Using Computers to Enhance Using Computers to Enhance Written CommunicationWritten Communication

Sarah Crosbie, MS.Ed, OTR/LSarah Crosbie, MS.Ed, OTR/L

  There is a wide range of assistive There is a wide range of assistive technology (AT) tools available to help technology (AT) tools available to help students who struggle with writing. students who struggle with writing.

Some of these tools help students Some of these tools help students circumvent the actual circumvent the actual physical taskphysical task of of writing, while others facilitate proper writing, while others facilitate proper spelling, punctuation, grammar, word spelling, punctuation, grammar, word usage, and organization.usage, and organization.

Standard Keyboard AdaptationsStandard Keyboard Adaptations

Keyboard standKeyboard standWrist restWrist restLarge print key labelsLarge print key labelsColor coding labelsColor coding labelsKeyboard protector/ Moisture guardKeyboard protector/ Moisture guardKeyguardKeyguard

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Easy Access/ Accessibility FeaturesEasy Access/ Accessibility Features

Sticky Keys: Eliminates need to press keys simultaneously (Control Panel →Accessibility Options)

Repeat/Slow Keys: Changes the speed of key repeat function or turns it off (Control Panel →Ease of Access)

Mouse Keys: Allows mouse to be controlled from the keyboard (Control Panel →Ease of Access)

Alternative Keyboards Alternative Keyboards   Reduces input choicesReduces input choicesGroups keys by color/locationGroups keys by color/locationAdds graphics to aid comprehensionAdds graphics to aid comprehension

IntellikeysIntellikeys Keys-U-SeeKeys-U-See KinderboardKinderboard

Talking Word Processor/ Text-To-SpeechTalking Word Processor/ Text-To-Speech

Write: Out Loud (Don Johnston)

WordTalk - free program for the PC that works within WORD and Outlook and highlights each word that is read. Includes a talking spell checker and a talking thesaurus

Natural Reader - free software program which converts any written text to speech (Word, pdf, websites, emails)

Click,Speak - a free Firefox extension that reads the Internet and highlights phrases and sentences as it reads

PowerTalk - free text-to-speech for PowerPoint presentations TypeIt-ReadIt- free Built into Office 2003 for Windows,VISTA, VoiceOver in Macs

Speech RecognitionSpeech RecognitionBuilt into Windows Vista Built into Windows Vista Dragon Naturally Speaking (MAC/PC)Dragon Naturally Speaking (MAC/PC) IBM ViaVoice (MAC/PC)IBM ViaVoice (MAC/PC)MacSpeech Dictate MacSpeech Dictate SpeakQSpeakQ (PC) (PC) works with works with WordQWordQ

Word PredictionWord Prediction

Co:Writer Co:Writer SOLO (Don Johnston)

Classroom Suite (Intellitools)Classroom Suite (Intellitools)

WordQWordQ (Quillsoft) (Quillsoft)

Read&Write 9 GOLD (textHELP)Read&Write 9 GOLD (textHELP)

Alternative InputAlternative Input

Intellikeys Intellikeys Onscreen keyboard

BAT keyboard

Track ballTrack ball Touch window

Joystickswitch