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Assistive Technology: 
Tools for Learning 
Presented by: 
Team of Advocates for Special Kids 
Laura Simmons-Martinez, Technology Project Director 
Sandra Aranda, AT Specialist 
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What is Assistive Technology? 
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Technology = Tools 
.. Extend physical abilities 
.. Make work more efficient 
.. Extend instruction and 
communication abilities 
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Assistive Technology Device: 
“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 
functional capabilities of individuals with 
disabilities.” 
Federal Definitions 
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Assistive Technology Service: 
.. The term “Assistive Technology 
Service” means any service that 
directly assists an individual with a 
disability in the selection, acquisition, 
or use of an assistive technology 
device. 
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Assistive Technology Services 
Include: 
..Evaluation in natural environment 
..Provide/purchase or lease devices 
..Select, design, fit, customize, maintain, 
repair, etc. devices 
..Coordination with other services 
.. Training for the individual and/or family, 
professionals, employers

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How Does The IEP Team Know If Assistive 
Technology Is “Needed” Or “Required”? 
..The only way to truly know 
whether assistive technology will 
make a significant difference for 
a student is to try it out. 
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.. If a student is struggling with getting 
meaning from printed text, the IEP team 
may think that the student will benefit 
from having text scanned into a 
computer and spoken. 
.. The only way to determine if this will 
work is to try it. 
For instance: 
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.. If the student has never tried the 
assistive technology, the IEP team 
should write the trial use of the 
technology into the IEP, rather than the 
purchase or permanent acquisition of the 
assistive technology. 
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The IEP should specify the types of devices 
that are required 
.. How the device(s) will be used? 
.. Where the device(s) will be used? 
.. When the device(s) will be used? 
.. Who will be responsible for supporting device(s) 
use? 
….and should include information on: 
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What Are Some Of The Things Assistive 
Technology Can Do For Students? 
• Make things easier to turn on 
• Hold things steady or in place 
• Help a student get dressed or eat 
• Help a student learn 
• Make playing or recreational activities 
possible 
• Allow communication or improve 
communication 
• Help a student see or hear better 
• Help a student control things such as a 
television, radio, computer or lights 
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When Is AT Required? 
..IDEA states that "assistive technology 
devices and services" must be 
provided by school districts to eligible 
children if necessary to ensure the 
provision of a free appropriate public 
education.

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A.T. Consideration 
..Assistive Technology should be 
considered if its use will help the 
student perform a skill (read, write, 
communicate, etc.) more easily or 
efficiently, in the least restrictive 
environment or with less personal 
assistance. 
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What is the difference between an 
accommodation and a modification? 
.. Accommodations and modifications are 
types of adaptations that are made to the 
environment, curriculum, instruction, 
or assessment practices in order for 
students with disabilities to be successful 
learners and to participate actively with 
other students in the general education 
classroom and in school-wide activities. 
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Accommodations 
..Accommodations do not change or 
alter what is being measured and 
are considered changes in the way 
a test (assessment) is given or 
taken. 
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Accommodation Examples: 
.. Test taken orally or additional time to take test 
.. Large print textbooks 
.. A locker with an adapted lock 
.. Weekly home-school communication tool, such 
as a notebook or daily log book 
.. Peer support for note taking 
.. Lab sheets with highlighted instructions 
.. Graph paper to assist in organizing and lining 
up math problems 
.. Tape record lectures 
.. Use of a computer for writing 
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Modifications 
.. Modifications definitely change or 
alter what is being measured and 
are considered substantial changes 
in the way a test (assessment) is 
given or taken 
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Modification Examples: 
.. An outline in place of essay for major project 
.. Picture communication symbols (PCS) choices on 
tests 
.. Alternative books or materials on the same theme or 
topic 
.. Spelling support from a computerized spell check 
program 
.. Word bank of choices for answers to test questions 
.. Use of a calculator on a math test 
.. Questions re-worded using simpler language 
.. Projects substituted for written reports 
.. Important words and phrases highlighted 

