IEP and Assistive Technology 1: Portable Word Processor

Present Level of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance: Eric participates in regular education programs for his academic subjects. His hand strength is limited and he fatigues quickly when doing any handwriting task. Civics and English homework are a particular problem because of lengthy assignments and reports that need to be completed.

Annual Goal: Eric will use a computer or portable word processor to complete 100% of his assignments in 10th grade English and Civics classes.

Writing assignments can prove challenging for students who suffer from hand fatigue or who have limited hand strength. A portable word processor can be a great alternative to gripping a pen or pencil during writing activities. The keys are easy to depress and its light weight makes it easy to transport. Students can also take advantage of advanced features such as text-to-speech and word prediction to make writing even more accessible.

Resources:

Dell, A. G., Newton, D. A., & Petroff, J. G. (2012). Assistive Technology in the Classroom: Enhancing the School Experiences of Students with Disabilities (2nd ed., pp. 45-46). Boston, MA: Pearson Education.