AT Devices, Software, & Equipment

Scroll down to view a representative sample of assistive technology devices, software, or equipment with vendor information. Any item in this list does not indicate endorsement of the product nor vendor by Illinois State University or faculty. Items are listed in alphabetical order.

Dance Beat Drum
(medium tech device)

This see-through drum has lights, large buttons for rhythmic modes, as well as various activity modes to allow for a great sensory integration experience.  There is a "funny mode" in which the Dance Beat Drum makes amusing sounds and light displays, the "game mode" in which children are encouraged to improve their timing and reflexes, and a "reward" mode in which rhythms play when they wait for the light pattern to freeze.  In the "melody mode" children can beat the drum and play from three pre-programmed tunes.

Vendor: International Playthings, Inc.
Cost: $19.95

Who is this device useful for?
    Children with physical, cognitive, neurological, and visual disabilities. 

Drum Kit
(medium tech device)

This Drum Kit device can be used by students to choose a song, add their own drum beats, percussion sounds, or extra tunes.  Two different interfaces are included in the kit: one for younger children and a more sophisticated one for older users. 

Vendor: NovitaTech
Cost: $83.00

Who is this device useful for?
    Mouse, touch window, switch, or Intellikeys keyboard users, young and old. 

Egg Shaker
(low tech device)

This plastic egg shaker (2" in diameter) can be used by a student in the music classroom to enhance participation.

Vendor: West Music
Cost: $2.00

Who is this device useful for?
    Preschool age students and up; students with physical disabilities or speech and language disabilities.

E-Z Notes Magnetic Note Board
(low tech device)

Magnetic note board (9" x 12") supports the teaching of note reading, scales, intervals, and chords.  Includes ten black notes, eight red notes (for sharps), eight blue notes (for flats), cloth eraser and dry-erasable pen.

Vendor: Young Musicians 
Cost: $18.00

Who is this device useful for?
    Preschool-age children and up with difficulties in reading and understanding musical notes. Also, this is useful for students who need manipulatives or who benefit from tactile items.

Go-Jo Bag: Set of 3 Shakers
(low tech devices)

These bag shakers attach to the hand with Velcro and can be muted by grabbing, or shaken freely.  They can be used by a student in the music classroom to enhance participation.

Vendor: West Music
Cost: $15.00

Who is this device useful for?
    Preschool age students and up, students with physical disabilities, speech and language disabilities, or fine low fine motor skills.

KayJae Backsaver Drum Practice Pad
(medium tech device)

The KayJae Backsaver Drum is a drum pad that allows the user to practice in the most comfortable position for the drummer.

Vendor: Kayjae Manufacturing Co., Inc.
Cost: $89.95

Who is this device useful for?
    Preschool age students and up, students with a variety of physical disabilities.

Music Factory
(medium tech device)

Music Factory allows mouse or switch users to experiment with listening and creating music, from a variety of styles (including reggae, blues, spooky, techno, and more).  Students can choose up to eight instruments including drums, guitars, keyboards, trumpets, steel drums, etc. 

Vendor: NovitaTech
Cost: $109.00

Who is this device useful for?
    Students who use a mouse, touchscreen, trackball, or switch scanning.

Musini
(medium tech device)

This music synchronizer device can transform your floor into a music instrument.  A built-in sensor senses the strength and temp of each step, touch, and tap on the floor and transforms each one into a unique musical sound.  Five musical styles are available for selection. The system includes high-fidelity speakers, and sensitivity control.  This system helps build gross motor skills, awareness of body position, as well as awareness of tempo, musical patterning, and musical structure. 

Vendor: Funtastic Learning
Cost: $56.95

Who is this device useful for?
    Any student with fine motor difficulties, cognitive, or physical disabilities.

Soundbeam
(high tech device)

Soundbeam is a distance-to-Midi device that produces music based on the physical movements of the user.  Ultrasonic pulses created by the user's movements (from walking and dancing to slight movements of head or hands) produce sound and music.  Speed, angle, distance, direction of movement can alter pitch and tone sounds.  Specially adapted switch boxes allow the triggering of sound effects, single notes, musical scales, or even full musical compositions. 

Vendor: Wilkins International Pty Ltd.
Cost: Unlisted (may request brochure from Wilkins)

Who is this device useful for?
    Originally designed for dancers to create music as they move. May be used for individuals with hearing loss, but any individual may benefit from its use.

Toccata
(high tech device)

Toccata is a Braille music translation program that helps teachers, parents, transcribers, and others transcribe printed music into Braille code. The program is able to transcribe music from any complexity, including single-line instrumental music, songs with lyrics, piano music, and orchestral scores. This program can also import music from MIDI files.

Vendor: Optek Systems
Cost: $795.00

Who is this device useful for?
    Students that can read music, students with vision impairments, students that read Braille. Teachers, parents, and             paraprofessionals who would like to translate music into Braille to assist a student.