Communication is a skill we all need to function in our various environments. In the school environment, communication is an access skill. Access skills refer to skills a student needs to access the curriculum but are not explicitly represented by the academic standards. Other access skills include gross and fine motor skills and skills referred… Read More Supporting Students Who Use AAC
Looking for a Few Good Books?
Welcome to March and National Reading Month! Participating in literacy and reading activities is an important part of life. Through reading we learn academic content as well as having access to the joy of leisure reading. One strategy to improve reading skills is to increase reading enjoyable texts (Brozo & Flynt, 2008). To help educators… Read More Looking for a Few Good Books?
Tis the Season for Gift Giving – Assistive Technology Style
We are in the season for giving and receiving gifts. Toys and games are on many holiday lists. Selecting gifts with Assistive Technology supports can help children be more engaged and play independently. Sometimes just a large knob, velcro, or audio support can make all the difference. Finding and acquiring toys and games which are… Read More Tis the Season for Gift Giving – Assistive Technology Style
Reading For All Students
To get youth interested in reading we need to help them see that reading is fun. Here are a few suggestions to encourage reading in students of all ages and ability levels this summer. Read Aloud America (Summer Reading Program – Read Aloud America). Download a 5-week program full of reading suggestions and activities. Get… Read More Reading For All Students
Symbolated Text. Does it make learning to read easier or harder?
Symbolated or picture-supported text is a strategy that some educators use with the intent of making text comprehension easier for their students. The idea behind symbolated or picture-supported text is that connecting symbols to text can help students better understand text. It involves adding a picture or corresponding symbol above or below each word in… Read More Symbolated Text. Does it make learning to read easier or harder?
Considering Student Needs for Assistive Technology
To assist IEP teams with considering student needs for assistive technology (AT), the Virginia Assistive Technology, Tools, and Strategies (VATTS) Consideration Guide and Resources is now available. These resources will help IEP teams increase consistency and comprehensiveness of AT considerations in your school division by providing a consideration and documentation process. According to the Individuals with Disabilities… Read More Considering Student Needs for Assistive Technology
What? That’s AT?
In our last issue, Game On!!, gamification of academic information was reviewed. In keeping with this gaming theme, can you answer these questions about Assistive Technology? Want to learn more about Assistive Technology? Consider these resources in the T-TAC ODU Lending Library: Access Technology for Blind and Low Vision Accessibility Assistive Technology in Special Education:… Read More What? That’s AT?
