AT & Learning Disabilities

There are many learners with disabilities that can use assistive technology to help them navigate the learning process.  The technology today can give learners a voice when before they cold only stay silent.  In this course we have seen and heard about many of these devices and we can share this knowledge with everyone using, you guessed it, technology!  These learners have the ability but cannot share their knowledge in our ordinary way.  Extraordinary means for extraordinary learners!

Stephen Hawking - theoretical physicist, cosmologist and learner with multiple disabilities.  Considered by some to be one of the greatest minds of our time.  He was diagnosed with ALS at the age of 21.




Some learners with disabilties can benefit from the less stimulating presentation of information and spelling and grammar checks that are built into a program.  There are learners that have the words that they wish to use but cannot access them to put them on paper or on the screen.  He may have dyslexia and this can create a difficulty in reading accurately or for clarity and comprehension.  There are times when words are not an option for communication and only pictures will assit the learner in sharing his knowledge.  Some of the sensory difficulties could be low vision or blindness.  These learners need assistance with writing, typing and or reading.

Students with learning disabilties can use:

High tech options
Word prediction software - this can save the learner time by helping find the word he means to use quickly.  This allows for the flow of work to continue at a pace that does not interrupt the flow of thought.
Voice recogntion software - the learner that is unable to write or type what he is able to say or hear in his head can dictate to the computer.  The student can now say what he means and can share what he has learned or discovered.
Low tech options
Dictionary or thesaurus - this can be made available to the student in every class.
Word rings - these can hold high frequency words with definitions and pictures that allow the student easy access.

Students with Sensory Disabilties
High tech option
Scanner - this can have information to be read loaded into it and then will read aloud to the learner.
Screen magnifier - this can allow for the print on the computer screen to be enlarged to a size that the learner can more easily read.

Low tech option
Colored transparencies - this can help by providing contrast in color between background and the words.
Enlarged text - this can be worksheets and reading material that is enlarged when printed on the copier.

There are many ways to assist learners with disabilities reach their goals and access learning and knowledge.  It is important to include assistive technology in a students IEP if there is a way that it can help the learner read, write, type, hear, see or express thoughts, emotions and needs.

www.k12.wa.us/specialed/families/ieps/.../lowtechassistivetechnology.pdf

www.hawking.org.uk/