Running Head: ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY DEVICES THAT HELP STUDENTS

Assistive Technology Devices that help Students with Learning

Disabilities Succeed in the Classroom
Kayla Mitchell
North Greenville University

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY DEVICES THAT HELP STUDENTS

Assistive Technology Devices that help Students with Learning

Disabilities Succeed in the Classroom
Student academic success should be the main priority of every school, curriculum, and
teacher whether it is a student with or without learning disabilities. In many instances, it seems as
if students without learning disabilities are the primary focus of many schools when all of the
students, including ones with special needs, should be treated equally and catered to the same
amount. It is imperative for teachers to exhibit the same amount of respect for all students, be
willing to adjust their teaching habits to the needs of the students, and constantly search for new
technology to allow all students to succeed together. With technology constantly evolving to
provide every human need, teachers and students with learning disabilities can certainly benefit
from new devices that help instruct students at their own learning rate.
Students with dyslexia struggle with writing and often get frustrated with themselves
because of spelling, grammatical, and other common errors made while writing. A company
called Ginger Software saw a huge need for students with learning disabilities to be able to write
with a program that will correct grammar mistakes, dyslexic spellings of words, and improper
sentence structures. The software has two programs that can be purchased online; basic or
premium. The basic program offers help with unlimited checking for mistakes in grammar,
spelling, and sentence structure while providing definitions, synonyms, and 40 different
translations of sentences which can be purchased month-to-month for $6.40, or for a year at
$5.10 per month. The premium package includes everything from the basic package as well as a
sentence rephraser, text reader, practice for mistakes, and an analysis of errors that were made.
The premium package costs $11.20 for each month or $9.25 per month when purchased as a

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY DEVICES THAT HELP STUDENTS

yearly subscription. Gingers mission is to remove language barriers between people by

enabling everyone to communicate better and faster (Shacht, 2014).
Students that are physically disabled and cannot write can perform any math problem
verbally online with a program called MathTalk. With MathTalk, the user can verbally work
arithmetic, print their work, and can choose to translate math into braille with Duxbury Braille
Translator (MathTalk, 2003). This software not only assists the student, but also, allows the
parents to be free from having to write down their childs work. Although this program is costly,
ranging anywhere from $275 to $875 depending on the package ordered online, it is an
extremely helpful tool for those with the inability to write or perform other fine motor skills. Due
to the expense of this software, some schools may be hesitant of purchasing it. However, this
program is a long term investment due to the fact that it can help students with and without
disabilities for years to come. This software can be utilized by any student, with or without a
disability, as a verbal learning reinforcement device. In an article published by Brainscape, it was
revealed that by verbalizing things create an auditory memory pathway in the brain that aids in
memory retention (Ruthi, 2015). Moreover, this program is beneficial to all types of learners
both in and out of the classroom (MathTalk, 2003).
Talking calculators are an assistive technology that assists those who are unable to read a
standard calculator display. They include: all the basic arithmetic functions, memory plus and
memory minus, square root and percent keys, 12 digit inch LCD displays, and volume control
for high, low and off. Its function is primarily to read each number, symbol, or operation key a
user presses; it also vocalizes the answer to the problem (Wormsley, 2015). This innovative
technology will audibly read the answer, which can help students check the accuracy of their
answer and hold them accountable for the keys that they press. In addition, it can help those that
have a learning disability such as dyslexia, because if the numbers are spoken, then they can

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY DEVICES THAT HELP STUDENTS

process it through an auditory pathway instead of a visual one. Just like any normal calculator,
talking calculators are portable and compact, making it an easily accessible tool to take home or
to school. This allows students to employ the technology both at home and in the classroom.
While one may believe this technology to be expensive due to its ability to read aloud the
numbers, talking calculators are relatively affordable ranging anywhere from $12.95 for a
standard calculator to $410 for a scientific model. Though there are multiple places to purchase
these calculators, they can be found on assisttech.com, with many other assistive technologies
(Talking Calculators, 2015).
Because the visually impaired cannot read through sight, there have been many auditory
technologies to become accessible in assisting the learning process. However, realistically, not
everyone who is visually impaired is an auditory learner. So, to account for those who learn
kinesthetically, it is important that there is also technology readily available to cater to their
tactile learning strengths. The solution to this need is a braille embosser. Braille embossers are
just like regular printers in that they put out what is typed in the computer. Instead of printing 2D words, they emboss raised bumps on the page to form braille characters. In fact, HumanWares
website offers a model that can print both visual words as well as braille on the same document.
This enables the document to be read by both sight and touch. Though this is a great technology
to have, it roughly costs $2,000 per unit. Even though it may be pricey, it is well worth it in order
to equip visually impaired learners with the tools they need to succeed in the classroom and at
home. While it is not realistic for every blind student to be able to afford one of these at home,
the school would be able to provide braille embossed documents to send home with the student
(EmBraille, 2003).
Picture Exchange Communicating System (PECS), is a great device for non-verbal
learners with or without autism. This system enables non-verbal students to communicate

