A Few Assistive Devices Worth Mentioning

Mounted Tabletop Scissors

Who it’s for: this device is for individuals with limited control and those who struggle with fine motor skills. These scissors are also great for someone who has little strength.

How it works: Paper is fed into the “mouth” of the scissors along the base and cut by depressing the T Shaped handle. The scissors are spring loaded, therefore they automatically re-open.

Resource: http://www.allegromedical.com/daily-living-aids-c519/mounted-table-top-scissors-on-wooden-base-p500863.html
Joystick

Who it’s for: this device is for people with poor motor control, fine motor skills, and minimal grasping ability.

How it works: the joystick is connected to a computer just like a regular mouse. However, unlike the mouse, a joystick usually has 1-3 buttons to mimic various features of a regular mouse such as “right-clicking”. It can be controlled by hands, feet, and the chin. It controls the cursor on the screen of a computer.

Resource: http://www.spectronicsinoz.com/product/20723/popup

Highlighters

Who it’s for: I have used highlighters with variety of students for various needs. A student who needs help with organization can use a highlighter. If a student has trouble studying or reading small text, the highlighter will come in handy. A student that is learning to write can also use the pen.

How it works: You can use highlighters for reading to isolate text. You can use it for organization. You can also use the pens for tracing. This is also a valuable tool for marking important information in textbooks for later recall.

Resource: http://www.mangomon.com/blog/?Tag=Highlighters

Typoscope

Who it’s for: this inexpensive low-tech assistive device is for students who have difficulty with visual tracking. The Typoscope is beneficial for students who are having trouble decoding.

How it works: A Typoscope is a simple black sheet of plastic with a rectangular cut-out. The reader places the window over the desired text to be read and reads what is viewed through the window. Some Typoscopes included magnifiers and/or a highlighted strip.

Resource: http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/typoscope

Whisper Phone

Who it’s for: A whisper phone can help kids quietly read out loud without bothering other students. A whisper phone can also help a student hear herself read aloud. Some educators think this helps to build reading fluency.

How it works: A student holds the phone up to his ear like a regular telephone and reads aloud. As they are reading aloud, they hear their own voice.

Resource: http://www.whisperphone.com/skin/frontend/default/theme110/pdfs/WP-FAQs.pdf