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Assistive Technology Tools by Area
The LWSD Assistive Technology team works with general and special education teachers to provide medium and high tech tools for students. Low tech tools are often already available in the classrooms.
- Reading support
- Writing support
- Math support
- Dyslexia support
- Communication support
- Vision support
- Hearing support
- Studying, Learning and Organizing support
- Computer Access support
- Mobility support
Reading support
For students who face challenges with reading, there are a range of Assistive Technology tools that may help. Please see below for potential AT resources to support reading, including text-to-speech readers, vocabulary support, and access to digital texts.
Supports
- Read aloud/text-to-speech
- Reading aids & personalization
- Picture support
- Reading practice support
- Electronic version of texts
Read aloud/text-to-speech
Read aloud allows students to select text and have it read aloud, empowering them to access and engage in content. Typically this feature can be customized in voice type and speed. Review read aloud options below.
- Microsoft's Immersive Reader is a powerful reading support.
- Built-in support is available in Teams, Word, OneNote, Edge, Forms, PowerPoint, Lumio, FlipGrid, and Code.org.
- Explore this interactive training guide: Immersive Reader
- Read Aloud in the Edge Browser
- Use this tool to read across websites and PDFs.
- WordQ - Speech Feedback & PDF Access Features
- Speech Feedback & PDF read aloud tool works across multiple apps and tools.
- Download WordQ from the Software Center.
- Clicker's Speech Feedback Tool
- Speech Feedback is integrated throughout Clicker to support literacy and comprehension.
- Available for all Elementary students, and Secondary upon request.
- Scanning Pens, such as CPens can be an option for students to read paper based copies. These tools are available for trial, if you are interested please reach out to your student's educational team.
Reading aids & personalization
Reading aids can include anything that helps a student customize their reading experience and increase there understanding of text.
- Microsoft's Immersive Reader offers many supports, including:
- Focus mode
- Avoid visual crowding with font spacing and short lines
- Syllabification to help with decoding
- Translation (by word or by document)
- Picture Dictionary
- Immersive Reader support is available in Teams, Word, OneNote, Edge, Forms, PowerPoint, Lumio, FlipGrid, and Code.org.
- Explore this interactive training: Immersive Reader
- Reader-Friendly Fonts
- Our students’ ability to set their own preferences with text (font, size, color, and spacing) can be key for ability to engage and understand the content.
- Student devices contain font options that are reader friendly: Lexie Readable, Open Dyslexic, Arial, Comic Sans, Century Gothic, Verdana, Trebuchet or Calibri.
Picture support
Picture support provides a visual along with written text to help provide context and increase comprehension. Review picture support options below.
- Immersive Reader offers a built-in Picture Dictionary
- Clicker's Instant Pictures
- Turn on Instant Pictures to see picture support as you write
- Add pictures to Clicker Sets to increase engagement and understanding
Reading practice support
- Use the built in Reading Progress tool in Teams to help students build fluency with independent practice.
Electronic version of texts
Engaging with electronic versions of texts allows students to use tools to access and interact with materials as needed and when needed.
- Materials may be provided via Word, PowerPoint, Edge, or OneNote to enable students to use digital tools to access and interact with the text.
- Digital text, e-books, and audiobooks may be offered through curriculums and school librarians. Check the sites below to learn more:
- Access e-books and audiobooks through LWSD & King County Library System partnership
- KCLS
- KCLS login for LWSD: 414 followed by student ID number
- KCLS
- Bookshare provides e-books and digital textbooks for those who qualify.
- ReWordify is a web-based tool that can help teachers or families level text for students.
- Students can also create their own digital texts with PowerPoint or Clicker Books.
Resources
Use the links below to learn more about the possible tools for reading support.
- Bookshare
- Immersive Reader (Microsoft)
- Edge (Microsoft)
- Translator (Microsoft)
- WordQ5
- Clicker
- Inspiration 10
- Reading Progress (Microsoft)
- ReWordify
Bookshare
- Introduction to Bookshare
- Web-based resource of e-books and digital textbooks available for those who qualify.
Immersive Reader (Microsoft)
- All About Immersive Reader
- Learn more about Immersive Reader
- Immersive Reader Resources
- Immersive Reader Interactive Training
- YouTube video of Lumio's Immersive Reader
- YouTube video: Introduction to Immersive Reader: What is the Immersive Reader?
