ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY:  HELPING ALL STUDENTS REACH THEIR POTENTIAL

Kari Lee Siko, Ph.D.

Assistive Technology Instructional Leader

University of North Carolina Wilmington

THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA)

“The Americans with Disabilities Act 1990 (ADA) provides civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities like those provided to individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, and religion. The ADA guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities in public accommodations, employment, transportation, State and local government services and telecommunications.”

INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES

Individuals who have a mental or physical disability that substantially limits one or more major like activities

Individuals who have a record of a mental or physical disability that substantially limited one or more of the individual’s major life activities

Individuals who are regarded as having such a disability (regardless of whether they have the disability).

TITLE II AND ADA

Protects qualified individuals with disabilities from discrimination on the basis of disability in accessing services, programs, or activities provided or made available by local or state governments or their affiliate agencies

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

A reasonable accommodation is any change or adjustment to a job, the environment, or the way things are usually done so that a qualified individual with a disability gets equal opportunities

“UNDUE HARDSHIP”

Colleges and Universities are not required to provide an accommodation that will impose an “undue hardship” on the operation of the class, where “undue hardship” mean significant difficulty or expense in, or resulting from, the provision of the accomodation

“UNDUE HARDSHIP”

Size of the program/ class

Financial resources

Cost of Accommodations

Alterations/ change in course

requirement

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

“any item, piece of equipment, or product, whether acquired commercially off-the-shelf, modified, or customized which is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities” (IDEA)

assistive technology comes in many forms and is not limited to electronic devices, although the use of high tech, electronic devices poses one of the greatest challenges to teachers and interventionists working with persons with disabilities

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

the use of technology can empower persons with disabilities to accomplish tasks that would otherwise be impossible for them without the availability of such resources

the use of assistive technologies can increase the functional capabilities and strengths of persons with a range of intellectual and/or physical disabilities.

WHO CAN ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY HELP?

a) cognitive abilities such as reading, writing, and reasoning;

b) sensory abilities (e.g. hearing, vision);

c) language (e.g. listening and speaking) and;

d) motor abilities to complete certain tasks

(Bryant & Bryant, 2003)

LEVELS OF ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

High Tech Use electricity and usually computer programs Expensive

Mid Tech Run on batteries Affordable

Low Tech Inexpensive

CATEGORIES OF ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

Switches Mounting Daily Living Aids Communication Adapted Toys Sensory Tools Vision Hearing Computer

Hardware/Access Controls and

Interfaces Environmental

Controls Time Management

Tools Gross Motor Fine Motor Curriculum Access

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION AND LENDING SITE

model facility housed at the University of North Carolina

Wilmington facility would physically hold

new and innovative materials and equipment currently available on the market,

cutting edge materials, and material and equipment created by those

attached to the center, as well as those technologies with a history of

positive effects

THE SITE WILL…

offer training opportunities for persons to learn the application and potential of various assistive technologies

be interactive and showcase technologies that address the needs of people with all types of disabilities inclusive of video instructions and simulations

be a point of information for the community for education and training

will allow people to “touch”, “feel”, and “try” some of the latest devices

house a team with experts to develop assistive prototypes for specific disabilities to allow for a better quality and a more productive life

FOCUSES OF THE AT SITE Aids to Daily Living (dressing, grooming, care for one’s

personal needs) Augmentative Communication for persons with limited

or no speech Computer access Environmental controls (home and work access to

electronic and physical equipment and materials) Physical mounts and controls for assistive devices

used by persons with physical disabilities Microswitches (tools for physical access and control

over the environment) Guided academic instruction Training for professionals Adaptive equipment designed for specific individuals

SOME ITEMS AVAILABLE (SOON) FROM THE SITE

Kindle – electronic readers iTouch – Proloquo2go (Communicator Switches Communicators Adapted devices

Dice – talking and light up Talking Scientific Calculator Toys – Fenton the Frog

MAKE AND TAKE WORKSHOPS

Summer Series of Workshops

Still have openings for Math Madness on June 11 at 2pm Visual Supports for Students with Autism on June

15 at 2pm Math Madness on July 22 at 10am What is Assistive Technology? On August 6 at

10am

FIDGET TOYS

Good for some tactile students, some students with ADHD and some students with Autism

Helps students stay focused Sensory reward

How to make: Choose color of balloon Fill ½ way full with beads or beans (or sand) Tie balloon close Fidget away