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We know achieving communication success is a process that involves much more than an app. The LAMP Words for Life app combines 45 years of PRC experience with the Language Acquisition through Motor Planning (LAMP) approach.

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Let's help those with complex communication needs make their voices heard, using good technology that actually makes things easier and supports everyone in helping the individual succeed.

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Our AAC app family has two new members supporting children and parents on their AAC journey.

Built from the ground up with an easy-to-use layout, step-by-step guidance and support, you can easily make communication with AAC a part of your everyday life.

Try AssistiveWare Proloquo and Proloquo Coach free of charge for one month.

You'll love how this symbol-based app helps users learn how to express themselves. Proloquo2Go puts the user's development first, with innovative features based on clinical knowledge and user research.

It's also one of the few AAC apps designed to support all users, from beginning to advanced. Completely customizable and designed for a range of fine-motor and visual skills, the app's versatility makes it useful for non-speaking people with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and a range of other diagnoses or speech impediments like apraxia and dysarthria.

Grow and develop

Communicate with ease

Core words stay in the same place throughout the vocabulary to aid motor planning.

Customizable folder organization. You can also create your own folders easily, based on thematic templates.

Designed for a range of fine-motor and visual skills with options like 23 pre-programmed grid sizes and accessibility settings which support scanning and Apple's VoiceOver.

Use it your way

"
The app continues to grow with us, and each update brings only greater utility and reward. Rupert is seventeen now, and I can't see us ever using any other communication format.

Proloquo2Go lets you be you. Choose from 100 voices, ranging from friendly adult voices to genuine children's voices and bilingual voices. The voices are created using real recorded speech, making them feel surprisingly natural. For some languages, you even have multiple options.

Exploring insurance options for Proloquo2Go? We've got you covered.

Our partner, AbleNet, specializes in guiding people through the insurance process for AAC apps and devices. AbleNet works with ALL speech-language pathologists, regardless of their experience with speech devices.

Visit AbleNet's site or contact our support team and get Proloquo2Go the hassle-free way.

Proloquo2Go

AAC Essentials Bundle

Proloquo2Go

Help & Support

Join the community

Ask our Support team

Make every environment set up for quick access to AAC. These printable communication boards are handy to use across different environments. This is very helpful when the device is not available. Using core word boards means you can make AAC always available.
Quick communication boards (new!)
More words to communicate with. Read how to use the Quick communication boards.
Core word boards

Gateway to Language & Learning is an efficient core word vocabulary offering user vocabularies for children, teens, and adults.

Proloquo2Go has the CrescendoTM core word vocabulary built-in. The Gateway to Language and Learning© vocabulary is available as an in-app purchase.

Learn more about Crescendo and Gateway

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Proloquo2Go - AAC app with symbols - AssistiveWare

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You'll love how this symbol-based app helps users learn how to express themselves. Proloquo2Go puts the user's development first, with innovative features based on clinical knowledge and user research.

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Teach more efficiently with the world's leading symbol-based special education solution. Support learning and communication in the classroom, therapy room or home with this trove of customizable material, including access to over 50,000 Picture Communication Symbols® (PCS). Boardmaker 7 is offered as a Standard or Subscription option. To help get you up and running more smoothly, click here for a set of frequently asked questions and answers.

Boardmaker 7 Help
We're aware of some issues preventing customers from properly using Boardmaker 7 and understand how frustrating this can be. To help get you up and running more smoothly, click here for a set of frequently asked questions and answers.
Prepare your Organization for Boardmaker 7 >

Boardmaker 7 is a powerful set of tools that makes teaching more efficient and engaging. Depending on your purchase option, some or all of the following are included.

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Boardmaker 7 | Special Education Platform

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Teach more efficiently with the world's leading symbol-based special education solution. Support learning and communication in the classroom, therapy room or home with this trove of customizable material, including access to over 50,000 Picture Communication Symbols® (PCS). Boardmaker 7 is offered as a Standard or Subscription option.

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Simple and Affordable

Your Quality Online Resource for
Learning, Communication, and Behavior

Over 60,000 symbols or upload your own photos

500+ templates for visuals, AAC, games & more

Custom for your needs:

Therapy,
Literacy,
Behavior &Communication

It doesn't have to be difficult or expensive to be good. We believe in the power of visuals. Our priority is to give the flexibility you need for customization, simplicity for families, and affordability for individuals.

Over 60,000 Scalable Images

Only $36.00/year

Individual and Group Accounts

SoundFinder™ and Minimal Pairs Tool

Powerful Search Tools

Upload Your Own Pictures

Edit Symbols

MS Word Integration

Easy, Online, and Affordable

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Teachers, Therapists and Parents can create custom learning materials for their classroom and teacing needs. Create cheap picture cards, use our powerful language tools like our SoundFinder and build all of your classroom visuals in minutes.

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Simple and Affordable

Your Quality Online Resource for
Learning, Communication, and Behavior

Over 60,000 symbols or upload your own photos

500+ templates for visuals, AAC, games & more

Custom for your needs:

Therapy,
Literacy,
Behavior &Communication

It doesn't have to be difficult or expensive to be good. We believe in the power of visuals. Our priority is to give the flexibility you need for customization, simplicity for families, and affordability for individuals.

Over 60,000 Scalable Images

Only $36.00/year

Individual and Group Accounts

SoundFinder™ and Minimal Pairs Tool

Powerful Search Tools

Upload Your Own Pictures

Edit Symbols

MS Word Integration

Easy, Online, and Affordable

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Teachers, Therapists and Parents can create custom learning materials for their classroom and teacing needs. Create cheap picture cards, use our powerful language tools like our SoundFinder and build all of your classroom visuals in minutes.

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Welcome

Welcome to the Tar Heel Reader, a collection of free, easy-to-read, and accessible books on a wide range of topics. Each book can be speech enabled and accessed using multiple interfaces, including touch screens, the IntelliKeys with custom overlays, and 1 to 3 switches. Click here to learn more about alternative access methods.

You may write your own books using pictures from the huge collection at Flickr or pictures you upload. All books should be complete, edited, and revised to the best of your ability before publishing them to the site. While you are working on them, please save them as drafts.

Note the little well icon in the upper left corner of the page; clicking it will allow you to access the main menu. You can also click the settings icon to change settings on some pages.

Your browser is unsupported. The site should work for finding and reading books but you will not have switch access or the ability to write books. We recommend that you upgrade to a modern browser or install Chrome Frame.
You are in Classic mode. You will not have access to all of the features of the site but it may work better on older computers and web browsers. Click this text to leave Classic mode.
Ready to get started?

This site is also available in other languages. To help with translation, contact us.

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Welcome to the Tar Heel Reader, a collection of free, easy-to-read, and accessible books on a wide range of topics. Each book can be speech enabled and accessed using multiple interfaces, including touch screens, the IntelliKeys with custom overlays, and 1 to 3 switches. Click here to learn more about alternative access methods.

