Whats the Use of Using AT With

Students Who Struggle With

Reading?

Robyn Darbyshire
EDUC 532PA
December 12, 2012

What is AT?
Assistive technology (AT) is available to
help individuals with many types of
disabilities from cognitive problems to
physical impairment. This presentation
will focus specifically on AT for individuals
with learning disabilities (LD) in the area
of reading.
The use of technology to enhance
learning is an effective approach for
many children. Additionally, students
with LD often experience greater success
when they are allowed to use their
abilities (strengths) to work around their
disabilities (challenges). AT tools
combine the best of both of these
practices.

AT Benefits for All!

While the definition of assistive technology
emphasizes its use with individuals with
disabilities, AT can provide support for
students who struggle with reading
regardless of the cause. Studies have found
positive outcomes associated with the use
of assistive technology for students with
reading deficits. Increased student
attention, improved comprehension,
attitude and motivation are areas where
studies have shown increases.

Assistive technology tools:

Reading
There is a wide range of assistive
technology (AT) tools available to
help individuals who struggle
with reading. While each type of
tool works a little differently, all
of these tools help by presenting
text as speech. These tools help
facilitate decoding, reading
fluency, and comprehension.

Free and Inexpensive

Assistive Software
Many different types of assistive technology are
available, however, the following categories of assistive
technology are for students with reading difficulties:
speech synthesizers, including text-to-speech programs,
Web-to-speech readers and talking word processors;
electronic texts; and recorded books. In selecting an
appropriate product, the educator should match the
users needs and abilities with the functionalities of the
software. One or two carefully chosen products should
meet the needs of most classrooms.

Speech Synthesizers
Speech synthesizers "receive
information going to the screen
in the form of letters, numbers,
and punctuation marks, and then
"speak" it aloud in a
computerized voice".

Products to consider:
ClassMate Reader
Read and Write Gold
Read and Write Gold Mobile
Write:OutLoud

Text-to-Speech
One type of assistive technology using
speech synthesis is text-to-speech
programs. In text-to-speech
programs, files are copied into the
program and then are spoken by the
computer. Generally the user has
options to select different voices
(male and female), change the speed
the text is processed, and increase or
decrease the size of the font.

Web-to-Speech Readers
Web-to-Speech Readers, similar in
purpose to Text-to-Speech Readers,
have the capability of directly reading
aloud content displayed in Web
browsers. With these programs, there
is no need to copy content into a
second window; the program reads
aloud the information displayed on a
Web page. Many of these programs
not only read the text on the screen,
but can identify links and read hidden
captions for pictures.

Electronic and Talking Books

An impressive and ever growing number
of books and other materials are now
available free online.

Products and services to consider:

Audible.com
Bookshare
Kurzweil 3000 Literacy and Reading
Programs
Recorded Books on PlayAway
Learning Ally

Optical Character Recognition

This technology allows a user to scan printed
material into a computer or handheld unit. The
scanned text is then read aloud via a speech
synthesis/screen reading system. Optical
Character Recognition (OCR) is available as
stand-alone units, computer software, and as
portable, pocket-sized devices.

Products to consider:
WYNN Literacy Software Solution
Kurzweil 3000
Kurzweil 3000 USB Port/Flash Drive
Intel Reader
KNFB
The Quicktionary Reading Pen

Paper-Based Computer Pen

This technology records and links
audio to what a person writes using
the pen and special paper. It enables
the user to take notes while
simultaneously recording someone(
e.g., a teacher) speaking. The user
can later listen to any section of his
notes by touching the pen to his
corresponding handwriting or
diagrams.

Products to consider:
Echo Smartpen by Livescribe

Variable-Speed Tape Recorders

Tape recorders/players allow a user
to listen to pre-recorded text or to
capture spoken information (e.g., a
classroom lecture) and play it back
later. Variable speed control (VSC)
tape recorders speed up or slow
down the playback rate without
distorting the "speaker's" voice.

Products to consider:
Independent Living Aids
MaxiAids (various recorders)
Handi-Cassette

References:
Raskind, Marshall H., Stanberry, Kristin. (2009).
Assistive Technology for Kids with Learning
Disabilities: An Overview. Retrieved from
http://www.readingrockets.org/article/33074/
Reisberg, Leon. Inexpensive Assistive Technology
for Struggling Readers. Retrieved from
http://www.ltschools.org/files/www/file/specialed/InexpensiveAssistiveTechnologyforStrugglingRe
aders.pdf