4.4 Supportive Technology
5. OPTIONAL: Resources for Supportive Technology
Here are links to additional websites that describe flexible technology and technology supports.
Universal Technology
UDL Guidelines With Technology
http://www.livebinders.com/play/play?id=1207128&backurl=/shelf/my
Assistive Technology
SETBC Special Education Technology British Columbia - Consideration Process
SETT Framework Designed by Joy Zabala - process for considering assistive technology for students with a disability
MATN: Maryland's Assistive Technology Network's Five Step Consideration Process
Accessible Learning Materials
Bookshare: A library of accessible books for people who meet specific eligibility criteria for print disabilities. Bookshare, funded through the US Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs grant, offers FREE memberships for qualified schools and students in the United States.
Learning Ally: A library of accessible audio books for people who meet specific eligibility criteria for print disabilities.
Protocol for Accommodations in Reading (PAR): This evidence-based practice for decision-making helps IEP teams select the most appropriate reading accommodation for a student being considered.
Purchase Accessible Learning Materials (PALM): It is critical that materials used in the classroom are designed to be useable by all students from the start. The PALM initiative provides information to districts about what they should look for when purchasing learning materials. Click here for a downloadable brochure.
Adjusting Accessibility Features
Windows This tutorial describes the accessibility features that are offered in Windows. Links are included in each of the descriptions.
Mac Apple describes all of its accessibility features on this page. This link includes pictures to assist in understanding how to activate the accessibility features.
iOS7 This YouTube video gives an overview of the Accessibility Features of iOS7.
Chromebooks This link provides a text description on how to turn on accessibility features.
Firefox Mozilla's Firefox has many accessibility features a user can customize to meet their personal needs.
In addition MITS (Michigan's Integrated Technology Supports) has tutorials that one may view to enhance Firefox accessibility features.
Converting Text-to-Speech to MP3
Balabolka, a free text-to-speech software application which can be found on the MITS Freedom Stick or here, can save the on-screen text as an MP3 file for listening multiple times or whenever it is convenient for the student. Options within Balabolka allow users to change pronunciation, rate, and pitch of the spoken voice. (Windows computers)
Mac Solution: https://www.youtube.
Online Solutions: http://www.
Links to Technology Supports for Students with More Significant Needs
MDE Low Incidence Outreach The MDE-LIO staff provide outreach services to all local education agencies (LEAs), public school academies (PSAs), intermediate school districts (ISDs), children with a visual impairment, students who are deaf and/or hard of hearing, and their families
MDE Low Incidence AT Guidelines
You are now ready to move on to the next activity: 4.5 Next Generation Assessment and Learner Variability