ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY IN THE SCHOOLS

1. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY IN THE SCHOOLS TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS: Technology Solutions in the Classroom Annette Carey (acarey@access.k12.wv.us) Kathy Knighton (kknighto@access.k12.wv.us) West Virginia Department of Education Office of Special Programs

2. 21ST CENTURY LEARNING 21st Century Learners • Who are your students? • Do they all have equal access to the learning environment? • What can I do to support their learning?

3. Your Classroom: • 15.95% of all West Virginia students are students with disabilities • 67.14% of children with disabilities are in the general education classroom • Chances are your classroom has students with disabilities • Some Students need more supports than others

4. Assistive Technology: What do I need to remember? • For most people….. technology makes things easier. • For people with disabilities…assistive technology makes things possible.

5. How We Teach Child behavior OUTPUT INPUT PROCESS What if the child does not have easy access to the input (sensory) or access to the output (communication/motor)

6. INPUT • 10% of the population has a hearing loss • 37% of children with minimal hearing loss had failed a grade • Children with unilateral hearing loss are 10 times more likely to fail a grade by age 10

7. UNFAIR SPELLING TEST

8. How did you do? • 1. bath • 2. pearl • 3. sour • 4. mouse • 5. learn • 6. wheat • 7. vine • 8. tape • 9. hedge • 10. mood

9. Input 80% of learning is through your vision Vision and hearing are your distance senses 95% of all learning is through your distance senses 90% of learning is incidental Learning progresses from the known to the unknown

10. The disability is not the Sensory Impairment The disability is in INFORMATION GATHERING

11. AT In the Schools: Session Overview • Legal Aspects of Assistive Technology • Legislation • Implications for schools • Implementation in the Schools • Overview of assistive technology devices/services • Educational interventions • Resources

12. Role of Assistive Technology • Tremendous potential to promote equity for students with disabilities…… • independent • self-confident • productive • integrated into school and society. • Technology is for ALL children – for students with disabilities, it may need to be more personalized. • Increase your awareness!!

13. What is Assistive Technology? • “Any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially or off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities” • Legal Definition: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

14. Assistive Technology computers SOFTWARE MAGNIFYING GLASS communication devices adapted toys switches calculators ADAPTED KEYBOARDS

15. Assistive Technology Continuum • No-tech • Use of procedures, services and existing conditions in the environment that do not involve the use of devices or equipment. • Services: physical therapy, occupational therapy or services of other specialists. • Low-tech • Less sophisticated and can include devices such as adapted spoon handles, non-tipping drinking cups and Velcro fasteners • Medium-tech • Relatively complicated mechanical devices, such as wheelchairs • Hi-tech • Devices that incorporate sophisticated electronics or computers

16. Categories of Assistive Technology • Daily living • Use in activities such as eating, bathing, cooking, dressing, toileting, and home maintenance. • Computer technologies • Input and out- put devices that enable persons with disabilities to use a computer. • Augmentative Communication • Devices that provide a means for communication for persons with limited speech. • Environment Control Units • ECU’s (electronic systems) enable someone with limited mobility or fine motor skills to control devices in the home or other surroundings.

17. Categories of AT……… • Seating and positioning • Accommodations to a wheelchair or seating system to provide greater body stability, support , and the reduction pressure on the skin surface • Mobility Aids • wheelchairs, walkers, scooters and other utility vehicles used for personal mobility • Prosthetics and orthotics • Replacements, substitutions or augmentation of missing or malfunctioning body parts with artificial limbs or other orthotic aids • Home, school and worksite modifications • Adaptations, fabrications in the home, worksite or other areas (ramps, lifts, bathroom changes) that remove or reduce physical barriers for an individual with a disability. • Sensory aids • Assistive technologies enable an individual with hearing, sight, or other sensory impairments.

18. Legal Aspects • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) • Access to the general curriculum • WV Policy 2419: Regulations for the Education of Exceptional Students • No Child Left Behind (NCLB) • Improve achievement for ALL students • Accountability for students with disabilities

19. Legal Aspects…… • School districts are mandated to make assistive technology available to all students with disabilities if appropriate to receive a free, appropriate public education. • IEP Team Decision • Home Use • Funded by district • Provide devices/services • Consideration of special factors. • Assistive technology must be considered for ALL students in the special education process.

20. Challenges of Delivering Assistive Technology • Lack of Information • Current/accurate information • Lack of Expertise • Skills/Knowledge • High Rate of Abandonment • 1/3 abandoned after first year • Lack of Funding • Significant barrier • Inclusion and Lack of Assistive Technology

21. Implications for Schools • PLANNING • Long range technology/special education plans, procedures, services, and budget include assistive technology • TRAINING • All staff are able to appropriately “consider” students for assistive technology services and/or devices. • Staff trained to integrate technology in teaching to help students with disabilities gain skills and achieve higher standards (NCLB) • INCLUSION • Assistive technology used to support the inclusion of students with disabilities in regular education placements and access to the general curriculum.

