Assistive Technology Resources for Children

Software and Curriculum

Ablenet, Inc.
http://www.ablenetinc.com/

Several types of curricula for children wth special needs and software for instruction.

Academic Software, Inc.
internet: http://www.acsw.com/

Games that can be played on the computer using a single switch.

Ace Centre
internet: http://www.ace-centre.org.uk/index.cfm?pageid=8C5D2633-3048-7290-FE27E5C59A39AECF&CFID=17817937&CFTOKEN=3513dda7c8be9d61-B20F0D1E-3048-7290-FEC02D83A8744EAD

This A.T. center in England has several types of specialized software available, some for free download.

Adaptivation, Inc.
internet: http://www.adaptivation.com/

Several types of software, including symbol communication, social stories, and switch games.

Adobe
internet:  http://www.adobe.com

"Reader" shows .pdf files, and it can enlarge them or read them aloud. "Professional" can make .pdf files from many other types (including drawing programs), and enables the user to type onto the pages after scanning them in. They provide information on how to access .pdf files using assistive technologies at http://www.adobe.com/accessibility/pdfs/accessing-pdf-sr.pdf

Advanced Multimedia Devices, Inc.
internet: http://www.amdi.net

AAC communication software.

AnyCom
internet: http://www.anycom.se/

Their free software "One Button" disables the right mouse button on PCs. "Joy Music" enables the playing of music with one switch or an adapted keyboard. "WinBliss" is for writing documents with Blissymbols in them.

Applied Human Factors
internet: http://www.ahf-net.com/

Their on-screen keyboard software has large letters and built-in word prediction. They have other software available, too.

Assistive Technology, Inc.
http://www.assistivetech.com/

Several types of curricula and software for A.T. assessment.

Astech Software, Ltd.
location: New Zealand
internet: http://www.astechnz.com/index.htm

They write and sell software to teach people with disabilities how to use a switch or a mouse to access a computer.

A.T. KidSystems
internet: http://www.atkidsystems.com/products.aspx

Their "Cosmo's Learning Systems" are learning software with their own 4-botton switch interface.

Attainment Company, Inc.
http://www.attainmentcompany.com/

Curricula for modified academic instruction in many subjects.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication Centers
internet: http://aac.unl.edu/academic/evidence.html

"Selected Bibliography on Evidence-Based Practice"

Barry Bennett, Ltd.
http://www.barrybennett.co.uk/

Voice recognition software.

Cactus Kids
internet: http://www.cactuskids.com

Special needs software and devices.

Code Factory
location: Spain
internet: http://www.codefactory.es/en/

This company sells lots of neat adaptive software, including speech output and DAISY player for PDAs and speech output and screen enlargement for mobile phones.

Communication by Gaze Interaction
internet: http://www.cogain.org/downloads/

This European group focuses on research to help people who communicate and use computers via eye gaze strategies. They have several software programs you can download here.

Custom Typing Training
internet: http://www.customtyping.com/

This a membership service. You can learn touch-typing on their site with one or two hands. They say they can provide an assessment for A.T. purposes, including speed of typing on the major AAC devices.

Digital Future Software
internet: http://www.digitalfuturesoft.com/texttospeechproductscheckout.php

Their text-to-speech software is available for computers (Macintosh and Windows), cell phones (Smart Phones), and PDAs (Pocket PC).

Don Johnston
http://www.donjohnston.com

Many software packages for instruction in all academic areas, when modification is needed for a student with special needs.

Doug Dodgen and Associates
internet: http://www.dougdodgen.com/index.html

They have developed a few computer games for people who rely on switches and scanning.

Freedom Scientific
internet: http://freedomscientific.com/

Software for people with vision loss or learning disabilities, including "WYNN" and "TestTalker".

Functional Academic Curriculum for Exceptional Students
internet: http://www.newbraunfels.txed.net/admin/SpecialEd/faces/faceindex.htm

This site has lots of downloadable paperwork for teachers, including lesson plans and blank for worksheets.

Gentle Computing, LLC
internet: http://www.gentlemouse.com/

Their software "GentleMouse" shows a set of buttons on the computer screen.  When the "click" button is dwelt on with the arrow, the mouse click action happens, so that the clicking does not have to be done with a finger.

Handwriting Without Tears
internet: http://www.hwtears.com

This curriculum teaches handwriting (printing and cursive) through a variety of activities and materials. It is widely used by O.T.s and special education teachers, as well as in general education classrooms.

Inclusive Technology
internet: http://www.inclusive.co.uk/infosite/softswch.shtml

They sell their own software which you can use to learn how to use a switch with a computer.

Innovative Communication Programming
internet: http://www.e-bility.com/talktogether/

This Australian company sells its own library of symbols, and it includes some that are needed to write about Australia. They have available some free teaching manuals and idea guides.

Inspiration Software, Inc.
internet: http://www.inspiration.com/

Graphic organizer software "Kidspiration" and "InspirData".

Intellitools
http://www.intellitools.com/

Software for modifying instruction in multiple areas of academics and functional skills.

Judy Lynn Software, Inc.
internet: http://www.judylynn.com/

Switch-adapted software for users of one or two switches, including cause and effect, life skills, games, painting, and tutorials.

Laureate Learning Systems
http://www.laureatelearning.net/professionals602/index.html

Software for teaching students cause-and-effect, social skills, and literacy.

