Posted on an email list by an educator:

Can anyone suggest AT (Accessible Technolgy) approach / consideration / SW (Software) to support a student with multiple LD (Learning Disorders) and sensory processing disorders?

Can anyone suggest AT approach / consideration / SW package to support a student with the following needs profile across all (most) subjects and to appropriately prepare for Middle school transition. Possibly SW package/bundle to support and minimize the number of different programs to learn and switch from subject to subject (due to cognitive flexibility deficit).
Profile: 12 y.o. 6th grade, Middle school next year.
NLD (Neurological Learning Disorder), significant Central Auditory (auditory working memory; integrating the prosodic intonation problems; difficulties listening in noisy group environments; auditory decoding) & Visual perception processing (visual discrimination, Form constancy, Figure Ground and Closure, visual memory / reasoning)/ visual-motor/spatial, fine motor/motor planning/sensory integration deficits, Receptive/expressive/pragmatic language, information retrieval issues. Executive / organization skills. No vision or hearing problems.
Current IEP: Resource room - Math, reading, writing; Inclusion RegEd: science, social study, specials. AT to support writing - netbook, WP, Inspiration (just started in spring for ideas brainstorming): (can't print, cursive not functional, difficulty acquiring keyboarding skills due to fingers strength, coordination and dexterity). AT helps but due to keyboarding issues - not very effective and not used in RegEd class. Also netbook screen is probably too small to support visual perception.

My thoughts; Speech Recognition Control and/or Breath Control, Screen Reader coupled with low mag screen magnification for visual and auditory redundancy (multiple learning modes). Educational programs coupled with Educational games, each preferably easily tailored by educator and family for incorporating and reinforcing current curriculum targets with review and testing.

Need some recommendations; What build would provide these features and work adequately on a netbook? I'll try to get some info on the netbook, brand, model, etc.

Many thanks for any replies.

Hi all, I'm starting a project that involves finding used computers that are too slow or that users have otherwise gotten frustrated with. I'll clean install Vinux on them completely wiping the hard drives and our little group will then find users who can benefit from an inexpensive accessible computer. Vinux is based on Ubuntu and has been tweaked to peak the performance of Orca and a few other accessible features so I'll also be concerned about not breaking Orca or some other part of the speech or magnification works or the sound package, or if something does break, getting it fixed. Info about Vinux is at vinux.org.uk.

I've done the installs replacing Microsoft and I know it's probably a matter of time until I'm given a Mac. In general, how do I clean install on Macs? I'm going to assume that there might be some differences between brands and models and between desktops and lap tops, but in general, what am I looking at? When I get hit with the bucket of spit I want to be ready.

By the way, I'm a member of the Hank Bloomberg chapter of the Pennsylvania Council of the Blind. That ought to help explain the purpose of the project better. I'm also a newbie, I jumped from Microsoft just over a year ago into Ubuntu and I haven't looked back since.