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Adaptive Technology & Adult Literacy

The Adaptive Technology Project at Action Read Community Literacy Centre in Guelph, Ontario, aims to empower individuals facing educational challenges through adaptive technology. Recognizing the diverse needs of learners, including those with disabilities and socio-economic barriers, we provide access to text-readers and writing software like Kurzweil 3000 and Dragon NaturallySpeaking. Our program enhances literacy skills, with participants achieving significant improvements, fostering greater independence, employability, and access to information. This initiative, funded by Ontario's Ministry and the National Literacy Secretariat, underscores our commitment to inclusive education.

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Adaptive Technology & Adult Literacy

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  1. Adaptive Technology & Adult Literacy

  2. Thank you to: • Assistive Technology Centre • Nova Scotia Community College

  3. “Through no fault of their own, they are the owners of brains that somehow don’t mesh with the demands they come up against” Dr. Mel Levine “A Mind at a Time”

  4. Introduction • Jennifer Hunt, Adaptive Technology Project Co-ordinator • Action Read Community Literacy Centre • Located in Guelph, Ontario • Community-Based Literacy Program

  5. Adaptive Technology used in a Literacy program promotes: • Access to information • Access at all levels of education • Employment, further training and independence

  6. Learner Profiles • Educationally disadvantaged • Unemployed • Self-employed • Underprivileged • 60% receiving ODSP • 2/3 are at a grade 8 academic level

  7. Variety of challenges for learning • Learning disabilities • Visual impairments • Hearing impairments • Physical disabilities • Emotional problems • Mobility issues

  8. Generously Funded by: • Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities • National Literacy Secretariat

  9. Phase One Literacy & Adaptive Technology Overview • Use of text-readers • Group of 13 individuals • Variety of learning needs

  10. Rationale • Learning needs were not previously being met

  11. Assessment • Literacy and Basic Skills Learning Outcomes Matrix • Baseline

  12. Text-Reading software used: • Kurzweil 3000 • Write:Outloud • Co:Writer • Read & Write (TextHelp) • ReadPlease

  13. Outcomes • Improvement of 1 – 2 LBS levels • Those individuals who used the software the most, continue to use it as an accommodation

  14. Phase Two: Adaptive Technology & Expressive Writing Overview • Field test AT software that assists with writing • Help bridge the learning barrier specifically focusing on writing

  15. Rationale Learner criteria • Learners who may have a learning disability, cognitive delay or physical impairment that limits them form having success with expressive writing • Dysgraphia

  16. Assessment • TOWL-3 • Pre - (handwritten format) • Post – (use adaptive technology as an accommodation)

  17. Kurzweil 3000 Read & Write Write:Outloud Dragon NaturallySpeaking Co-Writer Word Q Inspiration Draft:Builder ZoomText WebTalkster ReadPlease Writing software used:

  18. Outcomes • Released on our website in August 2003 www.home.golden.net/~actionr • Observations

  19. Access to Information

  20. Reasons why some individuals don‘t have access to information: • Socio-economic factors • Social isolation • Limited education

  21. “I just want to be able to write something on my own that people understand.”

  22. Adaptive Technology should be available to individuals at: ALL LEVELS

  23. According to the Ontarians with Disabilities Act: “Persons with disabilities face numerous barriers in gaining access to and fully participating in society”

  24. According to EQAO Students taking the Grade 10 Literacy Test in Ontario have the right to the following accommodation: • Technology uses such as the Kurzweil reader

  25. Adaptive Technology promotes: • Further training • Employment • Independence

  26. Ontario Human Rights Commission • Duty to Accommodate Section 4.4.4 • Tax deduction for accommodations in the workplace

  27. Success = • Increased independence • Multi-sensory approach to learning

  28. Thank you! “When you get…GIVE” When you learn…TEACH” Maya Angelou

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