Class+16-+Friday,+February+29,2008


 * Categories of assistive technology:**

Low tech. General Augmentative High tech. Specific Alternative

Low tech ATs are the simple things, like pencil grips, that aid and assist with the usage of a specific tool. High tech ATs are the things that are much more complex.

General ATs are things that are available for everybody to use. Specific ATs are the things that are designed especially to be used by specific people.

Augmentative ATs are the things that can be used to elevate the successful use of certain tools, much like a magnifier on a computer screen. Alternative ATs are the things that are used in place of a certain tool.

Some assistive technologies are available to ad with understanding or remembering. For example, a schedule made of various pictures can help people with autism, FAS, reading disability, visual learners, etc. By attaching Velcro to the back of each picture, they can be reused each day and rearranged when necessary.

Another tool that we talked about was the Fly Fusion Pen. This is an electric pen that can be used to write notes, and then to convert these notes to a word document without actually having to type them manually. The pen also has a calculator, a scheduler, and many more features. This can be a useful tool for those taking notes for other people as well as a fun tool for just about anyone.

www.dragonflytoys.com This website sells all kinds of gadgets that can be useful for those who have difficulty manipulating and controlling the environment around them. Some of these tools are used to eliminate the need for fine motor skills, as many people do not have this ability.

Sign language is an alternative form of communication, but it can be used as augmentative as well.
 * Augmentative and alternative communication**

AAC allows students to interact with classmates socially,and as part of the learning community.

At the end of the class, we took a few moments to think of a mnemonic that would help us remember the 7 principles of universal design. There were a lot of great ideas. The one my group came up with was:
 * Mnemonic**
 * P**aul - perceptible information
 * T**otally - tolerance for error
 * L**ikes - low physical effort
 * E**ating - equitable use
 * F**ruit - flexibility
 * S**alad - size and space for approach