AT Devices IEP teams may want to consider based on student’s Needs
The student’s needs should be delineated on the PLEP section. Below, we have identified a large variety of needs and then coupled each need with an array of AT devices that the IEP teams may want to consider:
For students who are distractible:
__ Highlighting pens/tape
__ Personal listening systems
__ Binders to go back and forth to home, to communicate with parents
__ Electronic math worksheets
__ Specialty Paper
__ Adapted computer keyboard
__ Educational television
__ Screen reader
__ Paper/electronic planners/organizers
__ Tape recorder with variable speed play back capabilities
__ Increase computer monitor’s contrasts
__ Scanner with OCR software to make important words and sections stand out
For students who have difficulty with the mechanics of writing:
__ Use a Pencil/pen with adaptive grip
__ Word prediction, abbreviation/expansion to reduce keystrokes
__ Specialty paper (e.g. raised line, highlighted lines, NCR)
__ Screen Readers
__ Use a slant board
__ Electronic math worksheets
__ Use written templates
__ Tape recorder
__ Use of prewritten words/phrases
__ Use a computer with word processing software
__ Highlighting Pen/Tape
__ Use voice recognition software to word process
__ Calculators
__ Use a portable word processor to keyboard instead of writing
__ Use a typewriter
__ Use a portable scanner with word processing software
__ Adaptive keyboard
Students who have difficulty composing written material:
__ Pencil/pen grips
__ Talking word processor for multi sensory typing
__ Slant boards
__ Abbreviation/expansion
__ Highlighting Pen/Tape
__ Word prediction software
__ Word cards/word book/word wall
__ Optical Character Recognition Software
__ Pocket dictionary/thesaurus
__ Voice recognition software
__ Writing templates
__ Word processor w/ word prediction (e.g. Co:Writer) to facilitate spelling and sentence construction
__ Tape recorder
__ Screen Readers
__ Electronic/talking electronic dictionary/thesaurus/spell checker (e.g.Franklin)
__ Word processing w/ writing support
__ Word processing w/ spell checker/grammar checker
__ Multimedia software for expression of ideas (assignments)
Computer access for students who have a variety of difficulties:
__ Arm support (e.g. Ergo Rest)
__ Word prediction, abbreviation/expansion to reduce keystrokes
__ Screen Readers
__ Optical Character Recognition Software
__ Keyboard w/ accessibility options
__ Alternate keyboard (e.g. IntelliKeys,)
__ Keyguard
__ Mouth stick/Head Master/Tracker w/ on-screen keyboard
__ Track ball/track pad/ joystick w/ on-screen keyboard
__ On-screen keyboard
__ Switch
__ Head Mouse/Head Master/Tracker w/ onscreen keyboard
__ Voice recognition software
For student who have difficulty with verbal communication:
__ Binders to go back and forth to home, to communicate with parents
__ Voice output device w/ icon sequencing (e.g. AlphaTalker II, Vanguard, Chatbox)
__ Educational Television
__ Device w/ speech synthesis for typing (e.g. Cannon Communicator, Link, Write:Out Loud w/
laptop)
__ Paper/electronic planners and organizers
__ Talking switch
__ Eye gaze board/frame
__ Electronic device for speech
__ Communication board/book w/pictures/objects/letters/words
__ Voice output device w/ levels (e.g. 6 Level Voice in a Box, Macaw, Digivox)
__ Voice amplifier
__ Voice output device w/ dynamic display (e.g. Dynavox, Speaking Dynamically w/ laptop
computer/Freestyle)