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The Assistive Technology Evaluation 
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Requesting an 
Assistive Technology Evaluation 
Request in writing: “example” 
.. I am requesting an assistive technology 
evaluation for my son (daughter), Tobi who 
attends Polytechnic High School in the Special 
Day Class. I am requesting this evaluation to 
see if there is any technology that may help 
and enhance my son’s educational day. 
.. Some concerns are based on: he needs 
interventions for nonverbal communication. 
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A.T. Evaluation (cont.) 
.. I understand that I must be presented 
with a written assessment plan within 
fifteen (15) days and that the plan will 
inform me of the test to be given, dates 
for the tests and the names of the 
persons who will administer the tests, as 
well as explanation of the tests and their 
purposes. 
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.. IEP/support staff with AT 
experience 
.. School district staff 
specialists 
.. Independent service 
providers 
.. Resource group/service 
agency specialists 
WhoIdentifies the AT? 
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.. student’s natural 
environment or, 
.. the site most conducive to 
the evaluation process 
Where Does the AT Evaluation Take Place?

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.. Student and 
family members 
.. IEP/Support 
team members 
.. AT Evaluators 
Who Attends? 
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AT Solutions addressing specific 
needs are examined 
Options are discussed and 
recommendations made 
During the Evaluation: 
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.. Report includes: 
.. reason for referral 
.. student needs 
..AT recommendations 
and justifications 
..Resources (Vendor information) 
..AT training needs 
AT Report 
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Frequently Asked 
Questions 
.. Can I bring the device home? (see next 
slide) 
.. I am moving/transitioning to another 
district, can I bring the device with me? 
.. Who is responsible for maintenance and 
repair of the device? 
.. The school said they were out of funds for 
devices for this school year, is this legal? 
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Does The District Have To Send The 
Assistive Technology Home? 
.. The IEP team must decide if the assistive 
technology is needed at home. The law 
states: “On a case-by-case basis, the use of 
school-purchased assistive technology 
devices in a child's home or in other settings 
is required if the child's IEP team determines 
that the child needs access to those devices 
in order to receive FAPE. 
(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1412(a)(12)(B)(i)) 
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What Types of Technology 
Can Help ?

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Range of AT Options 
High Tech Light/Low Tech 
..simple tools and adaptations 
..often readily available 
..inexpensive 
..require little training 
..more complex electronics 
..costly 
..require training 
..may be highly customizable 
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The 5 Categories of Assistive Technology: 
.. Cognitive/Learning 
.. Physical 
..Communication 
.. Vision 
.. Hearing 
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Some of My Favorite AT Stuff! 
1. Cool Low Tech STUFF!!! 
2. Cosmo’s Learning Systems 
3. The Tango!, by Blink-Twice 
Technologies 
4. Solo, by Don Johnston 
5. Key to Access, by Premier Assistive 
Technology 
6. The Writer (& FUSION) Keyboard 
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Light/Low Tech Examples 
.. Pencil Grips 
.. Special Scissors 
.. Hi-lighter Tape 
.. Adapted Books 
.. Color Filters 
(overlays) 
.. Special Paper 
.. Hand Held 
Devices 
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Low Tech Vendors include: 
Onion Mountain Technology - 
www.onionmountaintech.com 
Therapro - www.theraproducts.com 
LS & S Products - 
www.lssproducts.com 
Independent Living Aids - 
www.independentliving.com 
Please see Resource Sheet for more… 
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Cosmo’s Learning Systems 
By: AT KidSystems 
An interactive learning system designed 
to include all children regardless of 
ability.

