Mark Glenn Assistive Technology Assignment

1. Assistive Technology Mark Glenn

2. What is Assistive Technology? • Assistive technology provides the opportunity for a student with a disability to function in the general classroom setting at their maximum level. The piece of assistive technology is in direct correlation to the disabled student’s individualized education plan (IEP). Using assistive technology can enhance the performance of academics, physical activity and mobility; furthermore, it covers anything used to continue or further develop the abilities of a child (The Iris Center, 2010).

3. Laws In Reference to Assistive Technology • Assistive technology is not mandated by federal law; however, it becomes parallel to the law that each school system in each state must uphold in regards to a free appropriate public education. FAPE is a component of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA ‘04). IDEA ‘04 supports each student IEP. Under the IEP, the accommodations needed for a child to be successful at their highest potential in the general classroom setting must be executed to the fullest and may include the implementation of assistive technology (The Iris Center, 2010). • The IEP team of a given school makes the decisions in regards to student needs being completely met; therefore, deciding what type or types of assistive technology would make the student perform at a high level. In most cases, decisions are made for assistive technology on an annual basis examining the student’s goals and objectives based on current intervention and the appropriateness of it, or is new assistive technology required (The Iris Center, 2010).

4. Headphones: Assistive Technology Example for Hearing Impaired • Headphones could be paired with another assistive technology device such as a computer, Ipad/tablet, or radio. • Headphones help in amplifying sound making it possible in some situations for a student to hear. • Figure 1: Dybala, Paul (2014). Assistive Listening Devices for Television. Hearing Help.

5. Raised-line Paper: Assistive Technology Example of Vision Impaired • Raised-line paper could help a student with a vision impairment by allowing them to feel the raised blue lines and red margin line on the paper to locate where to write. • Students with a fine motor skill impairment could also find this example of assistive technology beneficial. • Figure 2: Independent Living Aids, LLC (n. d.).

6. Scanner: Assistive Technology Example of Learning Disability • A scanner can convert documents into screen reading software. Scanners can also serve students with visual or physical disabilities. • Figure 3: (2010) http://uac.byu.edu

7. Walker: Assistive Technology Example of Physically Disabled • A walker can allow a student to stand and walk around a classroom. • A walker can also provide the ability for a student to be able to gain mobility around a school campus. • Figure 4: Markusic, Mayflor(2012). All About Assistive Positioning Devices For Students With Physical Disabilities.

8. References • Dybala, P. (2014, November 21). Assistive Listening Devices for Television. Retrieved January 22, 2015, from www.healthyhearing.com • Ila Low-Vision Aids. (n.d.). Retrieved January 22, 2015, from http://www.independentliving.com • Markusic, M. (2012, September 11). All About Assistive Positioning Devices For Students With Physical Disabilities. Retrieved January 22, 2015, from http://www.brighthubeducation.com/special-ed-physical-disabilities/2918- body-positioning-technology-for-students/ • The Iris Center for Training Enhancements. (2010). Assistive Technology: An Overview. Retrieved on January 22, 2015 from: http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/at • (2010, January 1). Retrieved January 22, 2015, from http://uac.byu.edu/content/assistive-technology