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Literacy improves lives-and with the right instruction and supports, all students can learn to read and write. That's the core belief behind this teacher-friendly handbook, your practical guide to providing comprehensive, high-quality literacy instruction to students with significant disabilities. Drawing on decades of classroom experience, the authors present their own innovative model for teaching students with a wide range of significant disabilities to read and write print in grades preK-12 and beyond. Foundational teaching principles blend with concrete strategies, step-by-step guidance, and specific activities, making this book a complete blueprint for helping students acquire critical literacy skills they'll use inside and outside the classroom.

An essential resource for educators, speech-language pathologist, and parents-and an ideal text for courses that cover literacy and significant disabilities-this book will help you ensure that all students have the reading and writing skills they need to unlock new opportunities and reach their potential.

READERS WILL:

Discover 10 success factors for helping students with significant disabilities become literate

Teach emergent readers and writers skillfully, with evidence-based strategies for shared and independent reading, early writing instruction, and alphabetic and phonological awareness

Help students acquire conventional literacy skills, with adaptable strategies for teaching reading comprehension, vocabulary, writing, decoding, and spelling

Organize and deliver comprehensive literacy instruction in a variety of settings, both inside and outside of school

Use assistive technology effectively to support reading, writing, and communication

Engage and motivate students and make literacy instruction meaningful to their everyday lives

PRACTICAL MATERIALS: Sample teaching scenarios and dialogues, how-to strategies, and downloadable resources, including sample lessons, a quick-guide to key literacy terms, lesson sequences, and flowcharts to guide instruction.

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teaching children with disabilities to read

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Literacy improves lives-and with the right instruction and supports, all students can learn to read and write. That's the core belief behind this teacher-friendly handbook, your practical guide to providing comprehensive, high-quality literacy instruction to students with significant disabilities.

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Teaching Students with Moderate and Severe Disabilities

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Teaching Students with Moderate and Severe Disabilities

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For years the text of choice for developing excellence as a teacher of K-12 students with moderate and severe disabilities, this clearly written work has now been revised and updated. Chapters provide step-by-step procedures for designing standards-based individualized education plans and evaluating and enhancing student progress. Methods and materials for teaching literacy, mathematics, science, and social studies are described in depth. The book also describes effective ways to build functional daily living skills. User-friendly features include extensive vignettes and classroom examples, end-of-chapter application exercises, and reproducible planning and assessment tools. Purchasers get access to a Web page where they can download and print the reproducible materials in a convenient 8½" x 11" size.

New to This Edition

Reflects important advances in research and evidence-based practice.

Chapter on collaborating with culturally diverse families, plus a stronger multicultural focus throughout.

Chapter on writing instruction.

Two additional chapters on reading and math, ensuring coverage of both foundational and grade-aligned skills.

Increased attention to students with autism spectrum disorder and to uses of technology.

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Teaching Students with Moderate and Severe Disabilities: Second Edition

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For years the text of choice for developing excellence as a teacher of K-12 students with moderate and severe disabilities, this clearly written work has now been revised and updated. Chapters provide step-by-step procedures for designing standards-based individualized education plans and evaluating and enhancing student progress.

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The UDL Guidelines are a tool used in the implementation of Universal Design for Learning, a framework to improve and optimize teaching and learning for all people based on scientific insights into how humans learn. Learn more about the Universal Design for Learning framework from CAST. The UDL Guidelines can be used by educators, curriculum developers, researchers, parents, and anyone else who wants to implement the UDL framework in a learning environment. These guidelines offer a set of concrete suggestions that can be applied to any discipline or domain to ensure that all learners can access and participate in meaningful, challenging learning opportunities.

Coming soon! UDL Guidelines 3.0

The UDL Guidelines are a living, dynamic tool that is continuously developed based on new research and feedback from practitioners. In 2020, CAST launched our most recent effort to update the UDL Guidelines, with a specific focus on equity. There has been a strong call from the field-both practitioners and researchers alike-to more fully develop the Guidelines to address critical barriers rooted in biases and systems of oppression. The current update aims to respond to this call and to work toward fulfilling the promise of the Guidelines as a tool to guide the design of learning environments that more fully honor and value every learner.

Since our launch in 2020, we have been committed to a community-driven, inclusive, and transparent updating process. As part of this effort, we are:

Collaborating with an Advisory Board, a UDL Guidelines Collaborative, and a Young Adult Advisory Board to guide our work

Conducting focus groups with a diversity of participants to learn from their perspectives, lived experiences, and feedback

Reviewing the research on the UDL Guidelines research pages to understand the balance of different research fields, methodological approaches, epistemological approaches, and author positionalities

Conducting literature reviews of equity-oriented research that connect to and extend the Guidelines, such as disability studies and critical pedagogy studies

We are excited to share this next iteration of the UDL Guidelines in 2024. If you are interested in receiving our UDL Guidelines 3.0 newsletter to stay updated on our progress and to share your ideas and perspectives, please complete this brief form.

Review the Summary

Explore the Full Draft

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The UDL Guidelines are a tool used in the implementation of Universal Design for Learning, a framework to improve and optimize teaching and learning for all people based on scientific insights into how humans learn. Learn more about the Universal Design for Learning framework from CAST.

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National Library of virtual Manipulatives 

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National Library of virtual Manipulatives 

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National Library of Virtual Manipulatives

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A digital library containing Java applets and activities for K-12 mathematics

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Simple and Affordable

Your Quality Online Resource for
Learning, Communication, and Behavior

Over 60,000 symbols or upload your own photos

500+ templates for visuals, AAC, games & more

Custom for your needs:

Therapy,
Literacy,
Behavior &Communication

It doesn't have to be difficult or expensive to be good. We believe in the power of visuals. Our priority is to give the flexibility you need for customization, simplicity for families, and affordability for individuals.

Over 60,000 Scalable Images

Only $36.00/year

Individual and Group Accounts

SoundFinder™ and Minimal Pairs Tool

Powerful Search Tools

Upload Your Own Pictures

Edit Symbols

MS Word Integration

Easy, Online, and Affordable

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Teachers, Therapists and Parents can create custom learning materials for their classroom and teacing needs. Create cheap picture cards, use our powerful language tools like our SoundFinder and build all of your classroom visuals in minutes.

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Create a consistent, engaging learning environment

Unique Learning System is a one‑of‑kind solution designed specifically to help students with special learning needs master their state's extended standards. From one convenient, cloud‑based platform, educators deliver differentiated, standards‑aligned content enhanced by powerful assessments, data tools, and evidence‑based instructional support. Students from pre-K through transition have the advantage of consistent, high-quality instruction, a motivating interactive learning environment, engaging symbol support, and a path to independence.

See how ULS incorporates the Science of Reading

Easily maintain and demonstrate compliance

Administrators, teachers, therapists, paraprofessionals, and parents all benefit from the powerful supports within Unique Learning System that help them meet the ultimate goal: helping every student gain meaningful access to learning and develop greater self-sufficiency. Built‑in assessment tools and resources provide insight into each learner's knowledge, abilities, and needs as they progress. And extensive data related to that growth informs instruction and documents mastery toward IEP goals and standards.

