The Assistive Technology Blog

Over the past two days, the AT blog has highlighted some free chapters posted online by the Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative (WATI). Here's one more, on a topic that challenges many students: writing.

They open with this: "A common concern expressed by teachers, parents, and in some cases, the students themselves is "They have good ideas but just can't get them down on paper." Understanding the writing sequence and adding supports as needed may help students. For others there may be alternate ways to share or present what they know. The following tools may assist students in overcoming or adapting to the writing obstacles they face."

If that sounds familiar, check out the chapter:
http://www.wati.org/content/supports/free/pdf/Ch6-CompostionWrittenMaterial.pdf

Posted by Susanne Croasdaile at 11:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The good folks at the Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative share a chapter online that helps us all with considering AT for reading.

In their words, "There are students who struggle with reading every day. They may be students who have an identified disability in reading or are "unidentified" struggling readers. We also know that students who have language learning disabilities often struggle with making meaningful connections with printed text, as do students who are English Language Learners (ELLs) and students with cognitive disabilities. Some students with physical impairments, visual and hearing
impairments, and AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) users often have
difficulty accessing the text. This chapter will outline some of the research that impacts students who struggle with the reading process, National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standards (NIMAS) definitions, requirements, definitions and restrictions will be addressed. Factors about the student, environment and tasks that should be considered when contemplating assistive technologies and strategies will be explored. Finally, we will examine some of the tools from low- to high-tech that can support struggling readers."

Read their fine work at
http://www.wati.org/content/supports/free/pdf/Ch7-Reading.pdf

Posted by Susanne Croasdaile at 11:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative has a free chapter posted online that uses the SETT (Student, Environment, Task, and Tool) process to
"look at assistive technology tools to support students with disabilities in the area of mathematics. Included will be an overview of some of the issues in the current system of mathematic instruction that challenge students with disabilities to succeed. A continuum of tools and strategies and resources will be provided to support further
inquiry into the subject." Have a read! Click on http://www.wati.org/content/supports/free/pdf/Ch8-Mathematics.pdf

Posted by Susanne Croasdaile at 11:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Graphic organizers are great tools for helping your students organize ideas for writing or for outlining facts when studying for a test. There are many templates available on-line as well as on-line collaborative mind-mapping tools. However, did you know that within Microsoft word there are great templates that can be used for graphic organizers as well? Located under the insert tab, the SmartArt Graphic toolbar has many options for graphic representation, including Venn diagrams, flow charts and lists. Spend some time investigating these options and teach your students where to find them. It will be another tool in their tool belt for success.

Posted by Mona at 7:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

RJ Cooper has done it again and at a cheaper price $69 for an Electronic Aid for Daily Living accessible through your iDevices or Android devices. Via Bluetooth technology the user can use the Remote Controller/IR Blaster to control the TV, Stereo and almost anything electrical with an adapter. Check out his site for more details
http://www.rjcooper.com/remote-controller/

Posted by Kelly Ligon at 2:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

So I'm reading this story outloud and it's really good and I've been reading it for a long time and I'm running out of breath and all the sentences are running together when can I stop gasp gasp...... Punctuation marks are symbols that are used to aid to the clarity and comprehension of written language. They are also signals for us take a short pause and a breath. If you work with students who have difficulty understanding the purpose of punctuation, use highlighters to mark all of the commas, periods, question marks and other punctuation in text. This can be a signal to them to respond to the punctuation when they see it.

Posted by Sharon Jones at 11:36 AM | Permalink