1. Assistive Technology in the School Setting
Adams 12 Five Star Schools
Assistive Technology Team
Maureen Castillo
Maureen Kasa
Rose O’Donnell
Michelle Thomas
Team functions in district; what do you know about AT; do you know anyone that is an AT user?

2. Divide a piece of paper into four sections:
Assistive Technology
I might consider assistive technology for …
One strategy I can apply tomorrow…
I want to learn more about…
Resources for Assistive Technology in my District…
Idea for graphic organizer for your note taking.

3. Objectives
Identify assistive technology tools that improve student learning
Be able to plan for using assistive technology;
Identify strategies for differentiation of instruction using technology; and
Understand how technology can benefit all students.
UDL – Universal Design – installing a ramp at the school; everyone can use it

4. Legal Definition of Assistive Technology
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) defines AT as both a device and a service:
Assistive Technology Device
Any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of a child with a disability.
Assistive Technology Service
Any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device.

5. “Assistive Technology – Enabling Dreams”
Look for AT devices and services in the video
10 min. Look for the AT devices and services in the video

6. Three Areas of Focus
Academics
Communication
Access

7. Academics - Writing Handwriting Organization Spelling Speed
Note Taking
Editing

8. Graphic Organizers Story starters/maps/frames Webbing strategies
Outlines
Fill in blanks/boxes/cloze
Goal: Provide structure/framework to help students organize/focus their writing

10. Test Taking Strategies
Word banks
Numbered word banks
Yes/no or true/false
Circling choices
Multiple choice
Goal: Focus is on content mastery, not on writing ability

11. I Have a Dream
Fill in the blanks. “I ____ a dream that my four little _____ will one day _______ in a nation where they _____ not be judged by the _____ of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

12. I Have a Dream
Word Bank: 1. have 2. will 3. children 4. color 5. live “I ____ a dream that my four little _____ will one day _______ in a nation where they _____ not be judged by the _____ of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

13. Color Coding Crossword puzzles Parts of speech Specific boxes
Beginning/end
Goal: Draw attention to specific items to reduce visual scene

15. Labels/Stickers Name/date/class Vocabulary Worksheets
Goal: Testing content, not writing ability across curriculum areas/time efficiency

17. Pictures Magazines Drawings Internet (google or yahoo images)
Digital photos
Software
Goal: Represent ideas on more concrete level

19. Moving on to Higher Tech Solutions…

20. Microsoft Word – Accessibility Features
Keyboard Shortcuts
Size and Zoom Options
Toolbar and Menu Options
Color Options
Auto-Summarize
Behooves you to understand

21. Portable Word Processor
AlphaSmart
The Writer

22. Software for Writing Word Prediction Talking Word Processor Co:Writer
Kurzweil
IntelliTools Classroom Suite
Talking Word Processor
Write:OutLoud
Kurzweil
IntelliTools Classroom Suite
Common in Adams 12 you may have others in your district

23. More Software for Writing
Graphic Organizers
Inspiration
Kidspiration
Voice Recognition
Dragon Dictate
Common in Adams 12 you may have others in your district

24. Academics - Reading

25. Text to Speech Software
Talking Word Processor
Write:OutLoud
READPLEASE
Highlight as you read
Multiple voices
Reading rate control
Read menus, toolbars
WriteOutLoud
Classroom Suite
Kurzweil / WYNN
ReadPlease.com
Common in Adams 12 you may have others in your district

26. Start to Finish Books Age Appropriate High Interest Chapter Books
2 Readability levels
3 formats
Fluency Practice
Comprehension checks
Literature/History through people/science/mystery/sports

27. Academics - Math

28. Difficulties to overcome in math
Cannot retain facts
Cannot write the work legibly
Cannot see the materials
Cannot read the directions and word problems
What skills are you assessing?

29. Math Solutions Use a calculator when you can’t memorize facts
Use a talking calculator for visual issues
Use raised lines on paper to guide writing when there are motor control problems
Math worksheets on the computer

30. Communication
Chance are – you will have a student who uses or is in need of a communication device in your classroom at some point in your career. There is a wide range of kids who use talkers ranging from students with language disorders such as autism to those who have articulation difficulties such as cerebral palsy. We have some to show – but also thought you might like to see some pictures of kids using talkers and hear some of what they might like to say….

31. Communication Devices
There are many different communication devices, here are a few companies to check out:
Dynavox
Prentke Romich
WordsPlus
Blink Twice
Ablenet
Enabling Devices

32. Imagine… And…you have no functional use of your hands…
…a world where you are unable to speak
…everyone around you is talking
…you have A LOT to say!!
…you are in a wheelchair and have difficulty accessing your tool.
And…you have no functional use of your hands…

33. 10 Wishes From a Student Who Uses Alternative Communication
I wish my teacher would learn how to use my talker.
I wish my teacher wouldn’t have a heart attack when my talker doesn’t work.
I wish my teacher would joke with me.
I wish my teacher would have more patience with me.
I wish my teacher would remember that I don’t always spell very well.
I wish my teacher would call on me for “Share Day”.
I wish my teacher would stop shouting at me like I can’t hear.
I wish my teacher wouldn’t hit my talker when it isn’t working. That’s my mouth she’s hitting!
I wish I could walk and talk like my brother and sister

34. Access
Legal obligation for all students to have access to the curriculum.

35. Alternative Keyboard May be programmable
Customize overlays for individual needs
May be designed for use with one-hand
Allows students with physical, visual and cognitive disabilities to:
Easily type
Enter numbers
Navigate on-screen displays
Execute menu commands

36. Portable Word Processor
Take notes
Write first drafts
Keep assignments organized
Transfer work to computer to edit

37. Switches Can Emulate Mouse Clicks Run Single Switch Software
Use with PowerLink for Environmental Control
Access to recreation activities

38. Case Study - Jamie 1st Grader
ADHD – extremely short attention span for paper pencil tasks
Enjoys computers and video games
Loves to be active
Is very fidgety
Significant difficulties with handwriting
Very verbal and shares great stories
Teacher is afraid he is too dependent on his aide

39. Learning Standard for Writing
Standard 3: Uses grammatical and mechanical conventions in written compositions
Benchmarks:
1. Uses conventions of print in writing
2. Uses complete sentences
3. Uses declarative and interrogative sentences
4. Uses nouns
5. Uses verbs

40. Solutions for Jamie? Graphic organizers
(either low or high tech – theme based; addresses inventiveness and expression)
Word cards
(manipulate into sentences to improve structure)
Writing with pictures and words on the computer
(software/object to print match)
Talking Word Processor
(software to provide auditory feedback – encourages comprehension and independence)