Assistive Technology

Jared Laxson

ED 505

Assistive Technology

• Assistive technology is any device that helps a person with a disability complete an everyday task. People use assistive technology on a daily basis. Somebody with bad eyesight will wear glasses. Somebody who has trouble hearing will wear hearing aids. “IDEA 2004 continues to define an assistive technology device as any item, piece of equipment, or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of the child”(Mittler, 2007).

• Mittler, J. (2007). Assistive Technology and IDEA: Regulations. Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004. Retrieved from http://tamcec.org/pdf/AssistiveTech%20and%20IDEA%20Regs.pdf

Laws for Assistive Technology in Schools

• IDEA 2004 puts the responsibility on the schools to accommodate those who need assistive technology. The school is supposed to keep record if IEP’s on the students who need accommodations. IDEA 2004 includes the directive that every IEP should “Consider whether the child needs (emphasis added) assistive technology devices and services.”(Mittler, 2007).

• Mittler, J. (2007). Assistive Technology and IDEA: Regulations. Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004. Retrieved from http://tamcec.org/pdf/AssistiveTech%20and%20IDEA%20Regs.pdf

FM System

• An FM system is a device to help the hearing impaired. It uses a wireless transmitter to broadcast a signal throughout a given area. The teacher will wear a transmitter that will be close to his or her mouth. The student that is hearing impaired will wear a receiver in their ear. The voice of the teacher will be amplified into the ear of the student. This can be heard on an earphone or it can be embedded into the student’s hearing aid.

• Classroom Assistive Listening Devices. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.californiaearinstitute.com/hearing-device-center-listening device-classroom-bay-area.php

Large Print Calendar

• The Large Print Calendar can be a useful tool for somebody that is visually impaired. It is also simple for the teacher to use. The calendar has large print and braille for the blind. The calendar can also be useful for the students who are not visually impaired. The class can write important dates on the calendar that they will all need to remember. This allows the student to be responsible for the information they will need to know.

• Assistive Technology Training Online Project. (2005). Low Tech Aids. Retrieved from http://atto.buffalo.edu/registered/ATBasics/Populations/LowVision/tools.php

Ginger Text Reader

• There are many students who have a variety of learning disabilities. There are many tools out there that can help with various learning disabilities. The Ginger Text Reader would be an effective tool to use in the classroom for students who have trouble reading on a computer screen. This tool will take the text that is on the computer screen and read it out loud for the student. This can be a good way to compensate for somebody who has trouble reading on the computer screen. This also allows for the student to not fall behind on assignments that are done on the computer.

• Ginger. #1 Grammar and Spell Checker. Retrieved from http://www.gingersoftware.com/products/text-reader#.VXehUs9Vikp

Automatic Page Turner

• The automatic page turner would be an effective tool for students that have trouble using their hands to do strenuous activities. This device would be good for those who struggle with their motor activities. It is simple to use and is primarily low cost. You load the book into the page turner and the book will turn the pages with the pressing of a button by the reader. This button can be pressed by that person’s finger or it can be controlled by that person’s foot.

• Shravya, V., & Swetha, G. (2012). Automatic Page Turner (Padmasri Dr. B.V. Raju Institute of Technology. Retrieved from http://aac-rerc.psu.edu/wordpressmu/RESNA-SDC/2012/06/13/automatic-page-turner-padmasri-dr-b-v-raju-institute-of-technology/

References

• Ginger. #1 Grammar and Spell Checker. Retrieved from http://www.gingersoftware.com/products/text-reader#.VXehUs9Vikp

• Mittler, J. (2007). Assistive Technology and IDEA: Regulations. Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004. Retrieved from http://tamcec.org/pdf/AssistiveTech%20and%20IDEA%20Regs.pdf

• Shravya, V., & Swetha, G. (2012). Automatic Page Turner (Padmasri Dr. B.V. Raju Institute of Technology. Retrieved from http://aac-rerc.psu.edu/wordpressmu/RESNA-SDC/2012/06/13/automatic-page-turner-padmasri-dr-b-v-raju-institute-of-technology/

References

• Assistive Technology Training Online Project. (2005). Low Tech Aids. Retrieved from http://atto.buffalo.edu/registered/ATBasics/Populations/LowVision/tools.php

• Classroom Assistive Listening Devices. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.californiaearinstitute.com/hearing-device-center-listening device-classroom-bay-area.php