Explore More

Simplify complex daily roles to increase educator satisfaction

Teachers, imagine starting the school day without the rush to create materials for multiple levels of learners, prepared to provide every student with access to their state's extended standards, knowing what standards that day's lessons will address-and how, and having clear insight into every student's needs and learning level to ensure they continue to progress. From one convenient and powerful solution, you can create opportunities for your students to succeed in school and life.

Explore More

Drive positive student outcomes across all content areas

With research guiding our work every step of the way, we help educators address the needs of the whole student from one easy‑to‑navigate solution that provides instruction across the content areas for pre‑K-transition. Students can chart their own course to academic success with access to extended learning standards and the same concepts as their peers in general education. And they gain pride and confidence through differentiated lessons that enable each to participate in rigorous daily instruction at the appropriate level with evidence‑based supports.

Explore More

Teach and learn anytime, anywhere

Like n2y's Total Solution, Unique Learning System is both simple and powerful-easily working with existing technology and seamlessly adaptable to future systems. Its cloud-based content and features reach students no matter where they learn throughout the day: in school or at home.

Explore More

What's Included?

A one-year Unique Learning System license provides:

Unlimited access for one service provider and 15 students to one grade band of differentiated lessons, and standards-aligned content for ELA, math, social studies & science, and transition. Designated to ensure standards mastery, grade bands include Pre-K, Elementary (K-2), Intermediate (3-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12) and Transition.

Student View access from any location

Use of the powerful Goals, Preferences and Skills (GPS) assessment hub and resulting student data and reporting

Access to regular updates and additions

Time-saving, easy-to-use platform that integrates with other n2y solutions

24/7 access to our comprehensive Knowledge Base that shows how to use Unique Learning System, including Getting Started, FAQs, and support articles.

There are different levels in Unique [Learning System], and each student is on the level that [enables them to] achieve the maximum. We do monthly Checkpoints to see where they're going, and it shows me that when students need specific help, we get right on it.

Louella Broussard

Teacher

Acadiana High School, LA

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Unique Learning System is the #1 U.S. special education curriculum! Standards-aligned, individualized instruction for measurable student growth and independence.

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Create a consistent, engaging learning environment

Unique Learning System is a one‑of‑kind solution designed specifically to help students with special learning needs master their state's extended standards. From one convenient, cloud‑based platform, educators deliver differentiated, standards‑aligned content enhanced by powerful assessments, data tools, and evidence‑based instructional support. Students from pre-K through transition have the advantage of consistent, high-quality instruction, a motivating interactive learning environment, engaging symbol support, and a path to independence.

See how ULS incorporates the Science of Reading

Easily maintain and demonstrate compliance

Administrators, teachers, therapists, paraprofessionals, and parents all benefit from the powerful supports within Unique Learning System that help them meet the ultimate goal: helping every student gain meaningful access to learning and develop greater self-sufficiency. Built‑in assessment tools and resources provide insight into each learner's knowledge, abilities, and needs as they progress. And extensive data related to that growth informs instruction and documents mastery toward IEP goals and standards.

Explore More

Simplify complex daily roles to increase educator satisfaction

Teachers, imagine starting the school day without the rush to create materials for multiple levels of learners, prepared to provide every student with access to their state's extended standards, knowing what standards that day's lessons will address-and how, and having clear insight into every student's needs and learning level to ensure they continue to progress. From one convenient and powerful solution, you can create opportunities for your students to succeed in school and life.

Explore More

Drive positive student outcomes across all content areas

With research guiding our work every step of the way, we help educators address the needs of the whole student from one easy‑to‑navigate solution that provides instruction across the content areas for pre‑K-transition. Students can chart their own course to academic success with access to extended learning standards and the same concepts as their peers in general education. And they gain pride and confidence through differentiated lessons that enable each to participate in rigorous daily instruction at the appropriate level with evidence‑based supports.

Explore More

Teach and learn anytime, anywhere

Like n2y's Total Solution, Unique Learning System is both simple and powerful-easily working with existing technology and seamlessly adaptable to future systems. Its cloud-based content and features reach students no matter where they learn throughout the day: in school or at home.

Explore More

What's Included?

A one-year Unique Learning System license provides:

Unlimited access for one service provider and 15 students to one grade band of differentiated lessons, and standards-aligned content for ELA, math, social studies & science, and transition. Designated to ensure standards mastery, grade bands include Pre-K, Elementary (K-2), Intermediate (3-5), Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12) and Transition.

Student View access from any location

Use of the powerful Goals, Preferences and Skills (GPS) assessment hub and resulting student data and reporting

Access to regular updates and additions

Time-saving, easy-to-use platform that integrates with other n2y solutions

24/7 access to our comprehensive Knowledge Base that shows how to use Unique Learning System, including Getting Started, FAQs, and support articles.

There are different levels in Unique [Learning System], and each student is on the level that [enables them to] achieve the maximum. We do monthly Checkpoints to see where they're going, and it shows me that when students need specific help, we get right on it.

Louella Broussard

Teacher

Acadiana High School, LA

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Unique Learning System is the #1 U.S. special education curriculum! Standards-aligned, individualized instruction for measurable student growth and independence.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
First Author | Your Special Education Writing Curriculum

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This comprehensive special education writing curriculum helps educators teach communication skills through writing-from scribbling to complete paragraphs.

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Improve Reading & Writing - Microsoft Education

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Microsoft Learning Tools are free tools that improve reading and writing for learners regardless of their age or ability.

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Listen to words read aloud, follow with karaoke-style highlighting, enlarge text, or read in braille

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Audiobooks for Dyslexia & Learning Disabilities | Learning Ally

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Learning Ally solutions help struggling readers through audiobooks & support services for educators, parents, and students dealing with dyslexia. Reading accommodations

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An overview of the multi-year, iterative development project to create the Project Core implementation model for teachers and classroom staff.

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Dr. Caroline Musselwhite is an assistive technology specialist with more than 30 years of experience working with children and adolescents with severe disabilities, in a variety of settings, including Head Start, developmental day programs, and the public schools. She has also taught courses at several universities, including West Virginia University, and Western Carolina University.

Dr. Musselwhite has authored a number of textbooks and "how-to" books on a range of topics, including Emergent Literacy
Success, Communication Programming for Persons with Severe Handicaps, and Reading Activities Project for Older Students (R.A.P.S.). She has also authored a number of software programs (Write to Talk, Social Scripts) and books (Learning to Work) for youth with disabilities. She has presented thousands of workshops throughout the world, and is a founding member of the Board of Directors for the International Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ISAAC).

Honors include: Foundation Fellowship (West Virginia University), Educator of the Year (Association for Retarded Citizens, North Carolina), Honors of the Association, (North Carolina Augmentative Communication Association), and DiCarlo Outstanding Clinician Award (North Carolina Speech-Language-Hearing Association), and ISAAC Fellow.

Both short and long versions of Dr. Musselwhite's vita are available for download here.

