Terrific Tools for Reading and Writing

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Terrific Tools for Reading and Writing

• Local Assistive Technology Team (LAT)

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Assistive Technology Definition (AT)

• Any item, piece of equipment or product system,
  whether acquired commercially off the shelf,
  modified, or customized, that is used to
  increase, maintain, or improve the function
  capabilities of a child with a disability.
• IDEA Section 602

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What this means

• Any tool or device that a student with a
  disability uses to do a task that he/she could
  not do otherwise without it. It can make the task
  easier, faster or done in a better way.
• The device can be lite tech such as a pencil
  grip or as expensive as a computer.

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• Assistive Technology is a tool. It will never
  replace good teaching. It serves to give
  struggling students and those with a disability a
  way to be successful with the curriculum.

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Who benefits from Assistive Tech

• Any student with a disability from mild to
  severe.
• Any student with reading, writing, math,
  communications, vision, hearing, or motor
  problems
• ESOL students
• Students with 504 plans
• Struggling students who do not qualify for ESE
  services

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Assistive technology when matched correctly to a
students need will make your job easier
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The FCAT Benefit

• AT integrated with good strategies will have the
  greatest impact on students who score low on the
  FCAT
• These students will have the greatest effect on
  your school scores

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Did you know the State of Florida allows a
variety of assistive technology tools that may be
used on the FCAT by students with disabilities?
These tools must be listed on the students IEP
and used daily as part of instructional
strategies.
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Legal Responsibilities for ESE

• The school district is mandated by state and
  federal law (Individual with Disability Education
  Act) to determine if a student with disability
  needs assistive technology
• This determination is made by the IEP Team

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AT Legislation

• Tech Act (PL 100 407) Technology Related
  Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act
• ADA (PL 101-336) Americans with Disabilities Act
• IDEA-Individual with Disabilities Education Act

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AT Evaluation for ESE Students

• A student may be identified by a teacher,
  therapist, or parent
• The school support team ie teacher, SLP, OT or
  PT determines FIRST if the need can be met at the
  school level.
• A referral is submitted to the Local Assistive
  Technology Team (LATS)
• The LATS will review the case and either request
  further information from the school or set up an
  appointment to evaluate the student.

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AT Purchase for ESE Students

• The school district is required to provide the
  assistive technology if it is necessary to meet
  IEP goals
• The device may go home if the IEP team determines
  that it is necessary to receive FAPE
• Some students may receive funds from private
  insurance or Medicaid
• These devices are then the property of the family

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AT Acquisition for Non ESE Student

• School technology funds
• Other school funds
• Grants
• Community groups
• Fund Raiser

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The Local Assistive Technology Team (LATS)

• Joanne Stidham- Speech Language Pathologist
  (LEAD)
• Lourdes Day- Technology Specialist-FDLRS
• Lorrie Prince Speech Language Diagnostician
• Judy Sanders- Occupational Therapist ESE

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Contacting the LAT team

• The LAT team will consult and train school staff
• Contact them at ESE 534-0934
• OR
• FDLRS 647-4258

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Accommodation vs Modification

• Accommodation is changing HOW the student learns
• EX-Setting, time, length of assignment, AT
• General diploma
• Modification is changing WHAT the student learns
• EX-4th grade math in an Algebra class
• Special diploma

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Assistive Technology Consideration

• Ask the right questions?
• What specifically does the student need to do?
• What is he/she currently using?
• What specific IEP goal must the child meet?

