Assistive Technology Sarah Poe EDN 303

Assistive Technology Assistive technology is any device that helps a person with a disability complete an everyday task.

Visually Impaired Screen Reader Closed Circuit Magnification Braille Translation Devices

Screen Reader A screen reader is a software program that assists people who are visually impaired and helps them use a computer. A Screen Reader can aid the user by either reading out loud the text that is on a screen, or by converting what is on the screen into braille if the user owns a braille display. In a classroom: If students are instructed to find an online current events article that relates to what is being taught in class, then a student who is visually impaired could use a screen reader to help him or her independently navigate the internet and find a suitable article.

Academic Gains and Barriers Screen Readers enable visually impaired students to use a computer independently. They also open up the world of the internet to those who are visually impaired. In our technologically driven world today, and with the amount of information we gather from the internet, it is important that those who are visually impaired are able to use a computer independently so that they can have a well rounded education. A barrier when it comes to screen readers is that they might not be as easily accessible in schools located in lower-income areas. The same goes for braille displays.

Closed Circuit Magnification A Closed-Circuit Magnification TV enables those who are visually impaired to read many types of writing and text. It works by using two parts, a screen and a camera. The camera projects the text onto the screen and the screen displays the same text only much larger and easier to read. Some examples of things visually impaired individuals could use a Closed-Circuit TV include books, newspapers, magazines, and prescription labels. In a classroom: If a 3rd grade teacher gives his or her students silent reading time, then a student who is visually impaired could used Closed Circuit Magnification in order to read a new chapter book.

Academic Gains and Barriers Closed Circuit Magnification TVs allow students who are visually impaired to read text and writing that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to, or would take much longer to read. By using Closed Circuit TVs, students are able to keep up with their classmates and increase their reading skills. A barrier could be the cost. Closed Circuit Magnification TVs can easily be priced above $3,000, so it all depends if the school has the funding or not.

Braille Translation Devices There are many different types of braille translation devices. There are braille displays, braille printers, and electronic braille note takers to name a few. Braille displays convert words and text on a computer screen into braille; the display constantly changes. Braille printers print out words and text in braille, and electronic braille not takers allow visually impaired individuals to enter information using a braille keyboard. The point of all of these different pieces of technology is to convert words and text into a readable source for someone who is blind or visually impaired. In a classroom: A teacher uses a braille printer to print out an assignment for a student who is severely visually impaired.

Academic Gains and Barriers Using brail translating devices allows visually impaired students to have direct access to information, and they allow students to use computers, take their own notes, and compose word document independently. A possible barrier would be that it would be hard for a visually impaired student to share certain assignments or notes with other students because other students may not be able to read braille.

Developmentally/Physically Challenged Adaptive Keyboard Alternate Communication Devices Adaptive Student Desks

Adaptive Keyboard Adaptive keyboards are keyboards in which the letters are alphabetized in an ABC layout as opposed to the traditional QWERTY keyboard. This allows the user to find the keys faster so they can focus on what they are trying to do instead of getting frustrated trying to find where the right key is. An ABC layout keyboard is also useful for anyone who is still learning the alphabet. In a classroom: In a kindergarten class the teacher gives a computer assignment, the students who are just learning the alphabet use an adaptive keyboard to navigate the computer and improve their memorization of the alphabet.

Academic Gains and Barriers Developmentally challenged students are able to focus on what is important when using an adaptive keyboard because they don’t have to worry about spending time finding keys. Students using adaptive keyboards can work more efficiently and at a faster pace. Adaptive keyboards are also very useful when learning the alphabet. A potential barrier could be that if a student gets used to using an adaptive keyboard, they might be very confused or frustrated if they try to use a traditional QWERTY keyboard.

