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Feb 4, 2023 · Assistive technology tools are among the least ‘celebrated’ but most crucial tools in K-12 education today. According to the National Education Association (NEA), the number of U.S. students enrolled in special education programs has risen 30 percent over the past 10 years.
- Audiobooks and publications. Recorded books allow users to listen to text and are available in a variety of formats, such as audiocassettes, CDs, and MP3 downloads.
- Electronic math worksheets. Electronic math worksheets are software programs that can help students organize, align, and work through math problems on a computer screen.
- Information and data managers. This type of tool helps a person plan, organize, store, and retrieve his calendar, task list, contact data, and other information in electronic form.
- Optical character recognition. This technology allows a user to scan printed material into a computer or handheld unit. The scanned text is then read aloud via a speech synthesis/screen reading system.
- Audio Players and Recorders
- Timers
- Reading Guides
- Seat Cushions
- FM Listening Systems
- Calculators
- Writing Supports
- Graphic Organizers
- Enlarged Paper/Workspace
- GeneratedCaptionsTabForHeroSec
Kids may find it helpful to listen to the words while reading them on the page. Smartphones and tablet computers come with text-to-speech software that can read aloud anything on the screen. And many e-books have audio files. If a student has trouble with writing or taking notes, an audio recorder can capture what the teacher says in class. Then th...
Wristwatches, hourglass timers, and apps can help kids who have trouble with pacing. If kids have a hard time transitioning from task to task, timers can help them mentally prepare to make the switch. Timers can be used as visual aids to show how much time is left to complete an activity.
Reading guides are helpful tools for kids who have trouble with visual tracking or who need help staying focused on the page. These plastic strips highlight one line of text while blocking out surrounding words that might be distracting. The strip is also easy to move down the page as kids read. There are even free Google Chrome extensionswith this...
Kids who have trouble with sensory processing or attention may find inflatable seat cushions helpful. These cushions give kids enough movement and stimulation to help maximize their focus without having to get up and walk around. A standing desk, slanted cushion, or balance ball chair are other helpful options.
Frequency modulation (FM) systems can reduce background noise in the classroom and amplify what the teacher says. This can help with auditory processing as well as with focus. The teacher wears a microphone that broadcasts either to speakers around the room or to a personal receiver worn by the student. FM systems are also used to help kids with he...
If a child is having trouble with math, a calculator may help. There are even large-display calculators and talking calculators. A talking calculator has built-in speech output to read the numbers, symbols, and operation keys aloud. This can help kids confirm that they pressed the correct keys.
If a child has trouble with writing, try using plastic pencil grips, a slant board, or a computer. Basic word processing programs come with features that can help with spelling and grammar issues. For kids whose thoughts race ahead of their ability to write them down, different kinds of software can help. With word prediction software, kids type th...
Graphic organizers can be low-tech. There are many different designs you can print out that can help kids organize thoughts for a writing assignment. There are also more sophisticated tools, like organizing programs that can help kids map out their thoughts.
If a child has trouble with writing or organizing their ideas, writing their answer in smaller spaces may be tricky. Worksheets with larger paper or more space between questions is a low-tech way to help kids show their thinking. It’s also a way to help kids get as much credit for their work as possible. High-tech or low-tech, there are plenty of a...
Learn about nine common assistive technology tools that can help students with learning and thinking differences in the classroom. Find out how audio players, timers, reading guides, seat cushions, FM systems, calculators, writing supports, graphic organizers, and enlarged paper can support students' needs.
Sep 26, 2023 · This is called assistive technology (AT). AT helps people with disabilities learn, communicate, or function better. It can be as high-tech as a computer, or as low-tech as a pencil grip. It’s a type of accommodation that involves tools. Assistive technology has two parts: devices (the actual tools people use) and services (the support to ...
Learn how technology can help students with disabilities access grade-level content and be independent in the classroom. Explore examples of high tech and low tech assistive tools for different types of learning needs.
Feb 21, 2019 · Rethinking Assistive Technology. For students with disabilities, assistive technology isn’t a nice-to-have—it’s crucial to their learning and success in school. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 2004 says that assistive technology is “any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially ...
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Mar 1, 2023 · Assistive technology can be a huge help for students with a variety of disabilities. This guide breaks down who might need this technology, what it is, how it’s used, and why it might be needed for both in-person classes and online. As social conversations increasingly focus on the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion, one positive ...
