Assistive Technology

Check out a number of assistive technology resources that we provide on our own Website:

Assistive Technology Tools

The new and updated PVC Book (PDF 610 KB) includes instructions for making Low Tech AT devices/solutions.  It was provided by the Assistive Technology Educational Network in Florida and has many great ideas including providing ideas for supporting AAC devices and books/reading materials for our students.

Everhart staff and parents: We still have plenty of PVC pipe (Thanks to Home Depot… Northwest Cap. Circle!) in the Make and Take room if you need it. There’s also cutters, glue and connectors there, too. We just ask that you sign out any materials you take with Wendy so we can keep a tally on what we use.

P.S. Jill Klein, our nurse, has been instrumental in making a lot of PVC eyegaze frames for us. If you need one, please see Wendy.  (The ever resourceful Lorrie Corry provided the following new resource.)

Literacy Resources

Internet Pictionary Dictionary - This is on online dictionary with pictures! You can have students view this or use it as a resource for writing stories with your students. Right click on the picture and copy, then paste it into Kidspiration or powerpoint stories!

Visual supports....

Social Stories to print out for Students from Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Learning

Literacy Supports....

Bookpals is the Screen Writers website where real actors read to kids. Lots
of follow up activities there, too!

Charlotte's Web Resource Site to support reading this book

Awesome Talking Library for providing audio supports for books

Starfall is a reading and story site to support online reading


Balanced Early Literacy Assessment - adapted from Concepts about Print
Concepts

Best of the Web Assistive Technology Learning & Resource Sites

(For teachers and parents working with students with severe disabilities)

When it comes to the latest in the field of Assistive Technology, the staff and parents (and other interested persons) are fortunate to have Lorrie Corry at Gretchen Everhart School.

Thanks to her hard work and dedication, we are able to bring you a wealth of Assistive Technology resources.  As with anything on the Internet, this is a work in progress, so please check back often!

The following are some of the best sites for learning and finding resources ready to use with students.  

Feel free to email us if you think you’ve got a site that you think belongs on our list (or if you find a broken link)! 

Production Sites:

Top 10 Sites for Boardmaker Boards for Communication and Learning

Boardmaker Files

CALL Center

Special Education Services - Plano Texas

Eau Claire Area Schools - Special Education

Mayer  Johnson - 50 Ways to Use Boardmaker

Project Participate

Pics4Learning - copyright friendly images for education

Adaptive Technology Services

Top Sites for Boardmaker Boards for Literacy

Green Valley Iowa Educational Services

National Center to Improve Practice (NCIP) - Tips for creating picture symbol boards for reading interactions

Baltimore City Public Schools  - Assistive Technology (Boardmaker Files)

Teacher Created Resources - Lots of Stories and literacy materials here that have been adapted with Boardmaker!

Top Sites for Visual Supports

Use VisualStrategies.com

do2Learn

Talk, Learn & Communicate - visually cued instruction

Mayer Johnson

Kid Access

The Portacom System - Made by Mom Creations

Top Sites for Intellitools Ready-Made Resources

Teacher Created Resources - Intellipics Games

SET-BC - overlays

Adaptive Technology Services

Top Sites for Literacy PowerPoint Stories

Gretchen Everhart School - Talking Books

Special Education Resource Unit - Multimedia

Top Sites for AT Tutorials and “How To’s")

Ace Centre - Talking Books

Plano Instructional Center  (searching for graphics)

SITES FOR SPECIFIC AREAS of INTEREST:

VoiceforLiving.com is a new Web site designed to make it easier for individuals who cannot speak and their families to find information about communication solutions. Sponsored by DynaVox Technologies (providers of augmentative and alternative communication) and Mayer-Johnson (developers of the Picture Communication Symbols), the site creates a learning experience for individuals and their families to discover an array of tools and techniques, including electronic speech communication devices that can open a whole new world of possibilities for those who cannot speak.

Currently, the site provides basic information about speech disabilities, communication options, funding availability, and profiles of individuals employing a variety of tools that help them to speak their minds. VoiceforLiving.com also offers a virtual Community Center featuring an “Ask the Expert” section and a community forum.

Top AT Sites for Speech Therapists and AAC Enthusiasts

Speaking of Speech

www.aacinterventions.com (site currently down)

SET-BC Communication

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Connecting Young Kids (YAACK)

AAC Messaging and Vocabulary

Top Websites for Early Childhood and AT Supports

Early Childhood Thematic Units

Dade County Schools Pre-K ESE

Little Fingers Software

Top Sites for Autism and AT Supports

Beyond Autism Pecs Pictures/Icons Pages

TinSnips - A Special education resource

Top Sites for Switch Information and Purchasing of Switches

Zygo - Digital recording systems and a whole lot more!

Infogrip - Specialize in assistive technology and ergonomic products

Ablenet - Assistive technology and supplemental curricular programs

Solutions for Humans - Tremendous site includes: computer solutions, training, assistive technology products, accessibility products.

Tash - solutions that click (like in a switch ;-)

Top Sites for Switch and Switch Software Resources

Technology Integration - Linda Burkhart

Switch in Time - Accessible Software

Priory Woods School - Resource Section - Outstanding!!!

Inclusive Technology - the Special Needs People (also have a ton of free downloads)

Ace Center North - Switch Resources

Top Sites for Toys Adapted for Switch Use

Enabling Devices - toys for special children (Children's Catalog

Wisconsin First Step - Toy Catalogue Listing for Children with Special Needs

Home Toys - "Take Control of your Life Style"

Woodlake Technologies - assistive technology solutions

Science Shareware - electrically adapted/enabled toys for handicapped disabled special needs children

Annie's Quality Toys - Still closed (6/30/08), try doing a Good Search for Annie's Quality Toys".

Best Sites for Learning about Assistive Technology:

Top AT Resource Sites

Closing the Gap - assistive technology resources  for children and adults with special needs

Top Sites to see AT in Action

National Assistive Technology Research Institute - University of Kentucky

Special Education Technology - British Columbia

aacssmalltalk - ACC Small Talk (Yahoo Group)

Top Sites Supporting Education of Assistive Technology & Resources

Minnesota STAR Program (A System of Technology to Achieve Results)

Able Data - assistive technology information

Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology Services

New Zealand Special Education - Resources

Panhandle Educational Consortium

Talk, Learn & Communicate, Inc.

AAC: A Way of Thinking (An Adobe PDF report - Learning about AAC)

The Four Blocks Literacy Model

Center for Literacy and Disability Studies

See it, Say it, Write it

Top Sites for Student Learning

Enchanted Learning (subscription and free stuff)

Tumblebooks (requires subscription)

Free AT Resources:

Class Timer (online timer)

Math Cats (Large number reader)

Ask Jeeves for Schools…answers questions

Page updated: 06/30/2008