Adult Learning Network Summer 2003: Page 4
Disability News, cont.
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New Assistive Technology Materials in AALRC Media Center
The AALRC has recently purchased a number of
assistive technology materials and other disabilitiesrelated
items to add to the ever-growing supply of
resources in the Media Center. Local adult education
and literacy programs can check these out for
30 days for use with students who have disabilities
by contacting Klaus Neu at the AALRC.
The new materials include:
- Alpha Smart Word Processor (1): A word processing tool that looks like a laptop, but weighs much less. Students can take notes with the keyboard, then download the file to a PC for further use or manipulate the font, etc.
- Orion TI-34 Talking Scientific Calculator (3): The only talking calculator approved by the GED Testing Service in Washington DC for use during the GED Tests by students who have requested and received notification that they may use a talking calculator as an appropriate accommodation for their documented disability.
- Reading Pen II - Portable Scan (3): A hand-held pen that scans text and reads it out loud. Includes a dictionary. Not for use with long passages, but good for students with reading difficulties who would benefit from hearing a printed word occasionally to help decode.
- Ken-a-vision 7890 B Video (1): A camera that projects the image to a TV for purposes of enlarging the text or the item. The flexible gooseneck is easily manipulated to help students who need large print adjust the text size and read from the TV screen rather than the book or paper.
- JAWS Screen Reader for Windows (1): The most popular screen reader worldwide, JAWS for Windows works with a PC to provide access to today's software applications and the Internet. With its internal software speech synthesizer and the computer's sound card, information from the screen is read aloud, providing technology to access a wide variety of information, education and job related applications. JAWS also outputs to refreshable Braille displays, providing unmatched Braille support of any screen reader on the market. A training tutorial is included. This software will be available on an AALRC laptop only.
- Touch Window (1): Turns any PC monitor into a touch screen.
- Hearing Helper FM System (1): For students with auditory processing disabilities, this FM Loop includes a microphone for the speaker and a headset for the student, so the speaker's voice goes directly to the student's ears. Eliminates distracting or confusing external noise and enhances focusing and comprehension.
- Dragon Naturally Speaking 7 - Preferred Edition (1): A speech-to-text software program that allows the student to speak into a PC microphone; the software translates their speech into printed text. Users can dictate into virtually any windows-based application at speeds up to 160 words per minute.
There are many other items too numerous to
describe in a short newsletter, as well as quite a few
new books about learning disabilities and ADHD.
For a complete list of new assistive technology
materials in the Media Center, or to check out one
of the items or books, please contact Klaus at
klaus@aalrc.org or visit the Media Center next time
you're at the AALRC.
Free Multi-Lingual Text-to-Speech Software
- Web pages
- Files (.txt, .doc, .xls)
According to an article on ABCnews.com, "The software allows users to choose one of four different 'personalities' to read back the electronic text displayed on the computer's monitor."
But to make the synthesized speech sound a bit more 'human,' users can also adjust the speed and pitch of the artificial voices.
Students who have reading disabilities and ESOL students could greatly increase their ability to process new information in the classroom with this software.
Arkansas is a member of LINCS (Literacy Information aNd Communication Systems) which provides a Regional and National network of electronic support for Adult Education and Literacy. Arkansas is part of the Southern LINCS consortium. Click on the buttons below to search for resources outside of Arkansas.
Funded by the Arkansas Department of Workforce Education, Adult Education Section
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