Assistive Technology in the SESA Library | Special Education Service Agency

Image of a hand touching a button labeled access.

An assistive technology device is: “Any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.”–IDEA, 20 U.S.C. 1401[25].

The SESA Library has a selection of assistive technology devices that can be loaned to schools and families. Sometimes it’s possible to do extended loans on some of these materials. Other times, it will give you a chance to try out a device of the type you are considering, see if it works, then order that item (or a different one of the same type).

For more information on any item, please do a title search in the library catalog. The catalog will have a detailed list of the components and a photograph for almost all devices.

Each category has a very selective slideshow of items.

Braille Equipment and Books	Equipment for Students with Visual Impairments	Communication Devices
Clocks, Timers and Reminders	Computer Adaptation Equipment	Games
Materials for Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing	Academic Materials for Students with Visual Impairments	Materials for Students with Low Vision
Orientation and Mobility Materials	Sensory Materials	Switches
	Toys

Braille Equipment and Books : Items that will help with reading, writing and learning braille.

This slide is the title for the Braille equipment and books slideshow.
An example of the Tack-Tiles braille system.
This Perkins brailler is labeled for learning.
These wooden blocks, with both braille and print letters, numbers and math symbols, can be used in learning and teaching mathematics.
This clock can be used to teach a student with visual impairments how to tell time, using either the dots or the raised numbers.
The cover of a children’s braille book, Little Breath of Wind.
A look at the illustrations of Little Breath of Wind, by Elisa Lodolo.
This labeler has a braille dial, as well as a print dial, and will produce a braille label that can be attached to objects.
Small portable brailler takes standard 8.5 x 11 paper, quartered. Direct six-key braille entry, writes from left to right, build in reading stand.
This is an example of a braille textbook with thermoform illustrations.
The Word Playhouse kit has cards, braille letter tiles, storage panels and instructions and ideas for using this learning kit.
The book has both print and braille text, with illustrations that are both visual and tactile.
The book has both print and braille text, with illustrations that are both visual and tactile.

Equipment for Students with Visual Impairments : A variety of items for learning or daily living that have braille or tactile components.

This slide is the title for the Equipment for Students with Visual Impairments slideshow.
This simple abacus is for the student beginning to learn math and the use of the abacus.
Image of a directional compass with voice output.
A Book Port Plus is a portable electronic reading device.
The Picture Maker, Wheatley Tactile Diagramming Kit, is for making tactile diagrams and images.
This stopwatch has both a print and braille face.
This Hundreds Board can be used for teaching counting and math.
This All-in-One Board is a white dry erase surface on one side, and black velcro on the other side. White side may also be used with magnetic manipulatives,
This Color by Texture kit can be used for art activities.
This talking scientific calculator is designed to be used by students with visual impairments.

Communication Devices : From the simple to the complex, these items will help a student communicate with others.

This BigMack is a single message communication device.
BIGmack switch with changeable color caps.
This GoTalk9+ has three consistent messages, and 9 messages on each of five levels.
This iTalk2 is a two-message voice output communication aid.
PECS communication book; words can be arranged to form sentences.
The Springboard Lite is a communication device.
This 7-Level Communcation Builder is a flexible device with space for up to 112 messages.
This is a Rocking Two Message, Say it, Play it communication device.
This Symbol Communicator for the Blind has tactile symbols, and can be set to play the message and to vibrate when activated.
This is an example of symbols from the STACS kit, which can be used with student who have visual impairments.

Clocks, Schedules, and Reminders

This slide is the title for the clock, schedule and timer slideshow.
This Choice Board has 21 squares, and can be used for scheduling or tasks.
This motorized clock will teach time telling; it has tactile marked minutes and quarters.
This time timer has a red disc that disappears as time elapses.
This small alarm, shown with removable wrist strap, vibrates when time is up.
This timer counts down through the colors. It has a digital clock and optional sound effects.
This octopus watch uses icons to remind the student to do tasks.
This working tactile clock can be used to teach time telling and time management.
This WatchMinder 3 can be programmed to do discrete reminders during the day.
This Time Timer Watch Plus can be worn just as a watch, or it can be set to give alerts during the day.

Computer Adaptation Equipment : Keyboards and Switch Adaptors

This slide is the title for the computer adaptation equipment slideshow.
This BigKeys LX keyboard has large letters and keys.
This full-sized keyboard can adjust as needed.
Switch interface pro allows multiple switches to be connected to a computer.
This is a small device for adapting a computer to accept a switch.
This compact keyboard will work well for some students.
This device is a switch and an interface.
This is a tablet switch interface for connecting to a switch.

