What is at final 021012 a

AT Is Alive and Well at KTS!

1. WHAT IS ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY
(AT)?

2. WHAT AT DOES KTS HAVE?
Presented by the Kathleen Gould, Nate Hirsch, Joyce Mange,
High School AT David Peal, Cate MacGillivray
Committee

What is AT?
Part 1

What is AT? What AT does KTS have? 2/10/2012

What is AT?


It is a tool

 It must be a thing, or device, to help a person
reach a goal.

 It can be HIGH tech

What is AT? What AT does KTS have?
2/10/2012

OR LOW TECH

 Onion Mountain is a great source of low-tech
(onionmountaintech.com)

What AT is NOT
 Only high tech equipment or software
 Difficult to use
 For the tech savvy only
 Expensive
 Only for students with low-frequency or
communication difficulties (e.g., Dynavox)
 Content-based instructional software
(e.g., Oregon Trail) used in one subject only


What the law says: AT Device
 AT Device
…any item, piece of equipment, or product
system, whether acquired
commercially, modified, or customized, that is used
to increase, maintain, or improve functional
capabilities of individuals with disabilities. (29
U.S.C. Sec 2202(2))

Assistive Technology Act of 1998, reauthorized in
2004


What the law says: AT Service
 AT Service is
…any service that directly serves an individual with
a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of
an assistive technology device.

Assistive Technology Act of 1998, 2004 (that is
applies to all ages, all domains , such as in
education, employment, etc.)


What the law says: AT
Consideration
 AT must be considered in the IEP:
“Consideration of Special Factors: The IEP Team
shall… (v) consider whether the child requires
assistive technology devices and services.”

The purpose of AT devices and services is to
“maximize accessibility to learning for children with
disabilities.”

IDEA 2004


What the literature says
 Focus is on features that support learning; not a product as a
whole (Puckett)

 It is not a specific product (e.g., iPad or PC), but rather features
that support functional needs (speech-to-text apps for the iPad or
word prediction for the PC)

 Must address functional needs across subjects

 Goal of “cognitive rescaling” (Edyburn)
 Not modifying the content
 Adjusting features of content to make it more accessible

 Benefits of these approaches
 Focus on goals
 Focus on tools for reaching goals


AT and
Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
11

• UDL is designed with goal of “universal” access
• It is based on
Vygotsky’s
three systems
that must be
active for
learning to
occur


The main attractions of UDL
12

 Attends to individual needs in a fashion that
does not draw attention to any one individual.

 Developing materials that attend to … students
with special needs “increases usability for every”
(Meyer & Rose, 2000).


Main attractions of UDL
13

 This approach is proactive rather than reactive
– it avoids “retrofitted changes and
accommodations to classroom instruction” (Scittm
NcGyudrem & Shawm 2003)

 UDL capitalizes on new technologies and
electronic resources.

Teaching methods that support
14
UDL
 To support diverse
recognition networks:
 Provide multiple
examples
 Highlight critical features

 Provide multiple media
and formats
 Support background
context


15
UDL
 To support diverse strategic
networks:
 Provide flexible models of skilled
performance
 Provide opportunities to practice
with supports
 Provide ongoing, relevant
feedback
 Offer flexible opportunities for
demonstrating skills

16
UDL
 To support affective networks:
 Offer choices of content and tools
 Offer adjustable levels of challenge

 Offer choices of rewards

 Offer choices of learning context


Applying AT to UDL
17

 As you learn what AT is available at
KTS, where can you use these to support UDL
in the classroom?


What AT DOES KTS HAVE?
Part 2


Why focus on categories of AT and not
individual products?
 Categories based on functional need
 Provides choice within categories
 Some products fall in several categories
 If we don’t have it…doesn’t mean it’s a cost
 Many tools are now free or inexpensive
 Open source (free, installed software such as
Blio, Ray Kurzweil’s e-book reader)
 Web-based applications (Web 2.0)

 Apps for iPhone, iPad, and Android


What are the major AT
categories?
1. Word processing
2. Text to speech
3. Speech to text
4. Word prediction
5. Math accommodations
6. Multimedia software
7. Concept mapping
8. Accessibility features in Windows 7
9. Tools for accessing the computer

How are the categories
changing?
1. Assistive features are becoming mainstream
 universal design thinking: Curb cuts for wheelchairs help
everyone
 examples:
 Search tools increasingly accept voice input and have word
prediction, which help everyone
 Word has an increasing number of accessibility features
2. Web-based tools and mobile apps have benefits:
 less expensive
 easier to acquire and use, reducing demands on IT
 available at home
 inviting, and thus reduce the “cosmetic” obstacles of
installed software such as Kurzweil


