Low Tech to High Tech
• Writing Tools
Low –Tech Solutions
• Cost under $200.00
• Easy to use
• Typically do not
require a power
source
• Little or No training
required
Pencils/Pens/Pencil Grips
• Evo Pen
• Rubber Grip Pen
• Colored Pens and
pencils
• Highlighters
– Highlighting pens
(highlighters) are used
as study and prewriting
tools.
Pencil Grips
• Pencil grips come in variety of
shapes, sizes, and colors. They
are slipped onto pens and
pencils to provide a stable
holding surface for right or left
handed kids. Some pens have
grips built-in. Pencil grips can
help some kids with fine motor
skill problems or writing
difficulties finally take control.
Office/school supply and
stationery stores, even some
college bookstores, stock
various rubber or plastic pencil
grips. It may take a few tries to
find the most comfortable "fit."
Dr. Grip Pen
• Cushion grip reduces gripping
power to relieve stress and
alleviate writing fatigue
• Refillable
• Retractable pen
• Available in Black and Blue
ink
Slant Boards
• A slant board provides a smooth, angled, "drafting table"
work surface that helps position the wrist for writing. It
can be made of plastic, wood, or even cardboard. Some
provide padded arm support.
• Medical experts maintain that working on an inclined
surface reduces strain
• Reduced strain in the back, neck and shoulders areas as
well as eye strain
• Posture-perfect writing surface with pencil/paper ledge
• Collapses for quick portability
Specialty Paper
• Specially designed paper can help kids who struggle
taking class notes.
• Bright-lines
– Bright Line Paper has the lower writing area highlighted in yellow
indicating where the letters should be placed. Solid lines have
been separated to assist the student to locate the writing area.
Because the paper is simplified visually, letters can be formed
and spaced correctly. 50 heavy weight pages per pad; erases
easily without tearing.
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Raised line
– Raised lines provide tactile cues that help define the work space
for tracing, coloring, and writing. We are pleased to add several
new raised line papers for pre-writing to our series of raised line
papers for handwriting. All sheets are 8-1/2" x 11".
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Lottie Kit
The LoTTIE (Low Tech Tools for Inclusive Education) Kit is a collection of
low and mid tech tools designed for teachers, classroom aides, and
support professionals to use with students (grades K-12) who have special
needs. The LoTTIE Kit fills an important gap in the field of assistive
technology evaluation and use.
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The kit provides the teacher with a full range of low tech tools in a
convenient case for storage and transport. Designed to help students in
reading, writing, math, and organizational skills, the LoTTIE Kit allows
teachers to informally evaluate and try out simple devices before
automatically requiring more sophisticated and expensive technologies.
Other professionals find it an ideal tool for inservice presentations on
assistive technology.
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In addition to the 50+ different tools, the LoTTIE Kit also includes a
notebook with product descriptions as well as a variety of different ideas
and strategies for using these tools with students.
http://www.onionmountaintech.com/kit.php?id=13
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The LoTTIE (Low Tech Tools for Inclusive Education) Kit for Literacy is the
second kit in our collection of low and mid tech tools designed for
teachers, classroom aides, and support professionals to use with students
who have special needs. The LoTTIE Kit for Literacy fills an important gap
in the field of assistive technology evaluation and used by providing literacy
tools that are designed especially with older students in mind (Jr./Sr.
High and Post-Secondary).
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The kit provides the teacher with a full range of low and mid tech tools in a
convenient case for storage and transport. Designed to help students in
reading, writing, organization, and note-taking, the LoTTIE Kit for Literacy
allows teachers to informally evaluate and try out simple devices before
automatically requiring more sophisticated and expensive technology. Other
professionals find it an ideal tool for inservice presentations on assistive
technology.
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In addition to the different tools, the LoTTIE Kit for Literacy also includes a
booklet with product descriptions as well as a variety of different ideas and
strategies for using these tools with students
Misc. Low Tech
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Key guard
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Dycem
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A plate which fits over the top of a keyboard and has holes over some or all of the keys. A keyguard can allow the user a place to
rest the hands while typing but primarily it is designed to prevent inadvertent key presses caused by poor motor control or other
factors.
