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Targeted Populations
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Students with Disabilities / Shareware & Freeware
What it is:
Wonderful utilities and web sites can provide assistive technology functions or essential computer practice for students with disabilities.
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How does it work:
For students with visual impairments:
Cursors can be enlarged or animated for better visibility. Your operating
system may offer options but there are some fun cursors available as
shareware.
Google has a search engine that returns pages that are friendliest for those using a screen reader.
For students with physical impairments:
Keyboarding
- Dasher- This unique interface speeds up typing for a one-handed or switch-using student. By "zooming" it brings the letters to you, based on a prediction model. (PC only)
- Al Bunny's Typing Class- Type the letters and see if the bunny can beat the turtle.
- Flash Typing- Attempt to vaporize asteroids (letters) before they hit your spaceship.
On-Screen Keyboards
- Click-N-Type is an on-screen virtual keyboard designed for anyone with a disability that prevents him or her from typing on a physical computer keyboard. As long as the person can control a mouse, trackball or other pointing device, he or she can send keystrokes to virtually any Windows application that can run within a window. Click-N-Type is free but requires Windows 95 or later.
- AAC Keys is a free keyboard and mouse emulation program for Microsoft Windows-based computers. AAC Keys translates commands into keystrokes and mouse movements, giving you full control of your computer from another device such as an AAC system. (If your computer has only USB ports, an inexpensive adapter is available.)
Single Switch Proficiency
- Single Switch Performance Test is free software to facilitate measurement of the ability to activate a single switch. SSPT software measures the average time required to activate or release the switch (following visual and/or audio prompts) and also can measure the speed of repetitive activations.
- Switch Gaming lists 9 on-line switch games as well as 5 that can be downloaded.
Drawing
- Priory Woods School has on line coloring and drawing, as well as talking books.
TuxPaint is a free drawing program with sounds and other tools. (Mac, Windows)
- Rub a Dub Teach kids to "click and drag". Color pictures by dragging the mouse over them. The rubbing reveals colorful surprises underneath the black and white features.
- BlockCAD is a free Windows program for building virtual models with Lego-like bricks. Everything can be controlled with the mouse, but it's also possible to use the keyboard for most of the commands, making 'routine building' more effective, and there is a minimum of text involved, to make it easier for kids.
- Mouse skills & exercises for K-12 A fun visual exercise for developing
a click.
- Reflex is a downloadable Windows game to improve mouse speed and accuracy.
For students with hearing impairments:
- The Captioned Media Program provides free loan of over 4000 captioned videotapes on a range of educational subjects. They will mail you tapes, CDs, or DVDs and some titles are available for streaming on the Internet.
- Pics4Learning includes copyright-friendly images for education including American Sign Language. Includes thousands of images that have been donated by students, teachers, and amateur photographers.
- ASL Lesson Tutor is for students who use symbols.
- Pics4Learning includes copyright-friendly images for education including American Sign Language. Includes thousands of images that have been donated by students, teachers, and amateur photographers.
- Symbol World has many on-line stories,some recipes, poetry, news stories, etc. written and supported with picture icons.
- Handspeak provides access to over 2,150 signs for $5 per month.
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