LDA News In Brief
P.O. Box 4362, Springfield, MO 65808 (417) 882-2800
www.ldaozarks.com www.ldaamerica.org www.ldamo.org
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
October is Learning Disabilities Month
Assistive Technology Presentation
At: The Library Station – Frisco Room, 874-8140
2535 N. Kansas Expressway, Springfield, MO
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Gary Koeppe’s presentation will give an overview of
the features of “scan and read” software programs
for students with learning disabilities.
The session is not about which software application is better; it is about the special features of each program and the support they can provide to individuals with LD. Examples of how such software is being used in the education setting will be discussed.
LDA of Missouri State Conference
November 11 & 12, 2005
Hyatt Regency Crown Center, Kansas City, Missouri
For more information or to register contact (800) 473-4965
November 10, 2005
Pre-Conference Workshop
LDA will be presenting this one-day training as a pre-conference workshop on November 10 at a bargain cost of $100 per person. Needed supplies may be purchased at discounted rates by workshop participants and conference attendees. Maureen Auman, author of Step-Up-To-Writing, will be presenting this workshop which will focus on creating new and innovative strategies to increase students’ writing proficiency. Contact: LDA of Missouri Conference at (800) 473-4965, or fax (417) 864-5110.
Assistive Technology for Individuals with Learning Disabilities
What is Assistive Technology for LD?
Assisitive technology (AT) for individuals with LD is defined as any device, piece of equipment, or system that helps bypass, work around, or compensate for an individual’s specific learning deficits. The use of technology to enhance learning is an effective approach for many individuals. Additionally, individuals with LD often experience greater success when they are allowed to use their abilities (strengths) to work around their disabilities (challenges). Assitive technology tools combine the best of both of these practices.
“For people without disabilities, technology makes things easier.
For people with disabilities, technology makes things possible.”
( International Business Machines (IBM) 1991 training manual )
AT doesn’t cure or eliminate learning difficulties, but it can help an individual reach her potential because it allows her to capitalize on her strengths and bypass the areas of difficulty. AT can increase a person’s self-reliance and sense of independence. Students who struggle in school are often overly dependent on parents, siblings, friends, and teachers for help with assignments. By using AT, students can experience success at working independently. There are AT tools to help students who struggle with reading, writing, math, organization, memory, and listening.
What Kinds of Assistive Technology Tools Are Available?
The term assistive technology usually applies to computer hardware and software, as well as other electronic devices. AT tools that support individuals with learning disabilities include: optical character recognition (OCR) and speech synthesis, screen readers, tape recorders, talking calculators, portable keyboards (wireless and equipped with software), electronic
spell checkers and dictionaries, speech recognition software (converts speech to text), mind mapping/outlining software, listening devices and personal data managers. There are also many non-electronic AT tools available to help individuals with LD. Some non-electronic AT tools are pencil grips, specialty paper, highlighting pens and tape, planners.
Optical Character Recognition (OCR) Systems:
The use of optical character recognition (OCR) systems combined with speech synthesis (computer generated speech) has become increasingly accepted as a means to compensate for reading disabilities. These OCR systems, or “reading machines,” convert printed text to spoken language so the user can hear as well as see written words. These technologies are now marketed internationally (e.g., WYNN*, Kurweil 3000*), are commonly found in assistive technology centers serving individuals with learning disabilities (LD), are frequently exhibited at LD conferences, generally considered in assistive technology evaluations for students with LD, and are regularly discussed in publications on LD and assistive technology.
OCR systems are generally desktop computers combined with full-page scanners. Users scan in printed documents such as pages from books in much the same way a copier is used. The printed text is automatically changed to electronic text that is then read aloud by a built-in speech synthesizer. The text is displayed on the computer monitor while the system reads the words aloud. The user can choose to turn the speech synthesis on or off. OCR systems often include features that allow the user to “customize” the system for individual preferences including speech rate, pitch, volume, simultaneous highlighting of spoken text, font size/style, as well as background and text color. These systems may also include additional features such as study, writing, and Internet tools.
(excerpts from www.schwablearning.org articles by Marshall H Raskind, Ph.D.)