Assistive Technology Devices

Mvc-012s.jpg (31957 bytes) DynaVox is an Augmentative Communication Device. It would be used with a student through adult who cannot communicate verbally. Essentially, this dedicated device becomes their voice and means of communicating at all times. It can be operated through direct selection, joystick, or through auditory and/or visual scanning with switches. The Dynavox has over 2,600 symbols with word and grammar prediction. The device also has built infrared capabilities that allow the user to operate televisions, VCR’s,and other appliances.

Alphasmart Pro is a portable note-taking device with a full QWERTY style keyboard and quick data transfer to Mac, Apple, and IBM compatible computers. The device features eight separate memory files holding a total of 128,000 characters (64 pages of text) and an LCD display of four lines of 40 characters. It runs over 200 hours on 2 AA batteries.

Intellikeys are a touch-sensitive alternate computer keyboard. Intellikeys requires no special interface: the keyboard plugs directly into the keyboard port. Intellikeys can be used to perform standard keyboard and mouse functions. It comes with seven overlays: arrows, numbers, alphabet, basic writing, IBM QWERTY, Apple QWERTY, setup, and clear. When an overlay is slipped into the keyboard, it is instantly recognized and the keyboard is configured appropriately.

BIGmack Switch is a self contained switch and digitized voice output. The large surface works as a pressure input switch to activate a message up to 20 seconds long.

Touch Window is a transparent plastic screen that fits over a computer monitor. When the Touch Window is used with compatible software, touching the screen with finger will generate input to the computer.

Big Keys Plus is a keyboard designed for Preschool and Special Education students. Big Keys features 1 inch square keys, bright colors, easily read labels, and keys in alphabetical And numerical order.

Easy Listener is an assistive listening device that facilitates an ideal listening learning environment in the classroom by making the teacher’s voice clearer. This is done by mildly amplifying the teacher’s voice, which at the same time reduces the effects of background noise. In Monroe County School District, we have both teacher/student units in various settings along with Sound Field which is free field amplification that works with all students in the class.

Easy Ball is an alternate MOUSE that can be used with students with fine motor problems and or students who need a bigger mouse surface. It can be used with almost any part of the hand with some degree of success.

Zoom Text is a screen magnification program that magnifies characters on the screen from 2x to 16x. for students with Low Vision. It can include full screen or partial screen zoom windows.

Boardmaker is a software program that combines graphics Database with a drawing program with over 3,000 pictures Communication symbols in bitmapped clipart form. Symbols can be found and printed in the following languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Swedish, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Danish, and Norwegian. System requirements: 4MB of RAM.

Co:Writer Write Outloud both of these products are software that enhance writing and word prediction skills. Co: Writer assists students who struggle with WRITING due to language delay, learning, or physical disabilities or for those learning the English Language. WRITE: OUTLOUD is an easy to use Word Processor that also aids with written output. It has a talking toolbar that says each word aloud. The new Write: OUTLOUD has a Franklin Spellchecker and Dictionary that is a very useful and needed feature for our students using this program. Both writing products are becoming a must for students who struggle with the writing process in school.

Communication Board - consists of picture symbols that can visually express wants, desires for students with limited speech and language. Also, included are students who may need a very structured visual communicative schedule. Many of our Students who have been diagnosed with Autism often rely on visual schedules to assist them through their daily routines. It provides a sense of beginning and completion of activities. The pictures are typically velcroed to oaktag or to wall schedules for the students to follow throughout the day.

Visual Schedule - Like a communication board, the Visual Schedule provides a sequence of activities you want the student to follow. In this example provided by Ms.James class at Gerald Adams School, she has developed pictures for an easier transition from their class to the PE class. As you can see, Ms. James wants the students to line up, wait for her, walk down the hall and finally arrive at PE. For students who have difficulty auditorily processing information, pictures provide the repetitive cue that they need to follow the progression from beginning to end. This aids in encouraging attending to the task at hand, good behavior, and increased control for the students. Visual schedules can better control the environment by their step by step process.

TECH/SPEAK is an augmentative communication device. This device is used with students with very limited speech or with speech that is unintelligible to the listener. The teacher programs in words in each square. The words can be unit related or merely functional words needed by the student to communicate his/her needs throughout the day. The student can access the squares by touching them. TECH/SCAN is similar however with this device if the student is physically involved and cannot touch the square, a switch can be attached so the student can SCAN the pictures and stop at the picture he/she wants by hitting a switch.

TECH/FOUR is also an augmentative communication device. The difference being less choices . Here, you have four choices for the student to select. The speech is digitized with the Teacher recording his/her voice into the device. This is a good choice for the beginning augmentative user.

DynaVox Training - Here, a student is learning to put pictures together to formulate a thought. The student then pushes the message bar and the thought or sentence is read aloud. For some students this opens their world to communication!! And, boy do they have a lot to say once they are able to do so!!

These devices, software and adaptions are merely a SAMPLING of Assistive Technology that is currently being used by STUDENTS in Monroe County School District. For more information and more extensive list of Assistive Technology Devices, call the Assistive Tech Lab in Key West at (305) 293-1517.