Writing

Writing involves the physical ability to produce written language (mechanics) and the cognitive ability to put words together to create written expression (composing). Here are examples of assistive technology devices that may help a student with writing:

Assistive Technology for Mechanics of Writing

Regular pencil/pen
Pencil/pen with adaptive grip
Adapted paper (e.g. raised line, highlighted lines)
Slant board
Use of pre-written words/phrases
Templates
Portable word processors to keyboard instead of write
Computer with word processing software
Portable scanner with word processing software
Voice recognition software to word process

Assistive Technology Appropriate for Composing Written Material

Word cards/word book/word wall
Pocket dictionary/thesaurus
Writing templates
Electronic/talking electronic dictionary/thesaurus/spell checker (e.g. Franklin Speaking Homework Wiz)
Word processing w/ spell checker/grammar checker
Talking word processing
Abbreviation/expansion
Word processing w/ writing support
Multimedia software
Voice recognition software

When is it appropriate?
If a student is having difficulty either with the mechanics of writing or with composing written material, the above assistive technology may prove helpful. It is important to make sure that the student's difficulties are not due to a lack of instruction or to physical causes, which might be re-mediated. For most students, assistive technology for writing is used in addition to continued practice with pencil and paper.

This Assistive Technology website was developed by Gus Farmakidis (gfarmakidis@hotmail.com),
former graduate assistant on the REFOCUSTT Project.