1a. Word processing
What it does… Needs that it meets
 Spell check Students who need help
with any aspect of writing
 Type size
process
 Readability levels  brainstorming
 Summarizes  outlining
 spelling
 Combines sound and
 mechanics
pictures to enhance  editing
meaning  executive functioning:
 Outlining  keeping track of work (can’t
lose it as easily!)
 Provides word choice  self-monitoring
and grammatical (grammar/spell check)
suggestions

1b. Word processing at KTS
 Microsoft Word 2010
 May not appear on desktop
 Available through Start Menu
 Can be used with other programs such as
Co:Writer, Inspiration, Word, and Kurzweil
 AT features in Word
 Readability level (Office button in upper left Word Options
Proofing, check Readability Statistics; level appears when you run
spellcheck)
 Spell checker (Review ribbon)
 Autosummarize (in Word 2007 but not Word 2010)
 Enlarge text for easier access
 Can be used with Kurzweil Taskbar to hear text read aloud
 Speak command for limited text-to-speech support
 Kurzweil’s writing tools
 Franklin Language Master (support writing and reading)
 Very fancy dictionaries that speak typed words, speak definitions, show
syllables, help with homophones, etc.

2a. Text to speech

What it does Needs that it meets
 Reads text aloud  Decoding
 Shows syllables  Fluency
 Definitions  Vocabulary
 Highlights words as they’re  Comprehension
read to promote tracking
 Auditory feedback while
 Supports highlighting of key writing
ideas, details, vocabulary
 …for students with
 Allows teacher or student to difficulty recognizing
insert post-it type errors in own
notes, footnotes, etc. writing…and reluctance to
 Reads student writing edit

2b Text to Speech at KTS
 Kurzweil 3000
 Available on desktop
 Includes
 Text to Speech
 Word Prediction
 All the features of a word processor, from brainstorming to
drafting; allows students to listen for errors in their writing
 Write Outloud (Solo)
 Bookshare
 Free Dept. of Education program
 Free for students with certified “print disability”
 All high school students at KTHS are enrolled
 100,000+ books (in print)
 Use with (free Bookshare version) Read:Outloud software
 There’s now an iPad/iPod app ($20) that reads Bookshare
books

3a. Speech to text
What it does Needs that it meets
• Changes spoken • Alternative to or
words into type augmentation of
• Should provide for handwriting
spoken editing of • Reduces motor
typed words effort
• Fosters vocal • Not necessarily
awareness and faster than writing!
control of
volume, pacing, clari
ty

3b. Speech to Text at KTS
 Windows 7
 No longer available in individual Office
programs (Word, etc.); now a part of
Windows 7
 Now: much improved and available at Start
Menu Control Panel Speech Recognition

 Dragon Naturally Speaking
 Standard product for post-graduation
purposes
 Requires training, but getting much easier to
train
 Includes set of “meta” commands for editing
 Can be usedWhat is AT? What AT does KTS have? 2/10/2012
with productivity software that
requires written input, such as Word and e-

Considerations when using
Windows Voice Recognition and
Dragon
 Requires training
 Has set of commands for editing
 Are used with documents such as Word and
email.
 Can be a challenge for students with low
frustration tolerance
 Success will be contingent on vocal
quality, ability to pace verbal
utterances, attention

4a. Word prediction
What it does Needs it meets
• Presents list of words • Phonetic spellers
that begin with the • Writing speed
letters typed
• Legibility
• Speaks words on list
• Reduces motor effort
aloud
• Automatically
transfers completed
sentence to chosen
document
• Learns student’s
vocabulary What is AT? What AT does KTS have? 2/10/2012

4b. Word prediction at KTS
 Co:Writer
 Use with Word
 Sensitive to phonetic spellings
 Available on desktop
 Kurzweil when used as a writing support
 Can work with Kurzweil’s “word lists” to display
homophones, confusables, and customizable
vocabulary lists
 Word prediction is beginning to appear up in
other tools, such as Google Chrome (browser);
type a few letters and Google “Instant” predicts
the rest of the term (reducing time and increasing
accuracy) What is AT? What AT does KTS have? 2/10/2012

5a. Math accommodations
 Perform calculations  Students with poor

 Helps visualize number
concepts of number sense, difficulty
and operation remembering steps
 Makes math more
of
concrete procedures, remem
bering math
facts, anchoring the
abstract qualities of
math

5b. Math accommodations at
KTS
 Manipulatives such as “Hands On” and
“Touch Math” materials
 Calculators, including some with large
numbers
 Kurzweil for reading
worksheets, textbooks, word problems
 IXL math
 Math elevator (Kathy H.)
 Hundreds board (Ginny)

6a. Multimedia Software

 Represents more  Difficulty
complex content than understanding
concept maps, in  concepts
less compact format  connections
 Interactive features  sequences
 Combines images  Difficulty
and text to support understanding big
concepts, relationshi picture
ps, etc.