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY DEVICES THAT HELP STUDENTS

through the use of pictures. There is also an electronic device called a Dynavox which utilizes
the PECS system. Essentially the student can express their needs through this tool. This
technology not only helps the teacher understand what the student is trying to convey, but also, it
helps the student remain calm and not get frustrated. The PECS device will often start with a
picture of the desired need, and then it will continue to pictures with sentence strips, and
eventually to words. PECS can be created by taking a picture of objects with a digital camera,
premade cartoon images, or images from an online database. This tool not only serves as a
communication device, but also, as a learning device. It allows the student to grasp concepts by
making the picture fade away after the concept is learned. PECS is an essential tool in the
classroom because it can help minimize the often aggressive and frustrated behavior of the
student desperately trying to convey their needs. Through this software, the student can work
more efficiently in the classroom, understand and grasp concepts easier, and also effectively
communicate at home. Because the Dynavox system has pictures and speaking capabilities, it
caters to both visual and auditory learners. Depending on the model, Dynavox devices can cost
up to $15,000. Although this sounds very unaffordable to a vast majority, there are funding and
payment options. To purchase a Dynavox through the company, their website has a link that will
direct the customer to a sales associate. However, there are also used models available on other
websites such as Ebay (Bortfeld, 2010).
Approximately 11% of children ages 14-17 have been clinically diagnosed with ADHD
since 2011. That is a staggering number. It comes as no surprise that those with ADD and ADHA
struggle to stay focused, organize their thoughts, and communicate their thoughts in an
understandable fashion. Often, students with ADD will explain that their thoughts are jumbled,
or out of order. Therefore, it is essential that students with attention deficit hyper disorder have
technology integrated into the classroom setting as well as at home. While technology is often

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY DEVICES THAT HELP STUDENTS

thought of as electronic, the definition for technology is: a scientific or industrial process,
invention, method, or the like (Technology, 2015). According to the definition, that makes
graphic organizers and outlines a technology due to the fact that they are invented processes or
organization aids. Through the means of a graphic organizer, students can dump all of their
thoughts onto one page, and use the organizer to straighten out thoughts, further develop ideas,
and communicate them in a way that makes sense to the reader. This technology, while simple, is
beneficial because graphic organizers are free and available online to print. In fact, eduplace.com
is a great resource for graphic organizers because they offer a vast array of charts, sequencers,
maps, and more free of charge.
The 1991 Ibm training manual stated something profound when it said, For people
without disabilities, technology makes things easier. For people with disabilities, technology
makes things possible. For years, students with disabilities have suffered through their everyday
lives as well as their academic lives because they were not equipped with all of the necessary
tools to be as successful as possible. As society has technologically advanced, as classrooms
have incorporated more technology, and as curriculums have begun to build around technology
in academia, students have finally been able to go beyond past learning limitations. Through the
incorporation of assistive technology, learning has become not only possible, but also,
prosperous.

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY DEVICES THAT HELP STUDENTS

#1 Ginger Software

#2 Math Talk

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY DEVICES THAT HELP STUDENTS

#3 Talking Calculator

#4 Braille Embosser

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY DEVICES THAT HELP STUDENTS

#5 Dynavox

#6 Graphic Organizer

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY DEVICES THAT HELP STUDENTS

10

References
Bortfeld, H. (2010, July 07). Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) - Talk About
Curing Autism (TACA). Retrieved March 02, 2015, from http://www.tacanow.org/familyresources/pecs/
Data & Statistics. (2014, December 10). Retrieved March 02, 2015, from
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/data.html
EmBraille Desktop Embosser. (2005). Retrieved March 02, 2015, from
http://store.humanware.com/hus/embraille-desktop-embosser.html
MathTalk the Leader in Speech Recognition Mathematics. (2003). Retrieved March 02, 2015,
from http://www.mathtalk.com
Ruthi, S. (2015, February 25). Does reading out loud cause you to remember things better?
Retrieved March 02, 2015, from https://www.brainscape.com/blog/2011/10/reading-outloud-remember/
Shacht, M. (2014, February 13). #1 Grammar and Spell checker. Retrieved March 02, 2015, from
http://www.gingersoftware.com/
Talking Calculators. (2015). Retrieved March 02, 2015, from
http://www.assistech.com/products/Talking-Calculators.htm
Technology. (2015). Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved March 02, 2015, from
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/technology
Wormsley, D. (Ed.). (2015). Talking Calculator. Retrieved March 02, 2015, from
http://www.afb.org/info/living-with-vision-loss/for-job-seekers/careerconnect-virtualworksites/retail-worksite-for-blind-users/talking-calculator/12345