Hope Technology School is launching an after school pilot program, Hope AT Lab, to support students through assistive technology devices. By providing assistive technology services, we help students to develop independence and communication skills and to achieve academic goals....

Achieving inclusion through the use of technology is central to Hope Technology School's philosophy. Through the use of various tools and methods we are striving to accomplish the goal of independent learning.  

Project Touchsmart

Project TouchSmart has been the focus of recent news coverage both nationally and internationally.  We are implementing an innovative program utilizing HP's Multi-Touch computing technology to increase access to technology and promote independence. It is a goal of Project TouchSmart to promote independent communication, socialization and the inclusion of all students.

We have leveraged multi-touch screen computers to increase access to computing.

• A Jeopardy program written on Microsoft's Power Point is transformed into a quiz tool with one touch access! 
• We have also used HP's "Voice Notes" program to record audio and video of student's speech. This technology has been particularly helpful for students with difficulty speaking. A student can create a screen full of labeled "voice notes" that he can touch when he wants to express something in his own voice (click here for a demo). This was the focus of a recently televised news piece!
• The TouchSmart allows an inclusive component- video email. Students can email videos to one another using a webcam.

Text to Speech and Keyboard Technology

We utilize text to speech technology such as:

• Speech Pro
• HP TouchSmart
• Lightwriter
• Wynn (Text scanning/ text reading)

Students use keyboard technology to produce work in a more fluent and organized manner. Some of our keyboard technology devices include:

• AlphaSmart
• Dana
• Writer Fusion
• Laptops
• Standard Desktop computers

Keyboard Fact: Of our students, 5th grade and beyond, who use keyboard technology for academics, 93% type independently; 7% utilize assistive technology (AT) tools.

Multimedia Technology

• Digital Television
• TV recording computers
• Video Cameras
• Video Editing Software
• Various Software Programs

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Assistive Technology (AT) includes 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. Assistive Technology Service is any service that directly assists an individual with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device.

Source: The US technology-related assistance for individuals with disabilities act of 1988, Section 3.1. Public Law 100-407, August 9, 1988 (renewed in 1998 in the Clinton Assistive Technology Act) - http://section508.gov/docs/AT1998.html#3

"The varied use of technology for children with autism continues to receive limited attention, despite the fact that technology tends to be a high interest area for many" students with autism. (From Assistive Technology for Children with Autism, Written by Susan Stokes under a contract with CESA 7 and funded by a discretionary grant from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.)...

Bausch, M.E., Ault, M.J., Evmenova, A.S., & Behrmann, M.M. (2008). Going beyond AT devices: Are AT services being considered? Journal of Special Education Technology, 23 (2), 1-16.

Assistive Technology (AT) is, "any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device." The purpose of this national study was to examine the implementation of AT services for students with disabilities. ...