The Assistive Technology Blog

Assistive Technology Tools for Reading

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:07:54 -0500

There are a lot of assistive technologies to assist struggling readers. Although they each work a little differently in presenting text to speech, these technologies help to facilitate decoding, fluency and comprehension.
Audio Books and Publications -Recorded books allow users to listen to text and are available in a variety of format such as audiocassettes, CD's and MP3 downloads.

Click on the links to the following products and services:
Audible.com
http://www.audible.com/adbl/site/homepage/AnonHome.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

Bookcourier.com
http://www.bookcourier.com/

Bookshare
http://www.bookshare.org/readingTools

Optical Character Recognition-this technology allows a user to scan printed material into a computer or handheld unit. The scanned text is then read aloud via a speech synthesis/screen reading system. Optical Character Recognition (OCR) is available as stand-alone units, computer software, and as portable, pocket-sized devices.

Check out the links to the following products:
Quicktionary 2 Reading Pens
http://www.wizcomshop.com/Readingpen-Basic-Edition-K-12_p_22.html

Wynn Literacy Software Solution
http://www.freedomscientific.com/LSG/products/wynn.asp

A review of successes and challenges with UDL implementation

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:06:17 -0500

Here's a recent compilation of what's been happening around the country in relation to the practice of universal design for learning (UDL). This is a great review that takes the reader through several success stories and best practices in various settings. Worth the read at http://www.projectforum.org/docs/UDL-PolicyChallengesandRecommendations.pdf

For those of you keeping up with the AT show...

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 05:15:28 -0500

...or those who are new to it!

The most recent AT Show podcast is about where to find audio books. You can access it at http://www.atmaine.com/atshow/ and either listen through streaming media or subscribe/download using the directions posted at the site.

Some of their highlighted resources include:
Overdrive: http://www.overdrive.com
NLS BARD: http://www.nlsbard.loc.gov
Books Should be Free: http://www.booksshouldbefree.com
Truly Free: http://www.trulyfree.org
Podiobooks: http://www.podiobooks.com
Daily Lit: http://www.dailylit.com

Cool idea--reading radio broadcasts

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:19:46 -0500

HD Radio provides more than great digital sound, it can also carry text. National Public Radio is planning on broadcasting closed-captioned text of talk shows along with the audio. Radio receivers with screens will allow folks who are deaf, or those of us who need the visual to understand hard-to hear words or phrases listen and READ radio broadcasts. These receivers are planning to come out in late 2009.
Check out

Inspiration you can access on the web

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:11:04 -0500

I just read about a Inspiration mind-maping product available at http://www.mywebspiration.com.

Like Inspiration and Kidspiration, this visual thinking tool can be used to
"capture ideas, organize information, diagram processes and create clear,
concise written documents."

What's different? This one is online, and you can work individually or collaboratively.

Some cool components:
"Webspiration makes it easy to collaborate and share documents by simply sending an invite. Everyone works on the same document, contributing, posting comments, and viewing changes. Webspiration is ideal for team projects, study groups, reviewing and commenting on documents and co-authoring materials. Store and access documents online without discs, drives or email. Work at home, a friend's house, the library, your office, or the local coffee shop. Webspiration and your documents are available anywhere you have access to the internet."

Since it is in beta version right now (being tested before widespread distribution), you can sign up for a free myWebspiration account at http://www.mywebspiration.com/user/register.

Books That Make a Difference

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:02:04 -0500

The QuickStart Literature Kit includes a durable, laptop-style tote bag, two sets of exciting pre-adapted books with pre-recorded modules, a Jelly Bean switch and the BookWorm literacy tool, complete with an adaptation kit for turning virtually any book into a "talking book." - That's Life Literature Series: Going Places Book Set engages struggling readers and visual learners in developing social skills and the ability to move within the community and the wider world.
Click on the following links:
http://caineassociates.com/products/bookworm-quickstart-literature-p-210.html

http://www.pcieducation.com/store/item.aspx?ItemId=46461#bottomTabs

Did you know that the iTouch....

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:02:35 -0500

Did you know that you can hold your finger over the browser window area for typing in a web address on the iTouch and a circular magnifier will appear? Great infusion of universal design!! Of course, I just like the fact that I can hold my two fingers in place on the screen and "stretch" the screen to enlarge. Fun tool to explore!

Hands-on AT part of career exploration for students with low vision

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:07:23 -0500

I was just reading
http://blind-students.suite101.com/article.cfm/career_resources_for_the_blind
"Career Resources for the Blind:New Programs Let Low-Vision Students Explore Employment Options" and read about the "VISIONS Employment and Technology Institute.

