Pens and pencils can be adapted to improve grip and weight. Paper can be varied in terms of width of lines for writing, and colored paper for visual contrast. Consideration of computer based adaptations should include such options as alternate keyboards or numeric keypads, mouse alternatives such as a trackball or trackpad, and portable computers or laptop computers currently available somewhere in the district. It is important to be aware of software applications available in the district and to access individuals who are familiar with the applications, such as a technology coordinator, media specialist or building technology representative, to explore features of the software. Integrated office software packages, such as AppleWorks, can be used to develop templates for organizing notetaking or minimizing formatting for daily work completion.
Some applications have shortcuts which provide speech feedback for text highlighted in a document.
Some educational software is designed with options to adjust the difficulty level, control the amount of interaction available to the student, or adjust the access method for physical differences. Use of keyboard commands can minimize mouse use for students who have difficulty using a mouse. Accessibility options are frequently built into computer operating systems. Software demos are available from many vendors or can be downloaded from the internet. These exploration tools may contain a portion of the program or provide the complete program for a limited time.