Assistive Technologies

By: Kyle Rizer

What is Assistive Technology?

Assistive Technology- Any equipment, modification, or
accommodation that can improve a persons capacity to learn or
communicate through technology.
Did you know? Microsoft and Apple operating systems have built-in
assistive technology.

TTY (Teletypewriter)
What is a TTY? A TTY has a keyboard, a text display, and a coupler, where text
appears on the screen.
Who uses a TTY? Students who are hard of hearing or deaf.
How does a TTY work? A phone handset is placed into the coupler fitted for
both parts of the handset. One user begins typing. The words appear on the
text display for both users.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Gdptr1fqAc
(Gunter pg. 93)

VRS ( Sorenson Video Relay Service)

What is a VRS? High-quality video relay using a sign language
interpreter, video display and camera.
Who uses a VRS? Students who are hard of hearing or deaf.
How does a VRS Work? When the voice user speaks, the interpreter
signs, and the message is viewed on the signers video display.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCtWFmkRFvc

Screen Reader
What is Screen Reader? A program that reads all of the text on the
screen.
Who uses a screen reader? Students who are visually impaired or
blind.
How does a screen reader work? A screen reader works by reading all
of the text that appears on the screen, requires keyboard skills.
(Gunter pg. 93)

Speech Synthesis Software

What is Speech Synthesis Software? Allows students with speech and
vocal muscle disorders to participate in classroom discussions.
Who uses Speech Synthesis Software? Students with speech
impairments.
How does Speech Synthesis Software work? Students assign shortcut
keys to read back frequently used phrases to respond quickly.
(Gunter pg. 147)

Speech-to-Text/ Text-to-Speech
What are they? Technology that writes as it is spoken to (speech-totext), technology that reads aloud (text-to-speech).
Who uses them? Many non-disabled users, also students with visual
or speech impairments.
How are they used? Computer software that have specific function
keys.
(Gunter pg. 147)

Keyboard Alternatives
What are keyboard alternatives? Aid students in pressing the correct
keys.
Who uses keyboard alternatives? Students with limited hand mobility.
How do keyboard alternatives work? Keyguard- prevents students from
accidently pressing incorrect keys, screen-displayed keyboard- easier
from some students to control.
(Gunter pg. 196)

Tablets
What are Tablets? A small portable computer that accepts input
directly onto its screen rather than via a keyboard or mouse.
Who uses Tablets? All kinds of students use tablets to help them learn.
How do you use a Tablet? You can use a tablet to help you in school
for research and to help reading.
(Gunter pg. 331)

Software Choices
Considerations:
Technical Quality: Captions availability, will the software function
using alternative input devices such as alternative keyboards?
Presentation of Information: Is text clear and easy to read? Are
directions clear? Is sufficient time given to read?
Content: Is your content presented dependent on color? Does
contend provide logical structures?
(Gunther pg. 403)

Assistive Technology in the Classroom

Assistive Technology helps students in the learning process enhance
their learning.
Assistive technology can help students strengthen their reading skills
although it is challenging it will help.
Using a text reader can help the reader grasp science concepts
quickly.

Work Cited
Gunter, Randolph E., and Glenda A. Gunter. Teachers Discovering
Computers. Boston: Cengage Learning, 2014. Print.
Arizona Relay Service. Arizona Relay explains how to use a
Traditional TTY. Online video clip. YouTube. YouTube, 15 Oct. 2013.
Web. 31 Jan. 2016.
ClevelandPublicLibrary. Sorenson Video Relay Service. Online
video clip. YouTube. YouTube. 5 Aug. 2013. Web. 31 Jan. 2016