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Evaluation, Practice, Opportunities, and Review

• AT should be evaluated in the childs natural
  setting
• Success of AT comes with daily opportunities
• AT integral part of the curriculum
• Continuous review of technology effectiveness

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Assistive Technology Groups

• Two Major Groups
• Assistive Technology (Curriculum and
  Instructional Tools)
• Augmentative Tools and Devices(Communication)

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Assistive Technology Range

• Range
• Lite tech (LoTTIE Kit)
• Easily accessible
• Low cost
• Used by Peers
• High Tech
• Very task specific
• Higher cost
• Sometimes makes student feel different from
  peers

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Types of Assistive Technology

• Reading
• Writing(Motor)
• Writing (Composing)
• Math
• Organizing/Studying
• Computer Access
• Communication
• Self Help

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Reading

• High lighter tape
• Reading guides
• Color filters
• Picture /symbol text match
• Scan and read software
• Changes in text size, fonts, spacing, color and
  background

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Highlighter Tape

• Highlighter tape can be used to highlight
  directions, important formulas, or to separate
  questions from a series of answers.
• Unique accommodations
• Cost 2.00 a roll

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Reading Guides

• Reading guides can help the student track words
  while reading material in the FCAT booklet.
• Cost 9.00 set of 5

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Color Filters

• Colored filters may help a student with
  perceptually based reading problems overcome
  print or background distortion.
• Cost 25 for See It Right Demo Kit

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Reading

• Adapted Ruler
• Digital Recorder
• Magnifiers
• Reading Stand
• Page Tabs

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Digital Recorder

• Assists a students when providing oral responses
  to FCAT questions.
• Helps the proctor accurately record each
  response.
• Cost 20.95

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Magnifier

• A magnifier will enlarge images of maps, drawing,
  patterns and letters used in the test booklet.
• Cost 1.95

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Reading Stand

• Reading Stands or Page Ups helps the student
  position the test booklet for better viewing
• Cost 6.95

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Writing- Motor Aspects

• Pencil grips
• Evo or lighted pen
• Magic Rub
• Writing guides
• Slant boards
• Raised line paper
• Portable word processor
• Voice recognition

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Pencil Grip

• Pencil grips encourage proper hand-pencil
  positioning during writing. It also provides
  greater comfort, legibility, speed, and reduces
  hand fatigue.
• Cost 9.95 (set) or .50 each

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Writing Guides

• A writing guide will help the student keep their
  writing on the lines and produce a legible
  response when responding in the FCAT answer book.
  
• Cost 4.50(page guide)
• Cost 1.50 (signature)

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Raised Line Paper

• Raised Line Paper provides a student with visual
  or tactile guidelines.
• Cost 16.50

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Portable Word Processors

• An alternative keyboard will help a student, who
  cannot respond orally or who cannot produce a
  handwritten response, type answers to FCAT
  assessment items.
• Cost 199.00

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Writing Composing

• Stickies
• Writing templates
• Webbing and outline software
• Hand held spell checkers
• Word processor with auditory feedback
• Word prediction software

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Math

• Grid paper
• Talking Calculators
• Abacus / Number lines
• Grip ruler
• Math practice software

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Math Grids

• Math grids provide more space for computations
  and help the student organize and align
  computational steps.
• Cost 10.00

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Talking Calculator

• A talking calculator reads back entries and
  answers to aid a student who needs auditory help
  in calculation.
• Cost 20.95

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Adapted Grip Ruler

• An adapted ruler will help a student with poor
  hand or finger dexterity grasp and manipulate a
  ruler for those FCAT assessment items where
  measurement is required.
• Cost 1.00

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Organizing/Studying

• High lighters
• Color coding system
• Page Tabs
• Print or picture schedule
• Hand held scanners

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Page Tab

• Tabs give the student an easier way to grip the
  page and helps the student quickly locate
  important material.
• Unique accommodation
• Cost 3.50

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Computer Access

• Extended or mini keyboard
• Track balls or joystick mouse
• Switch Interface
• Voice recognition
• Word predication or expansion
• On screen scanning

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Communication

• Picture symbols
• Voice output devices
• Eye gaze frame
• Device with speech synthesis

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Daily Living

• Non slip materials
• Adaptive devices for feeding and hygiene
• Environmental Control Unit (ECU)

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• ReflectionHow can you integrate lite tech into
  your instruction?