Assessing Student's Needs for Assistive Technology (ASNAT)

Chapter 5 – Assistive Technology for Reading, Studying, and Math
disabilities who have trouble seeing or recognizing the numbers or amounts. These are generally
available from specialized vendors such as LS & S, LLC.
The Master Ruler sold by Onion Mountain Technology is an ideal tool for teaching length,
measurement and their divisions. The ruler has transparent overlays that can go over a white one
inch incrementing ruler showing 1/2”, 1/4”, 1/8”, and 1/32” increments. Because these different
layers are transparent the student can always see the other layers and understand the relationships
between the different units of measurement.
♦ Talking Clocks/Watches - Talking watches and clocks can also be helpful as can clocks which
offer both digital and analog display can help to make the connection between those hands moving
around the circle and the time they represent. LS & S, LLC features a wide variety of talking clocks,
timers and watches.
♦ Calculators-There are a variety of calculators that can be helpful. Often having a print out is useful
because it allows a student to review his or her work and identify errors. Other features such as large
display or large keys can help some students. A talking calculator may be useful for an auditory
learner. Other calculators such as conversion calculators which quickly and easily convert a variety
of items such as fractions (Casio Fraction Mate), or metric to U.S. measurements for weight, length,
area, liquid volume, cubic volume, and temperature (Radio Shack English/Metric Conversion
Calculator). Handheld computers also have very useful calculators within the operating system.
Additional calculator applications can also be added to the handheld to expand the functionality of
the operating system calculator.
The Coin-U-Lator is a calculator with keys shaped and sized exactly like coins along with a smaller
dollar bill. The Coin-U-Lator adds or subtracts amounts and has voice output. The MoneyCalc is a
calculator that also feature money shaped keys along with the standard keys. It is a standard
calculator and money calculator in one easy to use device. It also features one touch figuring of tax
and tips as well as help with unit pricing.
The Visable jumbo display scientific calculator sold by LS & S display’s numerals and measure .9" x
.6". It features all the important scientific, statistical and trigonometric functions. Key pad features
large keys with high visibility printing. Fully portable 9" x 6.2" x 1.5" - just 14 ounces.
♦ On Screen/Scanning Calculators-The on screen calculator that comes standard on most computers
are handy for many students because it saves time hunting down the tabletop calculator. Beyond
convenience though, specialized onscreen calculators provide larger print and a scanning feature.
Big:Calc ® from Don Johnston Incorporated offers several advantages. It can be arranged in six
different layouts. It can speak individual keys, figures, or entire equations. It can also be set to scan
the keys so that a student using a single switch to operate the computer can operate the calculator. It
is a Macintosh only program.
♦ Alternative Keyboards-For the student with motor problems, an alternative keyboard such as an
IntelliKeys ® provides a way to complete computations with minimal motor skills. Other examples
include Little Fingers ® , Big Keys, and handwriting recognition graphic pads.
♦ Software-Perhaps most exciting new products in the area of math are the number of new software
programs that can assist students. Access to Math is a math worksheet program from Don Johnston
Assessing Students’ Need for Assistive Technology (2004) 148