Communication:
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) is any type of communication, either oral, non-oral, or through assitive technology devices. It addresses the needs of those with communication disorders, ranging from cerebral palsy, to autism, to those with language, speech and hearing impairments. The goal is to enable all people, including those with disabilities, to 1) communicate effectively and 2) to communicate quickly. AAC devices help those in need to be able to better communicate with others. AAC includes both unaided communication systems, such as: body language, gestures and sign langauge; and also aided communication, which requires the use of tools to assist in communication.
Text-to-Speech Devices:
Low-Tech Tool:
For
those with visual impairments, there are a myraid of audio devices that easily
convert text to oral speech. Students who suffer from blindness, from instance
can now basically convert any text they want to their own "books on
tape". There are several ways to do this, and it is becoming increasingly
easier. For instance, Librovox offers a public database of a vast
libarary of audio books available, including all the classics, like
Shakespeare. Audible, an Amazon company, is another source of
audiobooks which can be directly downloaded to your iPhone, iPod, or other
device. Almost any text can now be converted to audio, very easily, using free
apps compitable with a variety of listening devices, computers, and the
internet. One example is Odiogo, a free, web-based service that converts
text on your blog to audio. I simply added my e-mail and blog web address to
sign up, and Odiogo created an audio-to-text widget that converts all of the
text on my blog to audio at the convenient push of a button.
High-Tech Tool:
Zygo
is a company that specializes in alternative communication and assistive
technology. I particularly liked the "Allora", a translator that
converts words typed on a keyboard to an automated, audio voice. It also has a
recording device for students who might want to preserve their orally-produced
statement, such as one with a progressive neurodegenerative disease. Allora
also offers "word prediction", which guesses what word is being after
only entering the first few letters of the word. This feature boasts reducing
keystrokes to 50% to increase speed of communication. This summer, during on of
my observations in a mild-to-moderate special-needs classroom, I actually
witnessed a 7th-grade student with high-functioning autism use this device to
communicate with his teachers.
Accessibility:
Input devices allows users with
special needs to "input" data into their computers more easily. These
devices include: joysticks, switches, modified keyboards, trackballs, and
modified mice, just to name a few. These devices have been modified to make it
easier for users with various disabilities to utilize. Keyboards modifications
include enlarged keys, trackballs may be easier to control, and a modified
mouse may not require as much pressure to control for users suffering from
muscular or neurological disabilities. These are just some, out of many, types
of devices that there are available for students with special needs.
Hardware tool:
Headmouse Extreme is a modified mouse that is
designed to assist those with limited mobillity. An optical senser mounted to
the top of the computer senses the user's head movements. The movements are translated
to the mouse on the computer so the user can control where the mouse goes with
his head.
Software tool:
An
example of a software tool is 2+2, math software for students with visual
impairments, designed by Techmatrix. Geared to teach basic math and pre-algebra
skills to elementary-age students, 2+2 comes with spoken text and large print.
It is also switch/scan accessible so it can easily interface with your hardware
input device. In addition, the font size, style, color, and background can be
formatted to the students' specific needs.
Further resources:
No comments:
Post a Comment