Assistive Technology (AT)

The Challenge: Lack of tools needed to access information, participate in activities, and complete tasks.
Learn How to Provide Assistive Technology
Guidance for Schools Regarding Student Access to AT When Learning is Done Remotely

This memo provides guidance and direction regarding student access to assistive technology in the home he/she utilizes in the school setting. 

Demystifying Assistive Technology (AT)

Explore the basics of assistive technology in 3 short videos. Within this page, learn more about what qualifies as AT, debunk common myths about assistive technology, and learn how your student(s) could benefit from AT.

Connect With AT Professionals
Michigan AT Contacts

Would you like to connect with someone locally? Use this page to find a list of Michigan’s regional Assistive Technology leaders and their contact information. 

Assistive Technology Listserv

Join the Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology (QIAT) Listserv to connect with other educators looking to support their students requiring AT. Ask your own questions, respond to others, or search the archive for previous topics. 

Connect with AT Professionals, AT/AAC Users, and Families of AT/AAC Users

#ATchat is a Twitter hashtag and weekly scheduled chat revolving around trending AT topics. The moderators of this chat created a website to address how to support AT during distance learning. Archived Twitter chats and town hall recordings can also be found here. 

Examples of Tools and Supports
Built-in Accessibility Features

Devices, such as phones, tablets, and computers, have built-in accessibility features that can enhance the learning of students. Examples of features include: screen readers, display modifications (zoom, font size), and accessing apps using your voice.

Remove Ads and Distractions on Webpages

Some built-in features and Chrome extensions, such as Mercury Reader, Reader View, and Reading View, remove excessive clutter, which can make web pages easier to read.

Modify PDFs with Kami

This free Chrome extension allows the user to modify PDFs by:

  • adding text
  • inserting images, shapes, or signatures
  • collaborating and working with others in real time
Announcify

This free Chrome extension reads text aloud from any website without needing to highlight or select it. Announcify blurs the text in the paragraph that is not currently being read aloud.

Snap&Read

Snap&Read levels vocabulary and text complexity, reads text aloud, removes visual distractions from text, allows for cover overlays, and translates text.

Co:Writer Universal

Co:Writer offers word prediction, topic specific vocabulary, translation, and speech to text or speech recognition. 

Read&Write

This Chrome extension offers speech to text, word prediction, dictionary, and a fact finder to search for additional information.

Clicker 8/DocsPlus

This word processing software provides writing features such as word prediction, speech feedback, and graphic organizers. Clicker is designed for elementary learners, while DocsPlus is suited for middle and high school learners. Interested families and educators can fill out a form to access this program for free while schools are closed due to COVID-19.

Stay In Touch

The Alt+Shift newsletter provides updates on our professional learning opportunities, informs readers of upcoming events, and highlights resources for people who work with students with disabilities.