Dr. Musselwhite's Vita Long Version

Dr. Musselwhite's Vita Short Version

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tools for communication with special needs kids

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Dr. Caroline Musselwhite is an assistive technology specialist with more than 30 years of experience working with children and adolescents with severe disabilities, in a variety of settings, including Head Start, developmental day programs, and the public schools. She has also taught courses at several universities, including West Virginia University, and Western Carolina University.

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Greetings teachers! As you get back into the back-to-school routine, we thought we would give you a quick update on one of your favorite subjects-math! Below you will find amazing tools that will help your students learn and practice math in a fun and engaging way-thanks to our teams from Bing, OneNote, Windows Calculator and our partners from GeoGebra and FluidMath. We hope you'll find these tools useful whether you are on-the-go with your mobile device or sitting down at your Windows 10 PC.

Learn on your mobile phone with Bing Math Helper

Newly introduced Math Helper is available in the Bing app for iPhone and Android. Whether your students are taking a photo of a math problem or drawing it by hand, this tool can help them solve the problem and guide them through the interactive solution steps and graphs. Math Helper can assist students with a variety of problems, including arithmetic, algebra, trigonometry and calculus. Additionally, the app offers access to learning resources such as related instructional videos and practice worksheets, utilizing the full power of the Bing search engine. Download the free Math Helper app here.

Practice inside OneNote with the Math Assistant

OneNote's Math Assistant empowers your students to be independent learners. The Math button not only helps students solve equations, but it also shows the steps needed to get to that point. Breaking down a complex problem into steps allows students to build understanding of the solution process. And students can use Immersive Reader to hear the solution steps read aloud. In addition, we've just launched an interactive demo of our inclusive math features, so you can learn about these features at your convenience.

For more practice, the Math Assistant can generate a practice quiz with a set of similar questions to those the student is working on.

Also, OneNote can graph functions, providing visual assistance in understanding math concepts and procedures.

Learn more about the Math Assistant here.

Visualize math functions with Windows Calculator graphing mode (coming soon)

Windows Calculator will soon have a graphing calculator mode, providing teachers with a new modern tool to teach graphing concepts in the classroom. It will help empower students to learn mathematics by improving conceptual understanding and attitudes towards math. With this feature, teachers and students will have access to a great baseline graphing calculator experience out-of-the-box on Windows 10, where they will be able to plot and analyze multiple equations and manipulate equation variables in real time to help understand how changes to equations affect graphs. This feature will be available to Windows Insiders later this year, and we cannot wait to hear your feedback! You can find the latest information on the Windows Calculator here.

Leverage community resources with the GeoGebra Graphing Calculator on Windows 10

GeoGebra is a leading provider of math apps, STEM education resources and community services, having provided calculator apps and curriculum services to 500 million students and teachers globally since 2015. Its powerful graphing calculator for math students and teachers, made for your PC, Surface and mobile devices, also offers access to curriculum resources created by the global GeoGebra community of teachers. You can search, browse, use directly or make a copy and adapt over 1 million shared resources for just about any curriculum, anywhere. For more information, please visit www.geogebra.org or download the free GeoGebra Graphing Calculator app for Windows 10 here.

Use the pen to ink your math in the FluidMath app

For those of you who love picking up a pen to do math, you will find the FluidMath app on Windows 10 a joy to work with. This award-winning app enables teachers and students to easily create, solve and graph math and physics problems all in their own handwriting-especially tailored for 6th to 12th graders. Its animation function (see screenshot below) offers a great way for students to grasp concepts more easily. FluidMath was developed and tested in consultation with teachers over several years with support from the National Science Foundation, National Institute of Health and the US Department of Education. You can find a free trial version of the Windows 10 FluidMath app here.

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Powerful tools to learn and practice math on Microsoft Education platform | | Microsoft EDU

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Greetings teachers! As you get back into the back-to-school routine, we thought we would give you a quick update on one of your favorite subjects-math! Below you will find amazing tools that will help your students learn and practice math in a fun and engaging way-thanks to our teams from Bing, OneNote, Windows Calculator and our partners from GeoGebra and FluidMath.

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An overview of the multi-year, iterative development project to create the Project Core implementation model for teachers and classroom staff.

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Teach more efficiently with the world's leading symbol-based special education solution. Support learning and communication in the classroom, therapy room or home with this trove of customizable material, including access to over 50,000 Picture Communication Symbols® (PCS). Boardmaker 7 is offered as a Standard or Subscription option. To help get you up and running more smoothly, click here for a set of frequently asked questions and answers.

Boardmaker 7 Help
We're aware of some issues preventing customers from properly using Boardmaker 7 and understand how frustrating this can be. To help get you up and running more smoothly, click here for a set of frequently asked questions and answers.
Prepare your Organization for Boardmaker 7 >

Boardmaker 7 is a powerful set of tools that makes teaching more efficient and engaging. Depending on your purchase option, some or all of the following are included.

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Boardmaker 7 | Special Education Platform

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Teach more efficiently with the world's leading symbol-based special education solution. Support learning and communication in the classroom, therapy room or home with this trove of customizable material, including access to over 50,000 Picture Communication Symbols® (PCS). Boardmaker 7 is offered as a Standard or Subscription option.

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Celebrating 35 years of helping students read and write!

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Currently, Bookshare is working on making math content more accessible.We are aware that there are some problems in the way our current setup interprets mathematical equations and related subjects. We are in the process of creating a new program called MathShare which will enable our WebReader and compatible screen readers to properly read the math symbols and equations instead of treating them as punctuation. We anticipate its release in 2020.

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Currently, Bookshare is working on making math content more accessible.We are aware that there are some problems in the way our current setup interprets mathematical equations and related subjects. We are in the process of creating a new program called MathShare which will enable our WebReader and compatible screen readers to properly read the math symbols and equations instead of treating them as punctuation.

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Wherever learning happens, we'll be there.

Kurzweil 3000 is an easy-to-use software platform that supports a broad spectrum of students - wherever learning happens. Signup Free

Kurzweil 3000 is an easy-to-use software platform that supports a broad spectrum of students - wherever learning happens. Signup Free

The Power of Technology is How it's All Connected

That's why the Kurzweil 3000 software platform integrates with as many technologies as we do. Our approach is to examine your current processes and identify areas that will improve learning experiences-and make daily tasks more manageable. Technology is always changing, here are the technologies we maintain connections with regularly:

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text reader reading adaptive accessibility

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Assistive Learning Technologies & Literacy Software from Kurzweil Education

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Kurzweil 3000 is an easy-to-use software platform that supports a broad spectrum of students - wherever learning happens. Signup Free Kurzweil 3000 is an easy-to-use software platform that supports a broad spectrum of students - wherever learning happens. Signup Free That's why the Kurzweil 3000 software platform integrates with as many technologies as we do.

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AEM Center - National Center on Accessible Educational Materials at CAST

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The National Center on Accessible Educational Materials for Learning at CAST provides technical assistance, coaching, and resources to increase the availability and use of accessible educational materials and technologies for learners with disabilities across the lifespan.

