Assistive Technology

**COVID-19: Please note that in-person program sessions have been put on pause in response to COVID-19 guidelines and restrictions.

Program Topics

Week 1: Welcome to Discovery- Understanding your mission & learning the basics
Week 2: Converting Documents- Audio & PDFs
Week 3: Using Text to Speech
Week 4: Using Speech to Text
Week 5: Using Word Prediction, Dictionaries & Highlighting Tools
Week 6: Review & Completing the Mission

Program Structure

Participants complete a project (“Discovery Mission) over the 6 week period using assistive software tools(speech to text, text to speech, word prediction, converting PDFs, summarizing text)
Basic overview of software features with individualized focus on areas of interest/ difficulty
Consideration of various learning styles and accommodations to obtain skills successfully
The completion of the Discovery Mission will be a children’s story written and illustrated by each participant using the software tools they learn during class. Subject areas will focus on but are not limited to, travel, geography and space
Small group support from a trained instructor

Eligibility

Students aged 8-13 years old who could improve their literacy skills using assistive technology

About Assistive Technology

Our program provides a comfortable and receptive environment where children can acquire skills to use assistive technology. Our program will. guide children and their parents through this process with sensitivity to their individual needs. The program is beneficial for participants with learning disabilities who have difficulties with fine-motor, visual-motor and visual-spatial tasks.

Program Goals

To provide a choice between independent training and parent-child pairing.
Consideration of learning styles and accommodations to obtain successful skills.
Small group settings are offered according to need.
To provide individualized attention to areas of interest/difficulty.
One-one assistance from a trained instructor.
To facilitate a safe and nurturing environment.
Easy to follow directions, systematic, clear feedback about performance.
To facilitate a safe and nurturing environment.

Eligibility

Students aged 8-17 years old who need assistance with:

Kurzweil 3000

Text to Speech Software

Read & Write Gold

Literacy Support Software

Dragon Naturally Speaking

Speaking Software

Parent Testimonial

“I was so happy to find a program that fit my child’s needs with such dedicated staff. I am amazed at the amount of great programming that goes on in such a small space!”

– LDATD Parent

Location

North York

121 Willowdale Avenue

Small Group Training

$300

Space is limited to 5 participants per session.
Fees per 6-week session. Fees may differ for locations where longer session periods are accommodated. Please be sure to note changes in fees as listed on the “Details and Registration” page for each site.
Please note, due to enrollment requirements, program availability is subject to change. Fees are non-refundable. No make-up classes available.

Family Training

$350

Space is limited to 1 parent per session.
Fees per 6-week session. Fees may differ for locations where longer session periods are accommodated. Please be sure to note changes in fees as listed on the “Details and Registration” page for each site.
Please note, due to enrollment requirements, program availability is subject to change. Fees are non-refundable. No make-up classes available.