Assistive technology helps all people work more efficiently and effectively
Understanding Assistive Technology (AT)
What is assistive technology?
Assistive technology is any tool or device that helps a person do something that might be hard for them. This can be anything from wheelchairs and hearing aids to special software and communication devices.
These tools have typically been utilized for people diagnosed with medical conditions. But now, schools and workplaces are making them available to everyone including those with diagnosed and undiagnosed medical and learning differences. Why? Because if a tool helps someone do something better and faster, it makes sense for anyone to have access to them.
Plumewood Educational Partners trains children, teens, and adults who have trouble with reading, writing, math, or research to use these tools to do their assignments independently. These tools are also helpful to maintain focus on challenging or non-preferred tasks.
Why should we use assistive technology?
Think of it like this: if you're trying to fix a car with just your hands, it's going to be really hard and take a long time. But if you use a few simple tools, it gets easier and takes less time. And if you use power(ful) tools, it becomes even easier and faster.
Assistive technology works the same way. We train people to use the right tool for each job in the right way and at the right time. Whether there is a diagnosed disability or not, our assistive technology (AT) tools helps everyone to work more efficiently – smarter, not just harder.
How can these tools help build independence?
Without assistive technology, people may frequently need help from someone else to complete their work. But with assistive technology, they are able to do work on their own. They use these tools to help them succeed in school and at work, and avoid becoming dependent on others to do the work they are capable of on their own.
Can these tools help students without diagnosed learning differences?
Absolutely! Let us give you a few examples.
Give Your Eyes A Break: If you have lots of homework to read, you can use text-to-speech tools to listen to it instead. This way, your ears do the work and your eyes get a rest.
Think it, type it! If you can speak faster than you type, use speech-to-text tools. Just say what you want to write, and the computer will type it for you - with fewer errors than other speech-to-text tools.
Avoid Mistakes: When you're tired or rushed, it's easy to make small mistakes. These tools can help by:
Predicting what you want to say even if your spelling isn’t the best.
Assisting your spelling of new or challenging terms
Fixing grammar and punctuation
Helping you add quality research to your writing
Defining words and highlighting important facts in what you're reading
Rewording challenging reading passages
Learn New Words Easily: Every subject has its own special words. These tools can help you make a vocabulary list in just seconds.
Learn in Different Languages: These tools can help if you're learning a new language or doing work in a language that's not your first one.
Study Smart: You can use these tools to:
Make study guides of important terms
Turn your notes into audio files to listen to later
Use a screen shade to focus on one part at a time
What assistive technology tools do you use?
We train children, teens, and adults to utilize specific best-in-class tools from TextHelp – a company with a long history in assistive technology. Each training is customized to each person’s individual needs.
Tools for Reading, Writing, Research, and Focus
Tools for Math and Science
Each individual tool is actually a collection of tools that can be used to support independent and efficient work. While these tools are available on tablet devices, they work best on laptop and desktop computers.
Why did Plumewood choose these tools?
These particular assistive technology tools have been around for over 20 years and our founder, Greg Donnellan, has used them with hundreds of children, teens, and adults during his career. Each piece of assistive technology contains a collection of tools conveniently located in one user-friendly place and Greg has helped thousands of people find their own perfect way of using them.
These tools are also available on all devices, anytime we need them - in fact, the Google Chrome extensions are available anywhere you can sign in.
A skilled craftsman spends years learning the tools of the trade and since we’re all going to be reading, writing, speaking, studying, doing math, and paying attention our entire lives, we better start mastering our tools.
What do these tools cost?
Each individual license is approximately $160/annually and can be purchased from TextHelp.com.* Licenses are needed for Read&Write and Equatio only. An individual license can be purchased by a school or an individual. If being purchased by the family, the school and family will want to coordinate how the tools will be accessed at school (an email sign-in or activation code will be required).
Different – and often more cost effective pricing – is available for schools and workplaces. These assistive technologies are often one of the most cost-effective ways to support work quality, efficiency, and independence for neurodiverse individuals with or without learning differences – significantly more so than providing additional personnel or expensive pre-packaged programs.
*Individual subscriptions allow you to use some of the features across devices including smartphones and tablets. Additional subscriptions and one-time purchases may be needed to access all features across devices.
How does Plumewood Ed. Partners structure training and support?
Training for Individuals
Provided virtually through Zoom by a certified and experienced trainer-educator
Each training is customized to the needs and age of each person.
Most people can independently use the tools within 3-5 45 minute sessions. For younger children, each session is 30 minutes.
