Mid-Level Assistive Technology, continued

Math calculators. Several kinds of calculators can prove helpful.

Talking Calculators have synthetic or digitized voice output and are available from a variety of vendors such as Independent Living Aids, Inc. 1-800-537-2118 and http://www.independentliving.com or LS & S Group, Inc. (1-800-468-4789, http://www.lssgroup.com). Large display Calculators have oversized buttons and displays. These are available from a variety of vendors such as Independent Living Aids, Inc. (1-800-537-2118. http://www.independentliving.com) and LS & S Group, Inc. (1-800-468-4789, http://www.lssgroup.com). Large display Scientific Calculators such as the VisAble Scientific calculator have oversize readouts. They are available from Betacom Corporation (1-800-353-1107, http://www.betacom.com) and from Sight Enhancement Systems http://www.sightenhancement.com (the Sci-Plus 200 and the Sci-Pod 300 with speech output).

When Keyboarding is needed. Before expecting the student to effectively use a computer as a tool to produce written assignments, s/he must be explicitly taught the needed keyboarding skills. It will also be essential to check for proper positioning of student in relation to the computer screen and keyboard.

In general, the computer screen should be slightly below eye level so that the student does not need to throw her/his head back in order to see it. The keyboard should be positioned and angled to allow the student to sit comfortably with forearms parallel to the floor and shoulders relaxed.