Assistive Technology

1. Assistive Technology Teaching and Technology-ED5050 Amaal Bamani March 11, 2015

2. Assistive Technology • Assistive technologyis any kind of technology that can be used to enhance the functional independence of a person with a disability. (Assistive Technology 101, 2015) • There are two form of assistive technology : • Assistive Technology Devices. • Assistive Technology Service.

3. Assistive Technology Device • Assistive technology device is any item or piece of equipment, or product system, that is used to increases, maintains, or improves the functional performance of an individual with a disability.(Definition of Assistive Technology, 2014) • It is a technology solutions to assist students in completing tasks within relevant instructional or access areas.(Definition of Assistive Technology, 2014)

4. Assistive Technology Service • Assistive technology service is Any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, and use of an assistive technology device. This includes (Definition of Assistive Technology, 2014) : • The evaluation of the needs of a child with a disability. • Purchasing, leasing, or otherwise providing for the acquisition of assistive technology devices by children with disabilities. • Coordinating and use other therapies, interventions, or services with assistive technology device. • Training or technical assistance for a child with a disability, family, or teachers.

5. Assistive Technology Law • The federal government recognized the importance of assistive technology for students when it revised the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1997 and again in 2004. IDEA states that school districts must consider assistive technology for any child in special education. And these school districts must provide certain services (Assistive Technology, 2015): • a qualified evaluator must complete an assistive technology evaluation; • if the evaluator recommends a device, it must be acquired; • and if you, your child or the staff in your child’s school need training to use the device, that training must be provided, too.

6. Hearing Impairment • Listening is an important part to accomplish learning. Student with hearing impairments can be in difficult situation unless they are able to use the assist hearing device for getting information. This will help this student be more communicate in the classroom. • FM Listening Systems • An FM System is wireless, using radio transmission to transfer sound directly from a microphone in the transmitter to a receiver worn on a hearing aid.(Acquired Deafblindness,2015)

7. Seeing Impaired • Visual impairment is a term experts use to describe any kind of vision loss. Most students with visual impairments find that they need device to assist them to be active learners in the classroom. • HIMS E-bot & E-bot ADV • E-bot is designed especially for schools and enables low vision students to view magnified text and distance images directly on an iPad or Android tablet, and computer. Students can use E-bot to take their own notes during class and clearly view the blackboard or presentation at the front of the classroom. (HIMS E-bot & E-bot ADV, 2013)

8. Learning Disabled • Students with learning disabilities often spend more time and effort to acquire information than their peers, but with assistive technology can help and encourage students to be effective in their classroom. • Audio Recorder: • Students who have difficulty processing, understanding or remembering what they hear may find this helpful. Variable speech control audio recorders enable the listener to play audiotaped text faster or slower than it was originally recorded, without losing the actual sounds of the words. (AT and Learning Disabilities, 2014)

9. Physically disabled • Students with physical disabilities are facing greatest obstacles in communication and movement. But with the technology they can overcome their disability and become more effective in the school. • Touch screen: • A touchscreen is a combination of a computer monitor and an easy-to-use input device. The surface of the screen is touch-sensitive and can provide the computer with information on the exact location on the screen where a touch was made. It can be used as assistive devices by users who lack skills to use classic computer equipment. (Physical Impairment, 2015)

10. References: Assistive Technology 101, (2015) Retrieved (March 9, 2015) from http://www.fctd.info/factsheet/at101 Definition of Assistive Technology, (2014) Retrieved (March 9, 2015) from http://www.gpat.org/Georgia-Project-for-Assistive-Technology/Pages/Assistive-Technology-Definition.aspx Assistive Technology, (2015) Retrieved (March,10,2015) from http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/learning-disabilities/strategies-for-learning-disabilities/assistive-technology/ Acquired Deafblindness,(2015) Retrieved (March 11, 2015) fromhttp://www.deafblindinformation.org.au/acquired-deafblindness/equipment-assistive-devices/listening-devices HIMS E-bot & E-bot ADV, (2013) Retrieved (March 11, 2015) from https://www.enablemart.com/hims-e-bot-e-bot-adv AT and Learning Disabilities, (2014)Retrieved (March11, 2015) from http://www.sc.edu/scatp/ld_recorders.htm Physical Impairment, (2015) Retrieved March 11, 2015) from http://www.gateway2at.org/page.php?page_ID=3&gen_ID=12&mensub_ID=4&submen_ID=1&AtDet_ID=26