Assistive Technology Roundtable
Writing Solutions
January 31, 2014
Beaver Valley
Intermediate Unit
Join Me!
• Did you get the presentation loaded?
• Help me to trust you.
What is the AT Roundtable?
• Series of 3 workshops
– Thursday, October 31, 2013
– Wednesday, April 23, 2014
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8:30- 3:00; AM refreshments and lunch
Raising awareness, building local capacity
AT content, demos, hands-on
Lots of info, yet informal
Will continue next year with new content
focus
Today’s Objectives
• Awareness of a range of AT solutions for writing
for students with varying levels of ability
• Demonstrate the use and application of several
programs to aid writing
Joining Us Today. . .
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From Texthelp; 11:00
Jeff Greaves
jgreaves@texthelp.com
888-248-0652, ext. 3323
Joining Us Today. . .
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From Don Johnston; 1:00
Beth Kalish
bkalish@donjohnston.com
847-740-0749, ext. 538
Definitions
AT Services
“Any services that directly assist in the
selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive
technology device.”
AT Device
“Any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether
acquired commercially off the shelf, modified or customized,
that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional
capabilities of individuals with disabilities.”
(PL 100-407, Section 3, 1988)
And in English?
• Any tool that helps you to accommodate a
student’s needs so that:
– Curricular demands are met
– IEP goals are attained
– Communication is aided
– Independence is fostered
When Should AT Be Considered?
• During the IEP/IFSP process
• When a disability impacts the performance or
potential of a person in any of several areas:
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Play
Accessing environments
Communication
Writing
Accessing print and auditory information
• When progress is flat or negative in direction
• After someone asks “Should we consider AT?”
No/Low-Tech Writing Tools
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Highlighter tapes & pens
Specialized paper
Specialized pencils/pens
Post-It notes
Pencil grips
Picture/text cards
Signature guides
Graphic organizers
Pencil toppers
Labels
Mid-Tech Writing Tools
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Portable keyboards
Spell checkers
Scan/Store/Send pens
Label machines
High-Tech Writing Tools
• Computer software
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Word processors
Speech recognition
Word prediction
Scan or scan-and-read
• Alternate input
devices
– Touchscreens
• AAC devices
• Magnifiers/CCTVs
Words of Caution
• High-tech is not
automatically
synonymous with
appropriate or useful
• Technology does not
replace instruction
• Assistive technology
can’t work if it isn’t used
• “Buy-in” is everything
• Success is not
instantaneous
• “One size does not
fit all”
Try This!
Write a paragraph about your family’s holiday
traditions, past and/or present.
• Use the lined tablet paper.
• Cover one eye.
• Use your non-dominant hand.
• Write legibly.
• Spell words correctly.
• Use seven words that have five or more syllables.
• Be ready to share in 3 minutes.
The Challenge
• Introduced challenges to the mechanics
– Vision, dominant hand, legibility, rate
• Introduced challenges to the process
– Vocabulary, spelling, audience, speed
Why Focus on Writing?
• Standards for Reading, Writing, Speaking, and
Listening apply to ALL students.
• Writing is a means used to measure
achievement.
• Writing is an important life skill.
• Many students struggle with this skill.
• Writing is difficult
• Writing is a complex process
Challenges Teaching Struggling
Writers
Students with disabilities especially have difficulty in
processing and organizing written information
• Writing performance is often lower than reading
performance
• Many have poor selective attention
• Many have poor long- and short-term memory
• Most don’t use strategies effectively
• Many expect to fail
• ALL have something to tell
(Graham & Harris, 1997; Isaacson, 2006)
Who Do We Mean by All?
Who are struggling writers
– Poor readers?
– Poor spellers?
– Fine motor problems?
– Attention problems?
– Students on the Autism Spectrum?
– Learners with physical disabilities?
– Students who are blind or visually impaired?
– Learners who are deaf or hard of hearing?
Making Technology Work
• Determine the student needs and goals
• Investigate application features
• Match student needs to AT features
Consider Features Needed
• Feature matching is the systematic process by which
a person’s strengths, abilities and needs are matched
to available tools and strategies. (Shane & Costello, 1994)
• There is no exhaustive feature list out there! But
familiarity with commonly-found features is a good
way to approach AT decision-making.
