Journal 8: Adaptive Technology

Communication

AAC, or, Augmentative and Alternative Communication includes forms of speech other than oral, whether they are facial expressions, gestures, pictures or body language. For people with speech or language disabilities, there are special tools available to make communication and speech possible. These tools may help improve school performance and social interactions.

Proloquo2Go (high tech tool): This AAC tool is an iPad app which helps those with special needs communicate. For those who have a difficult time getting their articulations out into words, this app allows them to put phrases together and the machine says it out loud in the voice that they wish to speak in. This device is helpful in that it reduces the frustration for those with speech problems to articulate through the app.
http://www.wtnh.com/dpp/news/health/app-helps-those-with-special-needs-communicate?ref=scroller&categoryId=10001&status=true

Visual Scene Displays (low tech tool): This tool is an AAC strategy that uses visual images to support the special needs person in their communication. It provides context for the communication and supports that conversational exchange. It can be personalized by showing an actual picture; the communicator shows a picture that they are talking about, and then can point to one of the listed comments that they want the other person to read. This can be helpful in my class so that I can still communicate with my special needs student(s) through their use of pictures.
http://www.setbc.org/setbc/communication/aac_nontech_toolkit.html

Question 1: What are some pros of low-tech tools for communication in comparison to high-tech tools?

An obvious one is that low-tech tools are much less expensive. However, high-tech tools do have an advantage, in that it is much more convenient to use, and typically much more effective in trying to communicate what one has to say.

Accessibilitiy

An input device that transfers data into a computer to be processed. An input device for students with special needs is a piece of computer equipment that can be used to control signals to a computer or some other information processing system. Such devices can be helpful for students with special needs to take tests or write papers.

DynaWrite Keyboard Communication Device (Hardware Option): This hardware device allows those with speech disabilities (with good literacy skills) to type and talk. This device is connected to a regular QWERTY keyboard that most are familiar with, so it makes typing and speaking quick an easy. The device also offers Word Prediction, which reduces the amount of time it takes to type out a speech. A convenient feature of this device includes the ability to save common speeches for later use.

(http://www.disabled-world.com/assistivedevices/computer/dynawrite.php#ixzz1eRkrqeqX)

Voice Recognition Software (Software): Voice Recognition is a computer software that allows students with disabilities (due to dyslexia, carpal tunnel syndrome, etc.) can speak into a microphone that is connected to the computer and the typing will be automatically be done by the computer. The speaker may tell their computers to open a document, save changes, delete a paragraph, and can even move the cursor without touching a thing! The voice regonition works best when the speaker is using discrete speech instead of fluent speech (how we normally talk to people), but the computer remembers the punctuation and voice qualities of the user for certain words. With this tool, students may write papers, and take exams (like the GRE), and communicate by sending emails! Students with disabilities may hav a difficult time spelling and writing, but saying the words into a microphone will let the computer do the spelling for them.

(http://www.rehabtool.com/forum/discussions/97.html)

Question 2: Can these tools be an unfair advantage for those who do not have these tools to use in their education?

Except for the spelling that the computer does for you with a voice recognition software, I do not know any other advantage that these devices may have, because students without special needs are already at an advantage; they are able to write and speak! I believe these are great tools for a more-inclusive eduation.