__ Tape recorders to record lessons and assignments
__ Screen Readers
__ Personal listening systems
__ Deltatalker . with programmed words
__ Simple voice output device (e.g. BIGmack, Cheap Talk, Voice in a Box, MicroVoice,Talk.
Picture Frame)
__ Optical Character Recognition Software
For students who have difficulty with reading:
__ Highlighting Pen/Tape
__ Single word scanners (e.g. Seiko Reading Pen)
__ Slant board
__ Use of pictures/symbols with text (e.g. Picture It, Writing with Symbols 2000)
__ Educational Television
__ Audio Books and Playback Units
__ Book adapted for page turning (e.g. page fluffers, 3-ring binder)
__ Electronic books
__ Changes in text size, spacing, color, background color
__ Talking electronic device/software to pronounce challenging words (e.g. Franklin Speaking
Homework Wiz, American Heritage Dictionary)
__ Predictable books
__ Optical Character Recognition Software
__ Screen Readers
__ Scanner w/ OCR and talking word processor
__ Books and software adapted to current text books in various subjects
For students who have difficulties with spelling:
__ Problem word list
__ Hand-held spell checker with auditory recognition of entered word
__ Print dictionary
__ Portable word processor with built in spell checker
__ Personal or custom dictionary
__ Instructional software to enhance phonics and spelling skills
__ Tape recorder with difficult to spell words recorded
__ Computer with word processor and built-in spell checker
__ Hand-held spell checker without auditory output
__ Computer with word processing program and adaptive features (e.g. talking spell checker, word prediction software, etc.)
For students who have difficulty with learning/studying:
__ Pencil grips
__ Screen Readers
__ Highlighting Pen/Tape
__ Voice output reminders for assignments, steps of task, etc.
__ Binders to go back and forth to home, to communicate with parents
__ Single word scanners
__ Specialty Paper
__ Recorded material (books on tape, taped lectures with number coded index, etc.)
__ NCR paper
__ Software for concept development/ manipulation of objects (e.g. Blocks in Motion)
__ Slant board
__ Software for organization of ideas and studying (e.g. Inspiration, Claris Works Outline, PowerPoint)
__ Low tech aids to find materials (e.g. index tabs, color coded folders)
__ Pagers/electronic reminders
__ Print or picture schedule
__ Hand-held scanners
__ Paper and/or electronic planner and organizer
__ Toy Store - may use alternate input device, e.g. switch, touch window
__ Calculator
__ Palm computers
__ Tape recorder to record and play back lessons
__ Educational Television
__ Books and software adapted to current text books
For students who have difficulty with math:
__ Adaptive pen/pencil grips
__ Calculator with special features (e.g. fraction translation)
__ Highlighting Pen/Tape
__ On-screen/scanning calculator
__ Specialty Paper
__ Talking calculator
__ Slant board
__ Money calculator and Coinulator
__ Educational Television
__ Tape recorder to record and play back math lessons
__ Binders to go back and forth to home, to communicate with parents
__ Talking watches/clocks
__ Enlarged math worksheets
__ Tactile/voice output measuring devices (e.g. clock, ruler)
__ Abacus/ Math Line
__ Software with cueing for math computation (may use adapted input methods)
__ Paper and/or electronic organizer and planner
__ Alternative keyboard (e.g. IntelliKeys)
__ Calculator with large keys and/or large display
__ Software for manipulation of objects
__ Math .Smart Chart.
__ Screen Readers
__ Calculator /calculator with print out
__ Voice recognition software
For students who have difficulties in different school subjects:
__ Word banks for the problematic subject
__ Vocabulary software for the problematic subject
__ Vocabulary dictionary for the problematic subject
__ Books on tape for corresponding subjects
__ Use manipulatives
__ Computer simulations for the problematic subject
__ Books and software adapted to current text books in various subjects
For students who have difficulty with their vision, or visual processing:
__ Slant board
__ Electronic organizer and planner with voice output
__ Specialty Paper
__ Tape recorder to record and play back lessons
__ Highlighting pen/tape
__ Personal listening system
__ Alternate keyboard with enlarged keys
__ Audio Books and Playback Units
__ Enlarged or Braille/tactile labels for keyboard
__ Optical Character Recognition Software
__ Electronic math worksheet
__ Screen reader, text reader
__ Screen color contrast (e.g. CloseView) . most word processors, large fonts, bold fonts
__ Braille keyboard and note taker (e.g. Braille N Speak)
__ Large print books
__ Braille translation software
__ Screen magnifier (mounted over screen)
__ Magnifier
__ Screen magnification software (e.g. CloseView, Zoom Text)
__ Braille printer
__ Eye glasses
__ CCTV (closed circuit television)
__ Talking calculator
For students who have difficulty with their hearing, or auditory processing:
__ Pen and paper
__ Screen flash for alert signals on computer
__ NCR paper
__ Phone amplifier
__ Specialty Paper
__ Personal amplification system/Hearing aid
__ Highlighting pen/tape
__ Personal listening system
__ Paper or electronic organizer and planner
__ Closed Captioning
__ Signaling device (e.g. flashing light or vibrating pager)
__ Closed-captioned educational television
__ Variable speed tape recorder to record and play back lessons
__ Real Time captioning
__ Computer aided note taking
__ TDD for phone access with or without relay
__ Computer/portable word processor
__ Infrared system
For students who have difficulty with recreation & leisure:
__ Ergo Rest or other arm-support for drawing/painting
__ Software to complete art activities
__ Universal cuff /strap to hold crayons, markers, paint brush, etc.
__ Adaptive keyboard
__ Slant board for art work, reading, etc.
__ Electronic aids to control TV, VCR, CD player, etc.
__ Adaptive pen/pencil grips
__ Screen reader for downloaded magazines and newspapers
__ Modified utensils (e.g. rubber stamps, brushes, scissors, rollers, etc.)
__ Written and/or electronic organizer and planner
__ Adaptive sporting equipment (e.g. lighted or beeping ball, velcro mitt)
__ Audio Books and Playback Units
__ Adapted toys and games (e.g. toy with adaptive handle)
__ Music software on the computer
__ Toys adapted with Velcro., magnets, handles, etc.
__ Drawing/graphic program on computer (e.g. Kid Pix, Blocks in Motion)
__ Toys adapted for single switch operation
__ Games on the computer
__ Use of battery interrupter and switch to operate a toy
__ Other computer software
For students who have difficulty with activities of daily living (ADLs):
__ Color coded items for easier locating and identifying
__ Adaptive dressing equipment (e.g. button hook, elastic shoe laces, Velcro. instead of buttons, etc.)
__ Non-slip materials to hold things in place
__ Adaptive devices for hygiene (e.g. adapted toothbrushes, raised toilet seat, etc.)
__ Universal cuff/strap to hold items in hand
__ Adaptive bathing devices
__ Adaptive eating utensils (e.g. foam handles, deep sides)
__Adaptive equipment for cooking
__ Adaptive drinking devices (e.g. cup with cut out rim)
__ calculator
For students who have difficulty with mobility:
__ Grab bars and rails
__ Powered wheelchair w/ joystick or other control
__ Walker
__ Powered scooter or cart
__ Powered mobility toy (e.g. Cooper Car, GoBot)
__ Adapted vehicle for driving
__ Manual wheelchair including sports chair
__ children in electric wheelchairs are all able to maneuver independently.
For students who have difficulty controlling their environment:
__ Light switch extension
__ Radio/ultra sound to remotely control appliances
__ Use of Powerlink, interface and switch to activate battery operated devices
__ Use of electronic aid to daily living to control environment in connection with an augmentative communication device
__ Use of Powerlinkinterface and switch to turn on electrical appliances (e.g. radio, fan, blender, etc.)
For students who have difficulty positioning & seating:
__Bolster, rolled towel, blocks for feet
__ Adapted/alternate chair, sidelyer, stander
__ Non-slip surface on chair to prevent slipping (e.g. Dycem)
__ Custom fitted wheelchair or insert
Time Frames – Generally speaking, for the more high tech devices, it takes about 4 to 6 months to acquire and begin utilizing this device. Therefore, when developing the IEP the implementation date of this AT device/service should reflect this time frame. In addition, when a student is using AT, the IEP should reflect what should happen if/when the AT device is broken.
RESOURCES
2. The United States Department of Education.s Enhanced Regulations on the Web;
3. The New Jersey Department of Education.s .Annotated IEP.;
4. The New Jersey Department of Education.s Resource Center