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DLM online assessments are for students with significant cognitive disabilities for whom general state assessments are not appropriate, even with accommodations

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Mathshare is a free, open source, and accessible education tool that helps students show and organize their math work.

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Skoogmusic: Accessible Musical Instrument for Everyone

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Skoog is an easy to play musical instrument, accessible to all! | Make Music | Learn to Code | Available at Apple & Amazon - NEW LOWER PRICE!

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How were these built?

All our experiments are all built with freely accessible web technology such as Web Audio API, WebMIDI, Tone.js, and more. These tools make it easier for coders to build new interactive music experiences. You can get the open-source code to lots of these experiments here on Github.

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Music is for everyone. Play with simple experiments that let anyone, of any age, explore how music works.

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Enjoy dozens of adaptive musical instruments specially designed for people with disabilities. Great for special needs children in special education and in music therapy. Simple switch adapted devices include adapted drums, tambourines, keyboards, bells, and more.

What Are Switch Adapted Musical Instruments?

Switch adapted musical instruments make music activities accessible to people with motor disabilities. They connect to an ability button that the player presses to play the instrument. Anyone who has an adaptive switch can plug it into the instrument and play music.

About Switch Adaptation and Musical Instruments

People with disabilities have a wide range of switches at their disposal that fit various abilities. Pressing an ability switch goes beyond touching it with a hand. Some users squeeze, move their head, blink or make another movement. Adaptive switches come in plenty of sizes, textures and sensitivities for every need. The owner can use them as a form of adaptive equipment for musical instruments.

Adaptation involves making an instrument compatible with an activated switch. The creator can build the entire instrument from the start or change an existing one. When working with a premade instrument, they can bypass an on/off switch or add a device that plays the instrument. They can also build an inclusive design from the start with electronics that work with an ability switch.

Common Types of Adapted Instruments

Adapted musical instruments for the disabled have all sorts of assistive features. In addition to switch adapted equipment, you can find accessories and instruments such as:

Who Benefits From Adapted Musical Instruments?

Music improves the well-being of people of all abilities. As a form of art, it lets us express ourselves and understand the world from a new perspective. Playing music with other people creates social connections and bonds. We can improve our motor skills by practicing an instrument. Our customers who enjoy these benefits include:

Special education classrooms: Students of all educational levels can learn from music. They can play an instrument during group activities to bond with their classmates. Playing music teaches abstract concepts such as rhythm, rhyme, sound and pitch. With so many adapted musical instruments out there, a special needs teacher can get products for every student's abilities.

Children with special needs: Families of children with down syndrome and other special needs want learning to continue at home. Performing music during free time helps kids with special needs relax and get creative. They can also work with a family member to learn how to play an instrument.

Adults with disabilities: Cerebral palsy and other motor conditions require new methods to play musical instruments. Adaptive musical instruments and accessories let people of all movement abilities create music. Some kinds of adaptive musical equipment also appeal to adults with intellectual disabilities.

How to Use Adapted Musical Instruments to Build Your Child's Skills

Parents who want to help their children with disabilities learn can try developing skills through music. Playing an adapted instrument can improve:

Motor function: Instruments and devices with keys or buttons can challenge the player to improve their motor skills. Kids practicing with adaptive switches can also work on coordination and cause and effect.

Communication: When a child with nonverbal communication needs to communicate their feelings, they can use an instrument. Creating music works as an outlet for strong emotions and increases auditory development.

Social interaction: Playing music with their family or learning group helps children with disabilities interact with others. They learn how to coordinate their music with other peoples' music. When they play multiple instruments, they also get experience sharing with others.

Self-expression: Letting the child choose an instrument or song to play assists them with understanding themselves. They can explore their tastes and find music that they enjoy to enhance music appreciation.

How Do I Choose the Right Adapted Musical Instrument?

The right musical instrument for you, your loved one or your student depends on individual needs and tastes. Consider motor and intellectual abilities. Can the user play an advanced instrument with an assistive device, or do they need a simpler option? You should also think about what the player wants. Think about their favorite sounds and types of music. If they play an instrument they care about, it can improve the experience for everyone.

Adapted Musical Instrument Customization Services From Enabling Devices

Do you have a specific musical instrument in mind? Ask us if we can make it happen. Our product development team can modify existing instruments and other toys to suit a wide range of abilities. They can also create new products to fit a customer's unique needs. Call us at 800.832.8697 X320 for customization questions, or get in touch with us online.

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Adapted Musical Instruments for Handicapped & Disabled

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Enjoy dozens of adaptive musical instruments specially designed for people with disabilities. Great for special needs children in special education and in music therapy. Simple switch adapted devices include adapted drums, tambourines, keyboards, bells, and more. Switch adapted musical instruments make music activities accessible to people with motor disabilities.

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5 uses for Kami in the Inclusive Classroom

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5 uses for Kami in the Inclusive Classroom

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Technology can be a powerful tool in the inclusive classroom. Using the appropriate technology with the intention of supporting an inclusive learning environment, coupled with sound pedagogy, makes for a powerful combination that ultimately benefits all learners. One of my favorite tools to use in the inclusive classroom is Kami. Kami is an extension for Google Chrome that is more than just annotating PDF's. The many features of Kami allow for learners to engage in PDF content in a more flexible manner, promotes choice and agency, and supports the use of inclusive technologies as part of the UDL Guidelines (Universal Design for Learning). Here are 5 ways you can use Kami in the inclusive classroom.

1. Built- in Inclusive technology supports

Kami is more than just a PDF annotation tool. Kami contains many features that allow learners to access content using Assistive Technology. Kami's OCR (Optical Character Recognition Tool) converts PDF's into an accessible format, which allows for text based content to be read using text to speech, which is a hugely important tool for building listening comprehension for learners with disabilities, including dyslexia (Klinger, Vaughan, Boardman 2015). Learn how to use Kami's OCR Tool here.

2. Show what you know

Having the flexibility for learners to show what they know in a way that makes sense to them is providing your learners with multiple means of expression, which is one of the UDL Guidelines. Kami allows learners to show knowledge in multiple ways. Learners can use Kami's built in dictation to write thought provoking answers to questions, or they can use Kami's annotation features to write/ type responses. Learners can collaborate on a Kami document, adding video, audio, or text based comments. Learners have various options to demonstrate knowledge though the use of Kami.

3.Content creation

For teachers that are looking to make their static PDF's more dynamic, the features of Kami allow for learners to engage with a PDF by providing options such as the Rich Text Editor, Dictation, Math tools, Annotation Tools, and Text to Speech. PDF's become more dynamic with Kami.

However, in today's boxed curriculum world, a smart option is to design inclusive learning experiences using Kami as a tool. Kami allows teachers to be creative through providing various options, as well as provides multiple means of expression (video, audio, text, pictures). You can import templates (just make sure they're accessible), create collaborative works, and more. The only limits to creating sound content using Kami are confined to ones imagination.

