Autism
Touch Window
The purpose of this device is to allow the child to navigate and interact with the computer by touching the screen instead of using the mouse. It is available for Macintosh and Windows platforms. Pro - The concrete relationship between what the child sees and what the child directly activates is established. Con - A student would have to be taught how to appropriately use the device, which may cause some obstacles. Price - $335 |
Deaf-Blindness
BrailleNote Apex BT 18 Braille Notetaker
This device can help a student access academic content and complete assignments, communicate, and use during leisure time. Pro - It has wireless accessibility features and USB ports that make it adaptable to other devices. Con - Because of the price, it may be very difficult to purchase one for a student with this disability. Price - $3895 |
Deafness/Hearing Impairment
Personal FM System
It is a good single-user solution for classrooms where you need added listening capability for an individual. The lightweight transmitter with microphone can be worn or set up on a podium. Pro - The receiver and earphone allow a person to sit up to 150 feet away and still hear the speaker clearly without surrounding distracting noises. Con - Training on how to use the device and how to care for it. Price - $635.34 |
Emotional Disturbance
Wii
This device can be used to promote and practice appropriate social interactions and be used as a reward system for the display of positive behaviors. Pro - Certain games can be selected to play to work on specific skills such as turn taking. Con - The games are purchased separately. The students might only work to play with the game console. Price - Preowned for as low as $60 or New at $218 |
Intellectual Disability
Claro Read
This program helps to improve reading, writing, research, studying, and test taking across many grade levels and abilities. Pro - Can be used for any age and level of ability, in the classroom or at home. Con - It will be time consuming to learn how to use the program and implement it in the classroom. Price - Ranges from $401 to $4932 |
Multiple Disabilities
Tech Plus 32 Communication Device
It is a lightweight, portable multi-level AAC device that helps individuals communicate using direct selection. Pro - It has options that allow you to customize your communication device to fit your needs. The composition of the device is also very durable. Con - Depending on the child's disabilities, a certain amount of time will be needed to teach the student how to use the device. Price - $1099 |
Orthopedic Impairment
Mustang Seat
This device provides flexibility, growth, and ease of use while children are learning to walk and adapting to their changing needs. Pro - It provides proper positioning and support for children while they learn the skills of stepping and walking. This seat provides excellent upper body support and adjustable angle positioning for the anterior configuration and the posterior configuration. Con - Transporting the seat and weight capacity is limited to 88 lbs. Price - $2123 |
Other Health Impairment
Smartboard
This device is a great way to provide engaging lessons and differentiated instruction. Pro - It provides kinesthetic learning and visual reinforcement of the content. Con - Training is needed to learn how to properly use and implement this device in the classroom. Teachers who are not tech savy may have added difficulties with this tool. Price - $5099 |
Specific Learning Disability
Math Pad
It is an alternative and accessible tool used to support basic skill instruction in the areas of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Pro - Ideal for students who need help organizing or navigating through math problems or who have difficulty doing math with pencil and paper. Con - Teaching the student how to use the program will take time. Price - $99.99 |
Speech or Language Impairment
Tobii Communicator
This device has been designed for two target groups - the person using it to communicate and the ones using it to design page sets and communication boards, for example the speech and language therapist or care giver. Pro - It comes with a high quality speech synthesis engine that reads the texts that you produce. A clear and understandable voice, specific to your language, speaks your text when you click on the message window or speech button. Con - A lot of training needed to learn how to operate this device. Price - $6900 |
Traumatic Brain Injury
Electric Powered Wheelchair - EZ Lite Cruiser
It is composed of a very durable lightweight aluminum alloy, giving it a total weight of only 50 pounds, but being capable of handling passengers weighing up to 264 pounds. This model has 8" rear wheels and 180 Watt Brushless HUB motors to power them. Pro - This device helps the student with positioning and mobility. It allows the student to participate in educational activities and access the school environment. Con - Teaching the child how to use the chair will take time. Price - $2195 |
Visual Impairment
4 Choice Sequential Scanner Communicator
This AT device is a state of the art communicator with brightly back-lit icons, visible to visually impaired users. Pro - It is highly flexible, with four scan modes, a choice of how many of the four fields are active, and two mounting systems. Con - Training needed to properly use the device. Price - $554.76 |