Special Education | Assistive Technology Overview
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY (AT) is an umbrella term covering the systems and services related to the delivery of AT tools, supports, and services. AT can be any item, piece of equipment, or product system whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of an individual with a disability. AT helps people who have difficulty speaking, communicating, typing, writing, remembering, pointing, seeing, hearing, learning, walking, and many other things. There is not a one-size-fits-all equipment recommendation for any age, developmental level, or disability. The determination of what supports should be utilized with a student should be based on their current skills and needs.
DID YOU KNOW?
AT can include...
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a variety of devices & tools ranging from non-tech through high-tech
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services such as securing, repairing, maintaining, and training related to tools and strategies
AT must...
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be considered for each student receiving special education services, regardless of age or disability, using a systematic process supporting accessibility to and participation independence within the curriculum.
Assistive Technology & AAC Support
Reference & Link Resources
Use the links below to find resources and information about AT/AAC support.
- Content Areas
- Early Childhood
- Reading
- Google Chrome
- iPads & Tablets
- Low Tech
- Networking & Community
- Organization & Study
- Switch Access
- UDL
- Visual Supports
- Workshop Handouts
- Writing
- Visual Impairment
Content Areas
Math, Science and Social Studies Resources:
Free Online Content:
CK12 - free online curriculum/content
Currikki - free online curriculum/content
Hippocampus - free online digital content
SAS - free online curriculum/content
Kahn Academy - free video supports for curriculum/content
Michigan Electronic Library (MEL) - e-resources
Math Resources:
Equatio - digital math for Google Docs
Big, Simple Online Calculator - an adjustable size full screen calculator with large buttons.
Graphpaper - free downloadable graph paper, and many other types of paper (handwriting, dots, notetaking paper, etc.)
National Library of Virtual Manipulatives - a library of interactive, web-based virtual manipulatives or concept tutorials
IXL - Skill and practice through 8th grade
Brainingcamp Virtual Manipulatives and Lessons - Grade 6-9 animated lessons and interactive activities along with question sets to assess student understanding
Glencoe Math Manipulatives - for K- 8, use the Help menu to understand how to use this online resource
ConceptuaMath - Interactive fraction tools for instruction which align with NCTM standards
K-7 Mathcasts Project - Short videos (using VoiceThread) of math concepts by grade level and strand
Geometer's SketchPad - math visualization software
MathTrain TV - student produced math videos
Scholastic Math - make your own flashcards for math (or any subject). Print them out for studying on the go!
MathPage - links to interactive math sites and games
InfoPlease - practice math flashcards online.
Numbernut - lots of drill and practice online
MathLab - online lessons, games, printable games and activities for teaching all areas of math.
Math.com - lots of activities to support math homework and practice. Choose information based on an overview or more in depth look.
Illuminations - online activities searchable by grade or type.
AAAMath - a comprehensive website of interactive lessons and practice for Kindergarten through 8th grade.
Science Resources:
Starchild - Astronomy with multiple reading levels
Windows to the Universe - multiple reading levels, Spanish or English
Scholastic Student Activities - Choose subject, grade level, type of activity
Early Childhood
List of links and sites - thanks to United Way in Ohio
Moving Targets - cause and effect online games
Orisinal - gentle games that target fine motor coordination & mouse skills
Boowakwala - online preschool games, stories and more
Funbrain Jr. - online games, activities
Starfall - prereading and reading games and activities
Sesame Street - interactive preschool activities
Kids Sprout - PBS online games for preschoolers
Nick Jr. - games and activities based on the Nick Jr. shows and topics
BBC Bobinogs - BBC games, stories, songs and more
Bembo's Zoo - interactive alphabet game
Storyplace Preschool Library - preschool stories, games, activities and more
TarHeel Reader - Talking Powerpoint-style books
Night Time Animals - interactive game
Tumblebooks - interactive stories
Interactive Stories for Kids
Lee Summit Schools - list of preschool sites by topic area
KiddieGames - simple online games to teach safetly, early numbers and counting, etc.
