Resources for Learning Disabilities
Learning Disabilities: How Can AT Help My Child
Students with learning disabilities are eligible to receive special education services. Every child who is classified as learning disabled must receive an Individualized Educational Program (IEP), which is a written statement describing the approach designed to meet your child's special needs. The law requires that every child receiving special education services have an IEP, and parents should be involved. A good place to start to learn more about the IEP process and learning disabilities is at LD Online.org and/or contact Oklahoma ABLE Tech for other resources.
Assistive Technology Products for Students with Learning Disabilities: CAST's eReader is designed to support all readers in school, at home, and at work. It is very useful for non-readers and readers with learning disabilities, visual disabilities (i.e. low vision or difficulty tracking), mobility challenges, or those who use English as a second language. With Windows eReader you can have any text read aloud, see text highlighted as it is being read, control the way the voice sounds, enter text and have it read back to you as you type, and surf the Internet. Other similar products are WYNN (What You Need Now) and Kurzweil 3000 both of which read scanned or electronic documents.
Word Prediction programs such as EZ Keys and Co:Writer are designed to help those who struggle with writing due to language delay and learning or physical disabilities. As you enter text, word prediction software prompts with word choices that fit logically into the sentence. It works will with most text-based packages (word processors, email, etc.). It can help reduce the number of keystrokes needed to type complete sentences as well.
Notetakers (AlphaSmart, or QuickPad, $250) allow users to type, edit, and electronically store and transfer text from class to computer. Before purchasing any product, talk with a teacher or therapist. You can also call ABLE Tech for more information at 800-257-1705. We will be happy to talk to you about these options.