Visual Motor Processing

Products include voice output (screen reading capabilities) and other tools to enhance the reading for individuals with reading difficulties. Other features may include: screen highlighting, study skills, test taking, and Internet tools.

Individuals with reading or memory deficits may have difficulty reading or remembering memos, directions, meeting notes, and other print information. Tape recording the information allows the person with the disability to listen to the information instead of reading the information. Tape recorders can be purchased at local electronics stores.

Slant boards are used to adjust the placement of a work surface for reading, writing, or drawing to fit the needs of an individual with certain impairments. For example, a slant board can be angled in a way that would reduce the need for an individual with a back or neck condition to bend over the work surface. Slant boards are available in a range of sizes and configurations.

Individuals with physical, cognitive, sensory, and learning impairments may have difficulty accessing computers. Traditionally, a computer user accesses a computer with a standard point and click mouse and a QWERTY keyboard (named for the top left-hand side of the rows). The computer takes the information that is inputted and processes it. Individuals with physical, sensory, or developmental limitations may not be able to use these standard input devices effectively and may benefit from using speech recognition. Standard computer input devices are keyboards made for typists who use two hands and ten fingers; speech recognition software is made for computer users with a variety of limitations, including individuals with no hand or finger movement.

Writing aids are products designed to help individuals with limited hand strengths perform writing tasks. Writing aids can transfer the fine motor pinch grip, usually used to write, to gross motor arm movements. A low tech solution is to push a pencil though a Styrofoam ball and use gross motor movements to write. Individuals with cumulative trauma disorders to the upper extremities or individuals with other impairments such as arthritis or quadriplegia benefit from these aids.