www.rehabtool.com/
This site specializes in computer adaptations and builds custom software solutions for children with disabilities. The product that they highlight is called vocalize, it’s a speech assistant that was developed with speech impaired persons to enable them to speak in a friendly human voice using standard computer equipment. Voice-enabled communication boards, as well as cognitive rehabilitation tools adapted to the special needs of the disabled are also products offered by this site. Included on the page is a “describe your needs” tab where one can characterize the impairment or disability, and the site will offer the technology best suited in order to aid and compensate for this disability. I found this very interesting due to the recent visit I made to Pine Ridge Middle School. In one class, a student was using a device for augmentative alternative communication. This particular student would not be able to communicate his needs without this device.
Hello Tania.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was observing at San Carlos Park Elementary I got to sit in on a few of the classrooms that taught children with autism. One of the students used a device similar to what you are describing. The device was a small box that had pictures on it, such as, a picture of a toilet, food, a thumbs up sign, or a thumbs down sign; each of the pictures mentioned was a button. When the student pressed one of the buttons, such as the toilet picture/button, the device would sound, "I need to use the bathroom." This helped the student and teacher communicate to each other since she was non-verbal.
I think these technologies are a great tool, especially for those students who are unable to communicate verbally. It is very important for a teacher and student to communicate so a student can gain knowledge and also for the teacher to understand what the student needs.