PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--90% of students in America with complex communication needs enter adulthood without acquiring functional literacy skills.* This overwhelming majority is at a distinct disadvantage considering that literacy is linked to successful transition to independent living and employment. To address this issue, Tobii Dynavox has created a new software version of their popular Accessible Literacy Learning (ALL™) reading program. This evidence-based reading program is designed specifically to teach those individuals who require AAC and have complex communication needs and physical access challenges, to learn how to read.
“To have 90% of the population that we serve, be illiterate is a staggering statistic that demands change,” says Fredrik Ruben, President of Tobii Dynavox. “With the introduction of the Tobii Dynavox ALL software we are proud to say that we’ve developed a highly effective solution to bring literacy to non-verbal students.”
Available as an app for use on the iPad, Windows operating systems, and Tobii Dynavox communication devices (including the T-Series and I-Series+), the ALL software edition gives teachers and parents a straightforward way to deliver proven literacy instruction. Developed in conjunction with researchers at Penn State University (Dr. Janice Light, Ph.D. and Dr. David McNaughton, Ph.D.), the robust program provides systematic instruction in seven different reading skills, while encouraging shared reading through an included library of engaging books. Tobii Dynavox ALL continuously tracks student progress and includes periodic skill review sessions, so teacher and parents always know where the student is in the process. Most importantly, the software enables students to bypass oral responses at all stages of instruction, allowing non-verbal students access to reading instruction.
“With the software version of the Tobii Dynavox ALL, we’re able to make literacy instruction more accessible, enabling everyone to help teach children with disabilities how to read – including teachers, aides and parents,” said Ruben. “Literacy is a critical, foundational skill that students carry with them for the rest of their life, and now we’re bridging the gap to provide these crucial skills to a population that has traditionally been under-served.”
The ALL reading program also fulfills U.S. common Individualized Education Program (IEP) literacy goals and compliments existing literacy curriculum so that educators can get more literacy instruction accomplished in the same amount of time. Access methods such as direct selection, switch scanning, and even eyegaze (Windows only), are built into the software, making it useful to a broad range of students.
The Accessible Literacy Learning (ALL) software is available for $79.99 for:
- Windows® through www.mayer-johnson.com
- iPad ® through www.iTunes.com
- T-Series AAC Devices through www.myTobiiDynavox.com
- I-Series AAC Devices through www.myTobiiDynavox.com
To learn more about the new software version of Tobii Dynavox ALL, visit tobiidynavox.com/all-software.
* Foley, B. & Wolter, J.A. (2010). Literacy intervention for transition-aged youth: What is and what could be. Language, Literacy, and AAC Issues for Transition- Age Youth.
About Tobii Dynavox
Tobii Dynavox, part of the Tobii Group (STO: TOBII), is the leading provider of touch and eye tracking based assistive technology hardware and software for those with communication and mobility impairments. Tobii Dynavox has helped thousands of individuals with disabilities such as aphasia, autism, cerebral palsy, ALS, muscular dystrophy, Rett syndrome and spinal cord injury lead fuller and richer lives. Tobii Dynavox stands at the forefront of assistive technology and special education, pushing the boundaries of what is possible for delivering the most advanced, effective and empowering communication and computer access tools available. Mayer-Johnson is a business of Tobii Dynavox.
For more information, please visit www.tobiidynavox.com.
