Overlay Maker to create a used Intellitools’ Overlay Maker to create a specialized template with large navigation specialized template with large navigation keys that he places over the Intellikeys keys that he places over the Intellikeys keyboard. This allows Carla to access the keyboard. This allows Carla to access the tutorials just as her classmates do. Because tutorials just as her classmates do. Because the video clips are captioned, they provide the video clips are captioned, they provide all students with multisensory learning all students with multisensory learning opportunities.opportunities.

Software Evaluations for Students Software Evaluations for Students with Special Needswith Special Needs

Quality software provides the best Quality software provides the best chance for success for a student with chance for success for a student with mild to moderate learning difficulties.mild to moderate learning difficulties.

To ensure a quality tool for a special To ensure a quality tool for a special needs user, the teacher might want needs user, the teacher might want to add some special considerations to add some special considerations to software evaluation rubrics.to software evaluation rubrics.

Technical QualityTechnical Quality

Are captions available for video clips Are captions available for video clips or audio files?or audio files?

Will the software function using Will the software function using alternative input devices such as alternative input devices such as alternative keyboards?alternative keyboards?

Presentation of InformationPresentation of Information

Are directions presented using both visual Are directions presented using both visual and auditory means?and auditory means?

Are directions intelligible with the sound Are directions intelligible with the sound turned off?turned off?

Is sufficient time given for the user to read Is sufficient time given for the user to read and comprehend directions?and comprehend directions?

Are directions clear and are examples of Are directions clear and are examples of user tasks provided?user tasks provided?

Is text clear and easy to read?Is text clear and easy to read? Does the user have control over text size?Does the user have control over text size?

ContentContent

Is content presented dependent on Is content presented dependent on color, or only by a single mode color, or only by a single mode (auditory or visual)?(auditory or visual)?

Does content provide logical Does content provide logical structures for information and is the structures for information and is the information presented using different information presented using different structures?structures?

Integrating Technology into the Integrating Technology into the Special Needs CurriculumSpecial Needs Curriculum

Technology can be integrated into the Technology can be integrated into the special needs curriculum by using special needs curriculum by using

several strategies.several strategies.

These strategies enhance learning not These strategies enhance learning not just for the special needs students just for the special needs students

but also for the regular ed students.but also for the regular ed students.

Graphic Organizing ToolsGraphic Organizing Tools

Create a flowchart or timeline to plan Create a flowchart or timeline to plan learning activitieslearning activities

Create a compare/contrast chart for Create a compare/contrast chart for any new conceptany new concept

Create a concept map to Create a concept map to demonstrate understandingdemonstrate understanding

Inspiration, KidspirationInspiration, Kidspiration

Digital Video Editing SoftwareDigital Video Editing Software

Create video clips to illustrate and Create video clips to illustrate and share experiencesshare experiences

Title or caption the video clipsTitle or caption the video clips

iMovie, MovieMakeriMovie, MovieMaker

Digital Media ToolsDigital Media Tools

Author and illustrate multimedia Author and illustrate multimedia books to retell a storybooks to retell a story

Prepare and illustrate researched Prepare and illustrate researched information for presentationinformation for presentation

Keynote, PowerPointKeynote, PowerPoint

Database ToolsDatabase Tools

Collect and organize information Collect and organize information such as a Zoo Animal databasesuch as a Zoo Animal database

Create database reports or tables Create database reports or tables based on information for alternative based on information for alternative presentation of informationpresentation of information

Microsoft Works, Microsoft OfficeMicrosoft Works, Microsoft Office

Technology is a tool, not a cure for learning disabilities.

Used with clearly planned learning goals and appropriate instructional strategies, almost all technology tools can help

level the field for students with disabilities, providing equal access to curriculum and opportunities for success.