Cookie - online games and activities
Turtle Diary - online games for Pre-K - 5th grade
Mocomi - games, stories, content searchable by age
iPad Related Resources:
iPad Apps and Early Literacy - 50 apps for preschoolers
iPad and the Young Child - Powerpoint with comprehensive information
Sample Rubric for Evaluating Apps (Jodi Altringer)
Duck Duck Moose Apps - 22 engaging interactive apps (all free) (iPad/Android)
Toca Boca Apps - 38 engaging interactive apps (offered free periodically)
Hands On - Apps with Manipulatives:
Tiggly - Shapes, Words, Math
Osmo - tangram, math, words, coding, drawing and more
Play-Doh Touch - Shape, Scan & Explore - bring Play-Doh creations to life
Reading
E-books and Digital Text:
MEL (Michigan Electronic Library) - Search Kids or Teens
Tarheel Reader - collection of PowerPoint online books
East of the Web - collection of short stories, organized by genre (read aloud with text-to-speech)
Poetry4Kids - collection of poems and activities (read aloud with text-to-speech)
Gutenberg.org - free online access to out-of-copyright literature (read aloud with text-to-speech)
Bookshare - data base of digital books free for students with disability
Learning A-Z - interactive book and reading supports for children (subscription-based)
Epic- Digital books for Kids 12 and Under (subscription-based)
Audio Books:
Story Online - stories read by members of the screen actor's guild
StoryNory - online audio books, read by professional actors
Unite for Literacy - over 100 children's books with various language options
Digitalbook.io - Public Domain audio books
Loyal Books (Books Should Be Free) - public domain audio and e-books
Lit2Go - online collection of mp3 stories and poems
Librivox - collection of books recorded by volunteers
Learning Ally -Subscriptions available, for students with an identified reading disability or schools
Audible - subscription/fee based commercial audio books
Playaways - MP3 books available for commercial purchase
Text Readers:
Read&Write - Chrome Extension (Office 365 also available) (request a free educator premium license)
Select and Speak - Chrome Extension
Universal Reader - Premier Technologies software, free to schools and families within Kent ISD
WordTalk - free text-reader for Word with talking dictionary and mp3 converter
NaturalReader - free text-reader available online (premium voices available for an extra fee)
PowerTalk - free text-reader for PowerPoint
Sites with Scaled or Tiered Reading Levels:
CommonLit - Short stories, nonfiction, poems, news - includes built-in text reader and font adjustments
Ben's Guide- guide to US government by grade level
Starchild- space and astonomy
The Brain - the brain and it's behavior
Newsela - Current Events
Tween Tribune - Current Events
Breaking News English - Current Events
Readworks - Articles, informational text and literature
Books That Grow - Subscription based content in all subject areas
Wikipedia- use the "Simple English" link available in the language choices on the left. Converts text to 'simpler' format.
Sites that Help Determine Readability of Text:
Juicy Studio - input a URL or website location and the readbility will be calculated
Using English - Cut and paste into this site for Readability stats.
Vocabulary, Dictionary and Thesaurus tools:
Visual Thesaurus- a very visual thesaurus
Mirriam Webster Visual Dictionary - online visual support
Snappy Words -online visual dictionary thesaurus
VisuWords - online visual dictionary/thesaurus
WordSmyth- look up words on any webpage, create quizzes, make a glossary, create a crossword puzzle. etc.
Vocabahead - vocabulary word videos
Wordia - video vocabulary hosted on YouTube
Harcourt Talking Dictionary - pictures and audio for elementary students
Many Things - vocabulary with pictures, video pronunciation and games
Spelling:
Spelling City -customizable online spelling that makes practice fun
ICT games - customizable online spelling practice
Spell A Picture - Pictoral spelling program
Woodlands School Site - free online games for spelling, language, written expression skills, etc.
Google Chrome
In addition to the features Google has built into their products, many developers have created Chrome web apps and Chrome extensions that bring extra functionality to Chrome for accessibility and accommodations.
To learn how to install and manage Chrome web apps, see this video
To learn how to install and manage Chrome extensions, see this video
Below is a list of many useful Chrome web apps and extensions for special needs grouped by topic. Some tools fit into more than one topic, but each is only listed once.
Text to speech
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Read&Write for Google - Provides a drop down menu bar in Google Docs with features including text to speech, translation, and highlighting. A paid version is also available that adds a picture dictionary, word prediction, vocabulary list builder, and more.
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SpeakIt! - Text to speech tool that reads any selected text on web pages or PDF’s that are opened in Chrome. Options that can be adjusted include speaking rate and choice of voice.