The Mini Keyguard helps users with motor control problems locate and press the right key.
Relatively new to the maritime field, DYCEM Non-Slip Products are ideally suited for various marine applications in the
wheelhouse, galley, or staterooms of most vessels.
DYCEM Non-Slip Products are used by commercial fishing fleets, tug boat operators, recreational boaters and throughout the
U.S. Coast Guard fleet.
WITHOUT EXCEPTION, all of these groups have reported that DYCEM Non-Slip Products are superior to any other products used
in the past.
DYCEM Non-Slip Products offer the following benefits:▪DYCEM Non-Slip Products are easy to clean. Cleaning is simply
done with a soapy sponge while the Non-Slip remains in place. It can be hand washed in a sink with soapy water but should be
kept out of the dishwasher. DYCEM products are slippery when wet, but when clean and dry, full effectiveness is
restored.▪DYCEM Non-Slip Products hold items at a greater angle than other products, reducing the chance of spills. Non-Slip
material provides a cushioning effect for glass items that do tip over, reducing breakage and replacement costs.▪DYCEM Non-Slip
Products are made of a plastic material that is impermeable to spills. This makes clean up fast and easy since no spilled material
soaks into, or under, the Non-Slip product.▪DYCEM Non-Slip Products are classified as "Food Grade" by the F.D.A. , making
them ideal for use in food service areas by offering a sanitary surface that is easy to clean.▪DYCEM Non-Slip Products have a
longer life than other competing products. With regular washing, a life in excess of 5 years is not uncommon. The many years of
dependable service provided by DYCEM products easily makes up for the higher initial cost.
Page up
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. Slide your sheet of paper into the slit of this ingenious little device. Your document will immediately stand up in front of
you. Simple but brilliant, they make all your important documents easy to see. They free up space on your desktop or
countertop. You can use them in the office to hold up documents for easy reading, around the home, shop, kitchen - anywhere
you need to stand up a piece of paper or card. Perfect for weddings and events, conferences and meetings, around the kitchen to
hold up recipes, in the shop to hold up directions, in displays to hold up labels - endless possibilities!
Mid. Tech Solutions
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Easy to Operate
Require power source
moderately priced ($200 -$100)
Some training required
Reading Pen
• The Ultimate Portable Reading Tool” is a fully portable, pen-shaped
scanner & audible dictionary designed for:
• people with reading difficulties, such as dyslexia, from grade 2
through adulthood
• middle and high school students, to build large vocabularies for
college entry exams
• Products Advantages and Features:
Features the ability to scan word or line of text, repeats words out
loud, shows definition of words (contains American Heritage
Dictionary). Includes 2 AAA batteries, earphone and operating
manual. Easy to learn---in about 15 minutes, reader can learn
functions for independent study, in and out of classroom.
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Specifications:
• Captures text within seconds (over three times faster than our original
Reading Pen)
• Improved accuracy
• Displays and speaks dictionary definition
• Single word/Full line scanning
• Large character display
• Reads words aloud
• Recognizes 6-22 point size text, bold, italic, underlined, inverted text
Scans left to right, and right to left
• Displays syllables
• Spells words out loud
• Keeps a history of scanned words
• An Opticard lets you input text manually
• Adjustable for left and right handed users
• Ergonomic 6" x 1 1/2" x 1", lightweight - 3 oz.
• Contains over 200,000 definitions from The American Heritage® College
Dictionary, Third Edition Copyright © 1997, 1993 by Houghton Mifflin
Company. All rights reserved.
Children’s Dictionary.
• Children's Talking Dictionary & Spell
Corrector
• Improve your child's reading and writing skills
with this interactive speaking dictionary. Includes
over 40,000 easy-to-understand definitions,
automatic phonetic spell correction, an animated
handwriting guide, a rhyme finder, five wordbuilding games, and a vocabulary word list that
can be created by the user.
