Accommodations as Solutions: Computer or Electronic Tools

List of needs and solutions

Solutions in Instructional Methods and Materials

• Provide audio books or large print versions of texts.
• Show same information in a video or movie.
• Use computer-based models to represent math concepts.
• Let student use text-to-speech software.
• Let student record lectures and discussions, digitally or on tape.
• Let student use reading pen.
• Use summary feature or word processing software to cognitively rescale text.

Solutions in Assignments and Assessments

Support

• Provide tools and equipment with voice capability, such as talking calculator, screen reader.
• Let student create audio or video response to assignment.
• Let student use thesaurus and word prediction assistance in word processing software.
• Let student use spell-check and grammar-check utility in word processing software.
• Let student use self-checking materials or computer-assisted instruction to practice skills.
• Let student use software that places symbols above words in written assignments
• Let student use portable word processor.
• Let student use brainstorming or mindmapping software.
• Give student access to online or computer-based translation software or foreign language dictionaries.
• Let student use calendar or planner software or personal digital assistant.
• Let student use digitized text software that resizes, changes background or text color, highlights specified segments of text, reads aloud.
• Let student use head pointer or voice- or breath-operated switches with onscreen keyboard.
• Let student use trackball or other alternative cursor control.

Classroom Tests

• Provide assistive technology such as optical enhancer, magnifier, audio recorder, stylus and slate, braillewriter.
• Let student use typewriter or word processor.
• Adjust computer monitor for maximum contrast between text and background.
• Let student record test answers digitally or on tape.

FCAT

• Use visual magnification and/or auditory amplification.
• Use text-to-speech technology to communicate test directions, other than reading items.
• Use white noise (sound machines) to reduce auditory distractions.
• As specified in test administration manual, let student use calculator on tests requiring complex calculations, but not on tests of basic computation.
• Let student use word processing software for generating responses, without grammar or spelling checking functions for writing tests, or speech output programs for reading tests.
• Let student use adapted calculator for math questions in grades 7-10, and science in grades 8 and 11.
• Use text-to-speech technology, communication devices, computer switch, or computer with alternative keyboard to indicate answers.
• Let student dictate responses to digital or tape recorder.

Solutions in Learning Environment

• Adjust computer monitor for maximum contrast between background and text.

FCAT

• Use special acoustics, such as FM systems, to enhance sound, or special rooms to decrease auditory distractions.

Solutions in Special Communications Systems

FCAT

• Use augmentative communication system, such as communication board and presented symbol system.
• Use technology, such as word processing software, digital voice, tape or digital recorder, or communication device, for performance tasks or writing, without using spelling or grammar check.
• Use electronic English-sign language dictionary showing sign picture, word, synonym, and index without definitions of words, for a student who uses sign language as primary means of communication.

List of needs and solutions