Assistive Technology supports for students with Vision needs includes a wide range of devices and software depending on the need of the student. These range from built in accessibility features such as ‘zoom’ on chromebooks, adapted keyboards to specialized software such as Jaws or Zoomtext to braille keyboards.

All devices that are purchased for students with Vision needs are funded via the Ministry of Education Special Equipment Amount (SEA) grant and are based on the needs of the individual student. For more information contact your schools Special Education Teacher who consults with the Vision Itinerant teacher in determining the type of hardware/software a student would require. Below is a sampling of some of the specialized Vision hardware and software available for students at WCDSB.

https://abilitynet.org.uk/factsheets/vision-impairment-and-computing

Hardware – Chromebook – accessibility features

• Fact sheet: https://www.google.com/accessibility/products-features/
• Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eIABZkb_xU

Specialized Software

• Jaws – demo of software – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQO4S1t2uiA
• Jaws – what is it – https://support.freedomscientific.com/Products/Blindness/JAWS

iPads and iPad apps for students with Vision needs including Cortical Vision Impairments

• (Link)

EyeGaze Technology

• What is Eyegaze – https://www.bridges-canada.com/pages/eye-gaze-for-early-learning-1
• Eyegaze Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGt_Z3lxJ24&t=24s