Introduction

This self-created checklist is a free and open source way of assessing technology skills of students who are blind/low vision.  

This is a lengthy and comprehensive document and it should be understood that not all questions or sections will apply to your student.  

Purpose

This checklist was created to assess the skills of students whose primary disability is blindness/low vision.  Though there are sections related to assistive technology that may be used with individuals who have additional disabilities, this checklist was not developed to assess those skills in isolation.  

Instructions for Completion

  1. Fill out the assessment header and record review information  

  2. Read the headings contained in the assessment and mark the ones appropriate to your student (obviously totally blind students will not need to be assessed on their use of screen magnification and those who use screen magnification will not be assessed on using screen readers, etc.)

  3. Complete the sections marked as directed

  4. There are several places in the assessment where a student could perform a given task using a mouse, keyboard, or both.  Mark boxes with a K if student uses key commands, an M if the students uses a mouse, or a B if the student can use both

  5. Make any notes in the margins you feel are relevant

  6. You may wish to use parts or all of this checklist to write up a report or keep the checklist on hand as a way of measuring student progress over time.

Table of Contents

Assistive Technology Information Sheet and Checklist

Student Name:

Student DOB:
Student Grade:

Dates of Assessment:

Name of Person Conducting Assessment:

Record Review

Brief description of the student, his/her ocular condition, and accompanying pathologies (including other disabilities if applicable):

The student’s eye condition is:

Rank the reading mediums below according to student preference:

Please note any assistive technology, low vision tools, or devices that have been tried with the student in the past and whether they have been successfully utilized:

Is the student motivated by or receptive to use of technology in the classroom, community, or home environments?

Comments:

Handheld Devices

If yes, mark one or more appropriate choices

Student owns (check all that apply):

Student can (check all that apply):

When using a smartphone, the student uses (check all that apply):

Video Magnification

Check all that apply:

When using video magnification, the student (check all that apply)

Touch Typing

What program(s) is being used to instruct the student:

Check all that apply:

Use of a PC or Laptop

Basic Computer Orientation and Operation:

Student frequently utilizes a computer:

The computer the student uses at home is:

The computer the student uses at school is:

Basic Computer Skills

Getting started - Student can:

Keyboard Orientation - Student can:

Basic Computer Navigation - Student can:

Interacting with Text

The student can:

Screen Reader Specific Commands for Interacting with Text

Student knows the key command to:

Word Processing

Student can perform the following tasks:

Use of Electronic Mail, Calendar, Contacts, and Tasks

Name of e-mail client used (i.e. Outlook, Gmail, Yahoo, etc.):

Accessing E-mail

Student can perform the following tasks:

Calendar

Contacts

Student can do the following tasks:

Tasks

Use of the Internet (Screen Magnification Users)

Student can:

Use of the Internet (Screen Reader Users)

Use of Google Apps

Student uses

Student is able to:

Visually Accessing the Screen

Use of a Screen Reader to Access the Screen

Screen reading software (program and version):

Student can

Use of a Desktop Scanner and OCR Software

Scanner and OCR program being used:

Student can:

Use of Braille Translation Software and Embossers

Brand and version of software being used:

Brand and version of embosser being used:

Student can:

Use of a Braille Notetaker

NOTE: This is a general notetaker checklist.  There are notetaker specific lessons and checklists available at a variety of websites, including the manufacturer of the notetaker your student is using.

Brand of notetaker used and software version:

General Orientation to Device

Student can

Utilities and Settings

Student can

Word Processing

Student can:

Electronic Mail

Student can:

Calendar

Student can:

Contacts

Student can:

Internet

Student can:

Books and Libraries

Bookshare

Student can:

National Library Service (NLS)

Student can:

Media

Student can:

Use of a Tablet or Smartphone

Brand of tablet/phone used and software version:

General Orientation to Device

Use of Screen Magnification

Student can:

Use of Speech to Access Screen

Student can:

Utilities and Settings

Student can:

Screen Reader Specific Settings

Student can:

Home Screen Navigation and Personalization

Student can:

Word Processing

Student can:

Electronic Mail

Student can:

Calendar

Student can:

Reminders

Student can:

Contacts

Student can:

Internet

Student can:

Music and Media

Student can:

Voice Notes and Memos

Student can:

App Purchasing

Student is able to:

Book and Reading Apps

Specific Library Services

Bookshare

Student can:

NLS and BARD

Student can:

Apps Designed for the Blind and Low Vision

Student uses the following apps and services:

Use of a Braille Display and/or Bluetooth Keyboard

Brand and version of device being used:

Student uses the display with (check all that apply)

Interacting With Text

Student can:

Using Device with a Tablet

Student can:

Using a Braille Display with a Computer

Student can:

Use of GPS Devices (Stand-Alone or Apps)

NOTE: If you are a TVI with no other certification, you may wish to consult with an orientation and mobility specialist when conducting this portion of the assessment

GPS Device, App, or Program being used as well as model and/or version number:

Stand-Alone GPS Device

Student can:

GPS on Braille Notetaker

Student can:

GPS App

Name and version number of app being used:

Student can:

Book Readers and Library Subscriptions

Student has access to (check all that apply):

Student has his/her own account for:

To read electronic/audio books, the student uses (check all that apply):

Student can (check all that apply):

Use of a Stand-Alone Book Player

Model and version of player being used:

If the student uses a stand-alone book player, he or she can (check all that apply):

Use of Other Adaptive Devices or Programs

Student uses the following devices to access mainstream or assistive technology (check all that apply):

Please list specific devices used by student, including the name, manufacturer, and version number:

Use of switches - Check all that apply:

Augmentative communication - Check all that apply:

Sensory apps - Student uses and accesses sensory apps (Check all that apply):

Search IDB Intranet Accounting Procedures BEP Procedures Center & VRT Procedures ETT Procedures IL Procedures Library Procedures Tech Procedures IDB Policy and Procedure Home IDB Building Evacuation Plan AT Overview VR Intranet Home VR Forms VR Policies and Guidelines
IDB Policies and Procedures