Assistive TechnologyAssistive TechnologyAssistive TechnologyAssistive Technology

The Keys to Success

Success is to be measured not somuch by the position that one hasreached in life as by the obstacleswhich he has overcome while trying tosucceed.

Booker T. Washington*

*Taken from Famous Quotes retrieved from http://home.att.net/~quotations/

What is it?What is it?

Any technological aid that a student requires to:

1. Be successful on their IEP goals and objectives

2. Access their current curriculum

Why do we need it?Why do we need it?

Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA)•1995•Intended to improve the education of special

education students and to move them to greater independence

•Provided for a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment

Why do we need it?Why do we need it?

IDEA ’97• Amended original IDEA• Requires teachers to consider assistive

technology for all special education

students during the

IEP process

Why do we need it?Why do we need it?

IDEA 2004• IDEA ’97 Amended• Requires special education students to spend

as much time as possible in the regular

classroom

Why do we need it?Why do we need it?

No Child Left Behind (NCLB)• Allows only the most severely disabled to be

exempt from standardized testing• Special education students need access to

the regular curriculum if they are to be tested on it

• Certain types of A.T. canbe used during testing if itdoes not change thenature of the test

What can it do for my What can it do for my students?students?

Assistive technology helps to “level the playing field” for the special education student. It helps the student to overcome his/her disability so that he/she can concentrate on the content of the curriculum.

What is generally available?What is generally available?• Audio recorders• Hand held spellcheckers• Talking spellcheckers• Portable word processors• Laptop and mini laptop computers• Software programs with

word prediction • Reading pens

What is generally available?What is generally available?• Software programs that scan and

read any text out loud• Voice recognition software • Software programs addressing phonics,

spelling, reading comprehension, etc.• Calculators with large keys,

voice output, etc.• Voice to text software• Personal listening systems

or amplifiers

How can I locate A. T. How can I locate A. T. for specific needs ?for specific needs ?

Three ways to locate assistive technology for your specific needs:

• Special Education Assistive Technology Website

• “Google” concerning yourspecific need and A. T.

• Contact GCPS Assistive Technology Department

• When requesting assistive technology, write the type of technology you need. Do not write the specific device.– Example: You could write that you need a

talking spellchecker, but not specifically the Franklin spellchecker.

• There must be goals and objectives that support the need for the device.

What Do I Write on the IEP?What Do I Write on the IEP?

How do I get A. T. How do I get A. T. for my students?for my students?

Request for Services:

• Technical support for device or software• Student consultation (A.T. specialist will

give an overall picture of what may be useful in supportingspecific goals)

• Request for training on aspecific device or program(Can be done as a groupor individually.)

How do I get A. T. How do I get A. T. for my students?for my students?

Low Tech Request:• One page form• Allows you to request one device for one

student costing less than $150• If the student needs more

than one device, anA. T. Report must becompleted

How do I get A. T. How do I get A. T. for my students?for my students?

A. T. Report:• Six page report• Allows the team of service providers to

recommend any A. T. the student may need• Revised this year to

make it easier to use

I saw the angel in the marble and I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.carved until I set him free. Michaelangelo Michaelangelo

Michelangelo

Practice on the Practice on the A.T. WebsiteA.T. Website

We are going to take a few minutes to work with the A. T. website and answer any questions you may have concerning assistive technology.

Thank youThank youfor all for all

youyoudo!do!