Cynthia Feist and Karen Dietrich
Assistive Technology Trainers
Loudoun County Public Schools
VSTE 2009
Cynthia.Feist@loudoun.k12.va.us
Karen.Dietrich@loudoun.k12.va.us
What is Literacy?
 Includes the processes of reading
and writing
 Provides a tool for communication,
self-expression, and social interaction
 Promotes personal independence and
self-confidence
 Provides an important key for inclusion
and participation in varied environments:
 Home
 School
 Work
 Community
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alicem
ariedesigns/306663973
http://www.flickr.com/photos/snorrrl
ax/303058260
Factors Influencing
Development of Literacy Skills
 Motor skills (gross motor, fine motor, visual motor)
 Sensory and perceptual function (visual, auditory,
tactile, proprioception)
 Cognition
 Language and communication
 Attention
 Exposure to oral and written English language
What are Visual Supports?
 Make language visible using pictures,
photos, drawings, symbols, and/or
objects for:

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Adapted books and story boards
Writing assists, such as story starters
and editing tools
Adapted activities and worksheets for
students’ different abilities and
learning styles
And much more!
http://prekese.dadeschools.n
et/BMD/storysymbols.html
www.news-2-you.com
Visual Supports and
Universal Design for Learning
Providing print access to all learners supports
Universal Design for Learning principles:
•“Multiple means of representation, to give learners
various ways of acquiring information and knowledge,
•Multiple means of expression, to provide learners
alternatives for demonstrating what they know, and
•Multiple means of engagement, to tap into learners'
interests, offer appropriate challenges, and increase
motivation.”
http://www.cast.org/research/udl/index.html
Question…
These individuals are struggling
with their reading and writing
skills:
 Mary has dyslexia.
 John has a cognitive
impairment.
 Jose is an English second
language learner.
What visual
strategies and
resources are
available to
support them in
reading and
writing activities?
Visual Representation Systems
Concrete  Real objects: 3-D
 Miniature real objects: 3-D
 True Object Based Icons (TOBIs –
Abstract
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picture/photo with foam core or
cardboard backing, cut out in
shape of object): 2-D
Photographs: 2-D
Real drawings: 2-D
Line drawings: 2-D
Written text: 2-D
(Susan Stokes, M.A., CCC-SLP)
Selecting Visual Supports
 A photo or picture may
contain too much information,
making it more difficult to
understand what it
represents; avoid cluttered
backgrounds.
Computer
 Select photos or pictures that
represent a single idea or
concept that may be more
easily understood.
Graphics from Boardmaker
and Microsoft Clip Art
Visual Supports for Reading
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Enhance text with picture communication
symbols , photos, or 3-D props.
Add textured materials to provide visual
and tactile POP!
Scan or copy book pages to enlarge or
place in more user friendly format such as
3-ring binders with page protectors,
laminate, clear contact paper, zip-lock
bags, or photo albums (regular or talking).
Be consistent…place hook Velcro on back
of visuals to place on tempo loop fabric,
non-shag carpet square, or on loop velcro
placed on adapted books or worksheets.
Place magnetic strips on back of visuals
and place on cookie sheet.
Visual Supports for Reading
 Picture symbols can be placed
on communication boards or
voice output devices that
represent story characters,
objects, events, comments,
and questions to access when
the book is read and
discussed.
http://prekese.dadeschools.net/BMD/storysymbols.html
Visual Supports for Reading
 Story ropes or story
bookmarks can support story
comprehension and retelling :
 Setting
 Characters
 Story beginning
 Important events (3)
 Story ending
Created by LCPS AT with graphics from www.flickr.com
Visual Supports for Writing
 Story starters
 Writing prompts
 Editing checklists
 Sentence strips
 And much more!
Why are we standing at
the Golden Gate Bridge?
Visual Supports
for Writing
Graphic Organizers in
MS Word Tables
 Story organizer
 4-square with sound recorder
Inserting Photos into
MS Word 2007 Tables
To easily insert photos into a Word document to create writing
prompts and adapted worksheets:
 Create a table: Click on the Insert tab > Table and either Insert
Table or Draw table.
 Click inside a table cell and drag your cursor across all of the cells.
On the Table Tools menu, click on the Layout tab > AutoFit > Fixed
Column Width. This will prevent cells from enlarging if the picture
you add is too big.
 Click on the Insert tab > Picture, and the Insert Picture window
will appear. Navigate to the picture you want, and insert it into
the cell. Or, you can copy and paste a picture from the Internet or
another source into the cell.
