Simple Assistive Technology, continued

Some struggling readers are helped by color coding to direct the eye or highlight important features. They might be provided with:

Highlighting Tape. This is transparent colored tape that is removable. It comes in four colors and several widths. It can be used on books or text booklets to highlight specific words or phrases and will not damage the original material. It is usually available in office supply stores or from the manufacturer, Lee Products (1-800-989-3544).

Color coding. Particular words or sections of text can also be color coded using a simple highlighter so that they become easier to find visually. This approach might be applied, for example, to directions, key words, or all of the verbs (for a student who has trouble recognizing the action that is taking place).

Highlighting Tape on a Transparency as guide. This is a teacher-made tool that involves placing a piece of colored highlighting tape (Lee Products 1-800-989-3544) on a section of an overhead transparency. This then makes a transparent “marker” that the individual can move down the page as text items are addressed.