Journal 8: Adaptive Technology
What is AAC?
Augmentative and alternative communication, known as (AAC), are devices that are used by people that have disabilities related to speaking. These are very effective tools that are used by many people with any severity of disabilities. These devices range from high tech to very basic technology, these devices allow people to communicate what their needs, feelings or ideas are. These devices can be used in everyday life or just in a classroom setting.
Low end AID: carbon paper for note takers. This will help in the classroom for students who have learning disabilities such as dyslexia, ADD, ADHD, or physical disabilities that lowers ones ability to use their hands. Carbon paper is a cheap and easy way for these students to receive notes in the classroom. This method works because people who take longer to processes things will not have to feel stressed because the teachers are moving too fast or erasing the board with the student not being done. The paper is two colors and one student in the class that does not have a disability and has clear hand writing will take notes and then the student then gets a copy of the notes. This would best be used in middle, high school, and college.
High end AID: Nuance is a company that has a voice recognition program that allows people to be hands free and still type out any words the user says on their phone or computer. Nuance produced the Dragon program which is a speech recognition software tool that is geared for students with learning and physical disabilities. It must be used at a computer and the program can be found in a computer lab or classrooms across the country. Speech recognition software is becoming an increasingly popular type of tool for students of all disabilities. “Dragon speech recognition software makes it easier for anyone to use a computer. You talk, and it types. Use your voice to create and edit documents or emails, launch applications, open files, control your mouse, and more.”
What Dragon does
- Improve core skills for students of all abilities
- Provide greater independence for students with physical disabilities
- Level the playing field for students with learning disabilities
- Improve writing fluency for students learning English
What is an input device?
An Input Device is a piece of equipment that is used by a computer that sends commanded signals to the receiving parts of the computer. When people and students have special needs such as a learning disability, physical disabilities, or visual or motor skill deficiencies, alternative input devices can help aid these people.
Switch-Adapted Mouse devices (SAM) – Trackball: is a device that allows people with little hand mobility to control a computer. The mouse is color coordinated with a large rotating ball that is easy to move. With this device you can download programs or simply plug it in to a computer to provide people with special needs with help.
The Intel Reader: allows a person to take a digital picture of text which then processes the texts and reads it out loud. This Intel Reader is a mobile handheld tool that allows people to have independence. This tool is best used for people who have learning disabilities such as dyslexia, or have low vision or blindness, or anyone who struggles with reading standard print. This device could be used for students at home when doing homework or in the classroom when tests are being taken and the child with special needs cannot read the questions.
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