Alternate Communication Devices Individuals with severe speech and language issues sometimes rely on alternate communication devices in order to communicate with those around them. These devices include many different things including picture and symbol communication boards and other electronic devices. Picture and symbol communication boards provide the individual with pictures or symbols that represent many different possibilities including what they want or how they feel. In this way, individuals are able to communicate things they otherwise could not have. In a classroom: A student with autism uses a picture and symbol communication board to talk to his teacher about his day and how he is feeling.

Academic Gains and Barriers It is beneficial to use alternate communication devices because it gives individuals with serious speech and language disabilities the ability to communicate with others. Students can tell their teachers how they are feeling and if they understand or not. They can also explain to their peers or teacher why they are upset if something is wrong. They allow individuals to express themselves and increase self confidence. A potential barrier could be that other students wouldn’t reach out to student who uses alternate communication devices because it is different than what they are used to.

Adaptive Student Desks Adaptive student desks are adjustable so that they can accommodate a students specific needs, such as if a student is in a wheel chair and needs a desk that their wheelchair can fit under. In a classroom: A wheelchair bound student in the fifth grade can still interact, learn, and engage with her peers because she has a desk that allows her to fit her chair underneath it like any other student.

Academic Gains and Barriers Adaptive student desks allow students with neurological diseases to engage fully in the classroom while tending to their physical needs and limitations. This can increase social activity and self confidence in physically disabled students as well as improve academic achievement. A potential barrier is that adaptive student desks tend to be more expensive than normal desks.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Personal Amplification Device Audio/Visual Communication Devices Voice to text translation

Personal Amplification Device Personal amplification devices help those who are hearing impaired hear better in smaller settings such as a classroom where the teacher may be farther away from the listener or may have their back turned. Personal amplification devices increase the volume directly to the user. In a classroom: A student in the 7th grade who is hard of hearing uses a personal amplification device in order to better hear his math teacher’s lesson.

Academic Gains and Barriers Students who are auditory impaired are able to better hear lessons, instructions, and directions and don’t miss as much information in the classroom. Students are also able to fully engage in the learning process. Personal amplification devices are not very noticeable, so students won’t stick out among the other kids. A potential barrier could be if the amplifier broke then the student would have trouble hearing the lesson and instructions for that day.

Audio/Visual Communication Device An audio/visual communication device is something that a teacher would use. It combines both a microphone and a television screen. The teacher speaks into the microphone so that their voice is louder and a camera focuses in on the teacher’s mouth so a student who is deaf and/or hard of hearing can see the teachers mouth and read lips and combine it with the sound to reach a better understanding of what is being said. In a classroom: A 9th grade history teacher uses an audio/visual communication device because he has several hard of hearing students in his class. This way his students understand what he is saying and they do not miss instruction.

Academic Gains and Barriers Auditory impaired students don’t miss out on instruction because they have both sound and a visual representation of what is being said. This increases comprehension and adds to student academic achievement and confidence. A potential barrier is that a teacher wearing a microphone and having a camera focused in on his/her could be possibly distracting for other students.

Voice to Text Translation Voice to text translation takes spoken words and sentences and transcribes them in writing on a computer screen. This allows deaf/hard of hearing students to see and read what their teacher is saying. In a classroom: A 6th grade severely hard of hearing student uses voice to text translation in order to take notes during class because she cannot hear her teacher clearly.

Academic Gains and Barriers Students are able to take notes quickly and efficiently because the words are written down right in front of them. Students don’t miss any important information because they can’t hear the teacher. The teacher is able to teach class as he/she normally would with the confidence that every student will be able to keep up and follow along. A potential barrier could be that it might be difficult for a student to pay attention to the teacher when they are reading off of a screen.

Assistive Technology Assistive technology comes in many different forms, and we all use some type of assistive technology whether we realize it or not. It can vary from a pair of glasses to a pictures and symbols communication board. The bottom line is that assistive technology enables those with disabilities to live more independently, communicate more freely, and engage excitedly with others. It enhances education and the learning experience by knocking down barriers that could have held individuals back in the past.

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