6b. Multimedia Software at KTS
 For younger students
 Intellitools Suite (can be used with IntelliKeys keyboard)
 Boardmaker
 These are individually installed programs; check with IT.
 For older students
 PowerPoint
 Strong sequence - can be overly linear
 Combines text and images
 Can insert audio, video, and Flash
 CAN break down content in manageable chunks
 Lots of activity in Web 2.0 – engaging, mostly free
presentation and multimedia services, including those
that support digital stories


6c. Multimedia Software at KTS
35

 Intellitools

 Boardmaker

 PowerPoint


7a. Concept mapping

 Makes ideas & their sequence  Students with difficulty
and relationships more visual  visualizing
 Supports recall  grasping concepts
 Scaffolds writing:  remembering
 toggle between concept map and  organizing material for
outline
writing
 transfer from outline to word
processor  knowing how topics relate
 Helps generate questions
(“what does x have to do with
y?”)
 Can be used as advance
organizer for new topics and
units


7b. Concept mapping at KTS
 Inspiration
 Used to represent and label concepts
 Insert images to represent concepts
 Used to represent concepts & their
 sequence
 connections
 properties
 Kidspiration
 More visual
 “Text to speech” features
 Kid features like Super Grouper and
Symbol Maker
 Brainstorming within Kurzweil
 As part of writing process (using Write
menu).
 QuickTakes are like Inspiration’s Rapid
Fire: concept maps are used to generate
outlines that can be basis of writing


7c. Representing a complex process with
Inspiration


Needs that it meets
8a. Accessibility Features in Windows
7
What these features do (partial list)
 Focus on accessing computer more than learning
support
 Focus on accessing computer more than
providing learning support
 Optimizes screen size, contrast
 Speaks text aloud for people with low vision
 Changes size and color of mouse pointer
 Slows down mouse
 Provides alternatives to mouse
 onscreen keyboard
 voice-activated use of computer
 Changes simultaneous key presses (such as
CTRL+P) into sequential key presses (first
CTRL, then P)
 Provides auditory feedback What AT does KTS have?
What is AT?
to indicate that 2/10/2012
CAPS LOCK is pressed

8b. Windows 7 at KTS
 Where are they?
 Start
Menu Control Panel Ease of Access
Center
 Needs met
 Computer access for those with physical
disabilities
 Onscreen keyboard for students who have
difficulty going back and forth between screen
and a book or piece of paper used while writing
 Students who need enlarged text
 Windows Narrator for people who are blind or
have low sightis AT? What AT does KTS have? 2/10/2012
What

9a. Tools for Accessing
Computers
What these tools
do
Provide alternate

means of
accessing
computer if
keyboard or mouse
cannot be used for
any reason


9b. Accessibility tools at KTS
 Portable keyboards
 Writer
 Neo
 Alphasmart
 Trackballs
 minimizes wrist movement
 avoids friction problems with regular
mouse (not moving
 Intellikeys
 designed for use with
Intellitools, Intellipics
 ability to create and print out customized
keyboard “overlays” (Overlay Maker)


Resources

Local General
 AT LAST (non-profit that AT Blogs: Kurzweil, assistivetech.ning.com
Publications: Journal of Special Education
offers AT training and
Technology (CEC’s AT Special Interest
cooperative purchasing) Group); Closing the Gap
 MATN presentations Organizations: CEC, ISTE, QIAT
(Hopkins) CEC’s AT Consideration Wheel
Annual conferences: ATIA, ISTE, Closing
 AT Tips the Gap
(Twitter, blog, podcasts) – Books
Chris Bugajj, Loudon County • Chris Bugajj and Sally Norton-
 HIAT (High Incidence Darr, Practical and fun guide to
Assistive assistive technology in public schools
(ISTE, 2011)
Technology), MCPS
• Joan Green, The Ultimate Guide to
 MSDE Wheel Assistive Technology in Special Education:
 KTHS Tech Blog What is AT? What AT does KTS have? 2/10/2012 Intervention, and
Resources for Education,
Rehabilitation (Prufrock, 2011)

Where to find software
 The following software products are available on every desktop. Some have restrictions on the number
of copies that can be opened at the same time.
 Clicker
 Co:Writer
 Inspiration
 Kidspiration
 Kurzweil
 UltraKeys
 Write Outloud (called Solo)
 The following products are maintained by the IT department. Use a Tech Request to have the software
installed.
 Dragon Naturally Speaking
 Boardmaker
 Intellitools
 Overlay Maker
 IT also maintains the following portable keyboards and devices. To check one out, see the IT
department.
 Neo (supersedes the AlpaSmart)
 Writer
 AlphaSmart
 Franklin Language Master
 Low-tech objects, Intellikeys, and trackballs are available through the OT department.


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