The document discusses various assistive technologies including flashcard, note-taking, and PDF annotation apps; alternative input devices like specialized keyboards and trackballs; and digital formats of books that can help students with disabilities learn more easily and independently. It provides details on the features and benefits of these tools, as well as examples of how they support students. In conclusion, the document emphasizes the importance and wide variety of assistive technologies available today to support educators and students.

1. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY
Heather Day
EDU 309
February 21, 2014

2. “Assistive technology (AT) is any tool that helps students with
disabilities do things more quickly, easily or independently. It can be elaborate
and expensive or simple and low-cost. Assistive technology services are
supports for using assistive technology devices, such as assistive technology
evaluations, equipment maintenance, technical assistance, demonstration or
training” (Jendron 2012). This quote, taken from the South Carolina
Department of Education’s explanation does an excellent job describing the
importance of AT as well as informing the reader what it really is. In the
following slides I will introduce to you three apps, a group of gadgets to aide
in accessibility, and a new way to explore books and other written works.

3. FLASHCARDS DELUXE
APP BY: ORANGEORAPPLE.COM
Photo Source:
Ernest Thomason
iTunes App Store

4. FLASHCARDS DELUXE
These aren’t your ordinary flashcards! In this app, flash cards can have between one and five
sides. For example: one side pronounces a word; another provides a visual cue; another spells
it with a visual; etc. They are also able to be customized! Students and educators are able to
choose colors and themes that will help the students focus on their notes and get the most
out of them.
This App Features: • Two smart study modes that automatically focus more on the cards you
miss
• Browse and download any of the 4 million+ flashcard sets on Quizlet.com and Cram.com
• Text to speech (TTS) audio in 18 languages • Multiple choice option • Organize decks in
folders and combine decks for studying, Divide cards into categories
• Several flashcard color themes to choose from, Custom text/background colors
• Ability to include pictures and sounds. Zoom into pictures. Auto repeat sounds. • 3
response levels: Wrong, I kind of know, I know really well
• Automatically turn cards off after getting them correct a certain number/percentage of
reviews • Supports Dropbox, Google Docs and USB transfers

5. POPPLET
APP BY: NOTION
Photo Source:
Notion
iTunes App Store

6. POPPLET
Popplet allows users to keep all of their new ideas in one place. The
creators of Popplet explain that its great for both work and school. Popplet is
incredibly user friendly and allows you to move as fast as you can
think, allowing you to capture your ideas, sort them visually, and collaborate
with others in a quick and easy manner. The most common uses for Popplet
include: Exploring ideas and brainstorming, Plan projects, Using Diagrams, or
Process Charts, Recording thoughts, notes, and lists in a journal, Create photo
albums, Maintain portfolios, and Studying class notes.

7. IANNOTATE PDF
BY: BRANCHFIRE, INC
Photo Source:
Branchfire, Inc
iTunes App Store

8. IANNOTATE PDF
This app was the 2012 Tabby Award Winner for “Best Productivity
App” and “Best Collaboration App.” It was the Moxie Award winner for
“Mobile App of the Year” as well. iAnnotate offers several customizable
features such as highlight colors and personalized stamps. Students can use
iAnnotate to read, mark up, and share PDF, DOC, PPT and image files! This
app is also perfect for taking notes on lecture slides, annotating important
business documents, revising screenplays, grading papers, and much more.
The app also allows the user to forward text summaries of a document's
annotations via email. Summaries include the type of each annotation, and
relevant page numbers, as well as marked-up text.

9. ALTERNATIVE INPUT DEVICES
Photo Sources:
BBC
Tom’s Hardware Guide

10. ALTERNATIVE INPUT DEVICES
Alternative Input (AI) devices allow individuals to control their computers using a
multitude of other controls rather than a standard keyboard or pointing device. Examples of AI
devices include, but aren’t limited to:
•
Alternative keyboards – These devices consist of keys that larger (or smaller) than standard
keyboards. They also include alternative key configurations, as well as keyboards for one-handed
use.
•
Electronic pointing devices – These devices are used to control the cursor on the screen without
the use of hands. This is achieved by utilizing infrared beams, eye movements, nerve signals, or
brain waves as signals.
Wands and sticks – This device is worn on the head, held in the mouth or strapped to the chin and
used to press keys on the keyboard.
•
Joysticks – These are able to be manipulated by hands, feet, chins, etc. and are used to control the
cursor on screen.
•
Trackballs – These devices are movable balls on top of a base (similar to those found on old
Blackberry phones) that can be used to move the cursor on screen.
•
Touch screens – Utilizing touch screens allow direct selection by touching the screen. This makes it
easier for students to select an option by touching their finger on it, rather than using a mouse or
keyboard.

11. AUDIO AND DIGITAL BOOKS
Photo Sources:
Library of Classics
Apple Insider

12. AUDIO AND DIGITAL BOOKS
Children with learning disabilities often have trouble understanding
the words they read. The reasons and causes are commonly unclear, and these
disabilities are often life-long conditions. However, access to digital or audio
books and other learning materials have been proven to help improve learning
outcomes and comprehension. Recent research has concluded that when
children with a learning disability are given textbooks, novels, and other
learning materials, that are delivered in audio and digital formats, they are
more likely to achieve at a higher level, as well as enjoy reading. This is
because reading while incorporating digital and audio books bridges the gap
between the reader and the content in multisensory ways such as reading and
listening at the same time or reading along while the e-book highlights each
word.

13. CONCLUSION
There are many, many, MANY different types of Assistive
Technology at the fingertips of educators and parents today. Some of these
could be apps, accessories, or programs for the products that we already use
on a daily basis. In addition, they could also be completely different gadgets
that we didn’t know existed. It is such a wonder to research the variety of free
or affordable apps available for parents to buy on iTunes and download to
their iPhones, iPods, and iPads for their children or spouse to use; or
educators to add to class iPads, should they be so lucky. However, it is not
only Mac products that can be adapted. There are many items that help
students out in the regular classroom as well without using a computer. Audio
books, or “books on tape” are a great resource for classroom teachers. This
helps the students with visual impairments or other disabilities focus on the
words by hearing them and creating their own visual. Students can follow
along with the text as well in order to form connections between the written
form of words along with the sounds that they make.

14. REFERENCES
Flashcards Deluxe. (2014). Ernest Thomason (Version 3.6.3) [Mobile
application software]. Retrieved from http://itunes.apple.com
Hatton, D., & Hatton, K. (n.d.). Apps for students with LD: Organization and study.
Retrieved from http://www.ncld.org/students-disabilities/assistivetechnology-education/apps-students-ld-organization-study
iAnnotate. (2014). Branchfire, Inc. (Version 3.0.3) [Mobile application software].
Retrieved from http://itunes.apple.com
Jendron, J. (2012, October 9). SC curriculum access through AT. Retrieved from
http://www.sc.edu/scatp/cdrom/atused.html
National Center for Learning Disabilities. 13 free assistive technology resources.
Retrieved from http://www.ncld.org/students-disabilities/assistivetechnology-education/free-assistive-technology-resources
Popplett. (2012). Notion, Inc. (Version 1.9.2) [Mobile application software].
Retrieved from http://itunes.apple.com