Lauren Moses

October 6, 2015
Integrations of Technology in the Curriculum
Assistive Technology Project
Assistive technology is an object/ device that can help assist a person, help that person
adapt in certain situations, or rehabilitate that person. It merely enhances the persons ability to
learn skills, communicate, and complete activities/ tasks easier. These devices/ services was first
discovered in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1990, created by the federal law.
Assistive technology includes anything from a stand-alone device to different hardwares/
softwares that assist students/ people with disabilities.
The Braille Star 40 costing $5,490.00, is a way for the blind to take notes independently
whenever they would like. It also allows the blind to be able to transfer their notes to a PC
(using the HTCcom software package), you can either use the device directly or connect it to
your laptop. It has a twenty hour long battery capability, with a quick charge of about three
hours. The keyboard is made with little distance between the display and keyboard, allowing it
to be easier to handle. The two most convenient things about this device is that it only weighs
3.1 pounds and has optional Wireless Bluetooth connection, which will make it easier for
students to use in the classroom.
The TREWGrip is the next assistive technology device that helps with hand-eye
coordination. The assistive technology device costs roughly $299.00. Unlike regular laptops,
tablets, iPads, etc, the TREWGrip allows you to be able to move around freely, due to the rear
typing design. The design of this device requires you to hold it similarly the same way you
would help hold an accordion. This allows user to type with both of their hands, instead of just

one (like if you were using an iPad or tablet). The device also comes with Bluetooth HID
connection.
Next, is the Go! Board Assistive Technology system, the cost of this device is $113.24.
This device is great for children who need a visual schedule to look over. It visual shows the
child a photo of a task/ activity that needs to be completed, when they complete the task then
they can take it out and put into the holder below. For children with autism, it would come
across as a reward when they are able to put the piece they completed into the holder underneath.
The last device is the Accent 1200 & NuEye, it is priced at $15, 945.00. This devices
weighs five pounds and four ounces and was created for the deaf or hearing/ talking impaired. It
is enabled with high-performance augmentative and alternative communication. Augmentative
and alternative communication are ways to replace speech and writing for people that have
impairments. The NuEye portion of this product gives the user visual control, by staring at the
keys that they desire to activate. Doing this makes the device speak what you cannot say
yourself.
The APP that goes along with assistive technology is, iComm priced at $7.99 (for the
upgrade). It has twenty categories in the upgraded version and nine in the free version. This
APP allows you to load voice recording, either done by you or someone else that can be used for
autistic, cerebral palsy, apraxia, and Down syndrome. Also, you can add your own pictures that
will allow your children to become more involved/ interacted in the lesson. It would be great to
have in Pre-schools for children (under three) who have not developed the ability to speak their
needs in complete and structured sentences.

The Software Program that goes with assistive technology is, Dragon NaturallySpeaking
Professional. It is priced at $599.99. It can work with just about any Windows Application
programs. This software gives up to 99% more speech recognition, with more accuracies. It has
the ability to create documents, do emails, forward messages, make reports, spreadsheets and
more just by talking/ telling the software what you need done. It also has the ability to tell when
it does not recognize words the user is trying to use. The new Dragon software is much quicker
and easier to use than the previous softwares.
Assistive technology has wonderful devices that can help out teachers in the classroom.
The Braille Star 40, is a great device to have if you have a child that suffers from blindness or
has visual impairments. Since it is roughly the same size as a computer/ laptop keyboard, it is
great to have set up on the childs desk. It would allow the child to feel like they could interact
more with the lesson by being able to type their own notes, write their own papers, or even
complete their own projects without having to have assistants from other students or extra help
from the teacher. The TREWGrip is another great device to have handy in the classroom. It is
an amazing tool to have if the student has trouble sitting in the same spot for too long (like
children with ADD or ADHD). With this tool they can stand up and walk around but still be able
to take notes, because the TREWGrip does not have to be stationed on a table. Another great
assistive technology is the Go! Board. It is a good device to set up in the classroom for children
who need visual scheduling. Also, it teaches them to stay on task and to complete their
assignments and rewards them by being able to remove each piece that they have completed.
The last device is the Accent 1200 & NuEye assistive technology. It is a phenomenal tool/
device to have for a child that suffers from deafness or speech impairments. It allows the child to
interact with the teacher and other students by giving them a voice. Having a device like this for

a child can build communicating skills which in time will build confidence in asking questions
aloud, or working with groups on projects. The APP that would be great to have in the classroom
is, iComm. It allows you to load voice recordings, which would help if a child need extra time to
listen to a lesson. You can also load pictures up onto the APP, which would help the child with
visual comprehension. The Dragon NaturallySpeaking software can be helpful in similar ways
that the Accent 1200 & NuEye device can. It would help children with speaking, writing, and
talking impairments. By helping children with those things, it will eventually build up their
confidence as they learn to speak through this software. Eventually, allowing them to interact in
class, with students, and with their own projects.

Images
DEVICES:

Braille Star 40

TREWGrip

Go! Board Assistive Technology

Accent 1200 & NuEye

APP:

iComm

SOFTWARE:
Dragon NaturallySpeaking

Works Cited

Definition of Assistive Technology. (n.d.). Retrieved October 7, 2015, from

http://www.gpat.org/georgia-project-for-assistive-technology/pages/assistive-technologydefinition.aspx
Braille Star 40: User Manual. (n.d.). Retrieved October 7, 2015, from
http://www.polarprint.fi/file/4179/Braille_Star_40.pdf
Braille Star 40. (n.d.). Retrieved October 7, 2015, from
http://www.attriumph.com/products/braille-star-40
TREWGrip Mobile Dock. (n.d.). Retrieved October 7, 2015, from
http://trewgrip.myshopify.com/products/trewgrip-mobile-dock
TREWBlog. (n.d.). Retrieved October 7, 2015, from http://blog.trewgrip.com/
Go! Board Assistive Technology. (n.d.). Retrieved October 7, 2015, from
http://www.rehabmart.com/product/go-board-assistive-technology-32395.html?
gclid=COjCjMyCmsgCFdgLgQodeT0IdA
Assistive Technology Lending Center. (n.d.). Retrieved October 7, 2015, from
http://www.atlclibrary.org/product.php?id=1257
7 Assistive Communication Apps in the iPad App Store. (n.d.). Retrieved October 7, 2015, from
http://www.friendshipcircle.org/blog/2011/02/07/7-assistive-communication-apps-in-the-ipadapp-store/
IComm. (n.d.). Retrieved October 7, 2015, from http://www.miasapps.com/icomm.html