Assistive Technology in

LPSPresenter: Rachel KuberryLPS AT Specialist

Agenda

Topic TimeWhat is AT? The low to high tech continuum

15 minutes

AT in our district/special education programs

15 minutes

AT Assessment Process 15 minutes

What AT is NOT… and other instructional technology

15 minutes

Apps and iPads 15 minutes

Q&A 15 minutes

What is AT?

Assistive technology device means 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.

IDEA section 300.5

What about AT services?Assistive technology service means any service

that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device. The term includes-- (a) The evaluation of the needs of a child with a disability…(b) Purchasing, leasing, or otherwise providing AT…(c) Selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying,

maintaining, repairing, or replacing AT…(d) Coordinating and using other therapies, interventions, or

services with AT…(e) Training or technical assistance for a child with a disability

and their family…(f) Training or technical assistance for professionals, employers,

or other individuals who provide services to that child…

summarized from IDEA section 300.6

Low-tech to High-tech Continuum

Check out the AT Pocket Mod

Create your own here: www.pocketmod.com

Image from www.pocketmod.com

Low-tech to High-tech Continuum

LPS specific AT Continuums:

Look at AT Continuums specific to LPS here: lps.lexingtonma.org/Page/2062

Low-tech to High-tech Continuum

The simplest assistive technology alternative that successfully assists the student should always be selected

Many low, mid, and high-tech tools are already available within the district and students can use these tools right away

More information can be found within the Assessing Students Needs for Assistive Technology (ASNAT) resource manual by the Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative (WATI) which can be downloaded here: www.tinyurl.com/WATIguide

AT in our district

Low-tech tools

available in all

schools via the LoTTIE kits:

Learn more about our LoTTIE kits here: lps.lexingtonma.org/Page/2058

Image from: http://www.dati.org

AT in our district

A variety of portable word processors

Computer word processing and spell checker

Digital graphic organizing software (Inspiration and Kidspiration)

Digital text projects within our libraries

Text to speech tools

Mid-tech tools

available in all

schools include:

AT in our district

High-tech tools

available in some schools include:

Generic Name Specific Name

Speech to text software

Dragon

Scan and read text to speech software

Kurzweil

Word prediction software

Co:Writer

Mulitmedia, customizable word processor

Clicker 6

Onscreen keyboard Keystrokes

List is not exhaustive

AT in our district – How do we decide?

We use the SETT Framework to decide what AT should support the district, special education programs in our district, and individual students

StudentEnvironmentTasksTools More information on SETT can be

found here: www.joyzabala.com

Let’s talk about AT Assessments:

AT assessments are assessments that make recommendations for a specific problem

AT assessment should begin with a specific reason for referral and referral question

AT assessments are NOT standardized assessments and do NOT measure academic skills

AT assessments are completed within the standard 30 day testing period, but may include recommendations for extended trials after the testing period

AT assessments should include involvement of all Team members, including the student and parents

AT Assessments include:

Background information: special education testing general education testing previous and current AT/IT classroom/environment special education services tasks including IEP goals/objectives

Interviews: Parent Teachers/therapists Student

AT Assessments include:

Observations: classroom observation work sample review assistive technology trials additional applicable measures (ex. Written Productivity Profile)

Discussion/Summary

Recommendations

Programmatic AT Assessments:

Focus on a group of student or special education program

Use the same process as the process for individual assessments

Recommended AT is placed within the classroom/program for use by all students within the classroom/program

What AT is NOT… Instructional Technology

Instructional technology is the incorporation of technology-based devices and strategies, in support of curriculum and instruction, in order to improve student learning. 

The integration of Instructional technology allows teachers to provide: rich content resources student exploration opportunities tools to help students organize their thinking and analyze

information multiple formats for students' demonstration of understanding

Instructional Technology

Our district is currently supported by a team of Instructional Technology Specialists

These specialists work with all teachers, including special educators, to facilitate the use of instructional technology

Examples of instructional technology in our district include: iPads in lower elementary classrooms iPad pilot at Lexington High School FASTT Math Type to Learn Teacher websites “Clicker” technology

Collaboration between AT and IT

Special education technology committee meets biweekly. This committee includes special education faculty and technology faculty.

Assistive technology specialist attends weekly instructional technology meeting.

Technology and special education faculty collaborate to plan (and sometimes teach) district-wide professional development.

Educational technology department makes decisions regarding instructional technology, but seeks collaboration from the special education department when applicable.

Apps and iPads

Start by asking… is it about the app or the iPad or both?

The process for organizations to buy apps is different than it is for individuals… Let’s talk about it!

Image from: http://mashable.com

Check out our website on iPads lps.lexingtonma.org/page/2163 for resources including sites to use to find apps

Additional Resources:

Website with all materials from this presentation: lps.lexingtonma.org/Page/3049

Massachusetts’ newly updated AT guide called Access to Learning: www.doe.mass.edu/odl/assistive/

Pocket Mod: www.pocketmod.com

AT Continuums by WATI: www.tinyurl.com/WATIguide

AT Continuums by Lexington: lps.lexingtonma.org/Page/2062

LoTTIE Kit information: lps.lexingtonma.org/Page/2058

SETT Framework: www.joyzabala.com