Assistive Technology

                                The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) defines AT as “any item, piece of equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified or customized, used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of a child with a disability.”   

 

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

• AAC means all of the ways that someone communicates besides talking. 

• AAC is used by people who, some or all of the time, cannot rely on their speech. 

• AAC uses every mode possible to communicate and includes any existing speech or vocalizations, gestures, manual signs, and aided communication. 

Credit: ASHA

Select-to-Speak

Screen reader accessibility option on Chromebooks that reads aloud text that is selected and can be paused and started again. Options to highlight each word as it is read. The color of the highlight can be changed. The masking feature will darken the rest of the screen while the highlighted text is being read aloud. The voice and language can be changed. The pitch, volume, and speed of the voice can be adjusted.

Dictation

Type text with your voice. You can speak to enter text in most places you type. You can even add common punctuation when you say "comma," "period," "question mark," "exclamation mark," or "exclamation point."

 Voice Typing in Google Docs

Type text with your voice Google Docs. Search the menu for "Voice Typing" or select VoiceTyping under "Tools." You can speak to enter text in most places you type. You can even add common punctuation when you say "comma," "period," "question mark," "exclamation mark," or "exclamation point."

 Chromebook Accessibility Features

An overview of how to turn on and use each accessibility feature on Google Chromebooks.

Looking for a specific feature in this video?

Fast forward to the minute each feature is discussed in the video:

01:13
Where to Find Features

01:39
ChromeVox

02:19
Select to Speak

03:30
Dictation

04:17
High-Contrast Mode

04:44
Full Screen Magnifier

05:50
Docked Magnifier

06:31
Automatic Clicks

07:54
On Screen Keyboard

10:02
Switch Access

10:44
Large Mouse Cursor

11:07
Mono Audio

11:41
Highlight Text Caret

12:11
Highlight Mouse Cursor

12:30
Highlight Object with Keyboard Focus

12:56
Sticky Keys

What is AAC?

 

Guardian's Guide to Tools for Children with Disabilities