Assistive Technology Portfolio EDSP 6964

1. Assistive Technology PortfolioEDSP 6964 Created by: Tara Edwards

2. Table of contents • Author Bio • Intro to Assistive Technology • Devices • Services • Accommodations and Modifications • Louisiana State Requirements • Consideration for AT • Better classroom life • examples • Better home life • Better community life • Resources

3. Author Bio My name is Tara Edwards. I live in Lake Charles, Louisiana, where I was born and raised. I graduated McNeese State University in 2007 with a degree in Elementary Education. I taught second grade for four years until I felt called to step out and focus my attention on a smaller group of students, the visually impaired. I am married with two kids; a two year old daughter, and a son on the way. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, along with many other daily activities including cooking, shopping, attending sporting events, socializing, going to church, etc.

4. Intro to AT According to chapter one, AT is defined in the federal law, IDEA 2004; and it consists of two parts: assistive technology devices and assistive technology services. • AT device is “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 functional capabilities of a child with disability”. • AT service refers to “any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device”.

5. Assistive Technology Devices These devices are items that can be purchased in a store and range from low-tech to high-tech. “Low-tech devices use no electronic components and are relatively inexpensive. Mid-tech devices are electronic in nature but are much less expensive and require less traning than high-tech devices. High-tech devices are items that often are based on computer technology.” Below is a chart from the book that shows the different sets of devices ranging from low to high. pg 6

6. Assistive Technology Services • Examples of these types of services include: • • evaluation of needs, including a functional evaluation, in the child’s customary environment; • • purchasing, leasing or otherwise providing for the acquisition of assistive technology devices; • • selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying, maintaining, repairing, or replacing of assistive technology devices; • • coordinating with other therapies, interventions, or services with assistive technology devices, such as those associated with existing education and rehabilitation plans and programs; • • training or technical assistance for a child with disabilities, or where appropriate that child’s family; and • • training or technical assistance for professionals (including individuals providing education and rehabilitation services), employers or others(s) who provide services to employ, or are otherwise, substantially involved in the major life functions of children with disabilities (P.L. 108-446, Part A, Section 602 (2)).

7. What are accommodations & modifications? • Accommodations and modifications are determined by the IEP team and are documented in the IEP. The purpose of these is to help students achieve their IEP goals. • Accommodationsare strategies and adaptations to help students with disabilities be successful at following the same curriculum as their peers. • Examples: read class materials orally, repeat or explain directions in a different way, extra time to complete assignments and/or tests, preferential seating, large print • Modificationsare changes in the curriculum to meet the needs of a student with disability. • Examples:modified reading level, things read aloud, revising assignments to make them easier, reducing amount of items learned and/or items on a test

8. Louisiana State Requirements • “Each local education agency must ensure that a full and individual evaluation is conducted for each student being considered for special education and related services. In determining if the student is a "student with an exceptionality and in need of special educational services, the local educational agency must ensure the evaluation is conducted in accordance with the procedures in the Pupil Appraisal Handbook. • If the results of the evaluation determine the student is a "student with an exceptionality, the results will be used by the student's IEP Team in designing the student's individualized education program. This includes any needed assistive technology services or devices. • In October 2005, the Louisiana Department of Education (LDE) published "A Framework for Conducting Assistive Technology Consideration, Screening & Assessment." This document is an extension of those procedures and guidelines provided in the Pupil Appraisal Handbook, Bulletin 1508, and the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) Handbook for Students with Disabilities, Bulletin 1530. The document is an attempt to unify procedures across the state and provide a mechanism to ensure that all students who require assistive technology are receiving the tools and services they need. “ • Click the following wordsframeworkor bulletin 1508 to bring you to those resources.

9. Consideration of AT • The book refers to an acronym that allows you to look at everything when considering assistive technology. • It is referred to as the SETT framework review. • S tudent – looking at all areas of the student; problems, strengths, and interests. • E nvironments – items that are currently available, physical arrangements, schedules, and support personnel • T asks – assignments & activities that take place in the curriculum, what are the academic needs, how can these be modified or accommodated • T ools – what tools will encourage active participation, strategies that can be used to improve performance. There are a lot of online resources for consideration and assessment of assistive technology that can assist with this. Here are a few: www.wati.org www.gpat.org www.ataccess.org

10. Ways to make life better……… In the classroom • The AT available to make like better within the classroom are abundant. • AT should be included in several areas of the IEP: objectives, accommodations and modifications, supplementary aids and services, and related services to ensure proper use within the classroom. • AT is beneficial in lots of areas within the classroom. It encourages differentiated instruction, supports reading and writing, integrates math, and assists communication.

11. EXAMPLES within the classroom WritingMath • pencil grips -manipulatives • slant boards -rubber stamps • digital recorder -enlarged calculator • Large print keyboard -special rulers • Braille notes -computer with lots of • augmentative communication devices software • computers with different writing software • Graphic organizing, text to speech, phonetic dictionaries, etc Reading Communication • slant boards - assistive listening devices • reading guide (FM and infrared systems) • magnification devices - augmentative communication • audio books (switches, communication • eReaders boards) • Computers with software such as Kurzweil

12. Ways to make life better……… At home • Using AT in the home can not only help improve parent/student relationships, but it reinforces the things they learn in school just like homework. • Not only are the devices important, but getting parents connected with other parents of children with disabilities is a way to make life better within the home. A support group such as http://www.our-kids.org/ and http://www.familyconnect.org/parentsitehome.asp. • Some examples of AT devices are: • Most devices that are used in the classroom such as slant boards, magnification devices, audio books, laptop computers with appropriate software, and augmentative communication devices • Scopes • Functional skill software

13. Ways to make life better……… In the community • Assistive technology can make life in a community easier for students with disabilities by giving them support and encouragement to live independent lives. • Examples include: • Ramps • Braille watches • Braille labels • Talking ATM’s • Public transportation • Audio Systems

14. Resources • Assistive Technology in the Classroom Enhancing the School Experience of Students with Disabilities by: Amy G Dell, Deborah A. Newton, Jerry G. Petroff • http://www.vcu.edu/ttac/images/louisiana.pdf • http://ab061.k12.sd.us/specialed/modifications.htm • http://www.louisianaschools.net/divisions/specialp/assistive_technology.html • http://www.afb.org