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Children's Speller & Dictionary
PublisherFranklin Electronic PublishersPlatformIndependentBattery Type4 x AAASize5 1/2 x 3
3/4 x 3/4 inWeight4 ozAC Adapter JackNo
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This children's dictionary offers:
Over 40,000 definitions, written specifically for children ages 6 & up
Spell correction for over 46,000 words
Jump feature allowing children to jump automatically to related definitions (animations are
displayed during jumps)
Personalized greetings and messages
Print and cursive handwriting animations for any word or series of letters that the child enters
Six educational games:
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Hangman
Jumble
Flashcards
Tic-Tac-Toe (1 and 2 player)
Guess the Word
Animations and graphics
Arithmetic tutor and calculator
"Fun with Spanish" and "Fun with French," which encourage interest in different languages
Software
• Writing fonts
– Fonts4Teachers
A software collection of 31 True Type fonts for
teachers, parents, and students. Fonts include
Tracing, lined and unlined Traditional Manuscript and
Cursive (similar to Zaner Bloser and D'Nealian), math,
clip art, decorative, time, American Sign Language
symbols, and more. The included manual is very
informative, with great examples of Lesson Plans and
Educational Goals. For both Windows and Mac.
• Magnification Software
• ZoomText 8.12 enlarges, enhances and reads aloud everything on
the screen, with unmatched quality and performance. Access to
documents, email and the Internet has never been easier or more
accurate. The new ZoomText 8.1 comes in two great products;
ZoomText Magnifier – a standalone screen magnifier, and
ZoomText Magnifier/ ScreenReader – a fully integrated magnifier
and screen reader.
ZoomText® 8.1 MagnifierAdvanced Screen Magnification
for Vision Impaired Computer Users
• Flexible magnification
• All-color smoothing
• Enhanced screen colors
• Visible pointers and cursors
• Web link finder
• Desktop program finder
• ZoomText® 8.1 Magnifier/ScreenReaderIntegrated
Magnification and Screen Reading
for Vision Impaired Computer Users
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All the features of ZoomText 8.1 Magnifier, plus...
Complete screen reading
Automatic document reading
Full Internet accessibility
Text Navigation
Typing and mouse echo
Special application support
Transitional Fonts for Emerging
Writers
• Features D'Nealian Style
• A set of 12 fonts designed by Kim Voss to help students
transition from block printing to a cursive style.
• This font features only three letter heights which make it
easy for students to learn. All modern manuscript letters
except f, i, j, t, and x are formed with a single continuous
stroke. For the students, few pencil lifts create a smooth
writing flow and reduce letter reversals.
• Like School Fonts for Beginning Writers, this set includes
dashed lines, solid lines, lined-paper rules, cues for
practicing the writing of letters, and more. These fonts
are great for inclusion and can be used with any
program.
School Fonts for Beginning
Writing
• Features Palmer Style
• A set of 13 fonts designed by Kim Voss to
help you make educational materials for
your students.
• Fonts include dashed lines, solid lines,
solid block letters, lined-paper rules, cues
for practicing the writing of letters, and
much more. Great for inclusion!
Portable Word Processors
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Alphasmart 3000
Neo
Dana
Quick Pad
The Writer
Alpha Smart 3000
• The AlphaSmart 3000 allows you to enter and
edit text, then send it to any computer for
formatting or directly to a printer. Its portability
allows students to use it anywhere and
anytime—in the classroom, at home, or on field
trips. Its low cost allows you to provide
technology access to an entire classroom of 30
students for the price of five to six computers.
The AlphaSmart 3000 is a smart way to extend
your technology dollars, to increase technology
access, and to alleviate the equity issues at
school.
Features and Benefits
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Simple. The AlphaSmart 3000 is designed so that students don't get caught up in the
complexities of a computer. Students spend their time learning rather than dealing
with the operating system of a computer.
Low Cost. You can provide technology access to an entire classroom of 30 students
for the price of five to six computers.