Games

This slide is the title for the slideshow on learning games.
This game is a fun way for students to learn manners.
This game is a switch-adapted toy that can be used for different activities.
This foam soccer ball can be set to beep.
This kit can be used to play different familiar and new games.
These three different sets include games for learning and problem solving.
To use this Talking Glowdice device, push the button to get a random number between one and six.
This box has openings at either end. Put something inside so it can be explored by touch.
Simple puzzle shapes teaches by touch (circle, square, triangle).

Materials for Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

This slide is the title for the slideshow on Deaf-Hard of Hearing equipment.
The alarm clock can be used under a pillow, and set to vibrate.
This watch can be set to vibrate and display an icon to keep a student on task and on schedule.
This is a model of a human ear.
The personal FM system can be used by a teacher and a student.
These three different sets include games for learning and problem solving.
This alarm will vibrate discretely when time is up.

Academic Materials for Students with Visual Impairments

This slide is the title for the slideshow on academic materials for students with visual impairment.
This set of Brannan slate and cubes is used for demonstrating mathematics.
This model of a cell can be used for teaching biology.
This is a kit that may be used for classroom activities on phonics, spelling and phonemic awareness.
This model of a human skeleton is part of a kit for teaching human anatomy.
This math window kit has print/braille magnetic tiles to easily rearrange for teaching math problems.
This kit has worksheets, overlays, fact cards, displays and more materials for teaching astronomy.
This protractor can be used for teaching math and working problems.
Part of the periodic table of the elements, adaped for students with visual impairments.

Materials for Students with Low Vision

This slide is the title for the slideshow on materials for students with low vision.
This monocular enlarges 8 times.
NoIR glass in different sizes and different colored lenses for protection from a full spectrum of light.
The Velcro side of the all-in-one board can be used with different materials and hold them at an angle appropriate for the student.
The white dry-erase and magnetic side of the all-in-one board can be used with different materials and hold them at an angle appropriate for the student.
This small magnifier can be focused using one hand.
This magnifier is easy to hold for reading or looking at pictures.
Low Vision Simulation Kit: Goggles show the effect of different types of vision impairment.
This student demonstrates the use of a magnifier.

Orientation and Mobility Materials

This slide is the title for the slideshow on materials for orientation and mobility.
Canes like this can be folded up when not in use.
This Portable Sound Source can be used for training in orientation and mobility for students with vision impairment.
This kit can be set up to make a three dimensional model of street layouts and other areas.
All Terrain Cane was designed to help the blind navigate more safely and easily in areas that aren't paved.
This device can attach to a cane to provide audio feedback to indicate distance.
The adult size rectangular cane can be used for learning to use a cane for orientation and mobility.
This kit has materials to set up a walking or running course outside for someone with visual impairment.
This is a non-folding fiberglass mobility cane with reflective elements.

Sensory Materials

This slide is the title for the slideshow on materials for sensory stimulation.
This neck roll pillow will vibrate to massage.
This small light box can be used with many different materials.
These overlays for a light box are designed for students with cortical visual impairments.
Fan spins and lights up in a changing pattern.
This HOPSA dress can be used to provide vertical movement for a student.
This pen wiggles as it writes.
The Little Room, based on ideas by Lilli Nielson, can be configured in different ways.

Switches

This slide is the title for the slideshow on switches.
This jellybean switch can be used with battery operated devices, or with a PowerLink and an electrical device.
This twitch switch uses small movements to activate.
This koosh switch can be connected to a toy or activated on its own.
This switch and be activated by squeezing or by puffing.
This mount can be clamped to a table or other support, and angled as needed for the student.
This large plate switch is good for students who have trouble with motor control.
This finger tip switch needs only a slight movement to be activated.
This Bluetooth connection switch connects wirelessly to compatible devices.
The Switch Click USB is both a switch and a computer interface.

Toys

This slide is the title for the slideshow on toys and other switch-adapted devices.
Twenty-six boards with lower-case letter cut-outs and buttons to trace the letter shape. In wooden tray.
This toy fire truck can be used with switches.
Toy models of jungle animals: an elephant, tiger, gorilla, lion, and giraffe.
This CD Player-Radio can be used with a switch.
This hairbrush vibrates and can be used with a switch.
This toy chihuahua walks, nods head, wags tail and pounces; can be used with a switch.
This vibrating foot massager can be used with a switch.