Mid-Level Assistive Technology

Some standard electronic devices can also be helpful as AT for writing and computer access. While they can perform more complex tasks than the simple technology described above, they may still be portable, lightweight, and generally easy to learn.

Portable Word Processor. These lightweight devices are easy to use and easy to carry around. They are primarily for word processing and provide the opportunity to keyboard instead of write with a pen or pencil. They have spell checking available and one (the Laser PC6 can speak the text). Most common are Alpha Smart 3000, Dana, and Neo from Alpha Smart, Inc. (1-888-274-0680, http://www.alphasmart.com), QuickPAD (H45 Technology, 1-800-373-8181, http://www.h45.com), and Laser PC 6 (Perfect Solutions, 1-800-726-7086, http://www.perfectsolutions.com).

Electronic Spell Checkers. There are a variety of electronic spell checkers available at Radio Shack and office supply stores. The user types in a word, and if it is spelled wrong, the device shows correct alternatives (just as in spell checkers embedded in word processing software).

Talking Spell Checkers. These look the same as the non speaking electronic spell checkers, but display their outputs as synthetic or digitized speech. They cost more and generally are not as readily available. Franklin Electronic Publishers is the producer of most of these products. (1-800-525-9673, http://www.franklin.com) .