#137 - Literacy Instruction & Physical Disabilities: Choosing the Tools

Given the right accommodations everyone is capable of reading and writing, even those with the most significant physical disabilities. This is the first of 3 episodes tucked into our 15 episode literacy series that will focus specifically on learners with physical disabilities. Here, we learn of several tools that make literacy instruction accessible and how to choose the best accommodations.

About the Guest: Gretchen Hanser, PhD

Dr. Hanser has worked in the field of assistive technology and literacy for students with significant disabilities for over 20 years. She is an educator and an occupational therapist. Her primary focus has been on augmentative and alternative communication and literacy for students with the most significant disabilities. She has worked in a variety of educational settings developing model classrooms, developing school based assistive technology centers, providing teacher and related service provider trainings, participating in assistive technology assessment teams and working directly with students and staff in the classroom. Gretchen has taught university classes and presents nationally and internationally on these subjects. She is currently the Director of Assistive Technology at the International Academy of Hope in New York City.

Links to Mentioned Content

• SETT framework

• Article found at Closing the Gap

• This blog post from Jane Farrell provides examples of several alternative pencils

• Another blog post from Jane Farrell

• Files for flip charts and eye gaze frames on the Center for Literacy and Disabilities Studies website

• Dynamic Learning Maps module on emergent writing

• Dr. Hanser’s Teachers Pay Teachers resources (coming soon)

• Online books to connect with a switch: Tar Heel Reader, Public Library, Epic Books, Book Flix, and Tumble Books

• Readtopia

This episode is part of a 15 episode series in season 5 focusing on literacy instruction for students with significant disabilities.