High-Tech Assistive Technology Tools

"High-Tech" Assistive Technology tools help people to perform tasks independently that they would otherwise need help with, or not be able to perform at all. Some examples include a "sip and puff" gives access to people who can't use their hands to control a vast array of things such as computers. In the below picture a woman uses a sip and puff to steer her boat. Computer tablets, such as the iPad, provide a large choice of apps to help students with Autism, support talking books for students with Dyslexia, etc. Other high tech AT devices include computer screen magnifiers for the visually impaired, and cochlear devices for the hearing impaired. The list for high tech AT can go on forever.

Mid-Tech Assistive Technology Tools

"Mid-Tech" Assistive Technology tools can support student learning in a variety of ways. Personal spellers, mobile word processors, and visual timers can serve many purposes. A personal speller can help a student who has problems with spelling, or it can be used as a rhyming game to help students recognize word families. A mobile word processor is a great support for students with hand writing challenges. Visual timers help students "see" how much time they have left for an activity.

Low-Tech Assistive Technology

When considering a student for Assistive Technology, it is important to begin with the "low-tech" tools that teachers might be able to find already in the classroom. Some examples of low-tech AT tools include the use of highlighters, sticky notes, note cards, pencil grips, folders, seating arrangements, or anything that can help a student accomplish their learning goals and that is usually readily available in the classroom and typically does not use electricity or batteries. Remember that it is the way a tool is used and what it is used for that makes it AT.