Support NYISE's Tech program here
Established in 1831, the New York Institute for Special Education (NYISE) is one of the first schools in the country to provide an educational program for blind and visually impaired children.
Currently serving 150 blind and visually impaired students, our Schermerhorn program focuses on providing the educational and life skills our students need to function independently and reach their fullest potential as proactive members of society.
Technology is an important part of the curriculum as it levels the playing field for students who are visually impaired or blind. Assess to material in print whenever an individual wants is available to all students without visual impairments. This is not the case for students with visual impairments. Today technology bridges the gap but the cost of assistive technology devices is often high.
NYISE has a robust network throughout the campus. The buildings have hard wiring to the Internet as well as wireless connections. We are set up with a guest network, two computer labs and a network for individuals to bring their own devices. All the classrooms provide student access to computers as well as two computer classrooms where students come to learn keyboarding, software programs as well as how to use specialized devices for children who are blind/visually impaired. The library also provides computer access.
Three years ago, NYISE implemented an iPad project to provide each student with an iPad or iPod to allow for increased access to material. The iOS platform provides access with voice over and zooms for immediate access to email files, book and other documents. The classroom uses Google Classroom for the students to interact with the teacher in sending and receiving documents. The iPad use has been helpful in gaining access to material in print.
Assess to material in print whenever an individual wants is available to all students without visual impairments. This is not the case for students with visual impairments. Today technology bridges the gap but the cost of assistive technology devices is often high. Our students are benefitting from digital books and specially designed devices for reading eBooks. Student have accounts with Learning Ally and Bookshare.org to gain access to textbooks and leisure reading materials.
CBS News ran a national story
on the students of NYISE and our use of the iPad.
NYISE joins Digital Learning Day 2018-the nationwide celebration
— NYISE (@nyise999) February 22, 2018
of how technology can improve student outcomes.
Learn how technology levels the playing field for students who are visually impaired or blind. https://t.co/6Bss3vTvBk#DLDay @OfficialDLDay @4201schools #blindness pic.twitter.com/6ywWSIOV1F
