Assistive Technologies for Reading
by Ted S. Hasselbring and Margaret E. Bausch

This article discusses the use of technology to help students with learning disabilities read at grade-level. The authors suggest assistive technologies work in two ways, to offer reading support and reading intervention. This assistance provides a lifeline for students with learning disabilities and helps students feel successful in their learning. The two programs the authors focus on offer support which provides students with disabilities to become independent when reading grade-level material. The first program is text-reader software, called Read and Write Gold, and is in use by Kentucky's public schools. This software takes text and converts it to speech, which is customizable by individual students. It also provides writing assistance to lessen the labor involved in composing and editing a piece of written work by reading back portions of text when directed by the student. The second program, READ 180, is designed for older students and provides reading intervention by individualizing instruction based on the users abilities. It provides background knowledge for text, comprehension aid, and vocabulary instruction. While these tools are useful, it is still vital for educators to provide instruction in order for students to achieve positive results.

• Assistive technologies act as a life-line for students with learning disabilities.
• Learning disabilities interfere with students' abilities in grasping principles of literacy.
• Reading support and intervention through computer based application aid students.
• Classroom teachers must learn to quide and support students with disabilities in using computerized applications to ensure their academic success.
• Teachers must provide excellent instruction as technology is simply a tool.

Assistive technologies are an excellent tool to aid students with learning disabilities. While the article focused on reading and comprehension, there are many more areas of instruction that assistive technoloy is useful. As educators, it is imperitive that we use every possible means to assist our students in their learning. We should be constantly on the lookout for tools to aid our students and guide them to success in their education. It is my hope that as technology advances, the ability to aid students with learning disabilities increases and becomes an integral part of their education.