Universal design and assistive technology engage all learners By Lorinda Tait, Assistive Technology Consultant, Lansing School District, Director of the Special Interest Group for Special Education (SIGSPED) - Adaptations such as magnifiers, highlighters, and/or a colored card placed behind a beaker facilitate reading measurement. For students with low vision, darken or lighten measurement lines. You could even use food coloring (if it does not change the outcome of experiment) for more contrast. Purchase a Braille ruler for the blind and a ruler with handle for the physically impaired. A mechanized mount for pouring liquid in a beaker or putting powder on a scale will also be a useful strategy for the physically impaired. Low cognitive functioning students, and those that learn by touching benefit from manipulatives for math (blocks, play money, algebra tiles), graph paper or vertically lined paper for math alignment, and Wicki Stix for raising lines on graph. Use scientific calculators that have large buttons, speech output, or a coin-u-lator for math life skills (www.onionmountaintech.com).
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