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Google Voice Typing - Use your voice to type on a Google Document
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Voice Recognition - allows user to dictate the text of a document, then save the text or copy/paste to docs or email
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OpenDyslexic - overrides all fonts on web pages with OpenDyslexic font, formatting pages to be more easily readable
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Reading Ruler - Highlight text on a web page, one line at a time
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BeeLine Reader - Remove ads, comments, and other extra distracting items, applies a color gradient to the text
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ATbar - Change the colors, font size for a web page, text-to-speech, colored overlays, remove distractions and more
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MagicScroll Web Reader -Turn web pages into a flippable e-book and control over font size and page color
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Readline - Adjust the speed to the lowest setting and use this extension to easily read text one word at a time
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Visor - Screen dimmer and reading aid
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SummarizeThis - Copy and paste any text into the app to get a summarized version of the most important information
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Summarizer - Highlight text and then use this extension to get a summarized version of the content
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TextTeaser - Summarize content from webpage as a list of sentences or paragraph, with adjustable slider for detail level
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Shorten - Extract key points of web article, and translate
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Mercury Reader - Read webages in a simplified format
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Just Read - Read webpages in a simplified format
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EasyReader - View webpages as a book, with Table of Contents, customizable font, size, color and more
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MagicScroll - Turn webpage into a MagicScroll book
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Google Dictionary - Double-click any word on a web page to get a pop-up with the definition and audible pronunciation
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Google Flashcards - For Google Dictionary users - save words/phrases to word list, displayed as flashcards
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Power Thesaurus - View synonyms and antonyms
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Click-free Browsing - Adds navigation icons to a webpage that can be activated by simply hovering over them, rather than needing to click. Commands include scrolling, backward and forward in page history, opening a link, and more
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Vimium - (YouTube video) Provides keyboard shortcuts for navigation and control for those with difficulty using a mouse
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CrxMouse -Use mouse gestures to navigate including forward, backward, scrolling, refreshing, switching tabs, and more. The user can program their own custom mouse gestures to open programs and perform other tasks
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1-click Timer - Visual timer for your bowser
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Move It - Movement reminders on your screen
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Mindful Break - Offers a new minfulness tip each time it opens
iPads & Tablets
Weekly and Daily App Deals
AppAdvice (previously Apps Gone Free): iPad app with free daily alerts
Autism Apps: iPad app targeting Autism
Moms with Apps: Free App Fridays (HonorRoll is the app version)
Best Apps for Kids: New apps and tips
Smart Apps for Kids: daily deals
Apps for Special Education
a4cwsn: reviews and video clips of apps
Spectronics: education and special needs
Apps and Resources for Autism
Apps for Autism
Bridging Apps - apps for special needs
AppsForAAC - communication apps organized by function
Apps for All Students
Apps in Education: organized by subject
Teachers with Apps: reviews with video and pics
OT's With Apps: reviews, tips, accessories & more
Geek SLP: apps & tips for speech & communication
Fun Educational Apps: in depth reviews
Appolicious: detailed categories
Digital Story Time: daily deals posted
Android-Based Apps
Droid Apps for Autism - review of apps
Bridging Apps - apps for special needs
Apps for Autism
Google Play Store Education apps
Handouts and Presentations
Apps for Reading, Writing, OrganizationSTART Conference
MITS iPad Facilitator Materials
iTouch and iPad apps for Special Education -- PPT with examples of apps
Low Tech
Networking & Community
Websites, blogs and other information
Alt+Shift - Michigan Assistive Technology Project
Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative (WATI)
Texas Assistive Technology Network - Video Modules
Assistive Technology Internet Modules
Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology (QIAT)
ATTipsCast - podcasts
Techmatrix Assistive Technology Database
Teaching Learners with Multiple Special Needs Blog
AT Classroom Blog
Organization & Study
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ToDo: Visual ScheduleOrganization, Executive Function, Attention and Behavior
