Journal 8: Adaptive Technology

Communication
The definition of Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) defined by asha.org, includes all forms of communication (other than oral speech) that are used to express thoughts, needs, wants, and ideas. We all use AAC when we make facial expressions or gestures, use symbols or pictures, or write. Sign language and technological devices are the most decided upon form of communication.



Low-Technology Communication Tools
A no technology tool means that the tool does not need to be battery or electronically operated. It can be as simple as writing down notes in a notebook or as complicated as knowing American sign language and communicating with gestures, facial expressions and hand signals.

A low technology tool can be battery operated, such as a watch or calculator, but is still comparatively less than that of a laptop or Ipad. A talking watch can be very beneficial for someone who has trouble seeing or who may have other visually impairing disabilities. 

For those who are not visually impaired, having the ability to hear the time and associate it with the position of the hands (if it's not a digital watch) on the watch can also help them learn how to tell time without having to push a button to hear a voice.

High-Technology Communication Tools
An example of a high technology communication tool would be a laptop, Iphone, Ipad, or any other device that requires electricity or battery (Compare a laptop [Hi-tech] to a reading book with braille [low-tech]).

A great example of a High technology communication tool is an ipad. An ipad has the capabilities of being so many different devices in one. Click Here to visit a site that has listed it's top 40 apps on the ipad for learning impaired students. The ipad is a very important tool and can greatly help out a variety of disabled students, which is great because every child is different. Tech&Learning asks the question of how the ipad can help learning disabled students. Focusing in on one particular app, American Wordspeller, it allows students who have trouble with spelling words or who have dyslexia the ability to type in words and get the correct spelling (type in "medl" and receive "metal, medal, meddle" etc.).


Accessibility 
An input device is any technological device that transfers data into a computer or other information appliance. A mouse, keyboard or even headphones/speaker are examples of what an input device can be.


One hardware technology tool that assists the blind and others who are visually impaired is a braille keyboard. Braille technology allows the impaired the freedom to do common tasks such as writing, browsing the internet, or simply engaging in chat through a text based source.

One software technology available on on apple products that assists  in communication is Apple's Icomm app. This app allows children to learn using the categories which have provided content such as letters, colors and shapes. The app even allows you administrative access so that you can create a category of your own, and change it once you're done. It gives YOU the freedom to see what works best for your child or student...all the while allowing them to express their feelings and by giving them a chance to communicate that was not previously there.