Writer’s note: This blog post will cover the basics of computer-based assistive technology, including specific populations that benefit from its use, examples of technology available, the pros and cons of using it, and some closing comments. This is an overview, but please check the links within the writing for reviews on specific products, additional perspectives, and ideas for how assistive technology might benefit you or someone you know.
Back when I was in high school and college, assistive technology was not at the level it is now. I remember students occasionally got books on cassette or CD; however, that was most often for novels and not textbooks. Speech-to-text was still well in its development and was rarely spoken or known about in typical educational settings. Smartboards started becoming fashionable in classrooms when I was student teaching, but these were high-priced items with limited features. E-books and e-readers had yet to take off.
I remember one program called Dragon Naturally Speaking, a combination of a headset with a mic and licensed software that could only be used on one device. Installation of the software required continued use of the program to increase the accuracy of the speech-to-text feature. However, the headset was flimsy, and the speed and accuracy of dication could have been better and often incorrect, leaving the user to revise and change the words on the screen meticulously. Unfortunately, this well-intentioned technology couldn’t handle the realistic demands of its user(s).
The quality of this technology has increased in 14 years since I first experienced it.
Beginner's Guide: What is Assistive Technology?
Assistive technology provides users with an added means of accessing information and expressing information due to the nature of their disability or language deficits (e.g., English Language Learners). Users are given the opportunity to integrate information in alternative formatting and use these different modalities to offset aspects of a disability to demonstrate knowledge or as an enhancement to their quality of life.
Assistive technology can be best viewed as a spectrum; however, for this beginner's guide post, I will focus more on the advancements in computers and touch screens that are helping various populations stay connected.
Who Benefits from Assistive Technology?
The short answer is anyone. Smartphones have become a fixture in our daily lives to the point where we take it for granted. For instance, my wife asked me to remember to go to the pharmacy to pick up a prescription. Since I didn’t want to rely only on my brain, I quickly set a reminder in my phone for the next day and a time. While I’m focusing on smartphones, your phone has dictation software that allows you to make to-do lists, set reminders, schedule events in your calendar, and more, all by using voice commands. This technology has become so ubiquitous that a simple “Okay, Google” or “Hey, Siri” has you searching and communicating within seconds.
Wanna know who was the actor in that movie that you haven’t seen since you were a kid? You can ask Google!
Regarding specific disability populations who benefit from assistive writing technologies, it’s a broad spectrum. For instance, a person with dysgraphia - a neurological disorder that renders writing illegible - speech-to-text programs help with written communication. Another language-based learning disability, dyslexia, is characterized by difficulties with phonological awareness, decoding, poor reading stamina, spelling, and overall grammatical errors.
However, with text-to-speech screen reading software and speech-t0-text writing functionalities, people with dyslexia are better equipped to understand sentences or passages because technology can offset aspects of their disability. It’s not a perfect system, nor does it “cure” someone; however, what used to be an agonizing process of reading and understanding is alleviated by the content being read aloud to the user. It’s allowing them better access to more books, including e-versions of textbooks and other materials previously only in printed format.
For people who have suffered a medical condition such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, or Multiple sclerosis or are developing a form of dementia, assistive technology can also help to enhance their quality of life and aid in the rehabilitation process. Cognitive products vary to meet the individual needs of the person and include cueing aids for medication management, educational software that is multisensory to assist in information integration, speech recognition and voice recording software, word prediction software, and digital personal assistant software. Again, this is not a perfect system, and assistance in learning, using, and maintaining these technologies is an ongoing process. There are high-end and low-end technologies available to assist with cognition and memory.
Available Assistive Technologies (not a complete list)
I use and find the value in assistive technology daily. However, my needs and the types of technology I am using or looking for may differ from yours, so please review the incomplete list below. I have included links to help you in your research!
In all of my writing, I use Grammarly (yes, I paid for it, and no, this is not a sponsored post) as a means of fixing little mistakes, word omissions, or tensing and ensuring that the quality of my writing is clear to someone else. As a person with ADHD, I am prone to thinking quicker than my fingers can type, so I tend to make small mistakes frequently. The upside to this program is there’s a free version, and it can be installed on all of your devices! However, you will be enticed to pay for the full version for all the extra features. But, if you want a basic program in the background to catch mistakes, this is a risk-free option.
The full version does include options to help you improve your tone, which is helpful with emails and will give you a rating in case you want to change your wording.
You can open Grammarly and write documents there, or it’ll work as an extension on your web browser and follow you anywhere online.
One downside is that when you’re writing in your voice, it can be a little frustrating as it will constantly make suggestions for changes.
