What do all of these assistive technology apps in common? They empower learners to try & identify resources that will help them be successful.
I seriously love a good DIY classroom project, especially if it saves me money and meets the individual needs of my students. Assistive tech (or AT) is a very general term and can include a variety of equipment, software, etc. that improves the functional and academic abilities of students with disabilities. AT can cost a lot of money in special education classrooms, and let's be real... we don't have a lot of money! It can also be particularly hard to purchase AT for students with multiple/ severe needs because our students often need VERY individualized AT. I've come up with a few super cheap DIY options for some of the AT needs in my classroom. Clipboard Choice/ Answer Board: Clipboards have SO many functions and possibilities in the classroom! I love to use clipboards as choice and answer boards during instruction and free choice time. I put 2-6 (depending on the student) choices or answer options on Velcro on the clipboard and then present the clipboard to the students so they can select an answer. You can also add a piece of Velcro somewhere at the top of the clipboard to give students a visual/ matching prompt if needed! The left clipboard shows an example without a visual prompt. On the right, there is a "sunny" picture at the top of the clipboard to provide students with a visual prompt of the correct answer. PVC Pipe Choice / Answer Stick: I made this simple PVC pipe stick for students who eye gaze. This is great because it's long (there's about 6 inches between each picture), so students who eye gaze or who have difficulties pointing to small areas/pictures due to a physical disability can easily select answers without confusing staff about what picture they're pointing to. You can also simply attach Velcro and pictures to a ruler or paint stick from Home Depot, but I like this PVC pipe option better because it has a handle. The handle avoids your hand getting in the way/ blocking the view of any picture cards. Choice/ answer stick made with PVC pipe... because we don't have 4 arms ;) DIY Slant/ Communication Board: This might be my all-time favorite DIY piece of AT equipment.... This slant board is made from the cardboard that bed sheet sets come in! I literally just followed the folds/creases that were already in the cardboard, glued the flap down, spray painted it and glued a clip to the top! And voila, a fancy new slant/ communication board holder! Since I a lot of students with physical disabilities, I added Velcro to the bottom of the slant board and then Velcroed it to the table so it doesn't move around when students are using it. The cardboard from bed sheet sets make amazinggg slant boards! What are your go-to DIY assistive tech hacks?
It’s AAC month! AAC is an important aspect of my job as a special education teacher. What is AAC? AAC stands for Assistive and Augmentative Communication. It can be anything that helps a person communicate. Why is AAC so important? Imagine if you suddenly lost your ability to talk or even use parts of your […]
Learn what devices are used in assistive technology for Dementia to relieve dementia-related challenges. Call Bethel Gardens to learn more!
There are many assistive technology (AT) tools that can help people who struggle with writing. Learn what writing tools are available and how to get them.
We can use switches for communication (like recordable switches) and we can use them to access items with wired or wireless switches.
Increased level of participation within tasks/daily routines is one of the many benefits assistive technology has for people living with autism, discover more about it.
Delve into the ethical dilemmas and breakthroughs in assistive technologies for autistic children.
Make it possible for all students to access the curriculum and participate in school.
With the world advancing at a faster rate and scientist and engineers trying to keep up the demand and advances of technology in trying to best accommodate children and adults with disabilities, helping students with special needs in schools has always been a hard and challenging thing to do especially due to the pandemic requiring […]
Assistive technology is a great option for students with emergent writing skills to use before introducing formal handwriting activities.
Technology really is amazing and provides us with so many support avenues. In this post I want to explore some assistive technology we are using. Assistive technology is defined as technology that is used by individuals with a disability to perform functions that would otherwise be difficult or impossible. Examples might be wheelchairs, prosthetic limbs
The terms “assistive technology” and “adaptive technology” can both be used to refer to items that make tasks easier for people with disabilities.
