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Reading, 'Riting, 'Rithmetic, & Recreation: 
Overview of Assistive Technology

• Assistive Technology is problem solving 
• ABILITYs in Technology Decision Making
• Assistive Technology Assessment Summary For Students with Visual Impairments
• Always think 3 years down the road for what student will need - VH Technology Evaluation Checklist

Reading

What is Reading? gathering information, decoding

Tasks

• books/magazines
• worksheets
• blackboard
• overhead
• maps
• computer screen

What affect reading Visually ?

• Lighting
• contrast
• distance
• color
• Visual Functioning

No Tech Solutions

• positioning of student
• change lighting - location, angle, glare, contrast
• change size - font, color, photo copy (must be able to see a minimum of 5 characters to read)
• Accessibility Options in Windows 95
• Environmental Considerations for Assistive Technology

Lo Tech Solutions

• hand magnifier
• telescope
• color filter Information About Color and Color Blindness
• larger monitor for computer (17" minimum)
• Glare shield-cardboard, manila folders
• Add anti-glare screen 
• Braille
• Tactile Maps Resources for Preparing Quality Tactile Graphics
• Reader (start in High School) 
  • Using Readers Effectively
  • NABS-INFO - The care and feeding of readers

Hi Tech Solutions

• Overview of Technology for Visually Impaired and Blind Students
• CCTV CCTV Information Page
• Large Print Scanner 
• Screen magnification software
• Screen Review software
• Scanner with speech
• Talking Book (cassette)
• Digital Talking Book The Future of Talking Books
• Braille Display
• Macintosh Solutions
  • Change sizes of fonts, icons, etc.
  • Close View (system Tool)
  • InLarge - screen magnifier
  • OutSpoken

Map/Graphic Solutions

• Tactile Math Graphics
• Creation Tools
  • Stereo Copier
  • PIAF
  • Reprotronics-Tactile Image Enhancer
• Swell Paper
• APH Tactile Diagram Kit
• Aluminum Foil
• Tracing Wheel
• Elmer's Glue
• Hot Glue 
• Puff Paint
• Wikki Sticks

Writing

definition - creating or producing information

Tasks

• handwriting-original, workbook, copying (notetaking)
• computer based-typing, keyboarding
• braille writing

No Tech Solutions

• change size, color, contrast between paper and writing instrument (felt-tip pen/marker)
• Black line paper
• writing instrument 
• positioning
• computer 
  • change font type, font size, foreground/background color
  • Use High Contrast Mode
  • change resolution
  • glare shields
  • change monitor angle
  • change mouse pointer, slow down mouse speed, mouse trails

Lo Tech Solutions

• larger monitor
• Large Print Key caps for keyboard
• color filters
• slate and stylus
• braille writer

Hi Tech Solutions

• Screen Magnification
• Screen Reader
• Portable Braille Notetakers
• Electronic Braille Writer (Mountbatten)
• Braille translator (also for Macintosh)
• Braille Embosser
• Language Master 

Arithmetic

Definition - reading, writing, and computing numeric information

No Tech Solution

• large print
• mental math
• finger math - (chisenbop)
  • Simple online introduction to Chinenbop
  • The Complete Book of Chisanbop: Finger Calculation Method book

Lo Tech Solutions

• Large Print Calculators
• Talking Calculator
• Abacus
• GeoBoard - tactile graphic board
• Braille Graph paper
• Braille Protractor
• TSBVI Math Resources

Hi Tech Solutions

• LP Graphic Calculator
• Talking Scientific Calculator
• Blazie Graph-it
• Triangle
• MathML on the web
• Scientific Notebook

Recreation

Task

• Household information-clothing, food, medicine, labels
• Appliance information-manuals, controls
• Mail
• Check writing
• Traveling
• Games Audyssey
• Sports

No Tech Solutions

• structure, planning ahead
• rubber bands, buttons,

Lo Tech Solutions

• large Print/talking everything
• braille tags, labels
• beep balls
• cane
• check writing guide
• signature guide

Hi Tech Solutions

• Internet - banking, shopping, news, entertainment, schedules, etc.
  • Internet Explorer, WebSpeak, Home Page Reader
  • Eudora, Simply Mail
• Color Talker
• Bar Code reader
• guide dog

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Last Revision: May 24, 2005