Also, you need to be careful of taking suggestions made by Grammarly, as the software sometimes makes mistakes in its suggestions.
Lastly, the suggestion box can be cumbersome when working with small boxes for writing.
See the image below:
There are digital scanning pens like a C-Pen Reader or Livescribe Pen. These devices require a specific pen and/or paper to utilize. To me, these pens are a great resource but are limited in their overall application for reading, comprehension, and use. If it were 10 years ago, yes, these instruments would be the leaders of assistive technology; however, with the advancements of text-to-speech software and its integration into almost every facet of our daily lives, these pens are starting to show their age. Also, if you lose the pen, you will have to purchase a new one, or with the Livescribe Pen, if you run out of specialized paper, you will need to buy more.
However, if you’re interested, please look at this review of the C-Pen.
Read & Write (with Google Extension) is another program and browser extension that can help with text-to-speech and speech-to-text for websites, PDFs, and e-books. The speech used can be customizable, including the pitch of the voice and reading speed. Also included are picture dictionaries, spellchecker (more enhanced than typical support), word predicting, highlighters for taking notes, and citation support for research.
There could be difficulties using this type of assistive technology in a class that uses lockdown browser programs such as Respondus, as this program is designed to disable all means of communication and web searching during an examination.
The full version of this software costs $99/year for a subscription.
Learning Ally is another audiobook provider I have experienced working in higher education. This is intended for students with documented difficulties with reading printed materials. The cost of membership might covered by your educational institution.
Similar to Learning Ally, Bookshare is another audiobook resource for students K-12 and in college. There are scanned copies of books as well with text-to-speech support. You will need proof of a disability from a qualified expert to get a membership subscription.
Pros and Cons of Using Assistive Technology
One immediate con is going to be cost. I posted a blog post outlining college costs, so factoring in additional costs like assistive technology needs to be addressed as early as possible. Some solutions might be:
There is an expansive list of different types of assistive technology online, so narrow your searches to what is specifically relevant to your learning needs.
Discuss your challenges with knowledgeable professionals who can help you pick what is right for you.
Take advantage of the limited free trials or free versions of the software!
There will be a trial-and-error phase in your training; circumvent some of these issues using how-to sites and/or YouTube tutorials.
There are reviews for products everywhere – you will get the basics of use, quality of design, and if the product is worth your time/money.
Funding might be available to purchase the needed technology; however, you will need to investigate this further.
Time will be another cost; you must invest to use any assistive technology efficiently, and it is best to plan ahead whenever possible. For instance, for students who need screen-reading software, there will be a degree of onboarding in terms of using the software effectively. Another student with dyslexia might want to use a smart pen for their readings in class. Students with ADHD might proactively structure their day or week to meet deadlines. Each of these examples will require an investment of time to learn how to incorporate technology(ies) in a meaningful way properly.
Access to assistive technology is only as beneficial as the person’s ability to effectively and consistently use it.
The rule of thumb is to rehearse before the play; in other words, practice using your technology before the exam, assignment deadline, etc.
If a piece of technology is intuitive and easy to use consistently, continue using it!
Take the time to problem-solve, proactively discuss with others their experiences, and incorporate those anecdotes into your training process.
Closing Comments
Assistive technology does provide its users with many beneficial supports, but it is up to its users to learn how to implement it to meet their needs appropriately. Technology, like education, inherently comes with costs; time and money must be invested. The same can be said about the research into finding the right assistive technology; the quality you put into your planning will impact your findings and overall satisfaction with your options. However, you are not alone in the process, and it is essential to consult with informed professionals and discuss realistic strengths and weaknesses with actual users.
In addition, just because we have more advanced assistive technology does not mean it’s a perfect system, and you should be prepared for when that system breaks down. As mentioned before, I use Grammarly daily, but it is not a perfect program, and I need to be cognizant of how it might negatively impact the quality of my writing from time to time. However, I know I need it as a basic editor and to catch the small mistakes in my writing, so I am happy with the program overall.
If you find yourself stuck in your search, unsure of which option is the right one, ask yourself: “Do I see myself using X daily or regularly?” If not, keep a note of the product, but keep moving. I used my “Amazon approach” in my research; I read the company’s messaging, viewed the images, and then went to the reviews within or outside the company’s site to get a more balanced viewpoint. This helps me avoid impulsively buying something just because the idea of the item sounds exciting. It also informs me as to the quality of and practical use of a product outside of the company’s marketing efforts.
For every need, there is a solution; it’s just up to you to link the two together.
What did you find the most important about assistive technology from this post? Let me know in the comments!
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