Pillar Schools | Assistive Technology In Special Education

Technology

Our special education program capitalizes on the numerous advantages educational technology offers to students with disabilities.

TAP-it

Pillar Elementary School is equipped with a fully-accessible learning station with a 42” touch-screen that can be raised, lowered and tilted up to 90 degrees.

Interactive Whiteboards

All classrooms are equipped with interactive whiteboards, which allows students to interact with educational lessons.

iPads

iPads are available at both schools with specialized apps for education and therapy.

Adapted Classroom Computers

Our computers offer adapted screens, mice and keyboards that provide access to more than 100 specialized educational software programs.

Eye Gaze Technology

Eye gaze or eye tracking is a way of accessing your computer or communication aid using a mouse that you control with your eyes. The systems follow your eyes with amazing accuracy to see where you are looking on the screen. You can then select the item you are looking at by dwelling (staring at the screen for a length of time), blinking or clicking with a switch.

Neuronode

This device uses EMG, or “electromyography,” is the measurement of electrical activity associated with the activation of a muscle group. NeuroNode has been developed specially for people with severe motor impairments.

EMG control is a powerful access method for a wide range of conditions with many benefits:

entirely independent of body position and light condition
less tiring and more consistent than traditional access methods
completely wireless, making it easier for caregivers to work around

Media Studio

Our one-of-a-kind studio has a news desk with lighting and video camera for our student newscast, a music studio for students to write and record their own music, and specialized therapy equipment to work with students with low vision and those who use alternate access. The Music Studio won the Innovations In Special Education Award in 2011.

Empowering Students with Technology

Technology is a critical tool in providing differentiated instruction for students with special needs. It gives students of all abilities a more personalized and accessible learning experience to help them reach their full potential. Pillar Schools are equipped with modern technology that provides the students’ optimum support to participate and learn in the classroom. Some other benefits of use of technology in the classroom are that it promotes increased independence, communication, and collaboration.

AT Library
AT Kits
Computer Center
Virtual Reality Headsets

Our Assistive Technology Library offers a wide range of communication systems, adapted computer technology and alternate access switches.

The Assistive Technology (AT) Kits are available in all classrooms as well as to special-purpose rooms such as therapy treatment rooms and the school store. Each kit features a standardized bundle of basic and flexible AT items, such as single switches, single-message voice output devices and environmental control units, that are intended for general classroom use to facilitate independence in students’ communication and participation.

Our computer center features 12 computer workstations with touch-screen monitors that can be tilted to any angle, accessible desks and adapted hardware and specialized software.

Individuals with special needs often face challenges with attention, language, spatial abilities, memory, higher reasoning and knowledge acquisition. Research in the use of Virtual Learning Environments (VLE) targets both cognition and behavior. Virtual environments encourage interactive learning and provide a variety of opportunities for the learner to have control over the learning process. Virtual reality technology is an exciting tool that involves a safe and supportive environment to transfer knowledge between virtual and real worlds.

How to Help

Our supporters are critical to helping our schools to go above and beyond for our students. There are a number of ways you can help.

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