Assistive Technology

Find information and resources about assistive technology that can help kids with language-based learning disabilities become stronger readers and writers. Assistive technology is any device that supports the independence of a person with a disability. Assistive technology can be “low-tech” (something very simple and low-cost, like a pencil grip), or “high-tech” (something sophisticated, like a computer). See also: Inclusive Classrooms.

Featured partner: Center on Technology and Disability

Featured Video: Assistive Technology

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Our PBS Series:
Launching Young Readers

Molly Ringwald
A Chance to Read

Explore the reading challenges facing kids with disabilities, and what schools across the country are doing to help them find success.

Steve Graham
Growing Writers

See how one teacher creates a community of writers in her classroom.

 

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The Basics

teacher and student, with student at computer wearing headphones
The Three Biggest Misconceptions About Assistive Technology
Young girl using a tablet computer
Assistive Technology That’s Built Into Mobile Devices
Elementary age boy using dictation technology on a computer
Dictation (Speech-to-Text) Technology: What It Is and How It Works
Female elementary student writing using a computer and keyboard
Assistive Technology for Writing
Teacher helping three students with reading using tablets
Assistive Technology for Reading
mother and child using ear buds to listen to text
Text-to-Speech Technology: What It Is and How It Works
close-up of girl using a tablet computer
Assistive Technology: What It Is and How It Works
Student at a computer using text to speech technology
Text-to-Speech (TTS)
young girl listening to audiobook on phone
Assistive Technology for Decoding, Vocabulary, and Comprehension
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For Parents

Young girl working at a desktop computer
8 Places to Test-Drive Assistive Technology
Elementary students using tablet computers
Who Pays for Assistive Technology? Parents or Schools?
Assistive Technology: Parent to Teacher Conversations
Assistive Technology: Parent to Teacher Conversations
Using Assistive Technology (AT) to Promote Literacy in Infants and Toddlers
Using Assistive Technology (AT) to Promote Literacy in Infants and Toddlers
Getting Started: Help Your Child with a Learning Disability Be More Independent with Assistive Technology (AT)
Help Your Child with a Learning Disability Be More Independent with Assistive Technology
Making the Written Word Easier for Readers with Print Disabilities
Growing Readers: Listen and Learn with Audiobooks
Listen and Learn with Audiobooks
Children and Media: Tips for Parents
Children and Media: Tips for Parents
Accessible Textbooks: A Guide for Parents of Children with Learning Disabilities
Flipped Classrooms and Flipped Lessons: What Does It Mean for Parents?
Flipped Classrooms and Flipped Lessons: What Does It Mean for Parents?
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Assistive Technology and the IEP
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For Teachers

Video: A Teacher's View of Assistive Technology
two elementary school boys using tablet computers
Apps and Websites to Build Literacy Skills: Top Picks from Common Sense Education
teacher with elementary student using a laptop for AT
The SETT Framework for AT Tool Selection
Assistive Technology and Apps to Support Learners with Autism
Assistive Technology and Apps to Support Learners with Autism
Accessible Materials for Students with Print Disabilities
Accessible Materials for Students with Print Disabilities
Captioning to Support Literacy
Captioning to Support Literacy
Embedded Supports to Differentiate Instruction for Struggling Students
Embedded Supports to Differentiate Instruction for Struggling Students
10 Ways to Use Technology to Build Vocabulary
10 Ways to Use Technology to Build Vocabulary
Universal Design for Learning: Meeting the Needs of All Students
Universal Design for Learning: Meeting the Needs of All Students
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Research & Reports

Assistive technology as reading interventions for children with reading impairments with a one-year follow-up
Designing an Assistive Learning Aid for Writing Acquisition: A Challenge for Children with Dyslexia
Assistive Technology for Students with Learning Disabilities: A Glimpse of the Livescribe Pen and Its Impact on Homework Completion
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Additional Resources We Recommend

Bookshare: eBook Library
Benetech
Learning Ally
Learning Ally
Assistive Technology Basics
Understood
Navigating Accessible Educational Materials
National Center on Accessible Educational Materials
TechMatrix
National Center for Technology Innovation (NCTI)
Assistive Technology: An Overview
IRIS Center
Assistive Technology: Resource Roundup
Edutopia
Learning Differences and Special Needs Guide
Common Sense Media
App Finder: Tools for Life
Georgia Tech, Alternative Media Access Center (AMAC)
Funding Assistive Technology for K-12
Center on Technology and Disability
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