NUCOR Grant ideas

With the NUCOR Grant applications before Cache Valley educators once again, I thought it would be helpful to list some possible assistive technology items that could be funded with grant money, and some possible classroom applications.  This list is not meant to be comprehensive, but simply to offer you some other ideas you may not have considered.  I have organized them by category.

 Hopefully this will help get some more useful technology in our classrooms to be fit students with disabilities. I will also try to include links to product websites for items so you can do some research before writing your grant.  Be sure to check out the awesome video demonstrating one possible (if a little bit unorthodox) use of a Powerlink and an electric leaf blower!

Writing:
*LiveScribe smartpens: $120-250 depending on model of pen and amount of storage

• Specialized pen that records audio and syncs it with what you write.  
• Students can review at home what the teacher said in class simply by tapping on what they wrote in the notebook.
• They no longer have to worry about writing down every little thing teacher said, can focus more energy on writing key points and getting the rest later.

*Forte portable keyboard: $160-250 depending on features

• Offers text to speech and word prediction
• Great battery life
• Cheaper, easier to use, more portable and durable than a laptop.

*Neo2 portable keyboard: $99 for basic keyboard, Text to speech add on for $79 more

• Great battery life
• Cheaper, easier to use, more portable and durable than a laptop
• Co-Writer word prediction

i-Stuff:
*iPad Mini: $330 for 16 GB wifi model

*iPod Touch: $299 for 32 GB

Communication:
*Step by Step communicator with levels: $189

• Record and sequence your own messages, easy and effective AAC solution for a variety of students and situations
• 3 different levels to record on for different students/situations, etc.
• 2.5" button with different colored caps
• can activate with another switch

*Comboard: $323

• Switch activated "clock-style" device. Put pictures around the dial and students can scan through the choices using an external switch.  Hold down the switch until the arm points to the symbol/message you want.  It is easy as that!
• Can also attach a cup to the spinning arm to make a switch adapted pourer or dice thrower.

*Talking Brix Communicators: $129 for a set of 3

• Thin, light single message communication button, easy to use and super portable/adaptable
• Built in magnet
• Can be linked together for message sequencing
• Built in rechargeable battery

*Go Talk 9+ and 20+: $179 (9 message) $199 (20 message)

• Great mid tech AAC solution, record you own voice on buttons
• 9 messages or 20 messages available, make your own symbol overlays using Boardmaker
• Very portable and durable
• Up to 5 levels for different students/environments ,etc.

*Go Talk One/Button: $12.99-13.99

• Portable single message buttons
• Go Talk One lets you put a symbol on it
• Go Talk button has built in magnet

Switches:
*Powerlink: $229

• Allows you to activate anything you can plug into a standard electrical outlet (blender, fan, toy, disco ball, leaf blower (seriously), etc.) with a switch. Check out this video for just one possible use!

*USB switch interface: $89 and up depending on the model

• Plug it into the computer, plug in your own switches, and now you can access computer switch software with a switch!
• Emulates left and right mouse click, space bar, enter, and more.
• You need your own switches

*Bluetooth wireless switch interfaces: $99 and up depending on model

• Provides wireless switch access to a computer or iPad via bluetooth technology.
• Must have own switches
• iPad apps MUST be switch accessible (not all of them are) click here for more information