Extraordinary Battery Life. Can run over 700 hours on 3 AA alkaline batteries. It can
go wherever learning takes place: the classroom, field trip, library, and even home.
Expandable. The AlphaSmart SmartApplet architecture increases the range of uses
of the AlphaSmart 3000 in the classroom. Compact applications (applets) are
available for word processing, calculator functions, keyboarding instruction,
classroom quizzing, outlining, and word prediction.
A Great Investment. Far less expensive than a PC. You can put more AlphaSmart
3000s in the hands of more students, and free up your lab computers for higher-level
work.
Lightweight, Rugged, Ergonomic Design. Weighing less than 2 lbs. and virtually
indestructible, it's an indispensable tool in and out of the classroom.
Neo
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Neo is easy to use, lightweight, and affordable —
designed to provide a wide range of computing capability
on its own, and to integrate effortlessly with desktop and
laptop computers. Like our popular AlphaSmart 3000,
Neo offers a full-sized keyboard and extraordinary
battery life, but adds a 50% larger display and twice as
much memory. Neo is the ideal solution for maximizing
classroom computer resources.
Neo is offered in two configurations: Neo standard
version that comes with alkaline batteries, and Neo
rechargeable version that comes with a NiMH battery
pack and AC adapter. Both versions can be operated on
AA alkaline batteries, and Neo standard version can be
upgraded with our rechargeable battery kit.
Features and Benefits
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Designed with students in mind. Neo is a rugged and lightweight
learning tool that can be used anywhere, with 700 hours or more of
operation on 3 AA alkaline batteries. Instant on/off and autosave
eliminate startup delays and accidental data loss.
Affordable and expandable. Neo offers the lowest cost of
ownership compared to other computing technology. Plus, with the
extensible SmartApplet architecture, new functionality can easily be
added so you can get more from your Neo investment.
More than just mobile. The large screen and new font technology
display up to twice as much text as the AlphaSmart 3000. Students
can save hundreds of pages of text with room for SmartApplets —
software programs extending classroom versatility.
Screen shots below shown actual size.
Dana
• It's the affordable one-to-one computing solution—
and now available with wireless connectivity. Dana
Wireless offers the convenience and affordability of
a hand-held device, and includes built-in Wi-Fi
(802.11b) capability, providing wireless connectivity
for the classroom, campus, office, or home. Dana
Wireless continues AlphaSmart's tradition of
ultralight portability and simplicity. With Wi-Fi
technology, getting connected has never been e
Features and Benefits
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A Laptop Alternative. The combination of a full-size keyboard, the wide screen and Palm OS
provides much of the functionality of a laptop.
Communication. Dana Wireless has built-in Wi-Fi (802.11b) technology that allows you to browse
the web or check your email without a modem or cable. Use Dana's built-in IR (infrared) for
beaming data between other Dana and Palm Powered devices.
Runs Over 20,000 Applications. Palm OS-powered, Dana will run over 20,000 existing
applications.
Portable. Made of sturdy polycarbonate ABS, Dana is lightweight and durable. It's easy to
transport in a briefcase, backpack, or under your arm.
Expandable. Two Secure Digital and MultiMediaCard-compatible slots let you add memory, add
devices, backup your data and more.
Connectable. Easily synchronize data with a home, classroom or dorm room PC. Ability to share
data and software with another Dana or Palm Powered device.
Affordable. At one third the cost of a laptop you can put technology into the hands of more
students.
Quick Pad
• QuickPAD is QuickPAD Technology Corporation’s costeffective mobile computing solution for any educational
or business need. Discover more about the QuickPAD
and how it can benefit you.
• QuickPAD IR and QuickPAD PRO are designed to
make mobile computing easy when it comes to data
entry tasks. Simple technology coupled with notebook
applications let you efficiently word and data process,
manage and organize your contacts, schedule
appointments and more. Whether you are writing school
assignments, police narratives or a breaking news story,
it's all about making you more proficient and reducing
duplication of effort.
