Reading+&+Writing

= Tools for People with Reading & Writing Disabilities =

**by Rolf Hendrickson**
**Overview** AT Reading & Writing Tools and "assistive technology - can be an extremely, if not necessary, element of the writing curriculum for students with disabilities." The challenges of writing problems.....

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We have a screening process for the kids that are admitted to our school in Warsaw. We do not have the resources to serve students with severe disabilities. However, we have a relatively high number of students with mild learning disabilities. This information will help me find free online software, use existing software or aid in the purchase of new products to assist students and teachers. There are a lot of tools out there for this type of learner, so this has been a real eye opener for me! =====

**Reading & Writing Tools** Here are some tools you may have at your school already...

//Graphic organizers and outlining programs// help users who have trouble organizing and outlining information as they begin a writing project. This type of program lets a user "dump" information in an unstructured manner and later helps him organize the information into appropriate categories and order. This type of tool benefits people who struggle with writing.
 * Inspiration
 * Kidspiration
 * Draftbuilder

**Clicker 5** The first product I reviewed was Clicker 5 from Crick Software

Here is a product summary: Clicker is an easy to use writing and multimedia tool that enables students to write with whole words, phrases and pictures. The package includes Clicker Writer, a talking word and picture processor. Students' writing can be supported by pictures displayed above the words, and the text can be spoken. Clicker grids support students writing with instant, on-screen access to words, pictures and sounds. Students needing help to read a word can listen to it before they write it. from: [] This page has tutorials to help use Clicker 5: [| http://atto.buffalo.edu/registered/Tutorials/clicker4/index.php]

Pros: A versatile, graphic writing tool that can be used across the curriculum Cons: Not all grids in Clicker Explorer run on Macs; may require training to fully optimize program features.
 * Pros & Cons** from Tech & Learning:

Here is a video of features: media type="youtube" key="NX41UrNOiP0" height="328" width="407" align="center"

** Co:Writer **
The next product I reviewed is called [|Co:Writer] from Don Johnston Inc.

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Here is a product summary: Co:Writer® 4000 is the grammar-smart word coach that helps students build better sentences. Co:Writer gives students new ways to focus on what they want to write and finding just the right words - whether it's a topic-specific word or a word they know how to say but not spell. Struggling students can find the right word with fewer cues. Students with disabilities can produce quality writing with less fatigue. Any student can build a better vocabulary. Teachers can quickly create customized dictionaries that relate to their curriculum for theme-based writing assignments. from: [] ======

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This page has tutorials to help use Co:Writer: http://atto.buffalo.edu/registered/Tutorials/intellikeys/index.php ====== Here is a link to a Flash demo of the product: http://www.donjohnston.com/media/flash/product_demo/cowriter6/index.html

**Pros & Cons** from @http://callcentre.education.ed.ac.uk Pros: Excellent word prediction; generally well thought out design; Mac and PC versions; lots of features Cons: User interface can be confusing; perhaps to many 'magic' keystrokes; expensive.

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The next product I reviewed is called [|IntelliKeys] from IntelliTools®, Inc, an award winning company. ======

IntelliKeys is a flat, programmable keyboard that plugs into your computer. This "plug and play" keyboard is used to assist students who have difficulty using the standard keyboard or mouse. It comes with basic overlays that provide alternative keyboard layouts. These assist with entering letters and numbers, navigating on-screen displays, and executing commands. IntelliKeys can also be used as an alternative for mouse functions or as a switch. Their website backs up their award winning products with research.

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This page has tutorials to help use IntelliKeys: http://atto.buffalo.edu/registered/Tutorials/intellikeys/index.php ======

The company website offers an activity exchange with 331 **Authors & 3896 Activities!** @http://aex.intellitools.com/search.php?doSearch=1

Here is another product review... @http://www.spectronicsinoz.com/article/intellikeys-review



**Word**
The next product I reviewed was Word, from Microsoft. It may be a surprise, but Word can be helpful in a variety of ways as an AT tool.

Microsoft Word is a popular word-processing program used for creating documents such as letters, brochures, learning activities, tests, quizzes and students' homework assignments. There are many powerful features available in Microsoft Word to make it easier to learn for students with disabilities. The following tutorials have been designed by technology trainers and include selections from Microsoft's Classroom Corner. from: []