Feature Terminology is Powerful
• Knowing the product name you want only answers
“What AT?”
• Knowing the features - and seeking data on the
effectiveness of features in overcoming barriers –
answers “Why this AT?” or “Why not?”
• The research on AT and AAC provided evidence of
effective features, not effective products.
• Data collection from AT trials does the same.
The BIG Disclaimers
• What you see is NOT all you can
get
• Other products include features
that will:
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Do some things in a better way
Do some things in the same way
Do some things in a worse way
Do some totally different things
• This is NOT a list of
recommendations or a shopping
list
Writing Solutions
Tools of The Trade
Papers
• LoTTIE Special Papers Kit
– Grid/graph paper
– Raised line paper
– Colored paper
– Highlighted paper
– Templates/guides
• Carbonless notebook
• Label makers
Papers
• Features
– Varying widths and
styles
– Use color to provide
visual cue
– Static and passive (nonfading)
– Horizontal and vertical
options
– Tactile cues possible
with raised lines
• Considerations
– Type/amount of
writing will influence
which paper or
orientation to use
Labels and Labeling Systems
• Features
– Can be pre-printed for
common terms
– Clear labels allow for easier
use with published documents
– Labeling systems are portable
• Considerations
– Fine motor limitation (or
opportunity?)
– Cost of label rolls
– Preparation may be required
– Spelling skill of user
Writing Implements
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Tri-Write Triangular pencils
Ring pen
Evo Pen
HandiWriter
Grips 
Large-diameter pens
Sensory pens
Pencil toppers
School Fonts software
– Startwrite 6 worksheet wizard
Writing Implements
• Features
– Fit a variety of
handshapes
– Readily available
– Wide variety of designs
• Considerations
– Age appropriateness
– Integrated vs.
removable
Alternative Writing Implements
• Tablets, PDAs and portable keyboards
• Video pens (digitizes handwriting and records audio)
– Livescribe Smartpens
• Scanning pens (to capture typeset text)
– C-Pen
– IrisPen Express 7
• Image capture pen
– Notemark
Keyboarding and Input Devices
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Keyboards
Keytop Overlays
Touchscreens
Alternative keyboards
Onscreen keyboards
– Reach, Keystrokes, Wivik,
Windows/MS Word
• Portable word processors
• Zooming user interface
• Typing methods
IntelliKeys & Overlay Maker
• Features
• Considerations
– Large size
– Keyguards
– Customization demands
on time/labor
– Large-format keyboard
– Pre-formatted overlays
– Compatible with
IntelliTools Classroom
Suite
– Custom overlays with
Overlay Maker
• Activity-based
• Color coding
• Key appearance can differ
from contents
Onscreen Keyboards
• Features
– Keyboard and text are
on the same plane
– Ability to change layout
– Alternate input
• Mouse – click or dwell
• Switch
• Touchscreen
– Integrated word
prediction and
abbreviation expansion
• Considerations
– Loss of “real estate”
– Fatigue and repetitive
stress
– May require assistance
with
programming/set-up
Word Processors
• Portable
• Standard word processors
• Stripped-down word
processors
– Write Room, Mac only
• Text-to-speech word
processors
– Write OutLoud, Natural Reader
• Cloze-style word processors
– Cloze Pro
• Symbol/Grid-based word
processors
– Clicker 6, Writing with Symbols
• Online word processors
– WriteOnline, Google Docs
• Useful Features
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Highlighting
Auto correction
Spell check
Grammar check
Word completion
Word prediction
Abbreviation expansion
Drawing
Scanning
Portable Word Processors
• Features
– Mini -full-size keyboards
– Work on Windows and
Mac platforms
– Battery operated
– USB or Bluetooth
transfer
– Word processing only
– Spell check
– Word prediction
– File saving
– Keyboarding instruction
• Considerations
– Screen size
– Computer/printer access
– Writing task/formats
Portable Word Processors
• Writer, Fusion, Forte
• Dana
• iPad apps
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Pages $9.99
Notability $2.99
iReadWrite $19.99
Co:Writer $17.99
Clicker Docs $30.99
Microsoft Word
• Features
