Technology and the Special Needs

LearnerTechnology for the Blind Student

What Is Assistive Technology

Tools that impaired individuals can use in order to increase or maintain functionality

Tools can include physical equipment computer software electronic devices and more

Why implement in the classroom

Helps students to be unhindered by their disability

Lets students focus on their education

Types of Technology Available

Talking calculatorsSpeech-recognition softwareScreen reading softwareReading machinesLarge-print booksMagnifiersTactile items

Talking CalculatorsBig buttonsEliminates the need to squintIdeal for people who are blind or have low

visionA built-in speech synthesizer that reads

aloud each number, symbol, or operation key a user presses

Vocalizes the answer to the problemStudents can use to perform mathematical

calculations on math assignments

Talking Calculators

Speech Recognition Software

Speech recognition programs change what is spoken into an electronic document

Can use these types of software programs to access and produce documents

Can be used with a microphone into which the student speaks

Teachers can use these to record items for students

Screen Reading Programs

Screen-reading programs produce audio versions of electronic text

Eg. JAWS for WindowsElectronic books, papers, etc can be

translated to speech so the student can hear audio

Reading MachinesPrinted text is scanned and assimilated by

the software, then converted to audio.Audio then played back for the student to

hear

Large Print BooksSince some students can have low vision, this means that they can see, just not very wellBooks with large print will allow students to see the words easily

MagnifiersMagnifiers are used to read normal textThese come a variety of sizes

Full page Hand held Card /wallet size

Tactile ItemsGeometry Tactile Graphics KitMath Drill Cards in Braille and Large TypeTactile and Visual Globes

Geometry Tactile Graphics Kit

A set of thermoformed raised-line drawings depicting concepts, figures, and relationships which are covered in nearly all geometry textbooks

Math Drill Cards in Braille & Large Type

The Math Drill Cards set is a handy math skill reinforcing tool presented in braille and large type

The Globe: Tactile and Visual (Geography)

Standard 12-inch globe covered with a tactile clear plastic overlay

Raised latitude and longitude linesDashed line for the International Date LineContinent outlinesHigher and lower elevations

Further ReadingFOLLOW THESE LINKS:

http://connected.waldenu.edu/special-education/vision-and-hearing-impared/item/921-assistive-technology-children-who-are-blind

http://www.miusa.org/ncde/tipsheets/languageguide/infoguide/screenreadingsoftware

http://www.edb.utexas.edu/ATLab/Labinventory/Classroom/classroom-vi-main.php