JAWS is a software program that is directed towards the visually impaired. It reads text allowed enabling people to surf the World Wide Web and do tasks just as if they had vision.
Trackball is a ball with zooming wheel and buttons.It was designed for students who lack the fine motor skills to help navigate around a computer.
The Rollup keyboard is a keyboard that is for students who are super sensitive to background noise.
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ZoomText Xtra is a software program that magnifies text and pictures on the computer.
I have only named a few of the MANY assistive technology devices that are out there to assist students and people with disabilities. Most of us will not come encounter with these devices or programs while teaching but it is GREAT knowledge that those devices and programs are available if a student is required to have them in their IEP (Individualized Education Plan) for them to receive the same education. Remember: The county must provide these accommodations to these students and IT IS THEIR RIGHT!
I have been fortunate to see many of these devices while getting my bachelors degree in ESE at Daytona State College. The college has a department for students who have these disabilities for them to get the same college education as us. I have talked to many students who used these devices and they even showed me a short turtorial on "how to's"
Here is a link that you can click on and get familiar with the types of devices that are available. It would be great if everyone is aware because you never know when that child will walk through your door of your classroom. :)
School of Public Health and Health Professions (2005). Turtorials: JAWS. Retrieved from
http://atto.buffalo.edu/registered/Tutorials/jaws/index.php
Alyssa. (2007, April). Adaptive/Assistive Teachnologies. [Web Blog]. Retrieved from http://adaptivetechw412.blogspot.com/2007_04_01_archive.html
Assistive Technology [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXchQnJ6PoE
School of Public Health and Health Professions (2005). Turtorials: JAWS. Retrieved from
http://atto.buffalo.edu/registered/Tutorials/jaws/index.php
Alyssa. (2007, April). Adaptive/Assistive Teachnologies. [Web Blog]. Retrieved from http://adaptivetechw412.blogspot.com/2007_04_01_archive.html
Assistive Technology [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXchQnJ6PoE
It is great that there are items that are available to students with disabilities. What looks good to me is that I know these can be expensive items, but they look rugged enough for everyday student handling of the items. So long as they can hold up to kids, then we can start utilizing them in the classroom and building lessons upon them.
ReplyDeleteMy only concern is getting them into the classroom. Yes, if there is an IEP in place the child can get them from the school upon request, but most parents don't know that these things exist. How can you ask for something that you don't know anything about? I think the teacher needs to have these things available to her in the class so they can see if it can help the child, and if so the parent can be informed and the request made for one for the child personally. This way the parent can have the knowledge, and the teacher doesn't have to wait and hope in order to effectively teach.