• The QuickPAD IR is a simple, durable, word
processor. It operates on four AA batteries for up
to 400 hours, and can hold up to 250 individually
named files in ten separate folders. All text is
automatically saved in the QuickPAD and files
are easily transferred into any writing application
in either a PC or Mac with just one keystroke.
Using QuickPAD's infrared technology, you
simply point and send. No more cumbersome
cables to hook up. Simple, durable and
powerful, the QuickPAD is technology that is
right for today's classroom.
Computer Solutions
• Adapted Switch Interface
– Switch
– Trackball
• Adapted Keyboards
– Intellikeys
– Big keys
– Touch Window
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Single action foot switch for Kinesis contoured keyboards
Give your hands a rest! Use one or both feet for data input with a Kinesis
contoured keyboard. A foot switch is essential for number crunchers to get
instant access to the embedded numeric keypad. Anyone who wants to
offload work from their fingers will love this option!
Default actions are "Shift Keypad on" "Keypad Enter" and "Shift".
Programmable contoured keyboards allow foot switch to perform any userdefined keystroke or macro.
Compatibility:
* All Kinesis contoured keyboards built after 9/02 (identified with a seperate
short telephone connector extending from the back of the keyboard) can
use three single-action foot switches simultaneously. A three-position splitter
(Part# AC011FS3) must be purchased in order to connect more than one
foot switch.
* Contoured keyboards built prior to 9/02 (telephone connector is located at
the end of the keyboard cable) can only use 2 single action foot switches
(two-position splitter purchased seperately) or one dual-action foot switch.
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All keys are easy to see: 1-inch square!
Familiar QWERTY alpha key layout (ABC layout available)
Easy-to-read key labels: large black printing on multi-color keys
Contains all essential characters: 97 character keyset (all standard punctuation
characters included). Compatible with all major software packages
Press and hold the "F" key and the numeric keys become F1 - F10
To accommodate one-handed operation, BigKeys LX provides an Assist Mode. In
Assist Mode, function keys can be produced by successively pressing F and the
numeric key (rather than simultaneously pressing the 2 keys.)
No special software required! Just plug into your PC in place of the regular keyboard
No run-on! Each key press generates only 1 character, no matter how long the key is
held down
Specifications: BigKeys LX has a 6-pin (PS/2) connector and is supplied with a 5-pin
(AT) adapter, Extra-long, non-coiled cable, Top quality click-style key switches, tested
to over 10 million keystrokes, High-impact injection-molded ABS case and keycaps
High -Tech Solutions
• Devices and Systems that are complex
and programmable
• Cost over $1000
• Highly Specific to a Students’ needs
• Training required
• Low Tech backup systems recommend
Computer solutions
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Adapted Keyboard
Pointing Options/Head Pointers
Switch Adaptations with Scanning
Software Options
Adapted Keyboards
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Sticky Keys
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StickyKeys
NO COST! A helpful, often overlooked, software application that allows for pressing 2 or more keyboard keys simultaneously.
StickyKeys (or latch key) allows users to press a key and then release it, and then press the other key or keys without having to press and hold
all simultaneously.
For Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows 2000, and Windows XP. You will find StickyKeys within the "Control Panel", after you
open "Accessibility Options"
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Scanning Access
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Voice Activated
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Speech Recognition
There are two uses for speech recognition systems:
Dictation-- translation of the spoken word into written text,
Computer Control-- control of the computer, and software applications by speaking commands.
Speech recognition is one of the desired assistive technology systems. People believe speech recognition is a natural and easy method of
accessing the computer. Please consider the following so as to prevent frustration and assistive technology abandonment:
training,
microphone selection,
cognitive abilities,
environmental area,
consistent speech.
The following excerpt is an example of actual enrollment training required before using speech recognition. We purposely selected this text for
two reasons 1.) The excerpt explains accurately how to speak to your computer. 2.) And-- this is a good example of what to expect when you
hear the word training.
Pointing Options/Head Pointers
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"Switch Access" Scanning
Not to be confused with a flatbed scanner for input.
