GROUP 8SPECIAL NEEDSAbbie Parsons, Elise Hocknell, Lily Faulkner, Hannah Lovett and Jess

Pickett

What is a special needs computer?

They have become important for people with disabilities. Their flexibility allows adaptations to be made easily to meet different needs, making them easier to use. Accessibility features are now a part of computer operating systems and additional software and devices can be added to extend the options available.

The MotherboardThe motherboard is what holds all the components useful in the computer e.g Hard drive and RAM. A printed circuit board containing the principal components of a computer or other device with connectors for other circuit boards to be slotted into.

For special needs children the motherboard would have to be really powerful to run all the software needed. It might also need lots of ports so you can add lots of peripherals.

RAM RAM stands for ‘Random Access Memory’ which finds places to store data randomly. It is not connected to the computer but when you do connect it, RAM temporarily stores data to the computer. On a computer you would need at least 4GB-8GB of RAM with an extension up to 16GB.

A special needs computer would need a lot of RAM because it will hold special needs programmes such as dyslexia software, communications software and eye gaze software.

 

Heat sink A heat sink draws heat away from a CPU

the heat sink has a thermal conductor that carries heat away from the CPU into fins that help provide a large surface area for the heat to dissipate through out the rest of the computer.

Hard Drive A hard drive is a disk drive used to read from and write to

a hard disk. Data sent to and from the hard drive is interpreted by the Disk controller, which tells the hard drive what to do and how to move the components within the drive.

A hard drive usually consists of 300gb – 1 tb.

Optional peripherals Book reader – allows children to hear

what has been written. Keyboard – a keyboard with large

lettering and has colours this will able children with special needs use a keyboard.

A BIGTrack – a sensory mouse allows children to still use computer mouse but with palm of their hand.