Journal #8 Adaptive Technology

Augmentative and Alternative Communication

An Augmentative and Alternative Communication also know as (AAC) is set of strategies that assist people with severe communication disabilities to participate more fully in their social roles including interpersonal interaction, learning, education, community activities, employment, volunteerism, care management, etc. Augmentative and Alternative Communication can be used by individuals who are nonverbal, have poor speech intelligibility and/or limited verbal expression.

Low/No teach Tool

There are a lot of things created in order to make academic improvement on students. One simple thing can make a huge difference on student’s learning. Students that are unable to operate a pencil correctly use pencil grids. Sticking or gluing small utensils that you can find in your home, for example rubber bands or pencil weights, can easily make pencil grids. These pencil grids will facilitate and improve student’s writing ability.

 

High Tech Tool

 

By using devices such as tablets, iPads, iPods, and computers students can make a great academic improvement. Parents instead of paying thousands of dollars to therapists to teach their kids how to read and write started using these devices that are as effective and beneficial as a therapy with a professional. The prices for these devices range from $100-$600. The price is worth it, there a numerous apps that can help students. For example, iSpeech is an app that incorporates text to speech and automated speech recognition.

Accessibility

Input Device

Input devices are those devices that are designed to help students with disabilities to operate a computer.

Hardware Tool

One example of an input hardware would be an Audio Headset. This specific device helps students to avoid distractions while reading or studying. Audio Handsets are equipped with a microphone that is attached on a flexible arm, allowing for hands-free use of voice recognition software.

 

Software Tool

A great example of accessibility software is the IVEO Hands-on Learning System. This software allows students to learn through touch, sound and sight. IVEO Hands-on Learning is equipped with scalable text display, two levels of spoken information, object file link, overlay printing, and zooming capability. All these features stimulate student’s learning.