Dyslexia Awareness Fact #23 ” What is Assistive Technology and Why would a dyslexic student use it?”

October 23, 2010 at 8:47 am | Assistive Technology, DAC, Dyslexia Facts, Learning Difference Awareness Comment

Assistive Technology includes a variety of devices that help provide access to the learning through technology, such as text to speech, speech to text, audio books, audio book players, talking pens and talking spell checkers, computer programs.  These devices can be high to low tech, and free to costly.  The assistive technology should be appropriate for the age of the student and assist the student gain access to the information presented, work or assignment to be completed.  A student or their parents should request an Assistive Technology Assessment to see what would be helpful and what is available through their school district, college, university, or employer.  Assistive Technology helps the student to keep up, provide neater written work by typing, focuses and builds on strengths, demonstrates abilities and intellect, increases speed and fluency, reduces time spent on assignment, increases engagement, motivation, and pride in work output.

Assistive Technology provides access to learning through technology. Dyslexics need to learn to use it and incorporate it into their routine in order to reach their full potential and be truly successful.

What are some common assistive technology devices used by dyslexics?

  1. mp3 players for audio books (like playaway check out from public library, Victor Stream, Victor Wave, Zenstone, iPod, Plextor Pocket, Phillips Go, computer with Windows media player)
  2. Audio books (Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic, Bookshare, Overdrive download from your public library, National Library Service, your State’s Talking Book Library, Audible, Playaway)
  3. Computer programs (Dragon Naturally Speaking, Co-writer, Lexia, Explode the Code, Hooked on Phonics, Origo math online, check out programs from library,
  4. Text Readers and scanners (Intel Reader, Kurzweil)
  5. Talking devices (Livescribe talking pen, Franklin talking spell checker, Fusion Writer Learning talking keyboard, Dragon Naturally Speaking, Victor Stream MP3 player, digital recorders, talking calculators)

Before buying a piece of assistive technology:

  1. Read reviews or talk to other users.
  2. Talk to the rep/resaler and get as much information.
  3. What type of file formats does the device use/read?
  4. Ask for time to do a free trial or check out a loaner.
  5. See if you can get a reduced price if purchase more than one (group or school purchase).
  6. Will the resaler meet or beat a competitor’s price?
  7. Is the cost of the device covered through insurance, medically, or through school, or work?
  8. Is training on the device included for the user and the support staff or family?

Where can I find some more info on Assistive Technology?

  • The Listening To Learn Guild
  • Assistive Technology Partners
  • Children’s Hospital
  • Your school
  • Special Education teachers
  • Occupational Therapists
  • Physical Therapists
  • Special Education Area Coordinators for school or district
  • Speech language pathologists
  • Special Education and accessibility conferences
  • Assistive Technology Assessment Teams for school district
  • School District Offices of: Special Education/Exceptional Student Services/Differentiated Learners/Educational Equity/504 Coordinator
  • accessibility Office or Office of accommodations in colleges and universities
  • Human Resources through your employer (under American Disabilities Act (ADA)

One Response to “Dyslexia Awareness Fact #23 ” What is Assistive Technology and Why would a dyslexic student use it?””

  1. October 26, 2010 at 10:02 am
    Doug Sprei says:

    Applause for your campaign, which shows that with creative assistance and the right technology, young learners thrive and families regain hope. Thanks for mentioning Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic, which supports more than 270,000 people with learning differences. Through partnership with the U.S. Department of Education, generous donors and thousands of volunteers across America, RFB&D is part of a menu of solutions that educators applaud and families cherish. Students with dyslexia, visual impairment and other learning differences deserve access to easy-to-navigate audiobooks and educational content, putting them on equal footing with their peers. Families need to know that help is available — and that some pivotal resources like ours are offered for free.