Assistive Technology

Using assistive technology in the classroom is crucial for supporting student success. These tools empower students with diverse learning needs, enabling them to access curriculum materials, participate actively in lessons, and achieve their full academic potential. From text-to-speech software that helps students with reading difficulties to speech-to-text applications aiding those with writing challenges, assistive technology fosters an inclusive learning environment where every student can thrive. The explanations of these tools are provided by Graduate Students from Grand Valley State University, ensuring a depth of knowledge and practical insight into their effective implementation.

 
 

Video Review created by- Alyssa DeBoer

Helperbird is your all-in-one accessibility tool, offering personalized support for browsing, reading, and writing on the web.

Whether reading a movie review or writing an email, Helperbird makes web pages, PDFs, and documents more accessible and productive to meet your needs.


Video Review created by- Jordyn DeNeff

Kami-Give every student the tools they need to stay focused and learn with confidence.

  • Increase visual support with specialized fonts and Dark Mode

  • Support students with reading limitations using Read Aloud

  • Improve student comprehension with Voice and Video Comments

Video Review created by- Kylie Ralph (Ohrt)

CalmConnect is an easy-to-use program that has proven successful for thousands of people of all ages and abilities in addressing anxiety, depression, and trauma, whether struggling with self-regulation because of autism, PTSD, illness, dementia, or other challenges.

Video Review created by- Gillian Lewis

SMMRY's mission is to provide an efficient manner of understanding text, which is done primarily by reducing the text to only the most important sentences.

Rewordify.com simplifies difficult English. Enter hard sentences (or whole chapters) into the yellow box at the top of the page. (also enter a web site URL.) Click Rewordify text and instantly see an easier version, for fast understanding.

Video Review created by- Nicole Bays

Pragmatic Organisation Dynamic Display (PODD) is a communication system used in simPODD. It can seem complicated when you first discover it! However, as you learn it, it becomes simple. PODD is a way of communicating so that we are both understood. PODD supports understanding even before our kids learn to use the symbols.

Video Review created by- Jordan Tucker

Writing Wizard is an award winning educational app used in many schools (110,000 units sold).
It helps students learn how to write the alphabet, numbers and words through a fun system carefully designed to maintain motivation.