Assistive Technology (AT)

By: Jessica Adams

What is Assistive Technology (AT)?

• AT is any device or service that helps a student with a disability to meet his or her Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals and to participate in the general education setting to the greatest possible extent.

• AT improves the functional performance of an individual with a disability.

-IRIS Center for Training Enhancements (2010)

Students Use AT To:

• Communicate• Perform academic tasks• Participate in school and extra curricular

activities • Move or travel around the school • Use proper seating and positioning • Access materials

-IRIS Center for Training Enhancements (2010)

List of AT Examples• Slant board • Magnifier • Reacher • Calculator • Computer• Amplification system • Alternative keyboard • Raised line paper • Highlighting pens and tape • Non-slip material • Adapted feeding tools • Tape recorders • Manual wheelchair • Portable keyboard • Timer • Spellcheckers • Audio books • Communication devices • Pen (Evo)

Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) of 2004

• AT is any item, piece of equipment, or product system, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of a child and specifically excludes a medical device that is surgically implanted or the replacement of such device, such as a cochlear implant.

-IRIS Center for Training Enhancements (2010)

Legal Definition of Assistive Technology

• AT is any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of a child with a disability.

-Penny Reed, PhD

IDEA made it law that AT services include the following:

• Evaluating the student’s need for a device • Buying, leasing, or acquiring the device• Selecting, fitting, adapting, repairing, or replacing

device as needed • Coordinating the services for a student who uses a

device (therapy) • Provide training or technical assistance to student,

family, teachers, or others involved in the use of the device

-IRIS Center for Training Enhancements (2010)

IEP teams

• IEP teams must determine whether a student’s needs can be met through assistive technology or through other accommodations. This is the Consideration Process required by IDEA.

• The IEP team comes up with the a plan after the Consideration Process. This is called Implementing AT.

• After Implementing AT, decision making is made and Evaluating begins.

• AT= devices and services that are considered, implemented, and evaluated.

-IRIS Center for Training Enhancements (2010)

Pocketalker Ultra Personal Amplifier (AT for the hearing impaired)

• The pocketalker amplifies sounds closest to you while reducing background noise. • Ideal for one-on-one instruction and small-group instruction. • Easy to use: simply plug in earpiece, position the microphone near the preferred

sound, adjust tone and volume to your comfort and start listening. • Can be used with neck loops and telecoil-equipped hearing aids. • Up to 200 hours of battery life ensures long-lasting performance.

-enablemart.com

Magnisight Explorer LCD CCTV(AT for vision impaired)

• Perfect for low vision and visually impaired people • Simple controls and one piece designs for all ages to

use • Magnification from 4x to 70x depending on monitor

size • Wide range contrast

– enablemart.com

Crocodile Gait Trainer (AT for physically disabled)

• The Crocodile Gait Trainer is a walking aid for children with special needs who need supplementary assistance with their daily walking.

• For ages 18 months to teenage• Placed behind the child, the frame allows freedom of movement and

facilitates walking in the upright position. The adjustable handles can be individually adapted to position conveniently close to the child’s body providing maximum support and stability.

-enablemart.com

Dynavox(AT for learning disabled)

• The Dynavox helps individuals that have limited or no speech due to learning disabilities such as Autism.

• Students develop language and literacy skills with use of a Dynavox by relating sound, word, and picture recognition together.

• Students make choices by remembering pictures and words presented on the Dynavox screen.

– tobiidynavox.com

References

• The IRIS Center for Training Enhancements. (2010). “Assistive Technology: An Overview.” Retrieved on 06/11/2015 from http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/at/

• http://www.enablemart.com

• http://www.tobiidynavox.com