1. Supporting Reading and Writing
with Technology
Kate Ahern, M.S.Ed.
Easter Seals MA

2. Universal Design for Learning
 UDL is framework that allows us to meet
the diverse needs of many learners
 Multiple Means of Representation
 Give learners many different ways of
learning relevant curriculum
 Multiple Means of Expression
 Give learners many different was to show
what they have learned
 Multiple Means of Engagement
 Provide the most appropriate way to
challenge each student and meet his or her
needs

5. Universal Design for Learning

6. UDL Brainstorm Contest

7. Universal Design for Learning
isn’t enough?
• If the student does not have an IEP, refer for
Special Education Evaluation (UDL trials can be
used as RtI data)
• If the student has an IEP convene the TEAM to
discuss options that may include:
– Trial commercial programs the district already
has
– Download trial versions of commercial
programs the district does not own and
introduce to the student
– Invite a vendor to demo commercial programs
on-site
– Attend an online webinar through a vendor to
explore options
– Refer for an outside Assistive Technology
Evaluation

8. Assistive Technology
• Assistive technology (AT) can be defined as any
item, piece of equipment, or product system,
whether acquired commercially off the shelf,
modified, or customized, that is used to increase,
maintain, or improve the functional capabilities
of individuals with disabilities. (29 U.S.C. Sec
2202(2)).
• Examples: grab bars in rest rooms, pencil grips,
slant boards, hearing aids, text-to-speech
software, audiobooks, braille, curb cuts and so
much more.

10. Assistive Technology Mandates
 Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended (29 U.S.C. 794)
 The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.)
 Assistive Technology Act of 1998 (P.L. 105-394)
 Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act
 IDEA 2004 (20 U.S.C. 1414(d)(3)(B)(v)) requires IEP teams to
 consider the assistive technology needs of all children with disabilities
 use AT "to maximize accessibility for children with disabilities.“
 provide AT services (any service that directly assists a child with a
disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology
device) as well as products
 provide assistive technology training for the teachers, child, and family

12. SETT Framework
•Student
•Enviroment
•Task
•Tools

13. Tools to Consider for UDL and AT

14. Maximize Microsoft Word
• Change default font to a dyslexic
friendly font
• Add and utilize text-to-speech
• Add Ginger Spellchecking

15. Word Talk
•Free plug-in for Microsoft Word
•Adds text-to-speech to all Word Docs
•Highlights as it reads
•Use for supporting struggling readers
•Use for editing for writers of all levels
•http://www.wordtalk.org.uk/Home/

16. Don Johnston Solo Suite
• Draft Builder
• assists students in moving through note taking to
outlines to a draft
• Co:Writer
• Word prediction with topic word walls and
dictionaries
• Write:Outloud
• Talking word processor
• Read:Outloud
• Software to for text-to-speech feedback of print

17. Bookshare
• Bookshare is the world’s largest online library of copyrighted content for people
with qualified print disabilities. What can you do with Bookshare?
• Access a large and diverse collection of titles for school or pleasure reading
• Read eBooks on computers, tablets, phones, assistive technology, MP3 players and
more
• Listen to books with high quality text-to-speech voices
• Read multi-modally (see and hear words as they are being read and highlighted)
• Take notes, add bookmarks, look up word definitions, and more
• Download free reading tools for PCs, Mac, and Android devices (learn more)
• U.S. students and schools can join Bookshare for FREE through an award from the
U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs
• Non-students and international members pay a low annual fee (learn more)
From the Bookshare website

18. Web Based Tools
• UDL Bookbuilder
• Science Writer
• Tar Heel Reader
• Animoto
• Bubbl.Us
• Story Jumper

19. UDL Book Builder
• Create UDL books
• Add resources and supports
• Save for future use

20. Science Writer
• Free, online tool for middle and high school
• Guides through draft, writing and editing
• Optional animated guides
• Built in text-to-speech
• http://sciencewriter.cast.org

21. Tar Heel Reader
•Adjustable and accessible early reader books
•User created, quality may vary, but thousands of books
•Search to find books on a theme or special interest
•Create your own books, have students create for a project
•Download as Power Point and access offline or on a tablet

22. Animoto
•Create 30 second videos with music and images for free
•Easy interactive platform
•Use as an alternative to oral reports, book reports or other
forms of expression

23. Bubbl.Us
•Free, online mind mapping tool

24. Story Jumper
•Free, online story writing program
•No ads
•Students write text and create illustrations

25. Read and Write Add-On
•Free add on that bring writing supports to Google Docs
•Must be used in Google Chrome Browser
•Works within Google Docs when used in Chrome

26. iPad
• What apps are you using?

27. Bitsboard
• Create interactive activities on any topic on
your iPad
• 8 activites
• Takes data
• Sync across devices

28. Evernote Free Apps
• Evernote
• Free web and iPad based notetaking
system
• Can share notebooks and add a variety
of online and mobile extensions
• Skitch
• Simple tool to write on photos
• Clearly
• Distraction free reading enviroment
• Peek
• Flashcards from your notes

29. Educreations
• Makes iPad a recording whiteboard
• Record video of your writing and
images with narration
• Or have your students record their
own Educreations!

30. Guided Access

31. Speak Selection

32. Project
• Choose a tool (does not have to be one we covered, must be UDL/AT)
• Create a material related to that tool, for example:
– Create a book in Book Builder or Tar Heel Reader
– Create a lesson plan to instruct students in use of any UDL or AT tool
– Create a voice thread
– Create a “cheat sheet” for a tool you will try with students
• Create a one minute presentation which creatively answers the following
questions:
– Who is this tool for?
– What does the tool do?
– Where can you find the tool and supports for the tool?
– How does this tool support UDL in terms of multiple means of:
• Expression
• Representation
• Engagement
– How can this tool be used in the classroom?

33. Resources
• All Materials including this
PowerPoint, videos, links and more
available at:
–http://readingwritingat.wikispaces.
com/
• Feel free to email me at
Kahern@eastersealsma.org