The chart below includes tools for writing composition and the mechanics of writing.
Composition
Challenge: Getting started on a writing project
Online strategies
- Break the writing task into small steps. Use a digital calendar with reminders for each step.
- Brainstorm and organize ideas using a graphic organizer or concept mapping
- Structure writing with a document template
- Record ideas or write a draft using a dictation tool
- Use collaboration tools for collaborative projects or for peer review
Offline strategies
- Ask or look for an example of the writing task
- Break the assignment into smaller tasks. Use a paper calendar or agenda to remember to do each small step.
- Use a checklist or rubric for writing
- Sticky notes for brainstorming, organizing, and sequencing ideas
- Organize ideas with a paper graphic organizer
- Use a whiteboard for concept mapping
- Dictate ideas to a scribe or into an audio recorder
Desire: Help with writing conventions (spelling, capitalization, punctuation, grammar)
Online strategies
- Capitalization autocorrect and checkers
- Spelling and grammer autocorrect and checkers
- Word prediction
- Speech recognition
- Text-to-speech to hear words spoken to listen for errors
- Peer review using a comment feature or suggested edits feature
- Digital dictionary
Offline strategies
- Keep a list of spelling words for reference
- Checklist for editing
- Peer review
- Reference book of rules and conventions
- Dictionary
Mechanics of Writing
Challenge: Note taking
Online strategies
- Rather than handwrite, type information using a standard keyboard or an alternative keyboard or mouse alternative
- For virtual meetings or classes, take screenshots of information
- Request permission to audio record information
- Ask for permission to video record information
Offline strategies
- Reduce copy work by taking a photograph of a presentation slide or whiteboard
- Request a copy of documents from the presenter
- Ask to take a photograph or get a copy of notes from a peer
- Request permission to audio record using a digital voice recorder
Desire: Handwriting alternatives and handwriting help
Online strategies
- Rather than handwrite, type information into a word processing application using a standard keyboard or an alternative keyboard or mouse alternative
- Instead of handwriting on a paper form or worksheet, type information into a form filling application
- Write with a stylus on a touchscreen (less pressure required than pen/pencil)
- Use a dictation feature to record spoken words as text
- Voice record oral responses
Offline strategies
- Write on every other line to give yourself more space to write
- Provide single word or short answers
- Dictate oral responses to a scribe or into an audio recorder
- Ask your health care provider about occupational therapy services
- Pencil grip, splint, or pencil holder
- Variety of pens/pencils (size, pressure required, etc.)
- Adapted paper (raised lines, highlighted lines)
- Personal dry erase board (markers glide easily)
- Sticky notes for fill-in-the-blanks and for adding notes
- Full page handwriting guide or sentence window to help stay within writing space
- Slant board or 3 ring binder to elevate the paper
- Stabilization of board or binder (Dycem, self-liner, clipboard, magnets)
- Gum/nonabrasive erasers (less likely to tear the paper)
- Extra paper or notebook to write on a softer surface
- Label stickers for name, address, and more for completing forms
- Customized rubber stamp of your signature
Desire: Typing tricks, tips, and assistance
Online strategies
- Dictation tool to transcribe spoken words into typed text
- Word prediction to reduce keystrokes
- Abbreviation expansion to reduce keystrokes
- Keyboard shortcuts to save time and energy
- Modify key activation to assist with typing
Offline strategies
- Dictate to a scribe
- For individuals with physical disabilities:
- Head, mouth, or chin stick
- Arm supports
- Mounting devices
Desire: Alternatives to a standard keyboard
Online strategies & more
- Alternative hardware keyboards
- Software keyboards such as on-screen keyboards used with a touch screen, mouse, or mouse alternatives
- Mouse and touchpad settings
- Access methods for on-screen keyboards including eye tracking, head movement, and switch access
Offline strategies
- Dictate to a scribe
- Alternative keyboards and mice
- Stylus used with a touchscreen
- For individuals with physical disabilities:
- Head pointer or mouth stick with conductive material to use with a touchscreen
- Mounting devices
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