- Assitive technologies are tools that make academic material more accessible to students by minimizing barries while maximizing opportunities for learning.
- Handled spellers and dictionaries, speech recognition software, text reading software, and interactive eletronic storybooks are all technologies that can promote learning success for many different students.
Assistive or Adaptive Technology commonly refers to "...products, devices or equipment, whether acquired commercially, modified or customized, that are used to maintain, increase or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities...", The Assistive Technology Act of 1998 (US).
Assistive Technology products can enable people with disabilities to accomplish daily living tasks, assist them in communication, education, work or recreation activities, in essence, help them achieve greater independence and enhance their quality of life.
How Assistive Technology can help In Education of The Visually Impaired
Audio
books
Digital
Talking books
Screen
Reading Softwares
Screen
Magnification
OCR –
scan & read
Assistive Technology for The
Visually Impaired – DemoScreen
Reading Software - JAWS for windows
From
low tech, no cost solutions to elaborate
computer-based solutions
- Access for Physical/Mobility Impairment where basic computer accessibility, speech to text software, switch access, “sip-n-puff’ mouth controlled joysticks, hands-free mice, eye-trackers, LOMAK keyboard, and head motion devices are utilized.
- Access for Blind/Visual Impairment where screen magnifiers, enlarged keyboards, large screen TVs, scanners with text optical recognition and screen readers are utilized.
- Access for Hearing/Speech Impairment where basic computer accessibility with beeps and on-screen visual notifications, headphones, voice input and laptop communication devices are used .
- As technologies continue to evolve, works to discover new approaches to providing quality information, resources and services to help people with disabilities reach their goals.
- Access for Cognitive Impairment where simple displays, word prediction software, augmentative communication, digital pens, and reading, writing and learning software are used.
"Empower students with disabilities to reach their potential
with Dell's ... Assistive technology opens up the world for your district's
students with ... Choosing the right ones for your students, and then
implementing and supporting them can be ... toll-free service and have access
to all assistive technology device specifications."
Ongoing
Education and Research efforts discover new ways to serve people with
disabilities and educate communities—all with the intent of making progress for
them to gain greater independence. Research is an ongoing process in the field
of disability advocacy.
As
technologies continue to evolve, works to discover new approaches to providing
quality information, resources and services to
help people with disabilities reach their goals.
Resources
Maloy, R. W., Verock-O, R. E., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. (2010). Transforming teaching with new technologies. Allyn & Bacon
This looks like your PowerPoint presentation! :) Good summary and response to questions - the Tech Tool is not evident and definitely incorporate more of your own thinking/experiences/reflections in the last one!
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