Provision of special equipment (adaptive technology)
A variety of adaptive equipment is available for students with disabilities.
Teacher Consultants can advise you on the types of adaptive equipment available and can help you to select the equipment that best suits your needs.
Physical Equipment and Adaptive Technology
A range of furniture, cushions, mobility aids and electrical/electronic equipment can be classified under this heading. Much has been designed to help students with specific impairments that affect their ability to walk, sit, stand, bend, grip, write, talk and see, among other activities. The list includes:
- ergonomic chairs, desks and other equipment, eg
- specially shaped foam-rubber cushions
- desk raisers
- foot stools
- lecterns
- various types of arm and wrist supports that sit on top of a desk or can be attached to it with clamps, to help the student accomplish fine motor tasks.
- personal heating, cooling, and lighting equipment
- computer hardware and peripheral aids, eg
- large screens
- touch screens
- modified keyboards
- variations on curser controls, such as different mouse designs, tracker balls, switches; infra-red guidance equipment
- scanners
- laptops/notebooks
- computer software, eg
- optical character recognition
- speech recognition
- screen readers
- keyboard configuration (one-handed /mouthstick typing etc)
- talking/large key calculators
- talking typewriters
- Braillers
- telephone typewriters (TTYs)
- tape recorder and dictaphones
- audio loops and FM systems
This list is not exhaustive and there are many variations in the type and design of products listed under these general headings. Not all items are available, but the Teacher Consultant will discuss your needs and attempt to provide the equipment that you need to participate in your course. Because of rapid developments in adaptive technology, contact with manufacturers is often necessary to determine the most appropriate equipment or software.