4. Artistic expression

Kami has been a game changer for reluctant and budding artists. For example, a learner who struggles with using paper and art mediums suddenly is able to find success with Kami. Tears literally turned into cheers for a young learner who was struggling to draw a Cardinal and used Kami.

Another learner loves to draw and make various characters based on popular games and imagination. With Kami, this learner has an option to store drawings in Google Drive and has the flexibility to change and morph these drawings. With a touch screen Chromebook, using a stylus helps with motor control and accuracy.

Another learner struggles to participate in art class due to excessive anxiety around making errors in artwork. With Kami, this learner is able to participate successfully, is able to make and correct mistakes, and enjoys creating drawings related to interests, which are proudly displayed in their work area.

5. Google Classroom

One of the great features of Kami is its seamless integration with the G Suite Apps (Google Apps Integration). Perhaps one of the best features of the G Suite integration is found within Google Classroom. Teachers can create a Google Classroom assignment within Kami, as well as grade assignments seamlessly with Google Classroom Integration. As an adjunct professor, this feature has been especially helpful for me in terms of grading assignments that are submitted as PDF's.

Using Kami as a tool to create and support student learning in the inclusive classroom can be a transformative experience. When teachers think beyond the static PDF world and are afforded the opportunity to create content, dynamic and accessible learning takes place. Kami is a great tool to have in the toolkit to support sound pedagogy and provide flexible means.

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5 Uses for Kami in the Inclusive Classroom

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Technology can be a powerful tool in the inclusive classroom. Using the appropriate technology with the intention of supporting an inclusive learning environment, coupled with sound pedagogy, makes for a powerful combination that ultimately benefits all learners. One of my favorite tools to use in the inclusive classroom is Kami.

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Making Science Accessible for Learners with Disabilities

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Making Science Accessible for Learners with Disabilities

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Application of universal design to a science lab

Students with disabilities face access challenges to typical science labs in precollege and postsecondary settings. Access barriers may prevent a student from:

gaining knowledge,

demonstrating knowledge, and

fully participating in lab activities.

There are two approaches to making academic activities accessible to students with disabilities-accommodations and universal design (UD). Accommodations are alternate formats, assistive technology, and other adjustments for specific students once they are enrolled in a class. For examples of accommodations in science classes, consult the publications Working Together: Science Teachers and Students with Disabilities and The Winning Equation: Access + Attitude = Success in Math and Science.

Universal Design

The Center for Universal Design defines universal design as "the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design." Applications of UD in education take proactive steps to create aademic products and environments that are accessible to students with a wide range of characteristics, including disabilities, thereby minimizing the need for future accommodations. For example, if a science lab contains an adjustable-height workstation, an accommodation will not be needed for a future student who uses a wheelchair that is too high for standard-height workstations. This workstation may also be comfortable for a student who needs to remain seated because of a health impairment or someone who is very tall or short in stature. In a science lab, UD can be applied to:

lab climate;

physical access, usability, and safety;

delivery methods;

information resources;

interaction; feedback;

assessment; and

plans for accommodations.

Making accommodations is reactive, whereas universal design is proactive.

Accommodations

Following are examples of accommodations that might benefit a student with a disability.

Use wheelchair-accessible labs and field sites.

Talk to a student about special learning needs and accommodation alternatives.

Provide a lab partner.

Use plastic instead of glass.

Allow extra time for set up and completion of lab work.

Address safety procedures for students with a variety of sensory and mobility abilities.

Use institutional resources for students with disabilities.

Typical science lab accommodations for students with specific disabilities include those in the following lists.

Blindness

Low Vision

verbal descriptions of demonstrations and visual aids

preferential seating to assure visual access to demonstrations

large print, high contrast instructions and illustrations

raised-line drawings or tactile models for illustrations

large print laboratory signs and equipment labels

video camera, computer or TV monitor to enlarge microscope images

hand-held magnifier, binoculars

large print calculator

Mobility Impairments

wheelchair-accessible field site

uncluttered lab; clear, wide aisles

preferential seating to avoid physical barriers and assure visual access to demonstrations

mirrors above the instructor giving a demonstration

an enlarged screen

wheelchair-accessible, adjustable-height work surface

non-slip mat

utility and equipment controls within easy reach from seated position

electric stirrer, container filler

support stand, beaker and object clamp; test tube rack

handles on beakers, objects, and equipment

surgical gloves to handle wet or slippery items

modified procedures to use larger weights and volumes

extended eyepieces so students who use wheelchairs can use microscopes

flexible connections to electrical, water, and gas lines

single-action lever controls in place of knobs

alternate lab storage methods (e.g.,"Lazy Susan," storage cabinet on casters)

Deaf and Hard of Hearing

preferential seating to view demos and watch instructor captioning for video presentations

written instructions prior to lab

visual lab warning signals

Learning and Attention Disabilities

Health Impairments

avoid chemical materials to which student is allergic or provide alternate assignment

flexible schedule and time allocation

Universal Design Considerations

Some of the accommodation suggestions listed above could be implemented within a lab now, anticipating that at some point a student with a disability may need access to the lab and that some changes may benefit all students. Here are some strategies that could be implemented in a science lab as a part of universal design efforts:

Provide both written and verbal instructions.

Give verbal and visual descriptions of demonstrations and visual aids.

Use plastic instead of glass.

Allow extra time for set up and completion of lab work.

Address safety procedures for students with a variety of sensory and mobility abilities, including the provision of visual lab warning signals.

Make laboratory signs and equipment labels in large print, with high contrast.

Ensure that field sites are wheelchair accessible.

Maintain wide aisles and keep the lab uncluttered.

Incorporate an adjustable-height work surface for at least one workstation.

Install a mirror above the location where demonstrations are typically given.

Use lever controls instead of knobs.

Install flexible connections to water, gas, and electricity.

Buy lab products that can be used by students with a variety of abilities (e.g., plastic lab products instead of glass, tactile models, large-print diagrams, non-slip mats, support stands, beaker and object clamps, handles on beakers and equipment, surgical gloves to handle slippery items, video camera with computer or TV monitor to enlarge microscope image).

Ensure that utility and equipment controls are within easy reach from a standing or seated position.

Provide surgical gloves for handling wet or slippery items.

Additional Resources

DO-IT has created a collection of videos and publications that help teachers make math and science teachers coursework accessible to students with disabilities. They include:

These titles may be freely accessed online. DVDs can also be purchased from DO-IT. Permission is granted to reproduce DO-IT videos and publications for educational, noncommercial purposes, provided the source is acknowledged.

For more information about universal design in academic settings, read Equal Access: Universal Design of Instruction and Universal Design in Education: Principles, Practices, and Applications. For a comprehensive set of resources, consult The Center for Universal Design in Education. The book Universal Design in Higher Education: From Principles to Practice published by Harvard Education Press shares perspectives of UD leaders nationwide.

Communication Hints

Treat people with disabilities with the same respect and consideration with which you treat others. There are no strict rules when it comes to relating to people with disabilities. However, here are some helpful hints.

