Assistive Technology for Students who are Blind or Visually Impaired Rosa Mauer rmauer@iabvi.org 319-899-0139 https://sites.google.com/site/assistivetech1/
What is Assistive Technology? Assistive technology refers to the special devices--including both hightech and low-tech tools--and software that people with disabilities can use to access both the environment and technology. Reading Stand www.aph.org
When Considering Assistive Technology: * Think about the TASKS a student needs to accomplish. * Is assistive technology needed to accomplish the task? * What assistive technology might be used to complete the task? * Will one tool fix it all? Large print Measuring cups from www.maxiaids.com
Consultant Services: Available from Iowa Education Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired * Advise the Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) regarding assessment needs in order to determine what assistive technology is best for the individual and unique situation. * consult with Teachers of the Visually Impaired, paraeducators, and other staff regarding student use of assistive technology in the general education environment. * Provide technical assistance as possible. * Conduct school visits to observe and/or assist with equipment as requested by the TVI. * Offer classes for the TVI and paraeducators in use of various assistive technology. * Teacher of the Visually Impaired should be first point of contact. * Provide equipment demonstration and exploration at Low Vision Clinics. * Provide in service and training regarding various aspects of assistive technology.
Assistive Device Center: * Form must be filled out by the TVI in order for equipment to be checked out. * Equipment may be checked out if student technology is out for repair. * TVI may check out equipment for six weeks for assessment purposes. Braille Sense Braille Note Taker http://hims-inc.com/
Low Vision Assistive Technology * paper and writing utensils * Reading stands * lighting considerations (including lamps) * non-electronic magnifiers * monocular * standalone electronic magnification devices * near/far electronic magnification devices * hand-held electronic magnification devices VisioBook Near/Far Electronic Magnification www.aph.org
Assistive Technology is Available for Many Content Areas * Daily living * Orientation and Mobility * math * science BlindSquare GPS Navigation App https://itunes.apple.com/us/a pp/blindsquare/id500557255? mt=8
Braille Note Takers * BrailleNote * Braille Sense * Braille Plus 18 * ios paired with refreshabraille display * computer with refreshabraille display * mountbatten brailler * braille writer (standard, electronic, and smart brailler) Apex BrailleNote www.humanware.com
Book Readers * Book port Plus from APH and many other book readers (Victor Stream, Book Sense) * Book readers built into note takers * ios apps for book reading Read2Go Voice Dream Reader Book Port Plus www.aph.org
Screen Readers for the Computer * Window-Eyes for PC * JAWS for PC * Voice Over on Mac * built-in screen readers for PC * free software such as NVDA Serotek screen reader and more Free Window-Eyes Offer Must have Office 2010 or higher http://www.windoweyesforoffice.com/
Many low and high tech options are available that could not be covered in this introduction. Initial and on-going assessment are extremely important to determine the best assistive technology for individual students. Often, students use many assistive technology tools to meet various goals and complete tasks in several environments.
Teachers of the Visually Impaired may contact Rosa at any time for consultation. Rosa Mauer rmauer@iabvi.org 319-899-0139 Visit my Web Page for Rubrics, Lesson Plans, and More: https://sites.google.com/site/assistivetech1/