Adaptive Technology & Adult Literacy

Thank you to:

•Assistive Technology Centre

•Nova Scotia Community College

“Through no fault of their own, they are the owners of brains that somehow

don’t mesh with the demands they come up

against”Dr. Mel Levine

“A Mind at a Time”

Introduction

• Jennifer Hunt, Adaptive Technology Project Co-ordinator

• Action Read Community Literacy Centre

• Located in Guelph, Ontario• Community-Based Literacy

Program

Adaptive Technology used in a Literacy

program promotes:

• Access to information• Access at all levels of

education• Employment, further training

and independence

Learner Profiles

• Educationally disadvantaged• Unemployed• Self-employed• Underprivileged• 60% receiving ODSP• 2/3 are at a grade 8 academic

level

Variety of challenges for learning

• Learning disabilities• Visual impairments• Hearing impairments• Physical disabilities• Emotional problems• Mobility issues

Generously Funded by:

• Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities

• National Literacy Secretariat

Phase One

Literacy & Adaptive Technology

Overview• Use of text-readers• Group of 13 individuals• Variety of learning needs

Rationale

•Learning needs were not previously being met

Assessment

•Literacy and Basic Skills Learning Outcomes Matrix

•Baseline

Text-Reading software used:

• Kurzweil 3000• Write:Outloud • Co:Writer • Read & Write (TextHelp)• ReadPlease

Outcomes

• Improvement of 1 – 2 LBS levels• Those individuals who used the

software the most, continue to use it as an accommodation

Phase Two: Adaptive Technology &

Expressive WritingOverview• Field test AT software that assists

with writing• Help bridge the learning barrier

specifically focusing on writing

Rationale

Learner criteria

• Learners who may have a learning disability, cognitive delay or physical impairment that limits them form having success with expressive writing

• Dysgraphia

Assessment

• TOWL-3• Pre - (handwritten format)• Post – (use adaptive technology as

an accommodation)

Writing software used:

• Kurzweil 3000• Read & Write• Write:Outloud• Dragon

NaturallySpeaking• Co-Writer

• Word Q• Inspiration• Draft:Builder• ZoomText• WebTalkster• ReadPlease

Outcomes

• Released on our website in August 2003

www.home.golden.net/~actionr• Observations

Access to Information

Reasons why some individuals don‘t have access to information:

• Socio-economic factors• Social isolation• Limited education

“I just want to be able to write something on my own that

people understand.”

Adaptive Technology should be available to

individuals at:ALL LEVELS

According to the Ontarians with Disabilities Act:

“Persons with disabilities face numerous barriers in gaining access to and fully

participating in society”

According to EQAO

Students taking the Grade 10 Literacy Test in Ontario have the right to the following accommodation:

• Technology uses such as the Kurzweil reader

Adaptive Technology promotes:

• Further training• Employment • Independence

Ontario Human Rights Commission

• Duty to Accommodate Section 4.4.4

• Tax deduction for accommodations in the workplace

Success =

• Increased independence• Multi-sensory approach to

learning

Thank you!

“When you get…GIVE” When you learn…TEACH”

Maya Angelou