Graphic Organizer Software
 Graphic organizer software programs provide
a visual tool with graphics to develop ideas
and organize thinking through integrated
diagramming and outlining features.
 Graphics can be used to create interactive
activities.
 Inspiration and Kidspiration software have
audio support to have text read aloud or to
record narration. Free 30-day trial download
or CD available at www.inspiration.com
 Free downloadable Inspiration/Kidspiration
materials at
www.inspiredlearningcommunity.com
www.inspiredlearningcommunity.com
LCPS AT
Sample Inspiration and
Kidspiration Templates
Kidspiration template
Inspiration template from www.inspiredlearningcommunity.com
Boardmaker Software
 Contains thousands of picture
communication symbols and photos for
creating symbol-based communication
and educational materials
 Includes hundreds of templates for
creating worksheets, communication
boards, and other activities.
 Free 30-day trial download of version 6
at www.mayer-johnson.com Their website
at www.adaptedlearning.com and other
websites have free downloadable
Boardmaker materials.
http://www.mayer-johnson.com/
MainBoardmaker.aspx?MainCategoryID=5419
Boardmaker Languages
 Each symbol can be translated
into numerous languages and
may be searched for and
printed in any of the languages.
 Symbols can include no text,
one language, or two
languages.
 Great for creating materials for
second language learners!
Boardmaker Symbolate Tool
 When using the
Symbolate tool
in version 6, as
you type the
text, the
appropriate
graphic appears
along with the
text.
Boardmaker Symbols and
Other Graphics
 Boardmaker symbols can be
copied and pasted into Word
documents or PowerPoint slides.
 Graphics from other sources, such
as the Internet and digital photos,
can be copied and pasted into
Boardmaker boards.
Text with Graphics Software
In addition to the Boardmaker v. 6 Symbolate
tool , the following software programs also
provide the text with graphics feature.
 PixWriter: www.slatersoftware.com
 Writing with Symbols: www.widgit.com
Text with Graphics: Online Resources
 Symbol World at www.symbolworld.org Free! Includes
online magazine, stories, and other learning activities.
Some are in Spanish, French, German, Dutch, and
Italian.
 News-2-You at www.news-2-you.com Subscription
required. Includes online newspaper in English and
Spanish and related activities, stories, recipes,
worksheets and more.
Symbol World and News-2-You
Samples
www.symbolworld.org
www.news-2-you.com
PowerPoint Books
 Create electronic books incorporating graphics, digital
photos, scanned pages from books, videos, animation,
narration, and sound effects.
 The text in PowerPoint presentations (for version 2000
and higher) can be read aloud by using PowerTalk, a
free download at http://fullmeasure.co.uk/powertalk.
 Hard copies of PowerPoint books can be printed and
adapted as needed.
PowerPoint with Animation
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, what do you see?
I see a red bird looking at me.
PowerPoint with Narration
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see?
I see a red bird looking at me.
Boardmaker
symbols
PowerPoint with Animation
and Sound Effects
Sound out this word.
cat
http://jc-schools.net/PPT/WordFamilies.ppt
PowerPoint Photo Album
 Easily insert photos from
home, classroom, or
community-based activities
using PowerPoint Photo
Album.
 Free add-in for PPT 2000
download at
www.microsoft.com/downloads
 Included in more recent PPT
versions.
 These photos can be used
for digital storytelling, story
starters, and more!
PowerPoint Website Resources
PowerPoint stories, lessons, and activities related to
language arts, math, science, social studies, and more
are available at these websites and many more:
 http://jc-schools.net/ppt.html
 http://speech.jppss.k12.la.us Go to Language activities
 http://www.pppst.com/themes.html#M
If you do not have PowerPoint, you can download
PowerPoint Viewer at www.microsoft.com/downloads.
This allows you to view presentations, but you cannot
edit them.
Other Sources for Graphics
 Digital photos
 Clip art and drawing
programs
 Scanned images (must
own hard copy of source)
 Websites with free
graphics for noncommercial educational
use (sources on next slide)
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/clipart
Websites with Free Graphics for NonCommercial Educational Use
Be wise! Cite the website source for the graphic and to ensure that you are
following copyright laws, read any info on the website about using their
graphics.
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www.imaginesymbols.com
www.flickr.com/creativecommons
http://etc.usf.edu/clipart
www.freefoto.com
www.wisegorilla.com/clipart.html
www.stemnet.nf.ca/CITE/clipart.htm
www.awesomeclipartforeducators.com
www.theteachersguide.com/Freebies.html
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/clipart
http://office.microsoft.com/clipart (must have
a valid MS Office license)
Adapted from
www.imaginesymbols.com
Websites with Free Literacy Activities
with Visuals
The following websites have free downloadable
adapted books, story boards, song boards,
communication boards, and more. These are some
of our favorites!
