Assistive Technology for Homeschool and Home Learning

INTRODUCTION

Families teaching and learning at home use many of the same assistive technology strategies used in classrooms. Assistive technology is not a single product; it is any tool or strategy matched to a specific learner, a specific task, and the way that person accesses information and communicates. This page introduces the main categories of assistive technology that can support learning at home, including communication, reading, writing, computer access, vision, switch access, and mobile device use. Homeschooling itself does not create a need for assistive technology; the same considerations that apply in a classroom, such as the learner's needs, the task at hand, and how they access materials, apply just as much at home. No single tool or approach works for every learner, and many families find that a combination of low-tech and high-tech strategies works well over time.

AAC and Communication for Learning

Learners who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) need ways to communicate during instruction, to answer questions, to participate in discussions, and to express their own ideas in academic contexts, including academic vocabulary used in specific subjects. For a broader overview of communication supports, see Communication & AAC. For an introduction to core AAC concepts, see AAC Basics. For information about dedicated speech-generating devices, see Speech-Generating Devices. For an overview of the different ways people select messages on an AAC system, see AAC Access Methods.

One example of an academic AAC app is AcademicVoice Pro - AAC, developed by EquaAccess. AcademicVoice Pro - AAC is designed for family and homeschool use and combines core AAC communication with K-12 academic vocabulary, state-based academic standards configuration (including alternate or access-point standards, as applicable by state), grade-band vocabulary, academic units, academic assessments, and mastery progress tracking. This is one example among many possible AAC options, and it may not be the right fit for every learner; an individualized AAC or assistive technology assessment can help determine what a specific person needs.

Disclosure: AcademicVoice is developed by EquaAccess, a trade name of Assistive Technology Evaluations & Services, LLC, a for-profit company separate from Accessibility Clinic Inc., the nonprofit organization that publishes this website. Accessibility Clinic Inc. has a financial relationship with EquaAccess and may receive a percentage of qualifying AcademicVoice sales attributable to referral links on this site, at no additional cost to the purchaser. This financial relationship does not mean AcademicVoice is the right choice for every individual, and this example does not replace individualized AAC or assistive technology assessment when one is needed.

Reading Access

Reading support at home often includes text-to-speech tools that read text aloud, accessible digital text formats that work with screen readers and other tools, options to adjust font size, spacing, and contrast, and vocabulary or word-lookup supports that help a reader access unfamiliar words and concepts. For a broader look at reading-related assistive technology, see Reading Assistive Technology.

Writing Access

Writing tasks at home can be supported with speech recognition software that turns spoken words into text, word prediction tools that suggest words as a person types, and alternative keyboards or pointing devices for learners who write in different ways. For a broader look at writing-related assistive technology, see Writing Assistive Technology. For alternative keyboard options, see Alternative Keyboards. For alternative pointing and mouse options, see Alternative Mice and Pointing Devices.

Computer and Alternative Access

Beyond writing tools, many learners benefit from other ways to access a computer or tablet, including alternative keyboards, alternative mice and pointing devices, switch access, and eye gaze or eye-tracking systems. The right combination depends on a learner's physical, sensory, and cognitive access needs. For more on keyboard options, see Alternative Keyboards. For more on mouse and pointing options, see Alternative Mice and Pointing Devices. For an introduction to switch-based access, see Switch Access. For an introduction to eye gaze and eye-tracking systems, see Eye Gaze and Eye-Tracking Assistive Technology.

Vision and Visual Access

Some learners need additional support to access visual information, whether in print, on screens, or in other formats. Options include screen readers that convert on-screen text to speech, screen magnification tools that enlarge text and images, and refreshable braille displays that present text in braille. For a broader overview, see Vision & Low Vision. To learn more about screen readers, see Screen Readers. For magnification options, see Screen Magnification and Visual Access. For braille-based access, see Refreshable Braille and Braille Technology.