Switch access uses one or more switches to select from an electronic (set) of graphic images, symbols, and/or
alphanumeric characters. Scanning is an alternative to accessing the keyboard and mouse. This is a slow, but
functional alternative for individuals with significant physical limitations. The individual only needs to have
consistent control of one or more anatomical sites for accessing a single switch, or multiple switches.
At first glance, switch access might seem the easiest alternative input technique for accessing the computer. The
individual's cognition must be considered. Simply having the ability to activate a switch, does not mean the
individual is a likely candidate for scanning as an input method.
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There are several "direct scan" methods available for accessing the computer. For example methods include:
automatic scanning,
step scanning,
inverse scanning.
After selecting a method to scan-- a decision as what "selection set" format is best:
sequential,
rotary
row-column,
group-item.
NOTE: A good practice before recommending switch access for input-- type a paragraph or more using single
switch access. You will get a feel of the cognitive demands placed upon an individual. Timing (is the candidate able
to activate when desired selection is highlighted), tracking (is the candidate able to follow the scanning selections),
cause and effect (does the candidate understand the scanning process).
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Eyegaze System
Move the cursor according to the user's eye movements... Switch Adapted Mouse
A switch plugged into input acts as the corresponding button, function (click, double
click).... Foot Control Mouse
Complete control over the mouse, and cursor using both feet... Trackballs
Stationary device, movement or rotation of the ball moves the cursor.... Head
Tracking
Control over the movement of the onscreen mouse using movement of head.... Touch
Pad
Cursor movement simply by dragging a finger tip across the surface.... Joystick
A "stick" for controlling cursor movements, and mouse clicks... Touch Screen
Clear plastic sheet with sensors-- attached to monitor, detects finger tip or a pointing
device... Mouse Keys
Software that transforms the traditional numeric keypad into a directional mouse....
Assorted Input Devices
Diverse group of mouse-like pointing devices with variety of characteristics...
• Expanded Keyboard
Keyboards with large keys, and with customized
overlays... One Hand
Designed for typing with only one hand... Eye Gaze
System
Operate a computer with eye movement... OnScreen
Keyboards displayed within the computer screen...
Ergonomic
Keyboards that reduce user fatigue, discomfort...
StickyKeys
Software application allows for pressing 2 or more keys
simultaneously... Mini
Miniature Keyboards less than 7 inches in width...
Electronic Tools
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Hand-held computers (PDA)
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Laptop Computers
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This short guide was created to help you understand the basics of PDAs and to help you
choose the right PDA for you. We do not sell any PDAs ourselves, so you can be assured
that all of the information in this guide is independent and unbiased.
Background on PDAs
Whether you need a PDA for home or business (or both), buying an PDA doesn't require
running across town to wait in line at a large home electronics store anymore. You can now
get just about whatever PDA you need for any use online. There are some differences
among online PDA stores and some things to pay particular attention to when comparing
sites and services.
study demonstrates that laptop computers are potentially very useful for improving the quality
and quantity of writing done by writing disabled students, but that we need to integrate their
use into the classroom with more support systems, especially for those students whose
motivation or skills will otherwise prevent them from using the tool."
Talking Calculator
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This handy calculator voices numeric entries and computations in easy-to-understand
speech. Choose between the complete number speech option: “seventy-eight” or the digitby-digit option: “seven, eight.” Features volume control, mute option, and angled display.
Designed for desktop use. Two “AA” batteries included.
PD A
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Features and functions to look for in PDAs
There are two main types of PDAs available today; those that run the Palm operating
system (OS), and those that use a version of Microsoft's operating system, known as
Pocket PC software. Since the operating system is non-proprietary, there are several
companies that manufacture PDAs. Beyond the choice of operating system, there are
other features and functions to consider when shopping for your ideal PDA:
Size- most are small, but consider how and where you'll carry the PDA to see if it's
right-sized for you.
Display- most new PDAs come with color displays; check to see if the contrast is
adjustable, if there is a backlight and how easy it can be read in different lighting
conditions, such as glare and low light.