 Baltimore City Public Schools
 Tar Heel Reader
 SET-BC
 Polk County Public Schools
 CAST Book Builder
 Miami-Dade County Public Schools
 Speaking of Speech
 Jefferson Parish Public Schools
Baltimore City Public Schools
Adapted Library Website
 The Baltimore City Public Schools website at
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www.baltimorecityschools.org/boardmaker/adapted_library.asp
has picture symbols for more than 750 book titles, with 9, 20, or 56
picture communication topic boards. Search by title or author.
Boardmaker software and an unzip utility (eg. Winzip) are required
to open the files.
If you have a copy of the book, you are permitted to use their
symbols.
It also includes MS Word documents with story comprehension
questions.
Sample topic boards are on the next slide.
Baltimore City Public Schools
Picture Communication Topic Boards:
The Deer In The Wood
http://www.baltimorecityschools.org/boardmaker/adapted_library.asp
The Deer In The Wood
Adapted Activity: Story Comprehension
Questions
The Deer In The Wood
Adapted Activity: Sentence Strips
Place velcroed
picture cards
with answers to
fill in the blanks.
Tar Heel Reader
 The Tar Heel Reader website at www.tarheelreader.com has
more than 2000 books with text and graphics that can be
viewed online or downloaded as a PowerPoint presentation.
 When viewed online, there are options to change the text or
background color, or to have the text read aloud, with a
choice of three voices (child, man, woman).
SET-BC Website
 The SET-BC website at
http://www.setbc.org/setbc/co
mmunication/communication_p
icset_resources.html has
PictureSET, a collection of
downloadable visual
supports that can be
downloaded and
incorporated in stories or
lessons.
 Items are available in
Boardmaker, Writing with
Symbols, and PDF files.
www.setbc.org/pictureset/resource.aspx?id=136
Polk County Public School
 The Polk County Public
Schools website at
http://www.polkfl.net/staff/resources/ese/resource
sboardmaker.htm has
Boardmaker resources
including adapted books ,
communication boards,
and a variety of
curriculum resource that
are saved as Boardmaker
files and also as PDF files.
CAST Book Builder
 The CAST Universal Design for
Learning Book Builder website at
http://bookbuilder.cast.org has
books that can be read online or
downloaded.
 Talking animated coaches
provide content enrichment.
 A glossary provides definitions of
key terms in the story, often with
pictures.
Miami-Dade County Public
Schools Website
 The Miami-Dade website at
http://prekese.dadeschools.net/BMD/ac
tivityspecific.html has downloadable
picture symbols, story boards,
interactive storybooks,
communication boards, nursery
rhymes, recipes, and more. Some
are available in Spanish.
 BELL (Building Early Language and
Literacy) Shared Reading titles are
available.
 Boardmaker is required to open
the files.
http://prekese.dadeschools.net/BMD/spanishboards.html
Speaking of Speech Website
The Speaking of
Speech website
has a Materials
Exchange at
http://www.speakingof
speech.com/Materials_
Exchange.html that
has links to free
downloadable
materials for
Literacy Skills and
much more!
www.speakingofspeech.com/PDFs/What_BingoQuestions.pdf
Jefferson Parish Public Schools
Website

Jefferson Parish at
http://speech.jppss.k12.la.
us/aac index 1.htm has
adapted stories and
popular story
symbols, saved as
PDF files.
http://speech.jppss.k12.la.us/aac
%20index%201.htm
Although this presentation in on using visuals, note that
text-to-speech programs allow students to hear the text
on the screen read aloud.
Free text-to-speech programs include:
http://www.readplease.com
http://www.wordtalk.org.uk
http://www.naturalreaders.com
Voice Over (for MACs) is pre-loaded on MAC
computers
Represent! Website
 Check out our Represent! Using Visuals to
Support Literacy web page at
http://tinyurl.com/lcpsatvste09
to access this PowerPoint presentation
and additional visual resources.
 Click on the link to Represent!
Loudoun County Public Schools
Assistive Technology Website
Check out www.loudoun.k12.va.us/at and click on the
Resources link to locate additional supports for reading,
writing, science, math, communication, and more!
Question…Repeated
 What visual strategies and resources are
available to support Mary, John, and Jose
in their reading and writing activities?