General

Blind or Low Vision

Be descriptive. Say, "The computer is about three feet to your left," rather than "The computer is over there."

Speak all of the content presented with overhead projections and other visuals.

When guiding people with visual impairments, offer them your arm rather than grabbing or pushing them.

Learning Disabilities

Offer directions or instructions both orally and in writing. If asked, read instructions to individuals who have specific learning disabilities.

Mobility Impairments

Sit or otherwise position yourself at the approximate height of people sitting in wheelchairs when you interact.

Speech Impairments

Listen carefully. Repeat what you think you understand and then ask the person with a speech impairment to clarify or repeat the portion that you did not understand.

Deaf or Hard of Hearing

Psychiatric Impairments

Provide information in clear, calm, respectful tones.

Allow opportunities for addressing specific questions.

About DO-IT

DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, and Technology) serves to increase the successful participation of individuals with disabilities in challenging academic programs such as those in science, engineering, mathematics, and technology. Primary funding for DO-IT is provided by the National Science Foundation, the State of Washington, and the U.S. Department of Education. DO-IT is a collaboration of UW Information Technology and the Colleges of Engineering and Education at the University of Washington.

Grants and gifts fund DO-IT publications, videos, and programs to support the academic and career success of people with disabilities. Contribute today by sending a check to DO-IT, Box 354842, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-4842.

Your gift is tax deductible as specified in IRS regulations. Pursuant to RCW 19.09, the University of Washington is registered as a charitable organization with the Secretary of State, state of Washington. For more information call the Office of the Secretary of State, 1-800-322-4483.

To order free publications or newsletters use the DO-IT Publications Order Form; to order videos and training materials use the Videos, Books and Comprehensive Training Materials Order Form.

For further information, to be placed on the DO-IT mailing list, request materials in an alternate format, or to make comments or suggestions about DO-IT publications or web pages contact:

DO-IT
University of Washington
Box 354842
Seattle, WA 98195-4842
doit@uw.edu
www.uw.edu/doit
206-685-DOIT (3648) (voice/TTY)
888-972-DOIT (3648) (voice/TTY)
206-221-4171 (fax)
509-328-9331 (voice/TTY) Spokane

Founder and Director: Sheryl Burgstahler, Ph.D.
DO-IT Funding and Partners
Acknowledgment

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Cooperative Agreement #HRD-0227995. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

Copyright © 2012, 2009, 2008, 2006, University of Washington. Permission is granted to copy these materials for educational, noncommercial purposes provided the source is acknowledged.

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Making Science Labs Accessible to Students with Disabilities

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Application of universal design to a science lab Students with disabilities face access challenges to typical science labs in precollege and postsecondary settings. Access barriers may prevent a student from: gaining knowledge, demonstrating knowledge, and fully participating in lab activities.

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Accommodating Learners with Disabilities in Middle and beyond science

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Accommodating Learners with Disabilities in Middle and beyond science

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The Dissection Lab app is currently the best alternative to live animal dissections. Animal dissection in laboratories of schools and colleges have long provided the rope of an extensive and never-ending tug of war between school boards, educators, animal activists, scientists, and advocates, not to mention students and parents. Understanding this critical issue and to address it Navtek Solutions has brought this best in class technological solutions to help students through realistic and interactive simulation app.

The Dissection Lab provides step-by-step instructions and 3D visualization of the specimen. It gives complete understanding of dissection process to learn animal anatomy and visualize internal organs effectively. The application replicates an actual dissection of a chloroformed specimen, using complete set of dissection instruments including pins, scalpel, marker, and forceps; giving a more real like experience.

Frog dissection module is available for free.

Key Features

· Innovative and engaging - Learn by doing not by watching or hearing
· Realistic animal dissection with real like experience and real time interaction
· Fun way of learning - good mix of Real and Virtual environment for animal dissection
· Seven different types of animal dissection modules available
· Internal and external Anatomical systems view in 3d along with voice over instructions
· Animal classification with life cycle, habits and habitat information
· Easy interactivity with rotate, pan, pinch zoom, etc. functions
· Assignments, questionnaire and quiz for practice
· Supports universities curriculum

Dissection Modules

The following are the animals whose dissections are offered as modules in "Dissection Lab" App on half yearly subscription.
· Frog Dissection (Free)
· Rat Dissection
· Earthworm Dissection
· Cockroach Dissection
· Starfish Dissection
· Shark Dissection
· Pigeon Dissection

Each of these modules helps students to explore and learn about the anatomy & physiology of animals. It also gives information about their life cycle and how they fit into the environment. Student can easily simulate and learn the real dissection process by virtually picking up a scalpel, cut and open the skin of the animal, and explore the anatomy and physiology, just like he or she would do with a physical specimen.

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The Dissection Lab app is currently the best alternative to live animal dissections. Animal dissection in laboratories of schools and colleges have long provided the rope of an extensive and never-ending tug of war between school boards, educators, animal activists, scientists, and advocates, not to mention students and parents.

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TeachKind has launched an exciting program to help teachers make science classrooms across the country more compassionate places for both students and animals. We are now offering schools donations of humane alternatives to dissection that save animals' lives, help students learn, and cut costs.

If your classroom, school, or district commits to replacing animal dissection with humane alternatives, TeachKind will donate free non-animal learning methods for use in the school's science classrooms! There are many options to choose from, including interactive virtual dissection programs such as Digital Frog 2.5 and DissectionWorks.

Interactive computer programs have repeatedly been shown to teach biology more effectively than does the use of cruel and crude animal dissection. Humane methods also create a more inclusive learning environment that does not risk alienating students because of their religious beliefs, their moral values, or any other reasons they might have for refusing to dissect animals. Non-animal methods also save time and money. Even the National Science Teachers Association endorses the use of modern non-animal methods in place of animal dissection.

"The app allows students to completely understand the internal biology of the frog, and use the same dissection tools as they would in a lab to simulate the dissection process. We are very grateful to [Teach Kind] for your generous contribution. The students absolutely love the alternative way of learning. With this application the students are able to perform repetition of the dissection â€¦ You have my studentsâ€™ and my deepest appreciation, and I want you to know that the impact of your donation extends far into the lives of my students."
â€"Georgia middle school teacher who received virtual dissection donation

"I wanted to check in and let you know that the dissection software and computers have been fantastic! We have been working through the invertebrates and the kids are learning so much more from the virtual softwareâ€"and we are saving animals! It's been great."
â€"California high school teacher who received virtual dissection donation

To be considered for our donation program, fill out the form at the bottomÂ of this page, and we will be in touch with more details!

Please note: This offer is only available to educators in the United States and Canada.

All fields in bold are mandatory.

FormBuilder Form - 2543

By submitting this form, you are agreeing to our collection, storage, use, and disclosure of your personal info in accordance with our privacy policy as well as to receiving e-mails from us.

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Free Virtual Dissection for Your School | PETA

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TeachKind has launched an exciting program to help teachers make science classrooms across the country more compassionate places for both students and animals. We are now offering schools donations of humane alternatives to dissection that save animals' lives, help students learn, and cut costs.