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Cosmo’s Learning Systems 
.. Includes “Mission Control”, a specialized 
computer input device. 
.. Features innovative software that is based on 
developmentally appropriate concepts and 
encourages learning though exploration. 
.. Fun, Interactive, and Motivating! 
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How is Mission Control 
Different from a Keyboard? 
.. The child uses Mission Control to control 
computer games by applying different amounts of 
pressure to the four large activators and receives 
feedback while playing the software game. 
.. A built-in microphone which responds to the 
child’s volume level and duration of vocalization. 
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Why is this software different? 
.. Cosmo’s Play and Learn™ 
software is a family of educational 
and computer games that aim to 
entertain children of 
developmental ages 2-to-8 years. 
.. This unique, developmentally 
appropriate software was created 
by a team of educators; physical, 
occupational, and speechlanguage 
therapists; and assistive 
technology practitioners. 
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Specifically, this software program 
teaches: 
.. Colors, relative size and amounts (e.g., 
bigger/smaller, more/less), 
.. following verbal directions, and prepositions 
(e.g., on, in, under). 
.. It also introduces numbers, counting, and 
shapes. 
Aside from these specific goals, the software 
is aimed at improving attention/focus, 
sustained play, and problem solving. 
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Possible AT Goals Could be: 
“Using Cosmo’s Learning System, Valerie 
will correctly identify shapes, 4 out of 5 
times presented.” 
or…. 
“Valerie will practice vocalizing by 
speaking into the built in microphone” …. 
or 
“Valerie will follow multi-step directions”… 
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AT for Infants and Toddlers 
.. Federal education amendments 
require states to "promote the use of 
assistive technology devices and 
assistive technology services, where 
appropriate, to enhance the 
development of infants and toddlers 
with disabilities." 

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The Tango! 
By: Blink Twice Technologies 
Specially designed for children, Tango is a 
communication device that contains phrases, 
words, and spelling, all in easy-to-understand, 
digitally enhanced or synthesized voices. 
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Augmentative Communication Device or 
Voice Output Communication Aid: 
A device, which assists speech impaired, or 
non-verbal individuals with communication 
through synthesized or recorded speech. 
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The Tango! 
by Ablenet/Blink-Twice 
.. The tango! is the first speech generating 
device to bring the power of mass 
communications and consumer electronics 
to the world of Augmentative and 
Alternative Communication (AAC). 
.. “Communication is complex. But now an 
AAC device doesn’t have to be. Try the 
tango! and see why others are embracing 
the amazing power of simplicity.” 
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Tango! By: Blink Twice/Ablenet 
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Six Amazing Buttons! 
.. With the Tango’s 6 buttons, you’ll discover an 
amazing world of more than 2,000 digitally 
enhanced phrases, plus more than 3,000 
words and 90 core words. 
.. Built-in camera to take hundreds of photos and put 
them into one of 30 photo albums, or take photos 
to create thousands of new images. 
.. You’ll even find a story wizard that allows you to 
create and store up to 60 sequential stories, plus a 
pop up keyboard for spelling with word prediction. 
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Tango Videos…..

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Welcome to Tango Town! 
.. Now you can choose any of these cool 
new characters for your tango! 
.. Choose the one that best matches the 
person who will be using it. 
.. Varying ethnicities 
.. Ambulatory/non-ambulatory. 
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Possible IEP Goal: 
.. One type of annual goal might address a 
social issue like communication with 
peers: 
“Using an electronic communication 
device, Sara will respond appropriately 
to social inquiries from classmates 5 
times out of 5 opportunities over 3 
consecutive days”. 
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Objectives leading to this goal 
might include: 
.. Training in the use of particular words and 
phrases on the communication device, 
.. Drill and practice in responding with the device 
in structured settings, 
.. Increasing accuracy in responding in 
structured settings, practice in unstructured 
conversational opportunities, 
.. and gradual achievement of accuracy in 
unstructured conversational settings with 
peers. 
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Solo (Software) 
By: Don Johnston 
SOLO is a software tool set that builds 
learning skills in reading, writing, planning, 
organizing, revising and editing for students 
in grades 3 to 12. 
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Solo, by Don Johnston 
.. SOLO combines all of Don Johnston's 
proven, industry-standard interventions 
.. Write:OutLoud (talking word 
processor) 
.. Co:Writer (word prediction) 
.. Draft:Builder (Outlining) 
.. Read:OutLoud (Screen Reader) 
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Write Outloud (Solo Edition) 
• Write:OutLoud 
is a talking word 
processor that 
motivates 
students to 
write, revise 
and edit 
independently.

