130 likes | 289 Views
Assistive Technologies In the Classroom. Resources for Special Needs. Terms. Assistive Technology
E N D
Assistive Technologies In the Classroom Resources for Special Needs
Terms • Assistive Technology • Any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities • Adaptive Technology • Items that are specifically designed for persons with disabilities and would seldom be used by non-disabled persons
Reasons For Assistive/Adaptive Learning • Increased opportunity for education • Social interaction • Meaningful employment • Awareness • United community
Disability and the Need for Assistance Image provided by Census Bureau
Disabilities and Technological Resource to Assist • Blindness • Input • Locator dots on the keyboard • Output • Speech output • Refreshable Braille • Braille embossers • Scanners with optical character recognition Image Provided by Post of Belarus
Disabilities and Technological Resource to Assist • Low Vision • Input • Large-print key labels and home row indicators • Output • Large monitors and anti-glare screens • Screen enlarger software • Color and contrast adjustments • Speech output systems
Disabilities and Technological Resource to Assist • Learning Disabilities • Input • Phonetic Spelling software • Speech recognition products • Concept mapping software • Output • Enlarged screen displays • Alternative color contrasts • Speech output • Reading systems incorporating OCR Image Provided by Melesse
Disabilities and Technological Resource to Assist • Speech and Hearing Impairments • Output • Computer programmed to flash the screen instead of a tone to indicate an error • Communication devices that substitute for voices for students who cannot communicate verbally Image Provided by Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
Disabilities and Technological Resource to Assist • Mobility and Orthopedic Impairments • Input • Flexible positioning or mounting of equipment • Software utilities that combine multiple keystrokes • Trackballs or other alternatives to a mouse • Keyboard emulation with specialized switches that allow the use of scanning or Morse code input • Output • Speech output software
Considerations • Assessment of student • Abilities, interests and preferences • Family's culture and value system • Environment • Functional tasks for participating in daily routines • Ongoing intervention and evaluation Photo Provided by David J. Hewitt
Considerations • Factors for success • Student and family goals and values form the basis of the student's educational programs • Students, family, therapists and educators work as a team to select, obtain, implement assistive technology • Communication about all aspects of the students school program is frequent and honest • Both major and minor glitches are solved quickly and systematically by the team
Resources • ATTO: Introduction to Assistive Technology: Device Selection. (n.d.). ATTO: Assistive Technology Training Online. Retrieved March 19, 2013, from http://atto.buffalo.edu/registered/ATBasics/Foundation/intro/introselection.php • Burgstahler, S. (n.d.). Adaptive Technology. University of Washington. Retrieved March 19, 2013, from http://www.washington.edu/doit/Faculty/Strategies/Academic/Adaptive/ Images courtesy of Wikimedia Commons Song by SigurRos “Glosoli”