Revisiting AT Modules 1,2,3

I went to class today and realized I had an attack of dumbness and missed the URL for the AT modules. I don't feel I addressed all aspects of the first three modules. I am on track now and this post is going to catch me up.

Module #1 Types of Disabilities and Accomodations

At my school, we have a large Special Education population with all kinds of diverse needs. We have students with down syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism, a variety of learning disabilities from mild to severe. In my ninth grade English classes I have several students with visual and auditory processing disabilities. Last year I had a high functioning autistic student. This year I have a stutterer, and two students identified as clinically depressed.

I have not had any blind students so far, but the website for the National Federation of the blind was very interesting. I explored the Braille is Beautiful link and it would be great for sighted kids to increase their sensitivity to the needs of their "differently abled" classmates. For $250 you can get a kit with everything you need to introduce Braille into the classroom. That seems incredibly reasonable to me. It even has slates and stylus' for embossing Braille dots.

The "Especially for Teachers" link at the National Center for Learning Disabilities website has a lot of great ideas for the classroom. The link on classroom strategies reminded me that accommodations are listed in a student's IEP. However, I have found many IEPs to be very vague and general. I often seek out resource specialists and other information, too.

Module #2 AT Hardware Solutions

When I explored some of the AT websites I was astonished by what is available. I was also astonished at how little of it my school has. The special education teachers I spoke to had long lists of keyboards, keyboard overlays, adjustable furniture, cursors and mice, etc. that they would like to have if money was available. A couple of students were provided laptops by LAUSD but they didn't have any of the accessories/add-ons that could really help the students achieve. One student I observed, who has severe and multiple disabilities that interfere with mobility could really benefit from this amazing mouse that attaches to the student's glasses and works when the student moves his/her head. The database I created for class led me to some interesting sites, like enablenet. I am considering using some of this information as a basis for my tech plan.

Module #3 AT Software Solutions

I found out that we have Inspiration software at my school. I am really excited about this. How perfect that this software is beneficial to all students, including many with disabilities. Universal design in action, I think. Another software that I explored was PointScribe, a handwriting software for students with mobility issues. It is marketed for younger kids, but two special education teachers were very enthusiastic about it for our high school students. They said it was cost prohibitive right now, but hoped they might purchase it in the future.

Other than wheelchair accessibilty (but not the restroom), the library doesn't seem to have much in the way of AT. There are audio books (accessible to teachers who can check them out for kids), a limited number of large print books and that is about it. This might be an area to target in my tech plan. I could work with the librarian to address the needs of a particular group of students. Another cool software solution is Kurzweil 3000 a software program for struggling readers inclusing those with dyslexia, ADD, and those who are English learners. It is expensive but looks amazing with the ability to speak letters and words as students write to help them correct errors, among other features.

Whew...I feel better that I addressed the modules in a little more detail.