2001 Conference Proceedings
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USING TECHNOLOGY TO TEACH LITERACY SKILLS TO STUDENTS WITH
MULTIPLE IMPAIRMENTS
Nina McCloskey
Beth Anne DiFabio
Overbrook School for the Blind
6333 Malvern Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19151
Phone: 215-877-0313
http://www.obs.org
Introduction
This thirty-minute presentation will highlight using technology
to teach literacy skills to students with multiple impairments.
The students outlined in this presentation are ages 16 through 21
and are currently enrolled in the life skills program at
Overbrook School for the Blind. The focus of their studies
includes learning functional vocabulary such as sight words and
vocabulary related to every day living. These students were, in
the past, not typical candidates for a formal literacy program.
Using technology, the students are learning letters, sight words,
and basic grammar skills. The literacy program that this class is
currently using can be applied to students with or without visual
impairments.
Methods and Materials
The presentation will include a power point presentation in
conjunction with a demonstration of some of the technology and
resources used in the classroom. Attendees will be provided with
an extensive list of ideas for teaching literacy skills to
students with multiple impairments.
Students currently use a variety of resources to develop
literacy skills. Custom overlays have been created using
Intellitools’ Overlay Maker(TM), and function utilizing
Intellikeys(TM). Intellikeys (TM) is an alternative keyboard
device that allows complete computer access for students with a
wide range of abilities. A portable card reader has also been
incorporated into the curriculum to read vocabulary words, learn
new vowel sounds. The students utilize Co-Writer 4000 (TM), which
is a word prediction program to access the Intellitalk(TM) word
processing program. These programs allow students the
satisfaction of writing sentences right from the beginning of
implementing the program. High-interest, low vocabulary resources
are used in the literacy program and a comprehensive list will be
provided to all attendees. All information presented is adaptable
to suit a wide range of student abilities and curriculum
goals.
Resources
Don Johnson, Inc.
1000 N. Rand Road, Building 115
Wauconda, IL 60084-0639
1-800-999-4660
www.donjohnson.com
Intellitools, Inc.
55 Leveroni Court, Suite 9
Novato, CA 94949
1-800-899-6687
www.intellitools.com
Humanware, Inc.
6245 King Road
Loomis, CA 95650
1-800-722-3393
www.humanware.com
Freedom Scientific, Inc.
www.hj.com
Blazie Engineering
www.blazie.com
Saddleback
3505 Cadillac Avenue, Bldg. F-2
Costa Mesa, CA 92626-1443
(714) 540-4010
www.sdlback.com
2000 ESL
Delta Systems Company, Inc.
1400 Miller Parkway
McHenry, IL 60050-7030
Highsmith, Inc.
W 5527 Highway 106
PO Box 800
Fort Atkinson, WI 53538-0800
www.highsmith.com
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