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In my science classes, I would often complete science labs that were designed to help students understand the topic. Because I had low vision, I'd see things differently, or sometimes not at all. Because of this, I needed to find ways to make my science labs more accessible. Here are some of my tips for making science labs accessible for students with vision impairments, including low vision and blindness, that can benefit teachers, students, special education staff, and teachers of the visually impaired.

Have a partner

My science classes often had us do labs with partners, and this helped me tremendously. My lab partners were often one of my friends, so I didn't have to worry about explaining my low vision or limitations to them. We also would have our own trade-offs for segments of the assignments. For example, they would weigh items and give me the numbers, and I would document them and help perform calculations. They also would measure items for me and keep me from spilling things everywhere. We were not completely safe from mess-ups though- just ask my science teacher who watched as my friend and I misinterpreted some instructions and had a marshmallow shoot through the ceiling. However, having a lab partner is a great way to help prevent things like this from happening more often.

Why lab partners are important

I didn't realize how great having a lab partner was until I had a teacher who wouldn't let me have one. Their reasoning for this is that it was unfair to the other students to work with a disabled student. As a result, I often had lower grades on assignments and it took me longer to complete them, if I completed them at all. I had great difficulty with seeing the lines on lab equipment, and was nervous around chemicals and fire due to my low vision. There was also a fear that I would accidentally blow up the classroom or set off the fire alarm. I recognize that the teacher had limited resources due to our large class size and did not have access to low vision or assistive technology information, so there are several factors that led to this happening. This further shows how important having a lab partner can be.

Related links

Utilize a paraprofessional, co-teacher, or TVI

Students with low vision may benefit from having a different type of lab partner. Instead of a fellow student, a paraprofessional, co-teacher, or teacher of the visually impaired can assist with completing a lab. I remember I once completed a lab with my science tutor who worked at the school and found that it worked out really well. Working with staff members on labs allows the assignments to be adapted more easily. It also embraces the use of technology, especially assistive technology.

Related links

Adapt science assignments

In my chemistry class, my teacher encouraged me to learn as much as I could about making materials accessible. They did not know much about the topic, so I took it upon myself to learn how to do this, and I ended up sharing my research as a science project. Whether it's adding color, enlarging text, or attaching high-quality images, learning how to make assignments accessible is a very important skill.

Related links

Use video magnifiers instead of microscopes

In a college geology class, the lab instructor had us look through a microscope to see the details in rocks. For me, I used a video magnifier that projected onto a larger screen. That way, I could see images clearly and easily. There are video microscopes available for zooming in further, but for me a standard video magnifier did the trick.

Related links

Embrace the use of apps

I use quite a few different applications in my science classes, including Microsoft OneNote, Notability, and some other class-specific apps. Lots of developers are investing in creating accessible apps that can be used with a variety of assistive technologies, and I have been thrilled to have access to these apps so I can do my schoolwork successfully.

Related links

Request safety glasses without magnification

Some safety glasses and goggles have magnification built into them. Because of the prescription of my glasses and the additional prism, I often found the additional magnification to be disorienting. Because of this, I would request safety glasses without magnification built in. These are not difficult to find and can often be found in another classroom or science closet.

Also, this should be a given, but never remove prescription glasses or sunglasses to work with safety glasses. When a teacher insisted I remove my glasses, my paper caught on fire because I couldn't see my surroundings. If something like this happens, report it to your case manager or TVI immediately.

Related links

Know your limits

Often times, there would be some component of a science lab that would be very difficult or impossible to accomplish. This was due to the combination of my low vision and the technology present. As a result, I would often work with teachers to adapt assignments as needed. For me, this included watching someone use a bunsen burner instead of working with it myself, using smaller amounts of chemicals, or watching videos of labs online and answering questions. I was the one to request these things, so I never felt like I was being told I couldn't do something because of my low vision. Again, I didn't want to blow up the classroom or set off the fire alarm if I could avoid it.

Related links

Take additional safety precautions

By knowing limits, additional safety precautions can be taken to ensure lab safety. I would always wear safety goggles if I was working with anything that could potentially hurt my eyes. This was true even if the rest of the class wasn't wearing goggles. I also would work on a mat or other surface to avoid spilling things and ruining the desk. My teachers would come up with additional safety precautions as needed to help make the lab safer for me as well.

If you think you need help, ask

I had a teacher who told us that it was better for us to ask them a silly question than it was for us to think that we knew everything and then get ourselves into trouble. At one point, I thought I could fill up cups of water without worrying about them overflowing. I ended up flooding the sink, getting water on the floor, and completely drenching my clothes. The teacher thought I had taken a shower or fallen into a pool fully clothed! I wish I had asked for assistance, but at least everybody got a laugh out of it.

Related links

Don't shy away from science

Don't be afraid to embrace science and see all that it has to offer, and don't listen to anyone who says that people with disabilities don't belong in the science community or science classroom. I hope that these tips help you to make science labs more accessible and instill a love of science and the world around us.

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In my science classes, I would often complete science labs that were designed to help students understand the topic. Because I had low vision, I'd see things differently, or sometimes not at all. Because of this, I needed to find ways to make my science labs more accessible.

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This week, Kevin Williams and Lateef McLeod share about racism and ableism from their perspective as Black AAC users. Kevin Williams is a freelance web developer and the Chief Technical Officer of USSAC. Lateef is a PHD Candidate in the Anthropology and Social Change program at California Institute of Integral Studies, Vice President of ISSAC's LEAD Committee, and published poet/author. In the interview, Kevin and Lateef discuss the importance of having difficult conversations about racism and ableism, the intersection of race and disability in their own life, and the importance of patience, especially from the police, when communicating with AAC users.

Before the interview, Chris and Rachel discuss the need for more options for AAC users to socialize with other AAC users online, especially during the pandemic.

Key Ideas this Week:

🔑 Have uncomfortable conversations about racism and ableism with people in your immediate circle of friends and family. People are more likely to listen to someone they care about and respect

🔑 Police should inspire compliance with their own behavior, including telling someone why they are being physically restrained, rather than simply demanding compliance. Police need to be the most patient with people with disabilities.

🔑 An AAC user's personality is communicated by more than the software or voice on a device; it also comes from that person's gestures, vocalizations, and body language.

Links:

Some of Lateef's books on Amazon

Lateef's podcast "Black Disabled Men Talk"
Join USSAAC and ISAAC ISAAC PWUAAC Chat page Speak Up blog
Body Cam Footage of the Death of Rashad Brooks Warning: Video Contains Graphic Images

Where is Hope, The Art of Murder (the documentary)

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Kevin Williams & Lateef McLeod: Black AAC User Perspectives on Racism and Disability

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This week, Kevin Williams and Lateef McLeod share about racism and ableism from their perspective as Black AAC users. Kevin Williams is a freelance web developer and the Chief Technical Officer of USSAC. Lateef is a PHD Candidate in the Anthropology and So...