- Available for all LWSD students (built-in product)
Edge (Microsoft)
- Immersive Reader in Microsoft Edge
- YouTube video: Introduction to the Immersive Reader in Edge
- Available for all LWSD students (built-in product).
Translator (Microsoft)
- Learn more about Translator
- Translator Web Tool
- Translating text in Microsoft Applications:
- Translate support in Edge
- Available for LWSD students (built-in product).
WordQ5
- WordQ5 Website
- How To Use WordQ5 How To Use WordQ Desktop — Quillsoft Ltd.
- WordQ5 Tutorials Playlist (Youtube): WordQ Tutorials
- Available for all LWSD students and staff.
- Download tool from Software Center.
Clicker
- Learn more about Clicker
- Create a Clicker Book
- Available for all Elementary students' laptops and Secondary upon request.
Inspiration 10
- Learn more about Inspiration 10
- Inspiration how-to videos
- Available for all LWSD Secondary students and staff.
Reading Progress (Microsoft)
ReWordify
- ReWordify website
- Web-based tool to help level reading for your students
Writing support
LWSD provides low to high tech Assistive Technology for writing. Students may need writing supports due to weaknesses in motor skills, attention, language, memory and higher order thinking. Tools to support writing include word prediction, electronic graphic organizers, vocabulary supports and speech-to-text or text-to-speech readers.
Low-Tech
- Pencil grips
- Specialized paper
- Sentence strips
- Graphic organizers
- Slant boards
Mid to High-Tech
Word Prediction
A feature in an app or program that reduces the number of keystrokes necessary for typing words. Word prediction is available in Co:Writer, Clicker 7, and Read&Write 11.
Text-to-Speech
Allows students to highlight text and have it read aloud to them. Text-to-speech is available in Learning Tools for OneNote for all students, Snap&Read for elementary and middle school students, and Read&Write 11 as UDL tools. Other programs currently supported by the district include Co:Writer 7 and Clicker 7.
Speech Recognition (SR or Speech-to-Text)
Speech recognition is a popular feature available to all LWSD students in Learning Tools for OneNote. SR allows students to speak their words instead of typing. To use speech recognition for writing, students need to think of a sentence and keep that sentence in their memory. Then, they need to say the sentence, check the spoken sentence for accuracy and fix errors.
Speech Recognition for Learning on the Reading Rockets website
Clicker 7
This software is available to all elementary students, teachers and specialists for download from the Software Center. Clicker 7 is also available for elementary students to download on their home computers.
Clicker 7 is a literacy support software tool. It has a talking word processor, word prediction and text-to-speech to support student's reading and writing skills. Clicker also has "Clicker Sets” which give students point-and-click access to whole words, phrases and sentences for a variety of literacy activities.
Interested in having Clicker 7 at home? Email SSAssitiveTechnology@lwsd.org to place a request.
Read Write 12
Read Write 12 is a floating toolbar that offers student support in a variety of applications and software, such as Word, OneNote and Internet Explorer. Its features include:
- Word prediction
- Text-to-speech
- Screen masking
- PDF reader
- Dictionary/picture dictionary
- Highlight tools that collect information
- Vocabulary list builder
Read Write 12 works best with Microsoft Word, PDFs and Internet Explorer. For more tips and tricks, please reference the links below:
- Read Write 12 Support
- Read Write Quick Reference Card
- How to access:
- Application is on the desktop of district devices
- The software is installed on all secondary student devices automatically. It will be in the students' list of available programs.
- It is available to all elementary students, teachers and specialists for download from the Software Center.
Math support
Assistive Technology for math allows students to demonstrate their knowledge and participate in meaningful ways. Tools to support math include digital manipulatives, digital worksheet completion, digital graphing and handwriting-digital text support.
Supports
Low-Tech
- Number lines
- Math facts sheets/charts (100s Chart)
- Multiplication tables
- Rekenrek boards, counting ropes or abacuses
- Manipulatives
- Flash cards of numbers, integers, concepts or operations
- Students can assemble expressions or receptively identify solutions
- Rubber stamps for numbers/graphs
- Graph paper or templates to organize math problems
- Graphing tools or drawing tools
- Worksheets with enlarged print and space for solving
- Modified paper (bold lines, raised lines, grid paper)
- Calculators
Mid-to-High Tech
- Writing or drawing support
- Virtual worksheet completion
- Equation and expression support
- Digital or virtual graphing
- Digital or virtual manipulatives
- Digital or talking calculators
- Text-to-Speech (TTS)
Reads text aloud, allowing students to hear and see the text as it is being read. - Optical Character Recognition (OCR) Reads text aloud from images and pictures. Students can use OCR by taking photos of worksheets and other documents or by scanning documents.