Battery Life- consider how long the PDA will run on batteries, and whether or not
they're rechargeable or replaceable.
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Synching- if synching with your computer is a must, make sure the synching process
is easy and convenient for you. Synching with a Mac is possible, either with the unit
as it comes out of the box or with additional software.
Memory- measured in MB, memory will affect how much data you can
Software Solutions
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Software for Concept Development
Software for Organization of ideas
Voice Recognition Software
Scanner with Optical Character
Recognition
• Talking Word processor
Write Outloud
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Talking Word Processor Motivates Students to Compose, Revise and Edit Independently Students write more, write longer, and improve
content and quality. Educators quickly and conveniently oversee every aspect of their students' development.
Write:OutLoud is the easiest-to-use talking word processor. Auditory feedback, coupled with considerate learning supports, inspire
students to evaluate the content of their writing and implement strategies to improve mechanics. Educators build student portfolios, target
skill development, customize options and collect data in one revolutionary location — Teacher Central!
Easy-to-use toolbar lets students work without menus.
Text is spoken and highlighted at the same time.
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One-click button
lets students
center titles,
indent paragraphs
and align text
left and right
Students can listen for proper word usage, tense inflections, omitted words and misspellings. They get the feedback right when they need
it and when it is most relevant to them. The result? Students with disabilities can hear-as well as see-what they write so that they can
compose, review, revise and correct their work independently. Students write with confidence
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Emerging writers experience the connection between the spoken and written word from the writing perspective.
•Struggling writers use appropriate words as they use editing tools.
•Developing writers build confidence in their ability to express themselves.
•All students improve spelling and vocabulary as they edit and revise
Co: Writer 2000
• Co:Writer, the industry's leading word prediction,
seamlessly adds the highest quality linguistic word
prediction to any word processing or e-mail program.
Consistently the most successful word prediction for
struggling writers, Co:Writer provides the explicit
vocabulary, spelling, composition and revision supports
that build skill and considerately scaffold a broad
population of struggling writers. From the most emergent
writer, who knows what he wants to say but won't
attempt to write it, to the writer who uses the same words
over and over, Co:Writer ensures ALL students are
successful expressing new learning through writing.
• Build Better Sentences
From the very first time a student begins
typing, Co:Writer employs its trademark
linguistic word prediction — the most
advanced type of prediction available — to
provide word choices that are
grammatically correct.
• Expand Written Vocabulary for ALL Struggling
Writers
FlexSpell and Topic Dictionaries provide
students the considerate supports they need to
write what they know and what they're learning.
FlexSpell, equipped with thousands of phonetic
spelling patterns, accommodates students who
spell words like they sound. Hundreds of Topic
Dictionaries are included so students can
participate in writing across the curriculum — in
every genre.
• Transform Hesitant Writers Into Competent
Writers
Co:Writer creates a "no fail" writing environment
for both students AND educators. The plug-andgo Profile Wizard helps educators modify and
customize the way information is presented to
each student — within minutes. The Topic
Dictionary Toolkit empowers educators further,
helping them create their own Topic Dictionaries
related to the curriculum or current events —
quick and easy adaptation of the content and the
tool, NOT the student.
Kurzweil
• Kurzweil Educational Systems currently offers two
powerful assistive technology products and backs them
with a level of service that demonstrates to our
customers how committed we are to their success. Using
our products, individuals are empowered to take control
over their reading and writing disabilities and establish
their independence - in the classroom, in the workplace,
in their daily lives.
• Kurzweil 1000 is an advanced scanning and reading
solution for the blind or visually impaired.
• Kurzweil 3000 is our scanning, reading and writing
solution for people with learning disabilities or reading
difficulties. There are two versions - one for the
Windows® environment and one for the Macintosh®.
Text Reader
• The World's Most Popular Text to Speech Tool!
