Assistive Technology Device Matrix Template 2
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University of California, Berkeley *
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540
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Communications
Date
Jan 9, 2024
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docx
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Assistive Technology Device Matrix Template
Assistive Technology
Device Potential Uses Advantages Disadvantages Application for
Which
Disorder(s)
Application in the
Classroom
(Inclusion, Resource,
Self-Contained, or
mix?)
Low Tech Assistive Technology 1.
Pencil Grips
Help develop fine motor skills Grips can make writing more comfortable and reduce hand fatigue
(Sensory Direct, 2020). There is no universal pencil grip for all students
Students may want
to chew on them because they are soft (Therapy Fun Zone, 2023)
Any student who is unable to grip a
pencil correctly
Pencil grips are appropriate to use in any setting 2.
Noise Cancelling Headphones
Reduces noises for students who are sensitive to sounds Filters unwanted noises and used to provide accommodations, such as text-to-
speech (Belsky, 2023)
Sounds may still be heard, just on a lower volume. Students may also miss important information being said. Noise cancelling headphones can be used by those with a variety of disabilities
Appropriate in any setting at school and home
High Tech Assistive Technology
3.
Text-to-Speech (TTS)
Text-to-speech TTS can improved The voice reading TTS is often used Appropriate in any
(TTS) programs allow students see a
text while it is being read aloud to them (UC Berkeley,
2019)
word recognition, increase comprehension, and
help students stay focused (Understood, n.d.)
may be difficult to understand because they are synthesized speech. They can sound robotic or read at an incorrect
speed (Miguel, 2023)
for students with learning disabilities, visual
impairments, or are English language learners setting at school and home
4.
Speech-to-Text (STT)
Allows speech to be
converted to text It is a way to get around those with hard to read handwriting, or those who struggle with spelling and writing (Martin, 2023). Users must speak clearly, be able to place the appropriate punctuations, takes
practice to use efficiently, and can
be expensive (Martin, 2023). Speech-to-text is beneficial for those with learning disabilities that effect reading or writing, such as dysgraphia, dyslexia. It is also
great for those who think faster than they can write (Martin, 2023)
Appropriate in any setting at school and home
Augmentative Assistive Technology
5.
Communication Boards
Used to supplement
a person’s natural speech so they can communicate Can make communicating less
difficult, help develop language They can be limited in vocabulary and are
time consuming to Communication boards are great for anyone who struggle with Appropriate to use in any setting the board is taken
effectively (Vollmer, 2022)
skills, and enhance social interactions (Stanborough, 2020)
use (Lightner, n.d.)
speech and language disabilities (Stanborough, 2020)
6.
Classroom Audio Distribution System (CADS) Allow educators to improve signal to background noise for every student (Boys Town National Research Hospital, n.d.)
Beneficial to all as it makes it easier for everyone to hear
the person speaking
Teacher may forget to turn off their microphone and disrupt students working on independent work. Also, students can lose the ability to tune out background noise (Boys Town National Research Hospital, n.d.)
Beneficial for all students but especially those who are deaf or hearing impaired. Appropriate for any educational setting
Alternative Assistive Technology
7.
Electric Wheelchair
Provide mobility to chair bound individuals They can be used on multiple surfaces, do the work for the user, and are customizable (Medical Equiment Distribution Inc, 2018)
Electric wheelchairs can be
expensive, difficult
to transport, and must have regular maintenance (Medical Equipment Distribution Inc., Those with physical disabilities that make it difficult for the individual to move around independently
Appropriate in any setting that has wheelchair accessibility
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2018)
8.
Sign Language
Sign language can be used for a variety of reasons. Students with speech and language difficulties, managing behaviors, and determining student
understanding Provides support to students through visual, kinesthetic, and auditory (Simpson, 2019)
Not everyone knows sign language, it is a difficult language to learn, and some deaf/hard of hearing individuals
prefer other means
of communication (Learn From The Best, 2022)
Supports all learners
Appropriate in any setting at school and home
References
Belsky, G. (2023). Assistive technology for auditory processing challenges. Understood. Retrieved from https://www.understood.org/en/articles/assistive-technology-for-auditory-processing
Boys Town National Research Hospital. (n.d.). Using Hearing Assistive Technologies in the Classroom: Why, When, and How? Retrieved from https://www.boystownhospital.org/knowledge-center/using-hearing-assistive-technologies-classroom
De Miguel, C. (2023). Technology talk: Evaluating the pros and cons of TTS audio. Retrieved from https://primevoices.com/blog/pros-cons-of-tts-audio/
Learn From The Best. (2022). The Pros And Cons of Teaching Sign Language in Schools. Retrieved from https://www.ilovelanguages.com/why-sign-language-should-not-be-taught-in-schools/
Lightner, L. (n.d.). What is a Communication Board? A Guide to Improving Communication for Non-Speaking People. A Day In OUR SHOES. Retrieved from https://adayinourshoes.com/communication-board/#:~:text=One%20potential%20drawback
%20of%20using,are%20not%20familiar%20with%20them
. Martin, J. (2023). Dictation (speech-to-text) technology: What it is and how it works. Understood. Retrieved from https://www.understood.org/en/articles/dictation-speech-to-text-technology
Medical Equipment Distribution Inc. (2018). Power Wheelchairs vs Manual Wheelchairs-Advantages and Drawbacks of Each. Retrieved from https://www.medplushealth.ca/blog/power-wheelchairs-vs-manual-wheelchairs-advantages-and-drawbacks-of-
each/
Sensory Direct. (2020). Pencil Grips-What are They and Why so Many? Retrieved from https://www.sensorydirect.com/blog/pencil-
grips-what-are-they-and-why-so-many/#:~:text=Used%20correctly%2C%20a%20pencil%20grip,bodied%20and%20those
%20with%20disabilities
. Simpson, A. (2019). Benefits of Using Sign Language in Your Classroom. School Health. Retrieved from https://www.schoolhealth.com/benefits-of-using-sign-language-in-your-classroom
Stanborough, R.J. (2020). What is a Communication Board and How Does It Help? Healthline. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/communication-board
Therapy Fun Zone. (2023). Pencil Grips-Pros and Cons. Retrieved from https://therapyfunzone.net/blog/pencil-gripspros-and-cons/
Understood. (n.d.). Text-to-Speech Technology: What it is and how it Works. Reading Rockets. Retrieved from https://www.readingrockets.org/topics/assistive-technology/articles/text-speech-technology-what-it-and-how-it-works
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Vollmer, E. (2022). What is AAC or Augmentative Alternative Communication? TherapyWorks. Retrieved from https://therapyworks.com/blog/language-development/what-is-aac/#:~:text=AAC%20devices%20come%20in%20all,be
%20fancy%20or%20high%2Dtech
.