Assistive Technology Embedded Within Windows 7

The assistive technology embedded within a computer's OS is not something that many people may take in to consideration when purchasing a PC, but for those who need it, it is a wonderful resource.

I began my exploration of the different options that Windows 7 provided by looking to this Microsoft page which explained just how easy it was to access the technology.  By simply pressing the windows key and the letter "U", I was brought to the screen below:

The options for different assistive technology within Windows is quite impressive.  In the section at the top, a simple mouse click allows for any one of the options to be chosen.  When I selected the magnifier, it doubled the size of the text on the screen, which makes it easier for those who may have vision problems but are not blind to be able to see the screen.  The narrator option was just as easily activated, and it serves to read text as you mouse over it.  This could help vision-impaired persons, or it could be a benefit to those who suffer from dyslexia, or any disability that makes reading problematic.  The on screen keyboard allows for users to utilize their mouse on a pop-up keyboard, which will assist anyone who might suffer from a disorder such as cerebral palsy to still manipulate a keyboard and put their thoughts down on a page.  The last option up top to "set up high contrast" seems like something that may be useful to all users if the glare from the screen is causing eye strain, but it doesn't seem like it provides any particular benefit to those suffering from a disability or disorder.



For those that would like to utilize it, speech recognition software can be activated.  This could be useful to someone who is a quadriplegic, or who suffers from a disorder that affects motor control in their hands.  There are also options to make the keyboard or mouse easier to use, settings to help readers focus on the screen more easily, and an option to use text or visual cues as a substitute for sounds.  Overall, the AT that is available within the OS is fairly inclusive for a large segment of the population that may suffer from any of the disorders/disabilities discussed, and many more that were not touched upon.

Assistive Technology in the Classroom

                                                     

                         (graphic courtesy of http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/at/at_02.html)

Classrooms across the country have become far more inclusive in recent years, and a lot of that is due to the usage of assistive technology that has become far more common.  Resources that can be utilized vary nearly as much as the ways they can be put to use by educators for students that need assistance.

Websites such as enablemart.com now exist with a plethora of solutions for each student.  One fairly expensive piece of equipment that is available there is the QiCare Page Turner, which allows students to be able to read books in a more independent manner.  The device (or a less expensive alternative) allows the child to read a book or magazine in a "hands free" manner, which lets them focus solely on reading the material in front of them.  The pages are turned by the student pressing a button or switch, or in the case of the QiCare product, by using a foot pedal.

Not every solution has to be a high-tech or expensive process.  Prince George County in Maryland has put together this site that offers many low-cost or no-cost solutions for students and teachers.  Some of the solutions offered for issues with perception include the use of large print books/magazines, the use of headphones, and the use of manipulatives amongst many others. For those students that struggle with fluency and/or communication, they suggest word banks, using procedural checklists, and blocks or 3D models.

To bookend the thought of the expensive technology that may be available at specialty sites such as EnableMart, this site that many products that are available at local stores, or may already be in the classroom waiting to be used.  One low-tech option, low-cost option is a specialized rubber pencil grip, which allows students that need assistance grasping their pen or pencil to have better use of their writing utensil.

Whether it is a PDA, an iPad (or other type of tablet), or a simple pair of headphones, the range of assistive technology is nearly endless, and the benefits to the students are as well.