Timers
Time Timer - visual timers, watches and app
Visual Timer App
MultiTimer App
Scheduling, Task Lists and Reminders - Apps
ToDo Visual Schedule App - Apple Watch compatible
Due: Reminders and Timers App - Apple Watch compatible
Reminder with Voice Reminders App
LiST - Visual To Do App
CanPlan App
ToDO Visual Schedule App - Compatible with Apple Watch
Scheduling, Task Lists and Reminders - Chrome
1-Click-Timer
Google Keep
Smart Speaker Supports
Amazon Alexa & Echo :
General Commands - set alarms, reminders, ask calendar activities, ask information, create to-do or shopping lists and more
Routines - automate prompts, commands, reminders across compatible Echo devices and smart home devices
Skills - broaden Alexa's usefulness with these add-on "apps". Look for the Kids or Education categories, or check out this list from
Common Sense Media
Skill Blueprints - create and share customized Alexa Skills simply by filling in the blanks to one of dozens of easy-to-use template
Switch Access
Switch Access and Activity Resources:
Online Switch Games:
Tarheel Gameplay - a collection of free, easy-to-play, and accessible games, speech enabled, accessed using multiple interfaces
Priory Woods Videos - clickable videos Priory Woods Talking Books - clickable books
Talking Book Library - clickable books for all ages
Knee Bouncers - online games
Shiny Learning - Some free and subscription-based online games
HelpKidzLearn - Subscription-based games and activities
List of Switch Accessible Sites - from Teaching Learners With Multiple Special Needs
List of Switch Accessible Sites - from Students With Difference
Switch Accessible Software
Inclusive TLC
Judy Lynn Software
iPad Apps
List of iPad Apps - from Enabling Devices
List of iPad Apps - from Jane Farrell
iPod/iPad Access Ideas - from Teaching Learners with Multiple Special Needs
Resources
60 Things to do with a Single Switch - from Teaching Learners with Multiple Special Needs
Tips, Tricks and Ideas for a Single Switch - from TalkSense
UDL
National Center on Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Learn about UDL through a variety of resources and examples. |
Full text of the UDL guidelines, a graphic organizer of the guidelines, and rich examples of tools to achieve each checkpoint within the guidelines |
Universal Design for Learning: Theory and Practice Create a free account to access the web edition of this interactive text introducing and illuminating UDL principles and practices. |
The place to browse and build UDL resources, lessons, and collections |
Explore the UDL principles, checkpoints, and related resources with this interactive tool |
Maryland Learning Link's UDL Resources Rich collection of tools and resources to better understand and explore UDL principles |
Explore or Create! Browse, read, interact with, or create your own UDL projects. |
Collection of UDL tools and resources utilizing an interactive Wiki and poster |
Visual Supports
Free online sources for pictures:
ConnectABILITY Visuals Engine - online Boardmaker alternative (free)
SymbolWorld - symbol sets, current events news, activities, stories
Sclera Picto's - free black and white symbols, by category
Mulberry Symbols - free clip art images
ARASAAC Symbols - free clip art images
Pics4Learning - pictures and graphics free for use in education, catalogued by category
Do2Learn - free picture cards, activities and other resources
Subscription-based online sources for pictures:
LessonPix - Online resource for customized visual learning materials ($36/year)
Smarty Symbols - Online resource for customized visual learning materials ($45/year)
Widgit Symbols - Online resource available with annual subscription
SymbolStyx PRIME - Online resource available with annual subscription
Boardmaker Online - Online resource available with annual subscription
Activities and ideas:
Symbol World: free activities and ideas using picture symbols
Speaking of Speech - free downloadable PDF files of activities using Boardmaker symbols (scroll down to categories)
Do2Learn - free pictures and activities
News 2 You - fee-based online and printable current event activities with picture support for students with special needs
Unique Learning System - fee-based standards based curriculum for students with special needs.
Boardmaker:
Boardmaker links and downloads - from Glenda's Assistive Technology
More Boardmaker links and downloads - from Teaching Learners With Multiple Special Needs
Picture-supported books and text:
Adapted Books - hundreds of books adapted with Boardmaker pictures, from Baltimore City Schools
Adapted Books - adapted books with picture icons and associated activities
Adapted Books - adapted books from the Sherlock Center for Disabilities
Social Stories to download or sample:
Socials Stories and Resources - PBISWorld's extensive list of story links and resources
Visual Support Social Stories - Microsoft Word format stories
Free Social Stories - list of social stories from various sources (from One Place for Special Needs)
Social Stories - 8 simple stories with some pictures such as Getting Dressed, Playing With Friends, etc.
Autism Inspiration - stories created
by a mom for her son
Aspergers Social Stories - a variety of stories
Watson Institute - Behavior social stories
Model Me - social stories available for purchase
Workshop Handouts
Click on a training below to find the handouts:
- Assistive Technology to Support Executive Function, Attention & Behavior
- Google Tools for Special Education - Student and Administrative Management
- Google Apps Tip Sheets
- Assistive Technology - More Than A Checkbox!