Resources
- Microsoft OneNote
- Microsoft Word 2016 (Desktop)
- Read Write (middle and high school)
- Snap Read (elementary and middle school)
- Digital Text and Resources
Microsoft OneNote
Microsoft OneNote 2016 (Desktop)
- Access from Start Menu
- Math Supports:
- Add grid paper: From View, select Rule Lines, from drop down menu, select Grid Lines
- Build equations: From Insert, select Equation.
- Equation Tools Design bar will pop up
- Insert math problems: From Draw, select Ink to Math
- Use or draw Shapes: From Draw, select Shapes
- Worksheet completion:
- Send worksheets to OneNote 2016
- Option 1: Attach File as Printout
- Option 2: From Print, select drop down option Send to OneNote
- Right-click and select Set as background
- Write or type on top of worksheet.
- Once a worksheet is in OneNote 2016, it can be worked on in synced notebooks in any of the OneNote products.
- Send worksheets to OneNote 2016
OneNote Windows 10 App
- Access from Start menu
- Math Supports:
- Build or solve equations: From Draw, select Math Tools. Math toolbar will pop up on right.
- Write or type equation. Select your equation with the Lasso Select Tool (under Draw). Click on Math Tools again. Use the dropdown to select the action you want, such as solve, show steps or graph it.
- Use Ruler: From Draw, select Ruler
- Use or draw Shapes: From Draw, select Shapes or Ink to Shape
- Insert math problems: From Insert, select Math Tools
- Use pen or finger to write equation.
- Select it with the Lasso select.
- Ink to Math (to turn into text) and/or Select an Action from the drop down menu.
- Solve equations
- Graph
- Build or solve equations: From Draw, select Math Tools. Math toolbar will pop up on right.
Microsoft Word 2016 (Desktop)
Read Write (middle and high school)
Snap Read (elementary and middle school)
Digital Text and Resources
Many of our curricula offer accessible educational materials in online versions of their text. Work with your student's teacher to fine out if a digital version is available.
In addition, the school library is a good place for your child to find information. Through the school library, students have access to a diverse collection of print and electronic materials. The librarian can provide assistance.
Dyslexia support
Assistive Technology for dyslexia includes graphic organizers. Using graphic organizers, students can create visual outlines, such as mind maps, to help them understand what they are reading.
Please see Reading support and Writing support above for more dyslexia support tools.
Communication support
Assistive Technology can help students with little or no verbal communication. AT tools to support communication include:
- Single and multi-message voice output devices
- Dynamic display devices with voice output
AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) allows for students with limited or no verbal communication to participate in communication activities. IEP team members, including Speech Language Pathologists, work in partnership to create a functional communication system for students. Communication systems range from low-tech communication books to high-tech dynamic display devices. The Assistive Technology team can be consulted if a therapist or IEP team is unsure what the best system is for a student.
Supports
Resources
- Communication Matrix
- Switch Progression Road Map
- How to Support a Switch User
- Picture Exchange Communication System
- Wheel of AAC apps
- Proloquo2Go online videos
- Practical AAC
- Assistiveware Core Classroom AAC Implementation
- Seattle Children's AAC Care Team
- UW Speech and Hearing Clinic AAC Evaluation
- ASHA
- We Speak PODD - YouTube
- Closing the Gap Conference
- CSUN AT Conference
- Washington Assistive Technology Act Program Lending Library
- University of Nebraska AAC Lab
Vision support
Students with low-vision often require assistive technology to access their educational materials. The Assistive technology team works with Vision teachers to provide screen magnifiers or software, accessible devices, cameras and screen sharing capabilities.
Supports
Services
If a student is referred for a functional vision evaluation, and the team agrees, services will be provided by the TVI and/or O&M specialist. Services might include any of the following:
- Consultation with staff/parents/students
- Providing information to families on school/community resources
- Training on methods of gaining access to the curriculum, technology or environment
- Providing accessible materials (large print books, Bookshare, etc.)
- Providing specialized equipment and instruction for use
- Braille instruction
- Instruction to improve visual efficiency.
- Instruction in the expanded core curriculum (ECC):
- Direct instruction
- Consultation
- Explaining options in the general education curriculum
ECC should be used as a framework for assessing students, planning individual goals and providing instruction.
