Overview Of Assistive Technology

By: Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com
Updated November 22, 2015

A range of assistive technology devices are available for students who are blind or visually impaired. Some are considered "low tech" and inexpensive while others are more "high tech" and can be more expensive. 

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Assistive technology devices are available in a variety of categories to address functional capabilities of students with disabilities. Categories of assistive technology include: academic and learning aids; aids for daily living; assistive listening devices and environmental aids; augmentative communication; computer access and instruction; environmental control; mobility aids; pre-vocational and vocational and vocational aids, recreation and leisure aids, seating and positioning, and visual aids. The following are just examples of AT devices that may be considered.

Activities of Daily Living

Adapted eating utensils; adapted drinking devices; adaptive dressing devices; specially designed toilet seats; restroom modifications; aids for grooming; robotic and electronic feeders; adapted cooking tools; or universal cuff to hold items. Learn more about adaptations and strategies for Independent Living Skills.

Assistive Listening ​

Hearing aids; sound cancelling headphones;  classroom amplification; personal FM system; captioning; signaling device; TDD/TTY; screen flash on compu​ter; or phone amplification.

Augmentative Communication

Communication boards and wallets with pictures, words or letters; eye gaze board; simple voice output device; electronic communication devices; speech synthesizers for typing; communication enhancement software; or computer based communication system.

Computer Access

Keyboard with built in accessibility options on standard computer; key guard; arm support; track ball/track pad; joystick with onscreen keyboard; alternate keyboard; mouth stick/head pointer; head mouse/head master, tracker; touch screen; voice recognition software; switch and Morse code; switch with scanning; screen reader; or word prediction/abbreviated expansion.

Computer with Access to Technology

Due to shortage of funds, many schools are using outdated equipment. Although it is understandable that schools are "tightening their purse strings," administrators need to understand that the majority of the special software programs and technology needed by students with visual impairments will not operate functionally on old or outdated equipment. When funds are tight it may require looking to alternative sources for funding.

Environmental Control

Switch interfaces for appliances; adapted on/off switches; remote control switch access; switch latch timers; switch interface for battery operated devices; or task lighting.

Learner & Studying

Picture/print schedules; low tech aids; highlighted text; highlighters; voice output reminder; electronic organizer; low or mid tech timer; software for organizing ideas; or software for concept development.

Mobility

​Walkers; grab rails; manual or powered wheelchairs; powered recreational vehicles; building modifications and adaptations; white canes; electronic image sensors; and telescopic aids.

Physical Education, Leisure, and Play

Adapted toys and games; adapted puzzles; switch activations with battery interrupter; adapted sporting equipment; universal cuff to hold crayons, markers; modified stampers and scissors; beeping balls; arm support for drawing; graphic design software; or adaptive computer games.

Reading

Change in text size, spacing, color, background color; use of pictures with text; adapted page turning; book stands; talking electronic dictionary; scanner with talking word processor; electronic text books; highlighted text; recorded material; multimedia presentation formats; books on tape, CD, or MP3; optical character reader; braille books; electronic magnifier (CCTV); or screen reader/text reader.

Seating and Positioning

These types of AT may allow access to the educational activities: non-slip surface on chair; blocks for feet; bolster or rolled towel for positioning; adapted or alternate chair; side-lying frames; standing frame; floor sitter; chair insert; wheelchairs; custom fitted wheelchair; straps; head supports; trays; adapted desk/table; book stand; or bean bag chairs.

Visual Aids

Increased contrast; enlarged images; use of tactile and auditory materials; books on tape; eye glasses; magnifier; large print books; low vision aids; screen magnifier; screen magnification software; electronic magnifier (sometimes called a CCTV); screen reader; braille keyboard or notetaker; braille translator software; braille printer/embosser; brailled materials; scanners; optical character readers; or reading machine.

Writing ​

Pencil with adaptive grip; adapted paper; slant board; typewriter; portable word processor; talking word processing; computer with word processing; word processing with spell/grammar checking; word prediction; electronic dictionary/thesaurus/spell checker; word cards/word book/word wall; voice recognition software; braille keyboard or notetaker; or braille printer.

    Assistive technology device means 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 the functional capabilities of a child with a disability. The term does not include a medical device that is surgically implanted, or the replacement of that device." ​-IDEA, 2004, Part A, Definitions, 300.5

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TVI's Guide Complete Set Bundle + BONUS Resources

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TVI’s Guide to Teaching the ECC: An Activities Based Curriculum for Teaching Students who are Blind or Visually Impaired
The TVI’s Guide to Teaching the ECC is a digital pdf available for download. It is designed specifically for fellow itinerant Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI’s), and consists of over 400 activities and topic areas of discussion for instructing students in the Expanded Core Curriculum. The activities are age-neutral and multi-sensory and therefore can meet the needs of the broad range of students served on an itinerant caseload serving. The activities can be individualized to the students various learning modalities and scaffold in order to challenge students but ensure success. Select those activities that align with the student’s learning objects based on the student’s unique visual needs and academic and developmental level. In addition to the core activity areas, each of the 32 Thematic Units incorporates additional unique ECC concepts and skills providing you with a years’ worth of activities. These units are cyclical and can be used repeatedly to help students build on prior knowledge and develop a deeper understanding of concepts. Each unit includes suggestions for activity adaptation associated with the unit. These include lists of objects, possible community-based experiences, environmental print, poems, children & young reader books, children's songs, pop culture songs, movies, and websites.


