Special Needs AccomodationsThis is a featured page

As defined by Webster, special needs are the individual requirements (as for education) of a person with a disadvantaged background or a mental, emotional, or physical disability or a high risk of developing one. Computers play an important role in improving educational experience for students with special needs. Two federal laws, the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) and Americans with Disabilities (ADA), have extablished the goal that every student should have equal access to school programs and services. It calls for schools to use assistive technology where appropriate to achieve the goal of equal access.


IT SYSTEMS:
  • Speech recognition software is designed to be used with a microphone, interprets spoken words to create text-style documents; or it can also be used to carry out computer commands. Simply put, it substitutes voicevoicevoice entry for keyboard entry. Speech recognitionrecognitionrecognition softwaresoftwaresoftware can be a valuable tool in countless applications, especially handy for college students, executives, translators, transcribers, and those with special needs.
  • Wireless Systems are designed to amplify sounds for hearing impaired students
  • Augmentative Communication Software is designed for students who do not speak with the ability to communicate using text, graphics and sound
  • Specialized Computer Mouse are designed for students unable to use a traditional mouse--touch screens, track balls, headsticks, and eyegaze systems
  • A sip/puff device is designed for quadriplegic students used to control the cursorsip&puffswcol.jpg (10585 bytes)
  • Tiger Printer embosses both Braille and graphics giving blind students access to mathematical, scientific and engineering documents
PROS
  • Allows students who would not normally be able to learn equal opportunities in the classroom
  • Allow the teacher to connect with the student
CONS
  • Reliability--if the system being used fails, then the student falls behind and is not able to participate in the classroom
  • Time--the teacher may have to pay more attention to the special needs child and this may take away time from other students





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