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Tables and clip art for grid creation
Adding comments to documents
Highlighting key concepts
Creating locked worksheets and quizzes
Summarize lengthy text
Automatically replace text
• Considerations
– Readily available
– Same tool being used by peers and teachers
– Tools are accessed differently in Word 2003 and
Word 2007
Write:Outloud
• Features
– Fully-functioning word
processor
– Easy-to-use toggle buttons on
the toolbar
– Speaking dictionary and spell
check
– Supports PCT, JPEG, and BMP
graphics
– Speech settings can be easily
changed
– Integrates with other Solo
products
• Considerations
– Standalone or suite use
– Classroom environment
– Distractibility
• Student
• Peers and Professionals
– Ability to access computer
speech
• External speakers
• Headphones
– Differences in speech engines
and platforms
Writing With Symbols
• Features
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Symbol Processor
Word Processor
Grids for Printing
Grids for Writing
Can be used as a teacher
or student tool
• Considerations
– Grids for writing can be
challenging to configure
Clicker 6
• Features
– Good option for students
comfortable with devices or
communication boards
– Develop writing skills in “non
writers”
– Allows for high level of
structure
– Option for textless
composition
– Universal Design employed
– New cell building wizard to
make your own activities
• Considerations
– Time to construct grids
– Switch interface limited to
Crick USB Switch Box
– Learning Grids World
WriteOnline
• Features
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Selectable word banks
Word prediction
Grid-based writing
Text-to-speech
• Considerations
– School building licenses
– Access anywhere
– Learning Grids World
Word Prediction
• Features
– Increase the rate of
output
– Improve legibility
– Reduce fatigue
– Ease frustration in
writing
– Assist students with
limited skills in spelling,
vocabulary, word choice,
and grammar
• Considerations
– Integrated or adjunctive
– Spelling/typing errors
• Frequent transpositions
• Phonetic
– Need for specialized lists
– Always on vs. on
demand
Co:Writer 7
• Features
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Intelligent word prediction
Flexible spelling
Collected words
Predict Ahead
eWord Banks
Basic, personal, and topic
dictionaries
– Text-to-speech
– Neo version available
– Adjunctive word prediction
(may be used with a wide
range of applications)
• Considerations
– Platform
• Standalone
• Network
• Portable
WordQ
• Features
– Text-to-speech
– Adjunctive word prediction
– Usage examples for confusing
words
– Accomodates phonetic
spelling attempts
– Great for elementary
• Considerations
– Offers the option of speech
recognition via SpeakQ
Scan-and-Read Software
• Purposes
– Provide bi-modal access
to materials used in a
district’s curriculum
– Promote independence
in reading, writing, and
study skills
– Provide a plethora of
reading and writing
supports to perform a
wide variety of tasks
• Scan and Read Titles
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Kurzweil 3000
WYNN
Test Talker
Read & Write Gold
Kurzweil 3000
• Features
– Recursive American
Heritage dictionary
– Text-to-speech output
– Variety of writing, studying,
extraction, and notetaking
tools
– Multiple scanning engines
– Imports files from TIF, PDF,
DOC, etc.
– Type onto document
images
– Audio file creation
– Web reading
• Considerations
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Cost and configurations
Proprietary format
Production demands
Platform differences
WYNN
• Features
– Simple, rotating toolbars
– Two working views
• Text view
• Exact view
– Text-to-speech output
– Variety of writing, studying,
extraction, and notetaking
tools
– Multiple scanning engines
– Imports files from TIF, PDF,
DOC, etc.
– Type onto document
images
– Audio file creation
– Web reading and
highlighting
• Considerations
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Cost and configurations
Proprietary format
Production demands
Windows only
No option to type in Exact
view
Read and Write Gold
• Features
– Text-to-speech output
– Variety of writing, studying,
extraction, and notetaking
tools
– Multiple scanning engines
– Imports files from TIF, PDF,
DOC, etc.
