The document discusses assistive technology and how it helps individuals with special needs by allowing them to read, work with numbers, write, use computers, study, see, hear, and communicate. Assistive technology promotes self-esteem, improves quality of life, increases productivity and independence. The document provides examples of low-tech, mid-tech, and high-tech assistive devices and discusses how to evaluate assistive technology needs using the SETT framework. It also gives examples of assistive technology solutions for reading, writing, studying, recreation, and communication.

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:
 read
work with numbers
 write
 use a computer
 study
 see
 hear
 communicate
 play
 remember

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
so lCutoioonrdsinating AT with other providers’ services
 Training and Technical Assistance - Individual and
Fa mTrialyining 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: 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

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
 Word Prediction, Word Completion
• autocorrect, form fill
• CoWriter (Don Johnston)
• Read and Write Gold (TextHelp), Kurzweil (Kurzweil)
• WordQ (Quillsoft)
• Classroom Suite (Cambium)
 Speech-to-Text
• MS Word, Powerpoint (Microsoft)
• Dragon Naturally Speaking (Nuance), MacSpeech Dictate
• SpeakQ (Quillsoft)

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

17. 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
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.

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 (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

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
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.

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”?