The below video is based around the education of Elina a 10 year old American student who suffers from Athetoid Cerebal Palsy (CP). Elina uses assistive technology at home and during school time in her classroom. Elina uses KeyStrokes to assist her typing, and Proloquo which aids her through speech. Keystrokes as a form of assistive technology helps Elina to type and compose on the computer. This technology is implemented through the use of a hand manipulated device which acts as a replacement for the much smaller and common computer mouse. Elina is able to move the cursor around the computer screen vertically and horizontally like a mouse would normally do. This device is supplemented by a large disc button which allows Elina to select letters and words in the way the buttons of a normal mouse would. This disc is a large adaptation therefore of the common computer mouse and allows for Elina to easily use without the troubles using a normal mouse would cause her due to misformed fingers and inability to grip and manipulate the buttons. One of the best features of this technology is the language and spelling aid it provides to Elina – the technology recognises misspellings and attempts at words and offers the student various options as to the word they may be wishing to use. For eg. if Elina has begun a word using the letters “hou” the technology will offer the word “house” to be selected and use within a piece of writing. Proloquo is a system whereby the students words are vocalised through the computers speakers and instructions are offered orally. My favourite part of the video is when Elina, at age 10 states that “the computer means life to me!”.

Download Video: Posted by davidn at TeacherTube.com.