Page Fluffer/Spacer

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Students facing motor challenges might encounter problems when trying to turn pages. Page fluffers/spacers add extra thickness and substance to pages, facilitating a better grip and making page-turning easier. Page fluffers/spacers may come in permanent or removable varieties and are affixed to the page using glue, tape, adhesive-backed materials, clips, or any suitable means to secure the spacer in position.

  • Access
    • Environmental
    • Physical
  • Executive Functioning
    • Self-regulation

Low - Mid Tech

Considerations

Take the following considerations into account when selecting and implementing AT to ensure that the chosen tools are well-suited to the student’s needs, align with their goals, and seamlessly integrate into their educational journey. By embracing a collaborative approach and considering the specific skills, tasks, and implementation context, educators can provide students with the necessary support to thrive academically and functionally, promoting inclusivity and fostering their overall success.

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  • Occupational Therapist (OT): An OT may be a member of the multidisciplinary team that evaluates or reevaluates students suspected of having a disability, including dysgraphia, and participates as an Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) committee member in writing the Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP), drafting annual goals, and recommending assistive technology services and/or the related services of occupational therapy. An OT may provide services that are academic and/or functional in nature. Examples are graphomotor skills needed for handwriting; fine motor skills which include small, finely coordinated hand movements; visual perceptual skills which include the ability to understand and interpret what is seen; visual motor skills which include the ability to coordinate visual and motor skills; and/or self-care skills which include feeding, dressing, hygiene, and toileting skills for increasing independence in necessary life skills. The OT may be a member of the Local Education Agency (LEA) assistive technology (AT) team.

What skills or tasks will the student utilize this tool for? What areas, functional or academic, does this tool support?

Reading independence

In what activities, classes, or environments will the student utilize this tool?

Page Fluffers/Spacers could be used for: 

  • Hands-free reading: Students with physical disabilities or limitations in hand movement can use the page fluffer/spacer to hold open textbooks or reference materials, allowing them to read without needing to physically hold the pages open. 
  • Focus and attention: Some students may have difficulty maintaining focus or attention while reading. The page fluffer/spacer can help by keeping the pages open, reducing the need for constant adjustments and allowing the student to concentrate more on the content. 
  • Reducing fatigue: Holding a book open for extended periods can cause fatigue, especially for students with conditions like arthritis or muscular dystrophy. The page fluffer/spacer can alleviate this strain by holding the pages open, allowing for more comfortable reading over longer durations. 
  • Independence: For students who require assistance with tasks like holding books, the page fluffer/spacer promotes independence by allowing them to manage their reading materials without constant help from others. 
  • Improving ergonomics: Using a page fluffer/spacer can help students maintain better posture and ergonomics while reading, as they don't need to contort their bodies to hold books open.

Resources and Training

CFR 300.324(a)(2)(v) requires the Admission Review and Dismissal (ARD) committee to consider whether a child needs assistive technology devices and services in the development, review, and revision of their IEP. This resource is intended to serve as a repository of the most commonly used AT resources to assist users with understanding the purpose of each AT tool, aspects of use for consideration within IEP development for students, and additional AT implementation resources.

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