– Type onto document images
– Audio file creation
– Web reading
– Works as an adjunct to other
software applications
– Show Sound-Alikes and
Homophones (MS Word)
• Considerations
– Cost and configurations
– Production demands
– Platform differences
Alternatives to Scan-and-Read
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Adobe Acrobat Pro XI
PaperPort Pro 14
Microsoft Word
Drawing and paint
programs
Speech Recognition
• Utilizes a microphone to input text
• Requires adequate speech skills
• Requires significant executive
functions to maintain a topic and
perform corrections/training
• May allow for reduced use of the
hands when controlling the
computer
Dragon Naturally Speaking
• Features
– Continuous recognition
– Allows for keyboard-free text
input
– Support for adult and teen
voices
– Analyzes existing documents
for vocabulary and style
– Skip Training option
– Accuracy tool set
– Works in an adjunct capacity
to other software
• Considerations
– Articulation
– Environment and task
– User cognition
SpeakQ
• Features
– Customizable training
– Discrete and continuous
prediction modes
– Speech feedback of
recognized text
– No verbal commands for
control or correction
– Integrated word
prediction capability
– Text-to-speech feedback
– Allows for both keyboard
and speech input
– Server-level storage of
student voice files
• Considerations
– Environment and task
– User cognition
Graphic Organizers
Features
Examples
• Two working modes
• Draft:Builder
• Kidspiration
• Inspiration
– Visual maps
– Outlining
• Scaffolded prompts
• Support throughout the
writing process
• Notetaking ability
• Exportable as text to other
applications
Draft:Builder
• Features
– Provides simplified,
visual structure in
writing tasks
– Encourages use of the
writing process
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Brainstorming
Notetaking
Reference citation
Draft writing
– Map and outline views
• Considerations
– Integrated/proprietary
Inspiration/Kidspiration
• Features
– Visual learning tool
– Diagramming and
outlining
– Two formats for
composing
• Outline format
• Map format
– Provides a quick means
of capturing ideas
• RapidFire
• Link Tool
What about math?
• Features
– Organizes numbers
– Calculator option
– Provides structure,
scaffolding of skills
– Worksheet, test creator
– Printable
• Math Titles
– Math Pad
– Math Pad Plus
– Efofex
Writing Solutions
What Would You Do?
Student 1
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Fifth grade
Reading disability, ADHD
Reads at third grade level
Gets OT, speech
Has illegible handwriting
Likes attention
Disorganized, loses things
easily
Student 2
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10th grade
Muscular Dystophy
Uses power wheelchair
Limited use of hands
Cognitively, on grade
level
• Personal care assistant
• Gets PT, OT
Student 3
• TBI resulting in poor
executive functioning
skills, fatigue, memory
• Difficulty taking notes
and tests
• Sensitive to being
different
• Math skills negatively
effected by TBI
Student 4
• Neurological disorder effecting
motor skills, balance, tremors
• Reads well
• Has difficulty with spelling and
grammar
• Uses new vocabulary when
reminded
• Laborious keyboarding and
writing (though legibility is
sufficient)
• Does not like technology
though it is used by most
classmates
Student 5
• Learning how to print
letters and numbers
• Fatigues in arms after
extensive writing
• Gets OT
• Recognizes letters in first
and last name
• Peers are printing short
sentences with sight
words and new
vocabulary words
Writing Solutions
Acquiring AT
Equipment Trials
• Team Consensus –
Equipment trials and
timelines
• Emphasis on
meaningful, motivating
activities
– Activities should reflect
key environments
– Use should be consistent
• Careful collection and
review of data,
outcomes, &
recommendations
• Closure through team
decision-making
When Thinking About AT. . .
• Consider student’s NEED
• NOT necessarily
– Disability
– Affordability
– Availability
– History
– Popularity
Acquiring Software and Devices
• Lending Programs
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PaTTAN Short Term Loan
Pennsylvania’s Initiative on Assistive Technology
Community Agencies
Intermediate Units
• District, IU, School, or OVR Purchase
• Individual Purchase
– Teacher
– Family
– Student
Writing Resources
• Supporting Struggling Writers Using
Technology (article)
• Technology for Learning- Writing
• Dysgraphia and Assistive Technology for
Struggling Writers (Livebinder)
• Texas AT Network
• Reading Rockets: AT Tools for Writing
AT Considerations Checklists
• Allegheny IU
• Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative:
WATI Consideration Guide
• Big East Educational Cooperative
• Georgia Project for Assistive Technology