Assistive Technology for Learning Disabilities
Assistive technology (AT) is defined as any item, device, piece of equipment, or product system (including computer software) used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capacity of persons with disabilities. AT is intended to maximize a person’s abilities while minimizing their disabilities. It also promotes learning independence and access to age-appropriate materials. Advancements in consumer technologies have improved AT in recent years and resulted in lower costs and ‘mainstream’ use by many students and workers.
Examples of ‘low-tech’ devices available for all and generally inexpensive include:
- Eyeglasses
- Pencil grips
- Tape/CD recorders
- Calculators
- Big button or amplified phones
Examples of ‘high-tech’ devices sometimes requiring training or higher costs include:
- Voice activated computers
- Speech-to-text software
- Text-to-speech software
- Speaking dictionaries
- Talking calculators
The following list of AT device and software recommendations have been used and reviewed by teachers and students from the Fisher Landau Center for the Treatment of Learning Disabilities. Adult students in LDA’s Adult Tutoring Program have tried some of them successfully.
Assistive Technology for Reading Disabilities/Difficulties
Hardware adjustments. Sometimes a simple hardware adjustment can assist with the use of a personal computer (PC). For PCs, the user can customize the speed or response through a Windows program called Accessibility. From the task bar: click on Start, then Accessories, then Accessibility to access the options for the screen, keyboard, and mouse. It may take some experimenting to find the best settings for individual users.
Handheld Electronic Devices. The Merriam-Webster Speaking Dictionary and Thesaurus (MWS-1840) is a small, lightweight device that fits in a purse or bag. It provides pronunciation of unknown words with a "say" button, automatic phonetic spelling correction, multiple dictionary meanings, and antonyms/ synonyms in the thesaurus version. It is available from Franklin Electronic Publishers at www.franklin.com or www.amazon.com for $70-80. Although the speaking voice is rather mechanical, most native English speakers will recognize the word(s) after several repetitions.
This Quicktionary Electronic Reading Pen is a small device that scans printed text, reads or spells the word(s) aloud, and provides dictionary definitions. It is available in several languages from www.wizcomtech.com and costs $100-200. Some users may find these pens difficult to hear or manipulate over small or close text.
Text-to-speech (TTS) software. CAST eReader or the enhanced Aspire READER 4.0 scans digital text and translates into speech. The user follows along and can select options for voice (male or female), highlighting, word-by-word reading, sentence-by-sentence reading, or whole text reading. They provide multi-sensory reading strategies and can also be used to proofread written work for spelling and grammar. Both are available from the Center for Applied Speech Technology at www.CAST.org for $230 and up.
The Kurzweil 3000 also scans digital text and translates into speech. It can be used to listen and read along text on the Internet. A built-in dictionary provides pronunciation and meaning for unknown words and study skill tools offer highlighting, voice notes, audible spell-check, and test reading. It is available from Kurzwiel Educational Systems at www.kurzweiledu.com for about $400.ei
WYNN (What You Need Now) is another text-to-speech software program. It has built-in email, word prediction, outlining, text highlighting, book marking, and a dictionary. It can also block graphics from web pages so that the text is easier to read. It is available from Freedom Scientific Company at www.freedomscientific.com for about $375.
Assistive Technology for Writing Disabilities/Difficulties
Word processing software. Most PCs have word processing software installed at the time of purchase. Standard word processing features that may benefit users include document views, easy-to-read font styles, larger fonts, spelling and grammar check, and symbolic task buttons for procedures.
Speech-to-text (STT) or voice recognition software. Dragon Naturally Speaking converts dictated speech to digital text displayed through email programs or word processing programs such as Dragon Pad (built-in), Microsoft Word, or Word Perfect. Users create a voice profile using a training script, microphone, and headphone (included in the package). Following the voice training, the software is able to convert the user’s dictated speech into text that can be corrected using word processor features. It is available from Nuance at www.nuance.com or www.amazon.com and costs between $30-300 (depending on the version).
Writing, revising, and word prediction software. Draft Builder, Write OutLoud, and Co-Writer 3000/4000 help with planning, organizing, writing, editing, and review. They allow users to have their writing read back to them by the computer, complete with suggestions for spelling and word usage with a linguistic word prediction feature. They are available from Don Johnston, Inc. at www.donjohnston.com for $300-400.
For more information on a variety of commercial or free AT software or e-resources, visit www.techmatrix.org. The TechMatrix allows search by subject (reading, writing, math) or feature (text-to-speech or speech-to-text). Product information and links to vendor web sites is provided.
Assistive Technology for adults with learning disabilities includes products for scanning text, voice output, and word prediction. A good place to start learning about technology for people with learning disabilities is the technology section of LD online. Their direct link is http://www.ldonline.org/indepth/technology. There are free resources on the Internet that provide voice output. Some common websites to explore are ReadPlease www.readplease.com/ and WordTalk www.wordtalk.org.uk/.
Voice Output provides auditory feedback when typing on a computer or will read information on the computer screen.
Word Prediction is a software program which will attempt to guess what the user is writing by presenting a word list on the computer screen of possible choices to choose from. If the word is on the list, the user simply presses a key and the word is completed. Many individuals with learning disabilities may know the first couple of letters of a word, but not the entire spelling.
Scanning software brings text from printed materials into the computer that can be coupled with voice output to be read aloud to the student. OmniPage www.OmniPage.com is a print-to-text program that can be coupled with a free voice output program for a less expensive solution than standard programs such as Kurzweil.
Others simple accommodations used by individuals with learning disabilities include books on tape available from The Minnesota State Services for the Blind Communications Center. Minnesota State Services for the Blind provides services, resources and advocacy for blind individuals. Contact information: 2200 University Avenue W., Suite 240, St. Paul, MN 55114, 651-649-5476, TTY 651-643-3413.