Adapting the Visual Arts: The Communication Literacy Link
By King-DeBaun, Pati; Closing the Gap, Vol. 19, No. 4, pp. 1, 20-21, 40-41, 45Publication Date: October/November 2000
Article focuses on adaptations that give students with disabilities the opportunity to participate in creative activities. The importance of facilitating creativity in children's formative years in order to enhance emerging literacy skills is well documented, and is supported in whole language-type teaching philosophies. Opportunities to utilize writing and drawing tools with a variety of objects and materials in sharing experiences and ideas can serve as a foundation for creativity and independent learning. An example is provided describing a student's use of an adapted crayon holder used to illustrate his favorite animal. The student uses the adapted crayon holder to paint a background upon which he uses his Adapted Stamp Base, from Creative Communicating, to stamp a duck onto the background. Another example provided is a battery-operated barking puppy that becomes a drawing instrument when a mark is placed in its collar. Symbolic word cards can be prepared to enhance literacy by using symbol generated software programs such as Boardmaker, Board Builder for Macintosh, and Picture It software, also for Macintosh.
Assistive Products Discussed: PICTURE IT
BOARDMAKER (INTERNATIONAL)
COMMUNICATION BOARD BUILDER
Published by: Closing the Gap, Inc. (Website:http://www.closingthegap.com)