The chart below has tutorials for Word 2000-2001: @http://atto.buffalo.edu/registered/Tutorials/msword/index.php
(By Subhashini Balagopal + Patti Young) || [|Using Spell Check] (69kb) Macintosh || Macintosh || [|Using Spell Check] (56kb) Windows || Windows || [|Using the Thesaurus] (43kb) || (By Subhashini Balagopal + Patti Young) || [|Watermarks] (50kb) Macintosh || Windows || Macintosh || YouTube Video on how to use Word with students with disabilities. media type="youtube" key="nzMuk6av5Lw" height="385" width="480" Pro and Cons of the new Word 2007 Pros: New user interface, New chart table tools, built in Blogging, Ongoing word count, Styles preview Cons: New file formats, Styles changes. For young kids, Word can be daunting and complicated.
 * **AT Tutorials** ||
 * [|Auto Text/ Auto Correct] (39kb) || [|Reducing the Number of Toolbar Choices] (64kb) ||
 * [|Borders] (70kb) || [|Ruled Table 2000] (246kb) ||
 * [|Changing Text Appearance] (88kb) || [|Screen Shots] (406kb) ||
 * [|Clip Art] (133kb) || [|Using Hyperlinks] (50kb) ||
 * [|Create a Table/Making Word Cards] (31kb) || [|Using Pictures] (30kb) ||
 * [|Creating Customized Ruled Paper] (103kb)
 * [|Creating Document Templates] (79kb)
 * [|Creating Document Templates] (68kb)
 * [|Creating Forms for Quizzes] (35kb) || [|Utility Manager] (47kb) ||
 * [|Efficiency: Keyboard Shortcuts] (50kb)
 * [|Handwriting Font Sites] (27kb) || [|Watermarks] (40kb)
 * [|Keyboard Shortcuts] (50kb) || [|Windows 2000 Accessibility Options] (59kb) ||
 * [|Macros] (26kb) || [|Word Speak 2001] (78kb)

The last product I reviewed is called Write:Aloud 6, from Don Johnston Inc. A Product Demo is available on this link.

Write:OutLoud ® is an easy-to-use talking word processor that can be made to speak letters, words, sentences, or any combination of the three. Listening to words encourages reluctant writers and eliminates frustration. Write:OutLoud gives students the satisfaction and success that motivates them to write more and want to write. When used with Overlay Maker ® and IntelliKeys® (IntelliTools), Write:OutLoud becomes a powerful tool for communication. Writing skills improve further when used with Co-Writer, a word prediction program, for increased typing efficiency and vocabulary enhancement. from: []

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This page has tutorials to help use the Write:OutLoud 6: http://atto.buffalo.edu/registered/Tutorials/WOL/index.php ======

In conclusion, Write:Outloud is an excellent software tool for students who are struggling with communication through writing. This tool is extremely helpful for students who have a difficult time with handwriting and being able to communicate their thoughts through written words. The program can be used for students who are struggling to form correct sentence or paragraph structure by allowing them to hear what they have written. The program will help students who are poor spellers by providing the correct pronunciation and visually seeing how the word is spelled. Overall, the software tool will give students with exceptional needs the opportunity to produce written work comparable to their same-age peers. from @http://tat.clairvoy.com/tiki-index.php?page=Write%3A+Outloud+-+Software+Review

**AT Blogs**

I did a quick search for assistive technology blogs and got a lot of hits!

 * ===== The Virginia Department of Assistive Technology Blog is for Assistive Technology providers across Superintendent's Regions 1 & 8. Do you have a question you would like to see answered in the assistive technology blog? email us and someone on the Assistive Technology team here will post an answer as quickly as we can: [] =====
 * ===== AT Blog Carnival. Celebrating Human Potential and sharing how we do it. By Lon Thornburg, who is an educator and an assistive technology specialist and trainer: [] =====
 * ===== Assistive Technology for Apple and Mac Users: [] =====
 * ===== Google search results where you can find a lot more blogs: [] =====
 * ===== GreatSchools is the country's leading source of information on school performance . They have an online Conversation starter about AT: [] =====

**AT Wiki's** search
**AT Forums** search **AT Software Review**
 * ===== The National Public Website on Assistive Technology, with o Over 22,000 up-to-date products![| http://atwiki.assistivetech.net/index.php/ATWiki_Home] =====
 * This wiki is developed by [|AbilityNet] the UK's largest provider of advice and information on all aspects of Access to technology []
 * Technology equipment for people with disabilities forum: http://old.nabble.com/Assistive-Technology-f21346.html
 * For discussions about software that enables or helps people with various disabilities or impairments (mobility, visual, hearing, cognitive, etc.) to use the computer. [| http://ubuntuforums.org/forumdisplay.php?f=145]

Clairvoy's Teachers Assistance Review website. http://tat.clairvoy.com/Assistive+Technology+Software+Review

**Assistive Technology Freeware** search Links to freeware from the North Carolina Assistive Technology Program @http://www.ncatp.org/Resources/Freeware.html From the Assitive Technology Centre @http://www.nsnet.org/atc/shareware.html Reading Printed and Electronic Materials Toolbox [] A wide variety of free and open source software is available to suit a diverse range of needs and abilities.[] Nice .doc list of freeware and shareware. __[]__