With students returning to school as summer comes to an end, back-to-school shopping has begun. However, for parents of students with disabilities or special needs shopping involves much more than buying pencils, binders and backpacks. They also must find items that will help make their child’s learning experience and school environment be a supportive and successful one.
This can be a challenge with so many assistive devices on the market that try to be a one-size-fits-all to meet the needs of any students who require extra attention. The fact of the matter is in reality no single product can cater to everyone, and parents often have to sort through countless options to find the tools that will aid their child’s needs and provide the necessary help they require in the classroom.
Here is a list of tools, support items and devices for the students returning to school who require the necessary support for their educational success. Before making a final decision on any purchase, additional research is necessary to determine whether a product is beneficial, effective, and suited for the student’s individual needs. No more waiting for Individualized Education Program (IEPs) approvals. These are six compressive accessible tools for students with disabilities to utilize for academic success. At time of publication these prices are accurate, but subject to change.
Time Timer 60 Minute Visual Timer: When working on an assignment or test sometimes it’s best to have a physical visualization of how much time you have for the task at hand to keep you focused. This low-tech visual timer can help students of any grade level or ability to practice time management skills and make sure they are able to complete any project in a timely manner. The product can be purchased from Amazon here for $30.
WorldPenScan AI Reader: Whether it’s a textbook, worksheets or homework assignment the WorldPenScan AI Reader can act as a Swiss army knife where it’s able to read text aloud, scan words to digital text and a plethora of other tools to be useful to readers. In doing so this can be especially helpful for students with low vision, reading delays or dyslexia by helping them with pronunciation of words and reading comprehension. The product developed by Pen Power can be purchased here for $149; they also have accessories for the pen that can be purchased as well.
Photo courtesy: Freewrite.
Freewrite Alpha: Note taking in class can sometimes be a hassle for some. I for one was an individual who wrote as fast as he could, and sometimes when I read back my notes it looked like chicken scratch. The Freewrite Alpha is a digital typewriter device that allows you to take all of your class notes then digitally upload them to a computer to be edited and readable for Microsoft Word or Google Docs. The lightweight and portable device from Freewrite is available for purchase here at a retail price of $349.
The Mighty Zip Tab Zipper 3 Ring Binder: Before laptops were on every desk in every classroom, and assignments and homework were just uploaded to our teachers we had binders to keep our physical documents in place and intact. Keeping track of notes, homework, and handouts can be difficult for students who show signs of having trouble being organized. The Mighty Zip Tab Zipper Binder is an easy no tech solution to have everything you need for school in one place. The three-ring binder features five different colored subject folders, storage pockets to keep essentials like calculators, high lighters and scissors and a Velcro pocket big enough to hold a book or a laptop. With everything in one location, students should have no problem finding what they’re looking for whether it’s at home or in school. Case It’s product makes it, so your backpack either becomes nonessential with the shoulder strap or a lot less cluttered because everything is in one place. It can be purchased here for $27 or at local retailers like Walmart and Best Buy.
OM Digital Voice Recorder: For students with limited motor skills, hard-of-hearing or short-term memory loss, a voice recorder is a great way to playback class discussions and teacher lectures. Students are able to stay present and focus on what’s going on in class and if they miss or forget anything they’ll be able to listen back to the conversation later studying and learning at their own pace. Having over 1500 hours of space for audio to record with the OM System Digital Voice Recorder is a simple device that can easily be a game changer for the way you engage in the classroom. No need for batteries and the audio can be easily uploaded to the computer. The voice recorder by OM System is available for the retail price of $49 here at Best Buy.
PlayStation Access Controller: Homework done? Is it the weekend? Gamers, now it’s time to play just as hard as you worked. PlayStation’s Access Controller provides those with low mobility to enjoy gaming by customizing buttons to fit each user’s unique needs. PlayStation sells the controller for $89 through electronic stores like Best Buy here. Don’t worry Xbox fans, there’s a controller for you too. Xbox’s Adaptive Controller sells for $99. Before making a purchase, make sure your console is compatible with the controller.