Assistive Technology Tools

Assistive technology tools are tools that assist those who are visually impaired, developmentally physically challenged and deaf/hard of hearing with the use of technology.

Assistive Technology for the Visually Impaired

Screen Reader- is a program that combines sound and picture to help describe what is on a computer screen Closed Circuit Magnification- is a device that can amplify words and objects on a screen for easier viewing Braille Translation Devices- are used to convert screen words and formatting into braille

Pros and Cons Academic Gains Barriers Screen Reader- gives both a visual and sound for comprehension Closed Circuit Magnification- great visual aid for those who are visually challenged but not blind Braille Translation Devices- great for those who are completely blind Screen Reader- not so great for those who are both blind and audio impaired Closed Circuit Magnification- the device can become a distraction for those in the classroom with impaired child Braille Translation Devices- becomes a barrier if child has not yet been taught how to read braille

Assistive Technology for the Developmentally Physically Challenged

Adaptive Keyboard- is a keyboard that decreases the strain on the user by alphabetizing the letters Alternative Communication Devices- Are devices that helps those with Down ’s Syndrome, Autism, and other disabilities communicate without difficulty Adaptive Student Desk- are for children with neurological deficiencies, these desk modify to their necessities

Pros and Cons Academic Gains Barriers Adaptive Keyboard- assist with easily locating keys Alternative Communication Devices- great for non verbal students to communicate with others Adaptive Student Desk- makes the classroom setting more comfortable for those students who need them Adaptive Keyboard- May hinder the development of adapting to a Qwerty keyboard later in life Alternative Communication Devices – the device may glitch or cause interaction problems Adaptive Student Desk- may not be in every room due to expense

Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Personal Amplification Device- Is an acoustic enhancer that directly increases the sound of noise nearby the consumer Audio/visual communication devices- Combines residual hearing with closer views of the mouth movement to enhance comprehension Voice to text translation- A software device that captures articulated words and translates it into intelligible text on screen

Pros and Cons Academic Gains Barriers Personal Amplification Device- great for individualized assistance Audio/visual communication devices- good tool for those who read lips/ mouth movement Voice to text translation- great for those who are only hearing impaired but not for those who are both blind and deaf Audio/visual communication devices– the device may hinder the learning environment for others by providing distraction Voice to text translation- causes problems for young learners who can not yet read and of course the usual technology issues of glitching