- Reading Council - Writing Supports
- Support for Struggling Students: Grandville MS
- A Tech Toolkit to Support Struggling Readers
- AAC Overview
- AAC: Light Tech to High Tech Supports for Students with Communication Barriers
- Text-to-Speech & Speech-to-Text: Not Just for Accessibility
- Removing Barriers to the Classroom with Universally Designed Strategies
- Assistive Technology Overview Handouts:
- Reading
- Writing
- Chrome Extensions & Apps
- SETT Framework
- Tech in Early Learning: Take Down Your Program Walls (ATIA 2017)
- Chrome for Accessibility
- AAC - Integrating into Classrooms and Curriculum
- Apps for Reading, Writing and Organization
- Technology Triage
- Tools for Diverse Classrooms
- Google Chrome and Google Drive
- Supports for Writing: Inside and Outside the Classroom
- Assistive Technology for Students with Cognitive Impairments and Delays
- Technology for Early Childhood
Writing
Digital Writing Supports - Chrome Extensions:
Read&Write - text & picture dictionaries, speech-to-text, word prediction, highlighting (Free for 30 days, then annual subscription). (iOS app also available) (request a free educator premium license)
Co-Writer Universal - Word prediction and speech-to-text (Free for 30 days, then annual subscription)
Keyboarding Practice - Chrome Apps:
Typing Club
Typing Lessons
Type Scout
Keyboarding Practice - Websites:
Dance Mat Typing - 4 levels of practice
Rapid Typing - download these free keyboarding programs
Fingerjigger - a 6 minute typing game/test with random words
Free typing games - free games to play online
And more free typing games - more fast-paced online games
Handwriting Practice:
Handwriting for Kids - free printable paper templates and worksheets
Spelling, Grammar and Writing Support:
Grammarly - grammar support
Ginger - spelling support for all applications, free trial, then purchase
Ghotit - spelling support
Writing Support Add-Ons for Google Docs:
Find and add Google Docs Add-Ons - short how-to video
- Look for: Mindmeister, LucidChart, Grammarly, EasyBib
ReadWriteThink Interactive Mapping and Organizing Tools:
ReadWriteThink Essay Map - interactive graphic organizer
ReadWriteThink Mapping Tool - interactive graphic organizer
ReadWriteThink Graphic Map - interactive graphic organizer
ReadWriteThink Persuasion Map - interactive graphic organizer
ReadWriteThink Biography Cube - interactive biography builder
ReadWriteThink Story Map - interactive story builder
Google Docs Voice Typing
Dragon Dictate for iPhone and iPad - this is a free app through iTunes
Popplet - free online or app brainstorming and mapping tool
Webspiration - subscription-based online brainstorming and mapping tool
Mindomo - free online brainstorming and mapping tool
Gliffy - free online brainstorming and mapping tool
Bubbl.us - free online brainstorming and mapping tool
Digital Story Telling:
Glogster - create online, interactive posters
Voice Thread - capture audio for online digital storytelling
Animoto - create fully customized videos
Blabberize - create talking photos, EASY
FotoBabble - create talking photos, EASY
Storybird - collaborative storytelling, beautiful graphics
Little Bird Tales - digital stories with audio recording option
Story Jumper - read, listen or create books
Photo Peach - create an easy Photo Story
Story Maker - download this application and use with reluctant writers to create a fairy tale
ToonDoo - Online comic strip creator
Make Believe Comix - Online comic strip creator
Wacky Web Tales - an online "madlib" tool
More Digital Writing Supports:
Online Note-Taking Tool - (one of the interactive Read/Write/Think resources - do not use with Chrome Browser)
Sutori- collaborative, online Time Line tools
Writing Fix - Interactive Writing Prompts
Scholastic: Story Starters for Grades 1-4 - Students spin lever to get a writing prompt, or change prompt.
SnapType - iPad or Android app used to complete worksheets on a tablet
StoryKit - iPad app to create digital storybooks
Word Clouds:
Wordle
ABCYA Word Cloud
Wordcloud
Visual Impairment
VI - Decision Making
VI Swap Meet 2014:
Magic Handout
Chrome Accessibility Tips
ChromeVox Keyboard Shortcuts
General Resources for Visually Impaired Learners and Staff:
www.aph.org
www.asb.org
www.braille.org
www.nationalbraille.org
www.afb.org
www.nfb.org
Book Resources for Visually Impaired learners:
www.gutenberg.org
www.loc.gov/nls
www.dcmp.org
http://mi-braille.org
www.largeprintschoolbooks.com
www.tbeonline.org
www.tactilelibrary.com
Software Resources:
www.freedomscientific.com
www.aisquared.com
Equipment Resources:
www.humanware.com
www.maxiaids.com
www.lssproducts.com
www.perkins.org