It is imperative in today's educational environment that educators are prepared to utilize assistive technology to support all learners and provide them with the best education possible. In order to ensure assistive technology is used appropriately, further study on the best practices, strategies, and tactics of implementation is required. Using Assistive Technology for Inclusive Learning in K-12 Classrooms highlights the need and use of assistive technology in special education and provides pre-service teachers in regular and special education programs with research-based methods and materials to promote a more inclusive environment for students with disabilities. Covering key topics such as educational technology, special needs, and teaching methods, this premier reference source is ideal for industry professionals, policymakers, administrators of both K-12 and higher education, researchers, scholars, academicians, pre-service teachers, teacher educators, instructional designers, practitioners, instructors, and students. | Author: Jeremy Bell, Timothy Gifford | Publisher: Information Science Reference | Publication Date: Jun 30, 2023 | Number of Pages: 300 pages | Language: English | Binding: Paperback | ISBN-10: 1668464284 | ISBN-13: 9781668464281
I seriously love a good DIY classroom project, especially if it saves me money and meets the individual needs of my students. Assistive tech (or AT) is a very general term and can include a variety of equipment, software, etc. that improves the functional and academic abilities of students with disabilities. AT can cost a lot of money in special education classrooms, and let's be real... we don't have a lot of money! It can also be particularly hard to purchase AT for students with multiple/ severe needs because our students often need VERY individualized AT. I've come up with a few super cheap DIY options for some of the AT needs in my classroom. Clipboard Choice/ Answer Board: Clipboards have SO many functions and possibilities in the classroom! I love to use clipboards as choice and answer boards during instruction and free choice time. I put 2-6 (depending on the student) choices or answer options on Velcro on the clipboard and then present the clipboard to the students so they can select an answer. You can also add a piece of Velcro somewhere at the top of the clipboard to give students a visual/ matching prompt if needed! The left clipboard shows an example without a visual prompt. On the right, there is a "sunny" picture at the top of the clipboard to provide students with a visual prompt of the correct answer. PVC Pipe Choice / Answer Stick: I made this simple PVC pipe stick for students who eye gaze. This is great because it's long (there's about 6 inches between each picture), so students who eye gaze or who have difficulties pointing to small areas/pictures due to a physical disability can easily select answers without confusing staff about what picture they're pointing to. You can also simply attach Velcro and pictures to a ruler or paint stick from Home Depot, but I like this PVC pipe option better because it has a handle. The handle avoids your hand getting in the way/ blocking the view of any picture cards. Choice/ answer stick made with PVC pipe... because we don't have 4 arms ;) DIY Slant/ Communication Board: This might be my all-time favorite DIY piece of AT equipment.... This slant board is made from the cardboard that bed sheet sets come in! I literally just followed the folds/creases that were already in the cardboard, glued the flap down, spray painted it and glued a clip to the top! And voila, a fancy new slant/ communication board holder! Since I a lot of students with physical disabilities, I added Velcro to the bottom of the slant board and then Velcroed it to the table so it doesn't move around when students are using it. The cardboard from bed sheet sets make amazinggg slant boards! What are your go-to DIY assistive tech hacks?
Assistive Technology is all around us! Many of the tools available are free or cost very little to use. On the following pages are lists of Assistive Technology tools you may find useful when completing various tasks both in or out of school. Many of these tools may help you complete tasks more quickly, easily, ...
As technology advances so does the ability to create better assistive technology to increase engagement for special education students.
My favorite ideas for upcycling yoga mats into assistive technology in the home environment- great for occupational therapy!
Supporting communication using assistive technology for autism Assistive technology for autism is frequently used to support existing communication or to provide an alternative form of communication. Technology for autism largely fits into the category of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and includes speech-generating devices, communication software and computer access solutions such as switches and eye gaze. Our communication-based assistive […]
Assistive and adaptive technologies are items that can help disabled people complete tasks such as getting dressed, eating, & writing.
Using assistive technology for writing can help students with dysgraphia demonstrate their knowledge in effective and proactive ways.
Encyclopedia article about assistive technology by The Free Dictionary
Osteoarthritis can make simple daily tasks difficult. Use these expert tips from WebMD to live better.
Some kids have impairments that impact their ability to write and alternative means of handwriting activities are required.
If you are living with spasticity, you may find that using an assistive device can help improve your mobility. Here are some assistive devices that might help you.
In this post, you'll discover the significance of using Assistive Technology in your classroom, from basic tools to advanced devices. Find tools to help kids!
Explore inclusive educational practices to enhance learning for autistic children, encompassing individualized learning, social skills, and assistive technology.
Tips for choosing assistive technology and accessibility settings for fluctuating eyesight and changing eye conditions
There is an ethical imperative that, as technology progresses, that it be available for individuals of all abilities. Time Timer explains The Importance of Assistive Technology.
There are many assistive technology (AT) tools that can help people with math. Use this guide to learn about options for math AT.
Assistive technology is the physical hardware, software, and services that help people manage their disabilities.
There are lots of assistive technology (AT) tools that can help people who have trouble reading, like people with dyslexia. Learn what tools are available.
Assistive Technology for People With Communication Disabilities Using Makey Makey: Objective: Build a cheap and easy tool to help people with disabilites to better communicate their basic needs. Materials: - Makey Makey - Used box - my box is 6.5 x 3.5", but you can use a box bigger than that if you want. - 8 Connector wires - Mom…
Assistive technology (AT) is an important consideration for any child with a disability. In addition to the consideration needed at Individual Education Plan (IEP) meetings, assistive technology supports are a valuable resource when we are considering the provision of equitable access to grade level content. For classroom teachers and others that support children with disabilities, it is vital to understanding what is available as an assistive technology tool. The bigger our tool box of resource
Core Vocabulary is an essential part of every person's life, and for our nonverbal students they access core vocabulary and language through assistive technology and AAC devices. Learn the lesson I teach and grab a free printable for implementation tomorrow. Blog post at Mrs. D's Corner.
The terms “assistive technology” and “adaptive technology” can both be used to refer to items that make tasks easier for people with disabilities.
Ideally, with age comes wisdom, and with wisdom comes the realization that our bodies are no longer as durable and capable as they were in youth. Given enough time, the...
Something like this colorful children's splint by the Taiwan Textile Research Institute (TTRI) might have done the trick. A reusable splint that changes color.
Learn how presenters successfully and systematically integrated ebooks and audiobooks into all school libraries across the district.
The terms “assistive technology” and “adaptive technology” can both be used to refer to items that make tasks easier for people with disabilities.
The Reading Pen 2 by Wizcom is an assistive technology device that helps people with reading handicaps, learning disablilites, or people who...
MedicalSearch spoke to Wim Hartog about dynamic arm supports, and their important role in providing improved disability access, independence and increased potential for individuals, healthcare