A Getting Started guide and video are provided prior to the first training session. 30 minutes of setup is required before the first training. 1:1 setup support can be provided for an additional cost.
Support for Individuals
However, some people may need continued reinforcement to effectively utilize these tools.
Digital resources are provided to each person/family at the conclusion of training. This includes training guides and video recordings of the training session.
Virtual support is provided on an as needed basis at the client’s request.
2 complimentary virtual 30-minute support sessions are included with the training package.
Additional support sessions can be scheduled for an additional cost.
Training can also be provided to parents, tutors, or teachers working with the children, teens, and college students. Email Training@PlumewoodEdPartners.com for additional information.
Training and Support for Organizations
Schools or workplaces seeking training for staff should contact Training@PlumewoodEdPartners.com for more information. We will customize the staff training experience to meet your needs.
What requirements do organizations have when it comes to assistive technology?
In any setting it’s also helpful to open a dialogue with the organizations leadership about your needs.
In the Workplace
Individuals with invisible and visible disabilities have protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and most if not all states have a Disability Rights non-profit organization and state office for individuals with disabilities. Click here for additional information regarding accommodations in the workplace and the ADA.
In Schools
If you're having trouble at school, talk to your teachers or school counselor first. They might suggest simple changes or recommend you connect with the building principal and school psychologist for a full evaluation to understand your learning needs better.
Click here to understand how a comprehensive evaluation leads to appropriate and effective services. You will also find additional information regarding the public school special education process.
For information regarding accommodations through a 504 plan, please click here. For additional guidance or special education advocacy, please contact advocacy@PlumewoodEdPartners.com.
All students who receive assistive technology training will receive a communication template for their school administrator to request these accommodations at school.
Public Schools (IEP)
In public schools, a school is required to provide the components of special education outlined in your child’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP).
In most cases, general terms are used to describe a tool or component of special education and particular “brand names” of products are not included. However, once informed about a particular type of services, the school district may agree to specifically use that product. Having such an agreement in writing as part of the IEP makes it easier to “enforce” as the child transitions between buildings within the school district.
Each school district will approach this differently. Some may be willing to include a specific product or service if the parents are willing to pay for it while others worry that this may open them up to liability for not honoring the mandates of special education.
Public Schools (504 Plans)
For students on a 504 plan, the school is not required to provide/pay for the technology but they are required to allow the child to utilize the accommodation in school if it is provided for in the plan.
Each school district will approach this differently. Some may be willing to include a specific product or service if the parents are willing to pay for it while others worry that this may open them up to liability for not honoring the spirit of their duties as a public school district.
Private Schools
This information relates to independent schools (traditional private schools) and private charter schools. If your child’s school is a public charter school or a magnet school, then the public school information applies.
By the nature of the label “independent” or “private” parents understand that these schools are not required to follow the same laws as public school options. In this way, the agreement on how things will be done exists between the school and the family.
It’s important to have an open and honest discussion with the school regarding your child’s educational needs and the role assistive technology can play in their academic success. Oftentimes, a private or public educational evaluation is helpful to fully understand the needs and opportunities of each child so that the solution can be matched to it. When this is done, schools are often more receptive to adding accommodations like assistive technology.
From there, you’ll want to reach an agreement regarding what the school can do and what the family will need to do. The following should be considered.
Who will pay for the assistive technology?
Who will provide the device that the assistive technology will be used on (ex. school-owned iPad/laptop vs. family-owned iPad/laptop)?
When can the technology be used (ex. during class, during study hall only, or outside of school only)?
Who will provide training and support to the children and staff (ex. school will provide training and support only to the student, to the student and appropriate staff, or family is responsible* for all training and support).
*This is the most common option for private schools who do not specialize in special education or educational technology.
Collaborating on behalf of your child’s educational needs can be challenging at times. Having the support of an educational consultant/parent advocate can help facilitate a productive process for all involved. This can be done through in-person meetings or written communication. Plumewood Ed. Partners is always happy to provide service in either form as well as email templates to effectively engage school administration.
If my school or workplace won’t allow this technology to be used school, is there still a benefit to training?
Yes. These tools are used to help children be independent learners when they have academic needs around reading, writing, and math.
If the school will not permit them to be used at school during the school day, they still can provide amazing support with homework and studying. Taking this approach can also help students prepare for life after high school where they will have greater autonomy over the tools they use to be independent and successful.
Start your training process today!
Complete our brief inquiry form and a member of our team will reach out within 48 hours to discuss personalized assistive technology training.