This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because
it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.
My Students
Our students are a diverse group of boys and girls with amazing personalities that blow us away every day. Our students live in the heart of a bustling urban center. They are primarily African-American and Latino. We are a special needs public school. We have students from all over our city who attend some of our special programs.
All of my students have special needs, many are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or Multiple Disabilities.
Their communication skills range from non-verbal to just needing a few pragmatic tweaks. They are learning to communicate in their own ways as they learn not only life skills but academics as well.
My Project
One of our therapy iPad recently had an accident and no longer works. My students used that iPad for to help them meet so many of their therapy goals and communication needs. They would work on skills and/or use the Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) apps to "speak." Everyday new advanced apps are being created for communication purposes. I need an updated ipad to help my students have access to all the new and exciting communication and speech therapy apps.
Our students who are physically unable to use their hands often rely on low tech AAC eye gaze options and we want a high tech option too.
The newest generation of iPad works with communication apps that use eye gaze. The new cameras and technology enable specific apps to be controlled with eye gaze. The new ipad also has voice over which can help vision impaired students know what is happening.
Some features that have been older models too that we can still take advantage of such as switch control, hearing and vision adaptations. There are so many ways our special needs students can use this iPad for communication and skill building no matter what their disability.
Nearly all students from low‑income households
Data about students' economic need comes from the National Center for Education Statistics, via our partners at MDR Education. Learn more
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Susannah and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