"Adults with visual impairments age 18 and over are invited to attend VISIONS third annual employment and technology institute, "Owning Your Future," which takes place this year during a week long (July 22-28) or weekend (July 24-26) session. The institute will feature workshops, seminars (topics include the economy, social networking, and career growth), a hands-on assistive technology expo, and opportunities to relax.
The host facility, a 35-acre residential rehabilitation and training center in Rockland County, has a lake, ramped, heated swimming pool, self-guided nature trail, library, lounges, wireless Internet, and an adapted computer center. The suggested contribution, which includes lodging, meals, and transportation to and from Selis Manor (135 West 23rd Street, New York City), is $75 and $50 respectively for the weeklong and weekend sessions. Call Blindline (888.625.1616) for information."

Portable Webcam

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 19:16:23 -0500

Have you seen the newest version of Sony's Cybershot camera? The Sony DSC-G3 is the first camera with a Web browser that allows you to log onto any WiFi hotspot and instantly upload your photos without having to pull out your computer. You can even search Google if necessary. Imagine what you can do! At $500 it sounds expensive but remember you won't need your computer to upload to your favorite photo site for editing! Check out

Where oh where can I get a multi-page scanner?

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:18:18 -0500

Well, for those of you ready to toss millions (!) of pages on a scanner and get going with OCR (optical character recognition) software, here's one I just found for c-h-e-a-p...

The "XEROX DocuMate 510 XDM5105D-WU 42 bit 600 x 1200 dpi Fast Single Pass Scanner" has a 50-sheet document feeder that scans 10 pages per minute up to legal-sized documents. Included is ScanSoft PaperPort Deluxe 9 and ScanSoft TextBridge Pro 9 OCR (!). You can process double-sided pages (like books) by selecting Process --> Scan Only, then select Auto Process. After the front sides of the pages are scanned, select Other Side from the Add Pages to Scanner dialog box. Once the pages are all scanned, select Process --> Image File, then select Auto Process or Get Page to process the image file you created.

Lots of other scanners are comparable-look around. This one runs about $229 when you price compare online.

Summer Reading Fun

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 06:21:11 -0500

Click on the links below if you are interested in audio recordings for summer reading. Helpful to those who may struggle with reading or who wish to make use of vacation travel time.

http://www.learnoutloud.com/Catalog/Literature

http://www.learnoutloud.com/Resources/Publishers-and-Retailers/Don-Johnston-Incorporated/621

Some new resources to guide the practice of UDL

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:57:18 -0500

A few new resources are now available to guide the practice of UDL from our friends at CAST. First, the new national UDL center has debuted and will continue to have many new resources, http://www.udlcenter.org/

The CAST UDL guidelines have several new links to expand on the topic including an Educator Checklist and UDL Blog. Check these out at http://www.cast.org/publications/UDLguidelines/version1.html.

Finally, CAST now hosts a UDL Spotlight area on their site to share new approaches and best practices at http://udlspotlight.wordpress.com/

A free online summer institute on accessible instructional materials

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:32:43 -0500

From our friends at the Family Center on Technology and Disability...

"The Family Center on Technology and Disability is pleased to provide a free, 2-week online summer institute, July 20-31, 2009. The Family Center's summer institutes have been extremely popular, connecting educators, disability professionals and parents throughout the country with leading national experts in assistive and instructional technologies. This year's institute will have two learning strands: Accessible Instructional Materials and Social Media Tools. Participants can register for continuing education units (CEU's). More information on each strand is provided below, or you can register directly at: http://www.fctd.info/registration_types/1/registrations/new
If you have additional questions, please email fctd@aed.org or call Jackie Hess at (202) 884-8217 or Ana Maria Gutierrez at (202) 884-8068." Register for the Family Center on Technology and Disability's 2009 Summer Institute today!
http://www.fctd.info/registration_types/1/registrations/new

Silent voices can be heard

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 19:13:53 -0500

Michael Callahan experienced a short term brain injury due to a skateboarding accident when he was 17. Because of that experience he realized how many skills he took for granted. Five years later he came up with the Audeo at the University of Illinois. It is a tiny device that detects electronic activity between the brain and vocal chords and turns it into audible speech. People use all English-language phonemes to create words. There is some training time involved for learning how to speak in phonemes, and currently the Audeo can only pick up 30 words per minute, but the freedom it could allow someone might be well worth the wait! Read more about it:

New Service helps people with low/no vision to surf Internet, more

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 05:32:47 -0500

According to the creators,
"Audiopoint's Voice Terminal Service enables those with low or no vision to surf the Internet, read/send email, use Google Calendar and more. With simple voice commands, VTS is accessed via any landline telephone & mobile phone. VTS improves the online user experience of the visually impaired and liberates them so that they can reach greater independence and mobility. Now users can read/send email despite her blindness, use the Google Calendar Interface to listen to their daily agenda, add events, access their address book and more."

Click on http://www.audiopoint.net for more information.

Has anyone used this with students in school? Let us know how it worked for you!