• TextAloud reads text from email, web pages, reports and more,
aloud on your PC. TextAloud can also save your daily reading to
MP3 or Windows Media files ready for playback on your iPod,
PocketPC, or even on your TV with Tivo's Home Media Option. Be
more productive or just be entertained wherever you go with our text
reader. Our TextAloud 2.0 release is here and packed with new
features! If you haven't heard computer speech lately, you'll be
amazed at how human-like the latest voices really are. Click Here
for a sample audio file created using our text to speech converter
with the optional AT&T Natural Voices™. We also offer exciting
premium voices from NeoSpeech™ and Cepstral™ to bring you
the best quality and personality in speech for your PC.
• What you can do with TextAloud:
• • Sit back and relax while your PC reads to you • Save text to MP3
for portable audio players • Proofread your own writing • Listen to
that report while you're on the treadmill • Find help for someone
with a reading disability • Create messages for your answering
machine • Reduce eye strain from too much reading • Listen to
information while you work on something else • Take some reading
along for your daily walk or run • Turn your iPod into a tax write-off •
Listen to an eBook during your commute • Study English as a
Second Language • Help a senior citizen or someone with low
vision • Add some spice to your PowerPoint presentations • Find a
great new tool to study for exams • Listen to text read in other
languages • Amuse your kids by letting your PC read stories to
them • Create audio files for computer games • Prepare for a big
speech by hearing your words read aloud
Dragon Naturally Speaking
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Important Information
From the Manufacturer
Dragon NaturallySpeaking 8 is the most accurate speech recognition prod
uct ScanSoft has ever developed--delivering up to 99-percent accuracy! No
other product delivers the power, accuracy, and ease-of-use that make
Dragon Natural lySpeaking 8 Preferred the ideal solution for the PC
enthusiast or home office user! Talk to your computer and your words
instantly and accurately appear in Microso ft Word and Excel, Corel
WordPerfect, and virtually all Windows-based applicati ons. Listen to
incoming e-mail and documents read aloud. Search the Web by spea king
URLs and links. Use dictation shortcuts that enable you to insert blocks o f
texts or bitmaps--such as your name, title, and signature--with a single voic
e command. Dictate directly into a PC or any Scansoft-approved handheld
digital recorder. A noise canceling microphone is even included.
Now is the time to use the power of Dragon NaturallySpeaking 8 Preferred,
and f orever improve the way you work with your PC!
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Key Benefits:
When you use Dragon NaturallySpeaking 8 Preferred, it will change the way you t hink about PCs. You'll be faster,
and you'll have more fun as you create letter s, reports, and e-mails all by speaking. Just talk, and you can surf the
Web, o pen and close applications, even control your mouse and the entire desktop!
Works with all of your favorite programs!
Dictate, edit, and control applications all by voice with programs like Mic rosoft Word, Microsoft Outlook Express,
Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Internet Exp lorer, America Online, and Corel WordPerfect.
Faster than typing!
Most people speak faster than 160 words per minute, but type less fewer tha n 40 words a minute. That means
you can create letters and e-mails about three times faster using Dragon NaturallySpeaking!
More accurate than ever before!
With a 25-percent increase in accuracy, Dragon NaturallySpeaking 8 is up to 99-percent accurate and frequently
more accurate than typing. Dragon Naturally Speaking never makes a spelling mistake, and it actually gets
smarter the more you use it!
Easy to use!
Simply install the Dragon NaturallySpeaking CD, and in just a few minutes, you'll be dictating letters, e-mails, and
surfing the Web by voice! We even inc lude a free noise-canceling microphone.
Mobile
Be productive on-the-go! Import recordings from any ScanSoft-certified hand held device for automatic
transcription.
Product Description
Dragon NaturallySpeaking Preferred enables small business and advanced PC users to create documents,
spreadsheets, and e-mail—all by speaking! Talk to your computer and your words instantly and accurately appear
in Microsoft Word and Excel, Corel WordPerfect, and virtually all Windows-based applications. Listen to incoming
e-mail and documents read aloud. Search the Web by speaking URLs and links. Use dictation shortcuts that
enable you to insert blocks of texts or bitmaps—such as...