Assistive Technology

Heather HenleyED 505

Assistive TechnologyWhat is it?

• Assistive Technology Improves performance of a student with a disability. It equips students with different outlets to complete their work.

• Can be low tech (raised lined paper) or high tech (special purpose computers).

• Can be hardware or software.

Assistive Technology

• The goal of assistive technology is to help students be successful in their learning environment. It gives them the tools that they need in order to do so.

How do we use it correctly?

• There are multiple laws that relate to implementing assistive technology in the classroom.

• These include: Rehabilitation Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Telecommunications Act of 1996, and the Assistive Technology Act of 1998.

• These acts protect the rights of students with disabilities and require that they receive the tools that they need in order to be successful in the classroom.

Assistive Technology Act

• This act was signed in 1998 and has been reauthorized several times.

• The act seeks to provide people with disabilities the services that they might need to more fully participate on a level playing field of those in their community.

• It protects those of all ages in all environments (including education and the work force).

Hearing Impaired

• An FM transmitter, or Frequency Modulation system, the sound is transmitted from a microphone through a specific frequency.

• The student will wear headphones that are connected to the frequency, allowing them to better hear their teacher.

• This can be done for an individual or a group.

• The amplified sound helps students with hearing disabilities to block out background noise and focus on what the teacher is saying.

FM Transmitters

Seeing Impaired

• Audio Books are available online, on cds, or cassette tapes.

• The students can have the book, magazine, or educational material read to them during independent reading time.

Audio Books

Learning Disabled

• Math worksheets online are useful for students who have trouble lining up and organizing numbers with pencil and paper.

• Helps to take students through the steps of solving a math problem.

• The numbers can also be read aloud to students to help them complete the problem.

Electronic Math Worksheets

Physically Disabled

• Alternative Keyboards can be used for students with limited motor skills who might not have the ability to write.

• The expanded keyboard has keys closer together making it easier for a student to type.

Expanded Keyboard

References• American Foundation for the Blind. (2015). Retrieved from:

http://www.afb.org/info/living-with-vision-loss/reading-and-writing/talking-books-933/235

• Assistive Technology Industry Association. Retrieved from http://www.atia.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3859#What_is_AT_

• Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania. (2008) Assistive technology for persons with disabilities: an overview. (2009). Retrieved from http://drnpa.org/File/publications/assistive-technology-for-persons-with-disabilities---an-overview.pdf

• Gateway. Guidance for Assistive Technology in Education. Retrieved from http://www.gateway2at.org/page.php?page_ID=3&gen_ID=12&mensub_ID=4&submen_ID=1&AtDet_ID=20

• Hearing Loss Association of America. (2005-2015). Retrieved from http://www.hearingloss.org/content/glossary

• National Disability Rights Network. Technology Specific Laws and Regulations. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.ndrn.org/issues/assistive-technology/292-assistive-technology-federal-law-and-regulations.html

• Image retrieved from: http://www.inov8-ed.com/services/assistive-technology/

• Image retrieved from: http://www.av-iq.com/avcat/ctl1642/index.cfm?manufacturer=lightspeed-technologies&product=les-370

• Image Retrieved from: http://www.salon.com/2010/06/30/kid_audio_books_open2010/

• Image retrieved from http://otswithapps.com/2014/04/03/mod-math-app-free-math-worksheet-app/

• Stanberry, Kristen. Electronic Math Worksheets. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/electronic-math-worksheets/