In addition to the book, the following two supplements are included:
·      TVI’s Guide to the ECC Concept Checklist
·      TVI’s Guide to the ECC Activities Checklist


For complete product details and additional images, visit the TVI's Guide product page.


TVI's Guide to the ECC Product details
·      Digital pdf download: 346 pages (11 pt font)
·      Publisher: Teaching Students with Visual Impairments
·      Author: Carmen Willings
·      Language: English


Visual Efficiency & Near Magnifier Fluency Worksheets: TVI's Guide to the ECC Grab and Go Supplements
The Near Magnifier Fluency Worksheets is a Grab and Go supplement to the TVI's Guide to Teaching the ECC. This workbook is a pdf download that can be printed on demand for use with students. It contains five different types of worksheets for developing visual motor skills and near magnifier fluency skills particularly with the use of a video magnifier. As a companion to the TVI’s Guide to the ECC, the worksheets correspond to each of the 32 ECC Thematic units. The worksheets, along with a list of environmental print for each thematic unit, are designed to help students refine their visual motor skills while reinforcing ECC concepts presented in the thematic units.  


For complete product details and additional images, visit the Visual Efficiency & Near Magnifier Product Page.


Visual Efficiency & Near Magnifier Fluency Worksheet Details:
·      Digital pdf download: 210 pages
·      Publisher: Teaching Students with Visual Impairments
·      Author: Carmen Willings
·      Language: English


Thematic Keyboarding & Braille Fluency and Maintenance Worksheets: A TVI’s Guide to Teaching the ECC Grab & go Supplement
The Thematic Keyboarding & Braille Fluency and Maintenance Grab and Go ECC worksheet packet is a print on demand workbook that contains worksheets in print and simulated braille to use for data collection. Present the student with a hard braille copy and use the worksheets to document accuracy and fluency in reading braille. As a companion to the TVI’s Guide to the ECC, the worksheets correspond to the ECC Thematic activities presented in the curriculum guide. These word lists and sentences will help the student refine their keyboarding or braille reading skills while bridging ECC concepts presented in the thematic units. Although the lists and passages can be produced using a manual braillewriter, you may also copy and paste the passages into any braille translation software for quick production on an embosser. They may also be entered into a typing program such as APH’s Talking Typer to build keyboarding fluency.


For complete product details and additional images, visit the Thematic Keyboarding & Braille Fluency & Maintenance Product Page


Thematic Keyboarding & Braille Fluency Worksheet Details:
·      Digital pdf download: 338-page print and simulated braille worksheets
·      Publisher: Teaching Students with Visual Impairments
·      Author: Carmen Willings
·      Language: English


Thematic Vocabulary Cards and Checklists: Grab & Go ECC Supplement
The Thematic Vocabulary Cards and Checklists Grab and Go ECC supplement is a 446 page pdf downloadable print on demand workbook that includes 2940 vocabulary card on 3 1/2" x 2" templates divided by each of the 32 Thematic Units along with a checklist of each unit words in print and simulated braille. As a companion to the TVI's Guide to the ECC, the vocabulary cards correspond to the ECC Thematic activities presented in the curriculum guide. 


Additional Use:
Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments can have a extremely varied caseloads. It is possible to go several years without having a student on your caseload who requires braille instruction. Like other skills, if you do not practice your braille regularly, it is easy to lose those skills. Use these checklists and cards to maintain your braille skills. Fold the checklist along the line dividing the print from the braille. Choose to either read the print and produce the word in braille using a braillewriter or read the simulated braille and decode it. Finally, these vocabulary cards and checklists may be used with family members or peers who are interested in learning and practicing the braille code.


For complete product details and additional images, visit the Thematic Vocabulary Cards & Checklists Product Page


Thematic Vocabulary Cards and Checklists Details:
·      Digital pdf download: 446-page print on demand resource
·      Publisher: Teaching Students with Visual Impairments
·      Author: Carmen Willings
·      Language: English


BONUS!
Lotto Cards
The LOTTO Cards Grab and Go Supplement includes 37 theme related unit cards along with activity suggestions that support activities within the TVI's Guide to Teaching the ECC.


On My Way File Folder Cards
Print and use these cards to represent locations the student may visit that are related to the current thematic unit. Use these with the On My Way File Folder Game outlined in the TVI's Guide to Teaching the ECC p. 27.

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