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Write OutLoud Includes: 
.. The Franklin Spell Checker and 
Dictionary with Homonym Checker. 
.. Students now have support for spelling 
and choosing words with a spell 
checker, dictionary and homonym 
checker that talks! 
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Word Prediction Programs 
.. Word prediction or word completion 
programs predict words on the basis of the 
first few letters typed, providing an excellent 
support tool to poor spellers. 
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Co Writer: 
.. For struggling writers, translating thoughts into 
writing can feel overwhelming. Their writing 
often suffers from phonetic or inventive 
spelling, lack of richness, limited detail, and 
incoherence. 
.. The eWord Bank and included Topic 
Dictionaries give targeted vocabulary support 
when writing on any topic and in any genre. 
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Co: Writer Solo Edition 
• Topic 
Dictionaries 
• E-word 
Bank/Word 
wall 
• Linguistic 
Word 
Prediction 
• Flexible 
Spelling 
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Draft Builder Solo Edition 
.. Draft:Builder is 
the writing and 
graphical 
organizer that 
moves students 
through 
planning, 
organizing and 
draft-writing in 
content areas.

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Draft Builder’s 3 Easy Steps: 
1. Outlining-Students enter main and supporting 
ideas to build a framework for their writing. 
2. Notes- They add notes for topics to expand 
outline. Notes never get lost and are easy to 
move and reorganize. This step helps students 
clarify and develop their thoughts. 
3. Building a Draft- Students can copy, paste and 
drag information to reorganize and refine the 
draft. The result is a logically sequenced first 
draft that is ready to export to Write OutLoud or 
other word processor for creating the final paper. 
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Read Outloud, 
by Don Johnston 
• Read:OutLoud 
is a text reader 
that helps 
students 
develop active 
thinking and 
reading 
comprehension 
habits to build 
knowledge. 
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Annual Goals 
..An annual goal which includes assistive 
technology may indicate that the 
technology will be part of the conditions 
under which some academic or social 
skill will be acquired. 
..For example, an IEP goal for a student 
with a learning disability in written 
expression may look like this: 
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.. “Using The SOLO Program, which 
includes a word processing program with 
spelling checker, Shawn will compose 
three paragraph themes composed of 
fifteen or more sentences with 80% or 
better accuracy in the use of spelling, 
punctuation and grammar”. 
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Objectives leading to this goal… 
Might include: 
.. Preliminary exploration of the word processing 
program; 
.. Trials to learn effective use of the spelling 
checker; 
.. Drill and practice in writing single paragraphs 
to the 80% level of accuracy in spelling, 
punctuation and grammar; 
.. Increasing the length of writing to two 
paragraphs; and then eventually moving to 
three paragraphs with gradually increasing 
degrees of accuracy. 
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Key to Access 
By: Premier Assistive Technology 
Take your Assistive Software with you 
on a portable USB MP3 Player!

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Key to Access 
by: Premier Assistive Technology 
.. By just inserting the MP3 Player into any USB Port, 
the floating tool bar will appear and then you just 
select any of the eight different tools. The software 
NEVER needs to be installed on your computer. All 
your personal settings are saved on your Key to 
Access so that no matter which computer you use, 
your access will be the same. 
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The Key To Access contains the 
following tools: 
.. Premier Predictor Pro 
.. Scan and Read Pro 
.. Universal Reader Plus 
.. E-Text Reader 
.. Ultimate Talking Dictionary 
.. Talking Word Processor 
.. PDF Magic 
.. Text To Audio 
.. Talking Calculator 
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The Key to Access also includes: 
.. MP3 Player - weighs less than 1 once. 
.. Digital Voice Recorder (great note 
taking!) 
.. 2 GB Flash USB Drive – 1.5 GB free 
space to hold up to 32 Hours of audio 
books. 
.. Ear Bud Headphones. 
.. Requires only 1 AAA battery that lasts 
about 16 hours of listening - Included. 
Requires Windows 2000 or XP 
with 128 MB of RAM and access to a USB port. 
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Plug it into the USB drive and you have 
access to a suite of ten accessibility tools: 
1) Universal Reader: ideal for reading emails and web 
pages 
2) E-Text Reader: a tremendous study tool that allows 
you to highlight, bookmark, search and extract text 
from a document. 
3) Ultimate Talking Dictionary: a 250,000-word dictionary 
with integrated thesaurus 
4) The Talking Word Processor: a talking word 
processor talking word prediction and the world’s most 
powerful talking grammar check. 
5) Scan and Read Pro: powerful scanning software that 
allows you to capture hardcopy materials in a digital 
format then reads them to you 
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6) PDF Magic: outstanding for converting 
inaccessible PDF files to accessible formats. 
7) Text To Audio: Lets you convert digital 
documents to MP3 format and put them right 
on your Key to Access player so that you can 
listen to them away from your computer. 
8) An on-screen Talking Calculator. 
9) Premier Predictor Pro's powerful prediction 
technology. 
10) PDF Equalizer allows you to work with PDF 
files like never before!” 
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A Possible IEP Goal: 
.. “Given a topic, internet access, and the 
Key to Access, Eric will prepare a report 
of at least 500 words using at least 3 
sources”.