22. Educator Responsibilities • Increasing knowledge of AT • How different tools support student needs • Organizing AT implementation • Ensuring that AT is used consistently • Across environments • Monitoring student progress • Communicating results to colleagues and parents • Learning more about how AT can enhance instruction and student learning

23. SETT Framework Decision Making Process • Student • Environment • Tasks • Tools

24. Assistive Technology • Communication • Picture Board, Voice Output Device • Hearing/Vision • FM system, magnifier, Braille printer • Position, Access, and Mobility • Walker, wheelchair, grab rails • Activities of Daily Living • Adaptive eating devices, drinking devices • Environmental Controls • Light switch extension, remote controlled appliances

25. TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS • Educational choices in Assistive Technology • Instructional Use of Video & Captioning • Multimedia • Organizing Tools • Providing Access to Portable Tools • Word Prediction • Technology in Early Childhood Education • Low-tech/High-tech Solutions • Commercially Available • Adapted Items • Creative Solutions

26. Assistive Technology and ReadingHow Assistive Technology is used to support students in developing literacy. • Highlighting Important Words • Text Readers • Changes in Text, Spacing, Color • Physical Access • Speaking Spell Checkers • Electronic Books • Single Word Scanners

27. Assistive Technology and Math • Abacus/Math Line • Calculator/Talking Calculator • Tactile/Voice Output Measuring Devices • Math Smart Charts • Low Tech Adaptations for Answering • Enlarged Math Worksheets • On screen Calculator • Alternative Keyboards • Software/Voice Recognition

28. Assistive Technology and Writing • Adapted Paper/Pencils • Pencil Grips • Rubber Stamps • Word Processor • Writing Guides • Computer • Alternate keyboards • Arm Support • Mouth Stick/head pointer • Scanner

29. Assistive Technology Tools Learning and Studying • Print or Picture Schedule • Highlighting Text • Recording Material • Voice Output Reminders • NCR Paper • Low Tech Aids to Identify Materials • Electronic Organizers • Palm Computers • Software

30. Highlights • We’ve come a long way…..biggest issue is not obtaining the AT • Closet shelf • Too complicated for student and staff • Definition of AT includes training!

31. TECHNOLOGY TIPS • Consider low-tech solutions first. • Build a network of individuals knowledgeable about equipment and low-tech strategies. • Access local, regional and national resources. • Consider adaptable equipment when purchasing new technology and other educational products. • Systems should be portable. • BE CREATIVE!

32. TECHNOLOGY TIPS • See Equipment Tips Handout • Provide print or tactile copy of screens • Verbal descriptions • Be cognizant of background noise • Lighting enough to see…watch for glare • Choose font, size, color for strong contrast • Paler highlighters • Uncluttered screens • Described and Caption Media Program: http://www.dcmp.org/

33. WV RESOURCES • WV DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION (WVDE) • OFFICE OF SPECIAL PROGRAMS • Kathy Knighton (kknighto@access.k12.wv.us) • Annette Carey acarey@access.k12.wv.us • Ruth Ann King raking@access.k12.wv.us • Valerie Wilson vwilson@access.k12.wv.us • WV Birth to Three Program (WVDHHR) • Contact: Pam Roush, (304) 558-6311, 1-800-642-9704 • WV Early Childhood Resource Lending Library (ECRLL) 1-800-642-9704http://cedwvu.org/resources/library.php • West Virginia Assistive Technology System (WVATS)(888) 829-9426 http://wvats.cedwvu.org/ • West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services(304) 776-4702 http://www.wvdrs.org

34. CAMP GIZMO 2011 • Assistive Technology Summer Camp • Parents, professionals and students learn how assistive technology can help young children (0-8) with significant and multiple developmental needs • WV Schools for the Deaf and Blind Campus • Romney, WV – July 9-14 • Lodging/meals provided • Registration (website) • Professional Development Opportunities

35. RESOURCES • Article: Using Flexible Technology to Meet the Needs of Diverse Learners: What Teachers Can Do • Web Resources for Assistive Technology in the Classroom • Family Center on Technology and disability http://www.fctd.info/ • Assistive Technology funding in the Schools http://wvde.state.wv.us/osp/assistivetechnology.html • TIS TECHNOLOGY TIPS • WVATS Mini-grants

36. THANK-YOU!!!!!