Resources
- Washington State School for the Blind, Vancouver, WA. (WSSB)
Once placed on an IEP or Section 504 plan, students are registered at WSSB by the TVI. WSSB can provide materials, large print books, short courses, training, etc. Contact is made through the TVI or O&M specialist. - Department of Services for the Blind (DSB)
- Washington Talking Book and Braille Library (WTBBL)
- American Federation of the Blind (AFB)
- National Federation of the Blind (NFB)
- Association of the Education and Rehabilitation of Blind and Visually Impaired Students and Adults (AER)
- Lighthouse for the Blind
- Helen Keller Services for the Blind
- Perkins Institute for the Blind
- American Printing House for the Blind (APH)
- National Braille Press
- Bookshare
- Upon identification, all students are signed up by the TVI for a Bookshare account.
- Books can be downloaded and read or listened to on the student laptop or other device. If the student or parent desire, an individual account can be added.
- All services are free.
- The Seeing Eye
One program for dog guides. This was the first guide dog program, established 1929. It's a good place to start when looking for information.
Hearing support
Students who are deaf or hard-of hearing can access auditory information (teacher lectures, questions and answers, etc.) through listening technology. This type of technology includes classroom sound field systems. Listening technology falls under the umbrella of assistive technology, but is managed by the Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing specialists.
Studying, Learning and Organizing support
Assistive Technology tools that support studying, learning and organizing include electronic graphic organizers, visual schedules, digital worksheet completion, digital highlighting tools and digital task lists and calendars.
Supports
Resources
Free resources from Understood.org
- Quizlet is a study tool that lets students create electronic flashcards. It offers features that are especially helpful for kids who have trouble reading. The flashcards can include images and audio recordings. They can also be read aloud with TTS. Quizlet also offers activities and games to help with studying and syncs to a mobile app.
- MindMeister is a digital graphic organizer. Students can use it to organize ideas with visual mind maps, diagrams and pictures. It also helps with taking notes, outlining main ideas in a book or getting started writing an essay. The tool comes built-in templates, but students can also create their own diagrams. In the free version of MindMeister, students can work on three projects at a time.
Tools to help read or create PDFs
- Upad for iPad
- Snaptype for iPad
- OfficeLens
Graphic Organizers
Software
Read Write 12
Read Write 12 is a floating toolbar that offers student support in a variety of applications and software, such as Word, OneNote and Internet Explorer. Its features include:
- Word prediction
- Text-to-speech
- Screen masking
- PDF reader
- Dictionary/picture dictionary
- Highlight tools that collect information
- Vocabulary list builder
Read Write 12 works best with Microsoft Word, PDFs and Internet Explorer. For more tips and tricks, please reference the links below:
- Read Write 12 Support
- Read Write Quick Reference Card
- How to access:
- Application is on the desktop of district devices
- The software is installed on all secondary student devices automatically. It will be in the students' list of available programs.
- It is available to all elementary students, teachers and specialists for download from the Software Center.
Computer Access support
The LWSD Assistive Technology team works with special education teachers, occupational therapists and physical therapists. Together, they make sure students have access to all educational tools and environments, including computers.
Support for computer access may include:
- Computer-adapted keyboard or mouse
- Keyguard
- Mini mouse
- Touch screen
- Trackball
- Alternate keyboard
- Switch access/interface
- Mobility tools/alternate computer access
- Support for reading and writing
- Speech-to-text software
- Text-to-speech software
- Picture software
Mobility support
The Assistive Technology team collaborates with PTs and OTs to provide mounting systems for communication devices, environmental controls, switch access for toys or appliances or alternate access tools.
Work with the physical therapist (PT) on your IEP team for access to gait trainers, walkers, standers, wheelchairs and other tools for mobility.Work with your occupational therapist (OT) for adaptive eating utensils, personal hygiene tools and adaptive cooking devices.
Assistive Technology mobility support might include tools to help with the following:
- Seating/positioning
- Examples include an adapted/alternate chair, sidelyer, stander, or custom-fitted wheelchair or insert
- Slip prevention
- Examples include non-slip surface on chairs, bolster, rolled towel, and/or blocks for feet
- Adapted eating and drinking utensils
- Adapted personal hygiene tools
- Switch-operated cooking devices
- Examples include devices to help with pouring, blending, etc.
- Switch-adapted toys
- Environmental control units
- Adapted swings
- Adapted tricycle
