AT Program News

Google Improves Accessibility for Blind Users

Google has announced improved keyboard shortcuts and support for screen readers in Google Docs, Google Sites, and Google Calendar. Google Accessibility Technical Lead T.V. Raman reports that Google has been working with advocacy organizations for the blind to improve its products and plans to continue to make enhancements over the coming months.

Learn about Google's accessibility features 

Read the announcement at the Official Google Blog 

Supermarket Tests New Technology for Blind Shoppers--abledbody

Finding a loaf of French bread and a wheel of Camembert could get a lot easier for people with disabilities. French supermarket chain Casino is testing the potential of chip-enabled smartphones that would make grocery shopping easier for people who are blind, visually impaired or have a physical disability.

Read the rest at this abledbody Web page

My Study Bar for Writing Support and More

Here's a terrific free tool from Scotland for Windows operating systems. Open source tools that support research, planning, structuring and writing are all organized for ease of access with My Study Bar.

My Study Bar provides 15 apps to choose from, including Xmind for planning and organization; T-Bar for customizing font and color backgrounds; Lingoes for when you need a talking dictionary; LetMeType for help with text input; Balabolka for converting text to audio, a speech-to-text app, and more.

XP, Vista, and Windows 7 are all supported, and the program can run off a USB stick. Step-by-step tutorials are also provided. Find it all at this JISC RSC Scotland N&E Web page.

Thanks to SC Assistive Technology Program Director Carol Page for suggesting My Study Bar to ATPN!

VGO-Robotic Assistive Technology Brings Homebound Child Into His Classroom

This is a MUST WATCH video brought to my attention by a colleague in Massachusetts. The video shows a child who is homebound traveling the halls of his school thanks to VGO.

 

Great Video: Keith Jones Using Assistive Technology for His Home-Based Enterprise

ReThinking: He Doesn't Want to be Seen as Different

I've heard that refrain numerous times.

"But... he doesn't want to be seen as different."

It's usually uttered in response to specific technology recommendations offered during the IEP team process. The team typically nods their head in agreement; after all, it is a priority that the student completes school tasks in the same manner as their peers, or uses the same school tools as their friends. (Or is it?)

Unfortunately, I realize another team is unaware of Universal Design for Learning principles.  If they understood UDL, they would appreciate the importance of offering MULTIPLE methods of engagement, presentation and expression. Instead, they are sticking to the "one size fits all" approach, an approach which fails to meet the needs of all learners. It's an approach that allows teams to agree, "He doesn't want to be seen as different."

My challenge to the team is to change the culture, don't let the student be seen as different. Offer multiple methods of expression. Give choices. Offer alternatives to the traditional methods which fail many kids.

Sometimes students need a different method.

A classic example is the Poster Board.

Think of all the poster boards that have been assigned over the years. For some students, the fine motor or visual processing skills required to complete that task are nearly impossible without significant help from home. Paper can be the disability. Two alternatives are Glogster or VoiceThread, free online multimedia tools which minimize the potential output challenges. In addition, these tools can be more engaging.

But don't just change the expectation to ALL students will now create a Glog. Introduce them to the tools. Then let students choose the tool which will help them accomplish the task in the way that works best for them. Promote an environment where they are not seen as different. Every one chooses the method which promotes success. Some students will opt for the paper poster board, others will choose another option.

The essential point is the availability of choice. When there is choice, no one is seen as different. Every student gets what they need.

Easily accomplished in an age of numerous tool choices. Need a starting place? Refer to the UDL Tech Toolkit wiki to get you going.

-Karen Janowski

Karen Janowski is an assistive and educational technology consultant in Massachusetts. This blog post was originally published May 13, 2011 at Teaching Every Student and is reprinted with permission.

10 Things Every School District Should Know About AT

Check out this online training from the Georgia Project for Assistive Technology (a program of the Georgia Dept. of Education). Useful to school systems in any state (as well as parents, educators, therapists, and others), this 4 part video series helps frame essential concepts and action steps for the responsible provision of AT services. Whether you have an AT program in place or are in the process of developing a program, here are

10 Things Every District Should Know About Assistive Technology.  

 

The Kids' Project

 

  Adjustable Corner Sitter: "Sitting on the floor to play with blocks or to color is part of being a child."

Affordable easels, incline boards, adjustable desks, adaptive classroom chairs, corner sitters (support for sitting on the floor with everyone else), adaptive preschool toys, and more can be found at The Kids' Project, a program of the non-profit Pine Tree Society.

The Kids' Project adaptive equipment is comparable to top of the line adaptive equipment at 40-75% below commercial prices, providing more opportunities for greater success for children with special needs.

Their high-quality adaptive equipment is made by volunteer woodworkers and upholsterers. Find them at the Pine Tree Society Web site.

Reminder: AT Program News makes no endorsement, representation, or warranty expressed or implied for any product, device, or information set forth in this Web site. AT Program News has not examined, reviewed, or tested any product or device referred to on this Web site.

Beyond the Apps Store!

10 Web pages with apps for special education and adults with disabilities

As the volume of apps for mobile devices explodes, Web sites are cropping up to help us learn, review, and share about them. Below is a selection to help you get started:

1. Apps for Children with Special Needs (a4cwsn.com)
Videos of apps in action to help parents, educators, caregivers and professionals make more informed purchases. The creator is a parent who has also launched an effort to give away 50 iPads in 50 states.  

2. IEAR.org; I Education Apps Review
Founded by an education technology specialist, this site has created a community of over 500 educators, administrators, and app developers, including 30 volunteer "educator" app reviewers.  Apps are categorized by grade level and tagged by subject. There is also a special education category with 10 reviews so far. A great place to explore (and help grow?)

3. Teach with your iPad
This is a Wiki with a special education page. There are a lot of educators out there creating Wikis to share education technology advice and this is one of them.

4. Mobile Learning for Special Needs
Founded by a special educator, this Wiki includes 140 iPad/iPhone apps organized by category in addition to articles, video case studies and captioned video tutorials on devices.

5. Moms With Apps: special needs page
An online catalog of apps created by family-friendly developers.

6. iPodsibilities
"One teacher's thoughts on using iPods and iPads in the classroom."  Apps, reviews, lesson plans and more--including for special education.

Beyond Special Education…

7. iPhone/iPad Apps for AAC

8. iPhone/iPad Apps for Magnification and Vision Support

9. iPhone/iPad Apps for Literacy Support
These link to large spread sheets explaining, comparing, and reviewing apps! The AAC page sorts apps with symbols/pictures only, apps with symbols and text-to-speech, and text-based-only apps. The Vision page sorts apps by magnification and other vision support. The Literacy Support sheet is more of a listing only. They are provided by the Spectronics Web site--a supplier of inclusive learning technologies in Australia and New Zealand.

10. AAC TechConnect Apps Assistant
The Apps Assistant is under development to help sort through the sea of AAC apps through a series of basic questions. Check out the apps list and sign up for beta testing.

Happy searching!