In an effort to gain a basic understanding of the various assistive software available on the market today and to assist me in writing my reviews I have relied on trial software. Many of these 30 day trials, in my opinion, offer the user just enough time to adequately gain a better understanding of the software and assist the user in determining if a specific software is worth purchasing once the trial is expired.
For educators who may have a student with a disability in their classroom I think trial software can be a very effective way of determining what software is going to be most beneficial. I understand that this may mean putting the software on ones own personal device but I feel this minor inconvenience can go a long way. Parents can also trial software on their home computers allowing their child to use the software to do their homework. With trial software the educator and parents can keep track of the students progress, for example taking not of how the student performed the work before the assistive software was introduces, how they are performing in the middle of the trial and then at the end of the trial. These results can be shared then with parents and with member of you special education team as evidence of if the software was beneficial. I feel in many cases having already has a student trial software gives educators a parents a base for having the software purchased for the students continued use.
Just in the couple of software trials that I have tried I have gained a better understanding of how each software works. Now when people ask me about different assistive software I can give them my review.
Showing posts with label school. Show all posts
Showing posts with label school. Show all posts
Assistive Technology Initiative in Niagara
WHAT CAN THE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVE DO FOR YOU?
This initiative allows students who use assistive technology the opportunity for training on their own device and allows parents to learn about the software that their children are using to allow parents to assist their children at home. Either in small group or on a one-to-one basis (depending on the students needs).
The initiative encourages teachers (both classroom and resource) to learn more about the software their students are using. This allows teachers to familiarize themselves with the software that the students may be using as part of their accommodations in the classroom. Workshops are available to all teacher and will focus on many of the software programs and apps being used in the classroom today to assist students with disabilities.
The initiative encourages parents to learn more about the software their children are using. This allows parents to familiarize themselves with the software that the children may be using as part of their accommodations in the classroom so they are able to more effectively assist their children with work that is send home. Workshops are available to all parents and will focus on many of the software programs and apps being used to assist students with disabilities.
This initiative also allows community members to come and learn about assistive technology in their perspective agencies. Workshops are available to all community agencies who may have clients who can benefit for assistive technology. For agencies, I am willing and able to come to your agency for training.
WHAT CAN THE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY COORDINATOR DO FOR YOU?
As the AT coordinator I can provide product reviews on assistive technology. I refer you to look at earlier blogs where I talked about Dragon Naturally Speaking and different types of mouse devices that I fund useful as a individual with a physical disability and a speech impediment.
I can also provide product feedback on assistive technology. If you have a product that you think may be beneficial for individuals with disabilities and would like some feedback please feel free to contact me and see how I can help you. Contact Krystine .
As an individual with a disability believe I have expertise and practical experience in using technology. I would like to share my knowledge with not only those who use assistive technology but those who support individuals who use Assistive Technology.
Please feel free to forward this blog and any of my other blogs to those who would benefit from my experience.
Awesome blog by @KrystineDonato http://t.co/sB51Aum8hB @R2Empowerment #Niagara #AT #CHCs
— Julia Dean (@JuliaDtheHP) November 25, 2014
How Assistive Technology has impacted my life.
For my new
job, I was asked to create a Blog for myself and later one that will be related
to my work. I am working as a Co-ordinator/Manager for the Brock-Niagara
Assistive Technology Initiative. When considering what topic I should start
with, I thought about my journey through using assistive technology from when I
received my first typewriter until now and how it played an important role in
my education and life.
I have
Cerebral Palsy (CP) which affects my fine and gross motor skills. My speech is
also affected and can sometimes be unclear. Technology became a part of my life
at the age of eight when I was given a typewriter to help with writing tasks.
My parents would have liked me to have the typewriter much sooner but the
school felt it was important that I learn to print, despite the struggles I had
in holding a pencil without dropping it twenty times a day.
Finally, in
Grade 3, I was given a typewriter. Of course, I now needed to learn how to
type. From what I remember this was a much more enjoyable task then learning to
cursive write as that was what the other students were doing while I had typing
class. I became quite the typist and even to this day my Occupational therapist
is always impressed at my speed and accuracy for someone with fine motor difficulties.
Writing tasks now became much more manageable as I was able to keep up for the
most part with my peers.
My parents
purchased our family a Commodore 64 when I was in Grade 5. Although we used it
mostly for games and fun there was a word processor called GEOS. This was my
first time using a computer mouse and believe me when I say it was an adventure
each time I used it. Other then the frustration of getting my hands to
cooperate in using the mouse, the commodore was a great asset. I was able to
edit my work on screen. One of my biggest problems was having double letters
where they did not belong because I left my fingers on the keys to long. You
could not adjust the keyboard like you can now.
In Grade 7,
I got a new typewriter for in class work. It was a lot quieter and had a small
screen that you would type a line out and then have it type on line. This
typewriter would do for Grade 7 and 8 but high school was right around the
corner and a typewriter that still made noise was not going to cut it.
Follow my
blog to see what happens in Grade 9 and beyond.
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