Technology can help students with disabilities reach their full potential. Also, computers help students achieve equal access to the education curriculum. Most importantly, there is hardware available that allows students with disabilities to function successfully in the classroom.
Special needs students are students with physical, cognitive, and speech disabilities. Moreover, there are augmentative communication devices, speech-generating devices, assessment software to assist special needs students in the classroom. Students who are nonverbal or whose speech is not fluent or understandable enough to communicate effectively may benefit from using some type of communication device including such things as symbol 5 systems, communication boards and wallets, electronic communication devices, lap tops, speech synthesizers, recorded speech devices, communication enhancement software, word processing, and CAD (Computer Automated Design) programs.
Students who have hearing impairments can use assistive devices. Assistive devices to help with hearing problems include: hearing aids, phonic ear, TDDs, closed caption TV, or mid-gain hardware systems. In addition, methods for assisting with vision problems include increasing contrast, enlarging stimuli and making use of tactile and auditory models. Devices that assist with vision include screen readers, screen enlargers, magnifiers, large-type books, and taped books. Moreover, students with disabilities want to have fun and interact socially with their peers. Assistive technology can help them to participate in all sorts of recreational activities, which can be both interactive with friends as well as educational. Some adapted recreational activities include drawing software, computer games, computer
simulations, and adapted puzzles.
For more information on types of assistive technology please go to the following website, http://www.microsoft.com/enable/at/types.aspx.
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Tadara,
In reading your very informative overview of assistive technology devices for disabled students, I was particularly interested in the items you mentioned for recreational purposes. These included drawing software, computer games and simulations, and adapted puzzles. In viewing various Websites in connection with assistive devices, I was amazed at the vast array of manipulative materials that are available for special needs students, including games, such as dominoes, dice, etc., maps and map puzzles, talking globes, etc. Many of these were available from Educational Development Centers associated with universities. I agree that it is so important to help these students develop their socialization skills, as well as their academic skills. It is also important for non-disabled students to learn how to interact with them, treating them no differently than their non-disabled peers. If special accommodations must be made through assistive devices (screen readers, speech synthesizers, etc.), teachers must take the time to take the mystery out of it by showing students how the device works and why it is being used. Also, allow students to help as much as possible.
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