Assistive Technology Disabilities Software: Easy Solutions for High School Learners with Special Needs

So what is assistive technology disabilities software, and why should I use it with students in high school? There are so many demands on a high school budget already, it is easy to overlook disability support software. But getting the right software for the right student can make a world of difference in terms of student engagement, independent learning and control, ability to study and remain on task and motivated throughout a lesson. This also allows the ability to follow up on classroom learning at home or in other settings.

Assistive technology disabilities software is simply that branch of technology which has been designed specifically to support and assist the needs and daily functioning of people with disabilities. It uses technology (some form of tool, often a computer or computer-like device). It is run using a software program - either operating online or through the purchase of a CD, or a pay for use download, or as a freeware or shareware program. It can be as simple as a software program to look up how to spell a word correctly without relying on the built in spell checker available on the word processing program (for example, Tiny Spell). It can be as complex as a voice recognition program that can converts spoken language into text on a screen (for example, Dragon Software).

There are some simple questions that can form a checklist to guide your assistive technology disabilities software purchases and decisions. Try this checklist before you make your next purchase:

What are the specific physical needs and abilities of the students who will be using this software - can they access a mouse, do they use other access devices such as a tracker ball mouse or a head pointer, do they sit in a particular position to use a computer?

Does the software need to be used in more than one location - does it go home, into another classroom, or travel with a student on a laptop computer?

What is the software used for - does it help with just one subject or across a range of learning areas and applications?

Can the software be used by other students - is it being purchased from a student specific budget or fund, or is it for general use, such as in a library for research?

Is it a disability specific tool - for example, some software programs are designed to allow users to scan text across a screen and make word choices using a head pointer (not something you would use if you could access the keyboard to type) while other software is useful for many users (for example, programs such as Ginger have a purpose with helping any user spell words correctly based on context and phonetics, but it is particularly useful for users with dyslexia who have trouble learning to spell and write words correctly)

What is the cost of the software?

Is there a freeware or shareware version available? (For example, the basic version of Photo2Sketch can be used as a great assistive technology disabilities software program to support learners in art class who have a physical disability and cannot draw or paint independently). Learn more about Photo2sketch in this article on digital art for special needs learners.

Is there a non technology solution to the problem which can be utilized more effectively than using software? (some students prefer a scribe to take notes in class rather than using tapes or recording devices in class).

When making choices about assistive technology disabilities software it is vital to consult with students first. Ask questions and learn as much as you can about how and why they will access technology. Remember that assistive technology is there to ASSIST a learner, not to make their lives more complex and challenging. Good software will help rather than hinder.