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The Writer 
By: Writer Learning Systems 
The Writer combines simplicity and ease 
of use with a powerful array of skill 
building features not found on any other 
portable keyboard. 
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The Writer, 
by Advanced Keyboard Technologies, Inc 
Before we put students 
on a Multi-media 
computer with the 
Internet where they 
change fonts, change 
colors and surf the net; 
they need to learn how 
to write properly! 
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..Proper keyboarding skills 
..Spelling 
..Vocabulary 
..How to formulate sentences 
..Write Journal 
..Use a thesaurus 
..Learn adjectives 
..Sentence structure 
..Etc. 
Struggling Students need to know: 
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Every Writer Comes With….. 
.. Work Folder Filing 
System 
.. Keyboard Instruction 
.. Easy Wireless Send 
.. Formatted File 
Transfer 
.. Adjective Builder 
.. Spanish to English 
Dictionary 
.. Creative Writing 
Prompts 
.. Spell It! Vocab. 
Program 
.. Daily Journal 
.. Thesaurus 
.. Auto-Thesaurus 
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Text goes to the computer with the IR Pod – it comes formatted 
and has 8 different writing checklists options – ALT C 
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The Writer FUSION 
by: Writer Learning Systems 
Think outside the laptop. 
Technology needn’t be expensive 
or complex to be effective.

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Fusion’s unique features! 
.. Text to Speech with 
adjustable volume and 
speed control. 
.. Word prediction with 
optional read back feature. 
.. Adjustable font size. 
.. Memory expansion port. 
.. Spell check and thesaurus 
automatically read back. 
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Universal ACCESS for ALL students 
.. General Education 
.. ELL – English 
Language Learners 
.. Resource rooms 
.. Special Education 
.. Emerging readers and 
writers 
.. One to One projects, 
kids take them home 
.. Targeted at risk 
learnersunderperforming 
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Thesaurus and Auto Thesaurus 
Kids need to expand their word choices 
The sun was out and the sky was light blue. 
It was such a pretty day that I couldn’t 
stand to be inside for one more minute. 
The sun was out and the sky was light blue. 
It was such a pretty day that I couldn’t 
stand to be inside for one more minute. 
It was such a pretty day that I couldn’t 
>attractive 
beautiful 
dainty 
It was such a pretty day that I couldn’t 
>attractive 
beautiful 
dainty 
lovely quaint gorgeous 
pleasing scenic handsome 
picturesque delicate sweet 
pleasant cute glamorous 
pictorial elegant peaceful 
Highlight anywhere on the word then hit the thesaurus key. 
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On board every Fusion 
.. Desktop System – files and 
folders 
.. Font size changes 
.. Split screen option 
.. Copy, Cut and Paste 
.. iScore - immediate 
.. Easy Wireless Send 
.. Formatted File Transfer 
.. Writing Checklist 
.. Password protection 
.. Spell Check 
.. Dictionary 
.. Thesaurus 
.. Word Prediction 
Software and 
Text to speech 
add on offered. 
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Other Portable Word Processors: 
Products to Consider: 
• Alphasmart 3000, Neo, Dana, by Alphasmart 
• Laser PC6, by Perfect Solutions 
• Quickpad Pro, by Quickpad Technologies 
• DreamWriter, by Branium 
• The Writer, by Advanced Keyboard Technologies 
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.. Assistive technology in the form of a 
Writer Keyboard is necessary for Janie 
to remain in the regular classroom, 
working independently. 
.. This use of the keyboard can be written 
into her IEP as a supplementary aid 
which is necessary to support Janie’s 
placement in the least restrictive 
environment. 
AT as a Supplementary Aid:

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AT as a Supplementary Aid 
.. Assistive technology is necessary as a 
supplementary aid if its presence (along 
with other necessary aids) supports the 
student sufficiently to maintain the 
placement, and its absence requires the 
student's removal to a more restrictive 
setting. 
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Supplementary Aid 
The use of a portable word processor could 
be written into the IEP as a supplementary 
aid. 
.. Janie likes being a regular fourth grader. She is 
proud of her writing with The Writer Keyboard, 
because she is using her own words and 
learning to edit out her mistakes by herself. 
.. With this portable keyboard, she does not need 
the services of an aide and can be completely 
independent in doing her school work. 
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Keyboarding Objectives: 
.. Using The Writer’s keyboarding 
instruction program (at least 10 minutes 
per day, 4 days a week), Jodi will learn 
to type at a rate of at least 20 wpm with 4 
or fewer errors. 
(This addresses a skill 
which is necessary for using AT.) 
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Possible IEP Goal 
.. “Using The Writer Keyboard, Janie will 
compose three paragraph themes with 
fifteen or more sentences at 80% or 
better accuracy in the use of spelling, 
punctuation and grammar”. 
.. This technology can also be used to transition 
from high school to college. 
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Funding Ideas: 
Funding questions are difficult 
because each state is different… 
here are some general sources….. 
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Funding of Assistive Technology 
Funding & IDEA 
Under California law funding is 
provided for equipment and 
services required in the IEP for 
students with low-incidence 
disabilities (visual, hearing, or 
solely orthopedic impairments).

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Other Possible Funding Sources 
• Private Health Insurance 
• Medi-Cal, Medicaid, Medicare 
• California Children’s Services 
• Regional Center (CA only) 
• School Districts (if IEP specifies the need) 
• California State Department of Rehabilitation 
Services 
• Veteran’s Administration 
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Possible Funding Sources 
• PASS (Plan to Achieve Self Support) 
through SSI or SSDI 
• Local Easter Seals-physically disabled 
• March of Dimes 
• Muscular Dystrophy Association 
• United Way 
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When there is no source of 
funding… 
•Christian Fund for the Disabled 
•Local Elks Club 
•Local Kiwanis Club 
•Lions Club-low-vision/blind 
•Local Rotary Club 
•Local churches 
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When it comes to funding…. 
Be Persistent, Be Creative! 
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ANY Questions??? 
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Still Curious? 
Come and Try it Out for Yourself!! 
Come to the La Jolla Room from 3- 
4 pm today, or between 10:30-4:00 
tomorrow to try anything you’ve seen 
today for yourself! 
Tomorrow, there will be a FULL AT LAB!

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Resources used in this presentation 
include: 
Parents Let’s United for Kids www.pluk.org 
Family Center on Technology and Disability 
(FCTD) http://www.fctd.info/ 
Georgia Project for Assistive Technology 
www.gpat.org 
IEP Resources www.attainmentcompany.com 
Alliance for Technology Access 
www.ataccess.org 
PEATC http://www.peatc.org 
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Assistive Technology is for Assistive Technology is for…. 
ALL Ages and 
ALL Abilities 
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For More Information on 
anything you’ve seen today… 
Call (866) 828-8275 
email: taskca@yahoo.com. 
TASK’s website address is: www.taskca.org 
Contact: Laura Martinez 
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Ability without opportunity 
is like a seed never watered.