Abilities!

News

Symbol Invests in Improving the Lives of Students with Disabilities

October 12, 2005

Albertson, NY, October 2005, Symbol Technologies has recently partnered with the Henry Viscardi School for students with severe physical and medical disabilities by purchasing a new reading technology program for its elementary school students (K-6).

Pictured - Henry Viscardi School students (front row) Salma Shams, Juaquan Jones-Taylor; (middle row) Amber Madrigal, Joey Pernice, Ron Kort; (back row) Susan Gordon Ryan, VP Development, Abilities!; Ed Cortez, President and CEO, Abilities!; Beverly Lee-Wo, Manager Community Relations, Symbol Technologies, Inc.

Technology is the equalizer for the students with severe disabilities as it maximizes the students learning and independence, while allowing them to compete on the same level as other children. Without assistive technologies and compatible software programs, students depend upon assistants and volunteers to be their eyes, ears, voices and hands, as well as researchers, writers, and typists. They may need to rely on someone to do something as basic as turning a page in a textbook.

The implementation of this reading program will afford the students the opportunity to reach their fullest potential in reading and language arts in conjunction with the Inclusive Technology classrooms, thereby allowing greater progress in all subject areas. It will also provide students with the tools needed for greater independence and success in the secondary program.

This extraordinary software includes such features as:
Reading Fluency Coach CD-ROM’s, which enables students to acquire the vocabulary and comprehension skills critical to successful reading. The software works by analyzing students’ voices as they read aloud and by interacting with readers according to their needs. This unique speech recognition software program facilitates valuable, one-on-one instruction and intervention for struggling readers. The program identifies and corrects problems in pronunciation and provides word meanings, helping students read more accurately and quickly.

Book Builder allows students to create their own storybooks, choose or create their own illustrations, and write their own words with this easy-to-use software program. Creativity is enhanced while children practice text comprehension skills such as sequencing, understanding story structure, using mental imagery, and summarizing. Children improve their writing vocabulary as they develop greater word consciousness.

The Know Zone Reading CD-ROM is tailored for young learners, and prepares students for test day. It includes interactive activities that reinforce target skills-phonics, vocabulary, comprehension, and grammar.

Multimedia Studio CD-ROM Package, which encourages students to think actively and apply their knowledge of text comprehension skills to improve there writing. Easy-to-use mPOWER™ software lets students create powerful multimedia presentations with clip art, photos, video clips, sound effects, and Internet connections. Students will apply important skills such as sequencing, summarizing, and recognizing story structure.

AstroWord CD-ROM Package is an intergalactic learning adventure. With exciting graphics, animation and sound effects, children practice accentuation, phonics, vocabulary, and word analysis skills.

Teacher’s Resource Planner, Teacher’s Technology Companion, Reading Success Tracker Access Pack and Test Works CD ROM’s will allow teachers at the Henry Viscardi School to use ready-made lesson plans or completely customize their own. They can print out worksheets, correlate their curriculum to specific objectives, and create customized tests. Reading Success Tracker enables teachers to access Unit and End-of Year Skills Tests online. It also interprets test results and provides remediation prescriptions.

Mission

Abilities! is a non-profit agency that is dedicated to empowering people with disabilities to be active, independent, and self-sufficient participants in our society. Through education, training, research, leadership, and example, Abilities! seeks to provide the highest quality services and to influence national attitudes, policies, and legislation in ways that will lead to the greatest benefits for the people we serve.

Henry Viscardi School (an affiliate of Abilities!)

The Henry Viscardi School (HVS), founded in 1962, is one of eleven “4201” Schools in New York State—a unique group of schools that provide educational services to children who are severely disabled. Providing an accredited academic program for grades pre-k through 12, for children aged 4 through 21, HVS serves children who reside in as many as 72 school districts on Long Island, New York City and Westchester, County. The Henry Viscardi School is a resource to all of these districts when they cannot accommodate the medical needs of a child with a severe disability or multiple disabilities. Approximately 225 children with severe medical and physical disabilities are enrolled annually.

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