Welcome to Las Vegas' 

Assistive Technology Resources

This blog was created for educators and families in the Las Vegas Valley to come and learn about various assistive technology resources. Our team has organized our sources into the following categories:

• Low-Tech Devices
• High-Tech Devices
• Assistive Technology Organizations
• Websites for Families & Teachers
• Assistive Technology Assessments

Low Tech Devices (Plus! How to make them!)

Reading & Writing Low Tech Devices:

Reading


•  Page fluffers
To make the pages of a storybook easy to turn, just add page fluffers.
1.  Packing peanuts can be glued or paper clipped onto the book pages.
2.  A flattened drinking straw could be paper clipped onto a page.
3.  On cardboard books, a dot of hot glue in the corner also works great.


•  Felt board
A store that sells fabric on bolts will be happy to give away the cardboard bolt end. Simply
cover with felt (and hot glue) and it's ready for story time.


•  Reading guides
Cut see-through colored plastic page protectors into strips. Place on reading material.

Writing

• Rubber stamping letters and numbers

Make a rubber stamp handle using a mini M&M's candy container (or any small container).
Stick a rough piece of hook and loop fastener (Velcro) to the end using self-adhesive
fastener or a strong adhesive. Add a smooth piece of fastener to the back of the rubber
stamp. Put together and stamp! Stamps are easily changeable.

•  Raised line writing paper

A variety of options are available when making your own raised line paper. Puff paint
(available at a craft store) or glue can be drawn on the paper and allowed to dry. A
seamstress's tracing wheel can be rolled across the paper and the raised line is felt on the
opposite side of the surface. This same effect can be accomplished by stitching (without
thread) the paper on a sewing machine.

• Quick pencil grip

 There are many styles of pencil grips available for purchase. But, in a pinch, grab a thick
rubber band and wrap it around a pen or pencil to help keep fingers from slipping.

• No slip grip

Place a foam 'tube' from a foam hair curler around a pencil, toothbrush or disposable razor
to make them a little larger and slip resistant. These gems not only come in pink, but also
green and black (for the guys!)

• Practice ball pencil grip

Insert a pen or pencil into a practice golf ball. This makes a larger grip and it is lightweight.

• Ball grip

Make a hole through a rubber ball (this is a bit tough). Push a pen or pencil through to
desired length. This creates a large and heavy grip.

• Molded grip

Crayola makes "Magic Mold" which is pliable and soft, not to mention fun to handle. Using
an appropriate piece of this material shape around a pencil, utensil etc and squeeze your
personal grip into the foam. Foam dries in 24 hours but remains soft.

• Magnetic slant board

Slip a magnetic pattern holder into the clear plastic cover pocket of a 3" or 4" binder. The
pattern holder may come with a magnetic ruler. If not, stick magnetic strip (available from a
craft store) to the back of a wooden ruler.

High Tech Devices

Reading/Writing/Math Areas


Write:OutLoud

• Write:OutLoud- this is a talking work process and writing software program for students. It can be used as a text-to-speech engine on your computer and use it in word-processing programs such as Notepad on Windows computer and TextEdit on a Mac.

IntelliKeys

• IntelliKeys is an alternative keyboard designed to meet the needs of students with physical disabilities. It is a customizable, flat, touch-sensitive device. Unlike standard keyboards with a fixed set of keys, the configuration of IntelliKeys can be easily changed by sliding different overlays onto the touch sensitive area.

TrackBall/Joystick (Mouse Alternatives)

• Trackballs look like an upside down mouse with a movable ball on top of a stationary base. The ball can be rotated with a pointing device or a hand. People who have fine motor skills but lack gross motor skills can use these devices. 
• Joysticks can replace the traditional mouse and provide greater control of the direction and speed of the cursor on screen. An individual can use the joystick in whatever position he/she finds most comfortable when operating the computer. They are highly flexible and enable the user to move the cursor both horizontally and vertically at various speeds.

DynaVox

• DynaVox devices assist individuals who are unable to communicate reliably with their own voices due to cognitive, language and physical impairments. The devices produced by DynaVox closely resemble touch screen tablet computers. DynaVox's stated mission is to enable children and adults to reach their educational potential and experience a greater quality of life by maximizing each person’s ability to communicate and learn.

Apple's iPad & iTouch

• iPad is a line of table computers designed and marketed by Apple used primarily for audio-visual media including books, periodicals, movies, music, games, apps and web content. The iPad has also been called a revolutionary tool to help children with autism learn how to communicate and socialize more easily.
• iPod Touch is a smaller version of the iPad that allows users to have a more portable device to access their media. 

Assistive Technology Organizations

Name	Contact Info
Nevada Assistive Technology Resource Center	Website: http://nced.info/natrc/ Address: NATRC MS 285 University of Nevada Reno Reno, NV 89557 Phone: (775) 682-9070
Easter Seals Southern Nevada	Website: http://sn.easterseals.com/site/PageServer?pagename=NVCL_Assistive_Technology Address: 6200 West Oakey Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89146 Phone: (702) 870-7050
Clark County School District’s Assistive Technology	Website: http://sssd.ccsd.net/assistivetech.html
Nevada Department of Health & Human Services (Disability Services)	Website:  http://dhhs.nv.gov/ODS_Programs.htm Address: Aging & Disability Services Division (ADSD) 3416 Goni Rd D-132 Carson City, NV 89706 Phone: (775) 687-4210
Rebuilding All Goals Efficiently (RAGE)	Website: http://www.bteamrage.org/ Address: 6375 W. Charleston Ste 200 Bldg L  Las Vegas NV 89148  Phone: (702) 259-0789

Websites

iPhone,iPad and iPod touch Apps for (Special Education)
Great PDF that lists all current Apple Applications for their hand-held devices.


AGuide for Special Education Teachers on the use of Assistive Technology
This PDF guide gives tips to Teachers on how to incorporate assistive technology into their classroom and how to garner services for students.


Assistive Technology for Students with Autism 
This website takes educators and families through all the types of assistive technology there are available for students with Autism from low to high tech.


PogoBoards
This website allows teachers to create, modify & store communication boards, visual schedules, and other visual supports for home and classroom.


News-2-You
Each week, students connect with the world through symbol-supported news articles and dozens of worksheets, games, and activities. 

Assistive Technology Assessments

Name	Description
W.A.T.I Assessment Package: Assistive Technology.	This is a very thorough assessment for assistive technology with an area for transition. This could be a template for other people to create transition assessments.
California’s Department of Education Assistive Technology checklist.	This checklist can be used to determine what Assistive Technology supports a student is already using and to determine what other supports might be needed for transition.
Clark County School District’s Assistive Technology Forms	This website is the direct link to the various forms for assessment of assistive technology.