Exploring Online Activities for
Students Who Need Specialized
Supports
Karen Monfort, MS, OTR/L, ATP
Christa Prati, MA CCC-SLP
Mary Jo Wendling, MS, OTR/L
Learning
Objectives
Parents will learn about some
simple and free technology
resources for students who
require specialized access such
as switches and touch. We will
explore online interactive books
and activities, apps and
accessibility settings that can
help students.
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Dublin Considerations
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We are an Apple District and
Google District so the tools
that we will be looking at today
may be specific to those
platforms
Many of the settings are also
available in other platforms but
we will not have time to review
those today
Every Dublin Student has an
e-mail address and Google
account
Consider sites that have a consistent
visual layout for predictability and motor
planning.
Access
Sometimes a simple tweak of your
settings are all your child needs to support
independent access.
Ask your student’s team what works best
for access at school if you feel like you
want to replicate what is working at
school.
Accessibility
settings:
Check your settings in
the systems preferences
and explore options such
as:
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Cursor size
Contrast
Icon and text size
Touch
Access:
Switch Access:
If your student uses a
switch for access, you
will need both:
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A switch interface (a
way to plug the
switch in to tell the
computer what you
want the switch to
do)
And a switch
VizZle
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Vizzle provides a library of more than 15,000 lessons that can be tailored to any
grade level, assigned to any student, and played on any computer or tablet.
Ask your student’s Intervention Specialist for information regarding your student’s
username and password, specific lessons assigned to your student.
You can download the free app on an iPad
You will need to login to the Vizzle Student Player link:
www.monarchtt.com
Tar Heel Reader/Tar Heel GamePlay
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Tar Heel Reader is a collection of free, easy-to-read, and accessible books
on a wide range of topics.
Each book can be speech enabled and accessed using multiple interfaces,
including touch screens, the IntelliKeys with custom overlays, and 1 to 3
switches.
http://tarheelreader.org
Tar Heel Gameplay is a collection of free, easy-to-play, and accessible
games.
Each game is speech enabled and may be accessed using multiple
interfaces, including touch screens
http://tarheelgameplay.org
TumbleBooks
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TumbleBook Library is a curated database of children’s e-books, available
by subscription to Elementary Schools and Public Libraries around the world.
If you have a library card, you can access tumblebooks through your library
website.
If you have any questions, contact your local librarian and she/he can help
you access it.
Why is this a useful website: this is a large repository of talking ebooks. You
can choose books at all different levels/genres/interests.
The book controls are consistent throughout the entire book, which makes it
easier if you are using switch access.
The turn page icon looks the same which makes it helpful for students to
target.
BrainPOP
BrainPOP jr
BrainPOP ESL
Brain Pop
Brain Pop Jr and
BrainPop ESL
In every elementary school
Other
There are many sites that may be of specific interest to your child. Here are a few
suggestions:
Help kidz learn: subscription based, but is designed specifically for children who
need specialized access. http://www.helpkidzlearn.com/us/
National geographic for kids: reads text aloud, great graphics, numerous
topics. http://kids.nationalgeographic.com
Powerpoint books (if you want your child to access on an iPad: Keynote)
Built in apps (photos or iTunes): consistent layout makes it easy to access with
a switch. Great way to have access to picture books/experiences, music/mp4
content, leisure