Madentec, Ltd.
internet: http://www.madentec.com/

"ScreenDoors" on-screen keyboard, and "MagicCursor" dwell cursor software.

Makaton Charity, The
internet: http://www.makaton.org/

This charity in the United Kingdom sells sets of communication symbols that are compatible with software by Widgit. They specialized materials for using symbols and signs to teach mathematics and sex education.

MarbleSoft Simtech
internet: http://www.marblesoft.com/software.php?subgroup=3

Many computer games that work with a single switch, for many age groups, including toddlers and teens.

Mayer Johnson
internet: http://www.mayerjohnson.com

They sell many types of curricula for students with special needs, including self-advocacy, social skills, academics, communciation, etc.

Milt the Talking Musky
internet: http://www.miltthetalkingmusky.com/

This software teaches reading the sight words needed for kindergarten through second grade.

One Switch
internet: http://www.oneswitch.org.uk/index.htm

This company has many computer games that can be played using a single switch. Some are remakes of old favorites.

Open Source Assistive Technology Software [OATS]
internet: http://www.oatsoft.org

Their "SAW" software program gives access to the Windows operating system for people who use switches.

ORRCA Technology, Inc.
internet: http://www.orcca.com/

They have a DVD "book" about Forrest, a boy who learns to use many types of assistive technology.

Premier Assistive Technology
internet: http://www.readingmadeez.com/home.html

Many software products, which all work together, to make text accessible to people with most disabilities, including scanning, OCR, speech output, mp3 format.

Prentke Romich Company
internet: http://www.prentrom.com/

Their support materials include tutorials and helps for using their own devices.

Preschool Education
internet: http://www.preschooleducation.com/

This site has lots of free things you can print out, including words to children's songs and school recipes (play dough, bubbles, etc.).

Pyramid Educational Consultants
internet: http://pecsaustralia.com/index.html

These people are the inventors of the official "PECS" system.  They sell the curricula (printed and DVD) for teaching and using their system in the classroom and for all-around communication needs.

QuillSoft
internet: http://www.wordq.com/

Their "WordQ" is a program to run with the word processor. It provides word prediction and speech feedback.

R.J. Cooper and Associates
http://www.rjcooper.com/

He sells a computer simulation program a student can use to "practice" driving her power wheelchair.

Saltillo
http://www.saltillo.com/

Silver Lining Multimedia, Inc.
internet: http://www.silverliningmm.com/

"Quality software and related items for visual learners"

Simple Software
internet: http://www.simpleocr.com/

They have a free OCR software program you can download. They support the Linux operating system. Their site has written reviews of many OCR software programs and compares them.

Slater Software, Inc.
internet: http://www.slatersoftware.com/

"PixWriter" software to type by clicking on symbols. For PixWriter they have premade "word bank setups" for 100 popular children's books. Curricula include "Simply Science" and other instructional units.

Smart Kids
internet: http://www.smartkidssoftware.com

Instructional and fun software for children of all ages (infant and up). The programs are "off the shelf", but "Type to Learn" is adaptable for typing instruction for students with lower reading levels, and some of the "baby and toddler" software can be access via a switch.

Soft Touch
http://www.softtouch.com/

They have a software program to make accessible tests.

Spark-Space
http://www.spark-space.com/products.htm

Software to write a document starting with a graphic organizer.

Speaking of Speech
internet: http://speakingofspeech.com/

Sells ready-made overlays for "Boardmaker" software. There are also free resource materials for speech teachers.

Switch in Time
internet: http://www.switchintime.com/

Switch-adapted software, including sports games and music.

Synapse Adaptive
internet: http://www.synapse-ada.com/

Software and hardware for people with many types of disabilities.

TASH, Inc.
http://www.tashinc.com/

Technology for Education, Inc.
http://www.tfeinc.com/

Technical Magic
internet: http://www.reallyeasyreader.com/

Their software "Really Easy Reader" shows words of a document one at a time. The font, size, and colors can be changed, as can the speed at which the words appear. Another option is to have the words stream across the page as a single line.

TextHelp Systems
internet: http://www.texthelp.com/

Software to help people with dyslexia to read and write better, including word prediction and voice output.

Tin Snips
internet: http://www.tinsnips.org/index.html

This site is designed to provide support for teachers of students on the autism spectrum.  There are worksheets and songs for sale.  There are lots of good (free!) lesson ideas and support materials (worksheets, flashcards) for social stills, time and money, calendar time, etc.

Tool Factory
internet: http://www.toolfactory.com/

Too many interesting sotware programs to list all here, including an office suite for children, digital photo processing, podcast recording, etc. etc. Browse this site.

Turning Point Therapy and Technology, Inc.
http://www.turningpointtechnology.com/

Software to learn vocabulary.

Use Visual Strategies
internet: http://usevisualstrategies.com/products.html#P

Their online store sells software for students with autism: school routines, social situations, functional living skills, and more.

Widgit Software
internet: http://www.widgit.com/

Their products include "Writing with Symbols 2000" and "Communicate: In Print 2". They use their own literacy symbols. They also publish some books on communicating with symbols. They are providing some symbols to support the Sherborne@Sunfield project for students with autism.

Words Plus
http://www.words-plus.com/

Zygo Industries, Inc.
http://www.zygo-usa.com/

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This page was last updated October, 2008.