Assistive Technology Definition:
According to the United States Assistive Technology Act of 1998, assistive technology (also known as adaptive technology) refers to any "product, device, or equipment, whether acquired commercially, modified or customized, that is used to maintain, increase, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities."
According to the United States Assistive Technology Act of 1998, assistive technology (also known as adaptive technology) refers to any "product, device, or equipment, whether acquired commercially, modified or customized, that is used to maintain, increase, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities."
3 Low Tech Tools: (Low-cost, typically non electronic devices)
1) Kid Glow Keyboard: This keyboard would be considered a low tech for of assisstive technology. This keyboard has a skin overlay which is high contrast that could benefit some students.
2) Zoom Caps: This is another helpful low tech assistive technology tool for students. Zoom Caps is for students that have low vision. The caps come in the colors black, white and yellow.
3) The Jumbo Keyboard: This keyboard can be very helpful for certain students. The Jumbo Keyboard is color coded, as well as a black and white form to reduce glare and is mostly seen in preschool classrooms.
2) Zoom Caps: This is another helpful low tech assistive technology tool for students. Zoom Caps is for students that have low vision. The caps come in the colors black, white and yellow.
3) The Jumbo Keyboard: This keyboard can be very helpful for certain students. The Jumbo Keyboard is color coded, as well as a black and white form to reduce glare and is mostly seen in preschool classrooms.
3 Mid Tech Tools: (Moderately priced, easy to operate electronic devices)
1) Pesonal Spellers: Personal spellers can help students who may have problems with spelling. This device an also be used as a rhyming game to help students recgnize different word families.
2) A Mobile Word Processor: Mobile Word Processors are great support for students who have challenges with hand writing.
3) Visual Timer: Visual timers can also be very helpful to students becuase these timers help students "see" how much time they have left for a certain activity. (http://atumflint.blogspot.com/2012/06/mid-tech-assistive-technology-tools.html)
2) A Mobile Word Processor: Mobile Word Processors are great support for students who have challenges with hand writing.
3) Visual Timer: Visual timers can also be very helpful to students becuase these timers help students "see" how much time they have left for a certain activity. (http://atumflint.blogspot.com/2012/06/mid-tech-assistive-technology-tools.html)
3 High Tech Tools: (Relatively expensive devices that contain microcomputer components for storage and retrieval of information)
1) iPad: The iPad and other versions of the iPad could be considered high tech assistive technology tools. However it is usually the apps for the iPad that are considered assistive technolgy, not just the iPad alone would be considered a high tech tool, but the apps that can be downloaded/bought. (http://lps.lexingtonma.org//site/Default.aspx?PageID=2163)
2) Co-Writer, SoothSayer, Telepathic 2000: All of these programs are considered word prediction programs, and fall under the high technology tools for assistive technology. These programs speak instead of writing or using a mouse. For a MAC similir programs would include Dragon Naturally Speaking and iListen. (http://www.ist.hawaii.edu/training/tech/07_types2.php)
3) Reading Systems: Reading Systems can be considered high tech tools for assistive technology if the device uses a computer, scanner, and software to read scanned book pages out loud to the student. (http://www.nsnet.org/atc/tools/lowtohightech.html)
2) Co-Writer, SoothSayer, Telepathic 2000: All of these programs are considered word prediction programs, and fall under the high technology tools for assistive technology. These programs speak instead of writing or using a mouse. For a MAC similir programs would include Dragon Naturally Speaking and iListen. (http://www.ist.hawaii.edu/training/tech/07_types2.php)
3) Reading Systems: Reading Systems can be considered high tech tools for assistive technology if the device uses a computer, scanner, and software to read scanned book pages out loud to the student. (http://www.nsnet.org/atc/tools/lowtohightech.html)