Yellow 3D model of wave length

3D printing math and science models to help Students with visual impairments

Submitted by Joan Horvath, Nonscriptum LLC Often students with visual impairments have difficulty with concepts based on visual/spatial relationships, particularly in math and science. 3D prints offer an unprecedented asset for teachers of the visually impaired (TVIs), and 3D printers are becoming affordable. But TVIs need help designing models to be 3D printed, since the…

picture of Mindview's box

MindView Assistive Technology – Mind Mapping Software Helps Improve Reading & Writing

by Brandon Conrad, Assistive Technology Specialist, MatchWare MindView AT addresses key learning objectives for students with reading, writing and learning difficulties and is based on the principles of mind mapping.  MindView helps to identify, process and present information visually.  It is helpful to many learners with reading and writing disabilities, including children and adults with…

Meet Milo, a Social Robot Like No Other…

 by Rachel Anderson, Marketing & Communications Manager for Ability Tools Recently at the international ATIA Conference, I had the opportunity to meet Milo, a new robot designed for children with autism.  I had never seen anything quite like him… and, although robotics are still a science that needs some perfecting, I was quite impressed with…

picture of four circlular switches, red green, yellow and blue and the red is attached to a black cord

Five Switches For Access Everyone Must Have in Their Toolkit

You might be asking yourself, “What, exactly, are switches?” Switches are an assistive technology used by individuals with different disabilities for many different reasons. Switches can act as communication devices, to teach cause and effect, and they can take the place of using a keyboard or a mouse. They come in a variety of shapes…

Picture of Nicole seated and smiling at her computer desk and using a Braille note.

Digital Access Project and Ability Tools

By Emily Flynn, Program Coordinator, Ability Tools I have been working with Ability Tools and CFILC’s Digital Access Project for about six months now and I have been really enjoying seeing the connection between the two programs. The partnership between the assistive technology (AT) that Ability Tools provides and Digital Access Project’s low-cost internet service…