Talking Calculator Back-to-School Guide for Dyslexic Students: Apps and More With the school year fast approaching (or already in full swing) here are my favorite apps and products for accessibility. Hopefully these apps and products will help make the school year successful for those needing assistive technology to support their reading and writing. This list is geared toward students with dyslexia but many of the apps and products can also benefit other students. Kurzweil 3000 Kurzweil 3000 is a versatile reading and writing program for Mac and PC. Bookshare Bookshare is an essential service for people with print disabilities. Learning Ally Learning Ally is another provider of accessible books for the blind and dyslexic. Click read more below for more great apps and products. Voice Dream Reader Voice Dream Reader is an amazing text-to-speech app for iOS. Co:Writer Co:Writer by Don Johnston is an app for iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. Prizmo Prizmo is an optical character recognition (OCR) app for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. Quizlet Inspiration Maps
Assistive Technology: Devices Products & Information - Disabled World Assistive technology (AT) is a general term that includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities, including the process used in selecting, locating, and using them. Assistive technology promotes greater independence by enabling people to perform tasks that they were formerly unable to accomplish, or had great difficulty accomplishing, by providing enhancements to, or changing methods of interacting with, the technology needed to accomplish such tasks. Assistive technology products are designed to provide additional accessibility to individuals who have physical or cognitive difficulties, impairments, and disabilities. There are so many instances where, through minor modifications, you can make a mainstream product accessible. Nevertheless, there are also situations where your only option is assistive technology. Is Adaptive Technology the Same as Assistive technology? About This Image: Thumbnail pictures of various assistive walking devices.
Draw Free for iPad iPhone, iPad and iPod touch Apps for (Special) Education Welcome to TechMatrix | TechMatrix Speak it! Text to Speech Accessibility Assistive Technology: Resource Roundup Getting Started Whether low-tech, high-tech, or somewhere in between, assistive technology and related services play an important role in reducing barriers to learning for students with a variety of special needs and challenges. Before exploring the resources below, watch VideoAmy's "Five-Minute Film Festival: The Power of Assistive Technology," to better understand how technology can empower kids and help them build independence. video For Educators Assistive Technology Module: To review the basics, check out this great overview of assistive technology for classroom teachers. For Parents Assistive Technology Basics: Discover a variety of resources for parents, including information about tool types and tips on how to work with schools. Finding Assistive Technology Explore the following websites for information about specific technologies and guidance on finding appropriate tools. TechMatrix: Search a database of over 400 assistive and educational technology tools and resources. What is UDL?
“50 Best iPad Apps for Reading Disabilities” “50 Best iPad Apps for Reading Disabilities” Guest Blog by Rosa Ray Whether you’re the parent of a child with a reading disability or an educator that works with learning disabled students on a daily basis, you’re undoubtedly always looking for new tools to help these bright young kids meet their potential and work through their disability. Helpful Tools These tools are useful for both educators and students with reading disabilities alike, aiding in everything from looking up a correct spelling to reading text out loud. Speak It! Fundamentals These apps help teach the fundamentals of reading, writing, and spelling to any young learner, but can be especially helpful for those who are struggling. Alphabet Zoo: Alphabet Zoo is a great tool for helping young readers to recognize letter sounds. Reading These excellent iPad apps can be a big help to reading disabled students who need a little extra support when trying to read. Writing Spelling
Consulting Are you navigating the nuances of legal risk, introducing a new product, or considering a smarter mobile strategy? Then AFB Consulting is your ally. We’re experts in making services, websites, and apps universally accessible. We help you reach more people, enhance customer satisfaction, and build brand loyalty. And in the process, we partner with organizations and specialists to transform complex, costly issues into manageable—and profitable—solutions. A Legacy of Leading the Field We're part of the American Foundation for the Blind, the vision loss community’s most trusted resource. AFB has been the incubator of many technological breakthroughs—and we continue that tradition. Objective, Comprehensive Accessibility Evaluations of Mainstream and Specialized Products When you design a new piece of technology, you want everyone to use it. The number of Americans with visual and other disabilities is increasing exponentially as our population ages.
Equal Access: Universal Design of Libraries | DO-IT A checklist for making libraries welcoming, accessible, and usable Libraries play an important role in ensuring that everyone has access to information in printed and electronic forms. In making these resources accessible and useful to everyone, principles of universal design (UD) can be employed. Legal Issues Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments of 2008 prohibit discrimination against individuals with disabilities. Universal Design Universal design (UD) means that rather than designing your facility and services for the average user, you design them for people with a broad range of abilities, disabilities, and other characteristics—such as age, reading ability, learning style, language, culture, and others. Guidelines and Examples The following questions can guide you in making your library accessible to everyone. Planning, Policies, and Evaluation Physical Environments and Products