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Assistive Technology ED505 University of West Alabama Spring 01 2015 Semester Vivian Garner
What Is Assistive Technology? According to The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004, assistive technology is “any item, piece of equipment, or product system, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of a child and specifically excludes a medical device that is surgically implanted or the replacement of such device” http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/at/cresource/what-should-ms-adelaide-know-about-assistive-technology-and-how-it-is-used-by-students-with-disabilities/at_02/
What Is Assistive Technology? • In other words, assistive technology is any type of technology that can be used to aid in a student’s learning to allow them to successfully reach academic goals. • Assistive technology ranges from very simple items such as highlighters to much more intricate equipment such as computers. https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/assistive-technology/assistive-technologies-basics/assistive-technology-tools-that-help-with-learning
Legal Requirements There are laws that clearly define the requirements and responsibilities of a school system in regards to a student with disabilities once the student’s needs have been evaluated and defined in and Individualized Education Plan. http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/at/cresource/what-should-ms-adelaide-know-about-assistive-technology-and-how-it-is-used-by-students-with-disabilities/at_02/
Americans with Disabilities Act • Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act mandates individuals “with disabilities be given equal access to public education.” This means the quality of education services provided to students with disabilities must not be of lesser qualities than the education services provided to students without disabilities. (http://www.fctd.info/resources/techlaws.php)
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act guarantees that “eligible children and youth with disabilities would have a free and appropriate education available to them, designed to meet their unique needs.” (http://www.fctd.info/resources/techlaws.php) If a school or district is unable to meet the needs of a student with disabilities, the student should be referred to a program that will meet their needs with no additional expense to the family. (https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/edlite-FAPE504.html)
Assistive Technology Act The Assistive Technology Act (known as The Tech Act) is a grant program established to “provide federal funds to support state programs that address the assistive technology needs of individuals with disabilities.” (http://ndrn.org/en/issues/assistive-technology/292-assistive-technology-federal-law-and-regulations.html) The purpose of The Tech Act is to promote awareness and availability of assistive technology, enabling students with disabilities to participate in all educational activities. http://www.parentcenterhub.org/repository/ata/
Why Assistive Technology? • Assistive technology does not eliminate learning disabilities. • Assistive technology does, however, allow a student to “use their abilities to work on areas of weakness.” • With the use of assistive technology, students are able to work more independently and become a more successful learner. https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/assistive-technology/assistive-technologies-basics/assistive-technology-tools-that-help-with-learning
Specific Accommodations • There are many types of assistive technology to accommodate the needs of learners with a variety of disabilities such as: • Hearing Impaired • Seeing Impaired • Learning Disabled • Physically Disabled
Hearing Impaired • Students who are hearing impaired often have difficulty communicating as well. A picture board may be helpful in overcoming this barrier. Statements and questions can be composed by pointing to illustrations and phrases on the picture board, allowing students to actively participate in classroom discussions. https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/assistive-technology/assistive-technologies-basics/assistive-technology-tools-that-help-with-learning
Picture Board http://www.harriscomm.com/essential-sign-language-pocket-guide-offering-assistance.html
Picture Board http://communicationplanstoday.blogspot.com/2011/04/board-communication-plans.html
Assistive Listening Device Students with hearing loss that use hearing aids or have cochlear implants can benefit from the use of assistive listening devices (ALD). These devices allow the student to focus on what the speaker is saying without the interference of background noise. These devices can be paramount to a student’s academic success by allowing them to focus on instruction in a crowded classroom. http://www.hearingloss.org/sites/default/files/docs/HLAA_ALDS_Brochure.pdf
Assistive Listening Device • Assistive listening devices consist of a microphone worn by the speaker and a receiver worn by the student. The receiver sends sound straight to the student’s ear, omitting background noise. http://www.hearingloss.org/sites/default/files/docs/HLAA_ALDS_Brochure.pdf
Seeing Impairment • Students with limited vision can receive assistance reading and viewing print material through the use of a video magnifier. A video magnifier projects an image captured through a camera onto a screen or monitor. http://www.afb.org/info/living-with-vision-loss/using-technology/assistive-technology/video-magnifiers-221/1235 http://www.afb.org/info/living-with-vision-loss/using-technology/assistive-technology/video-magnifiers-221/1235
Braille Textbooks • The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 mandates that all students shall receive a “free appropriate public education.” • A student who is blind can have access to the same textbooks used by other students in the same school or district through the use of braille textbooks. https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/edlite-FAPE504.html
Braille Textbooks Any textbook, including graphics, can be transcribed into braille to allow all students to reach their academic goals. http://www.aph.org/pbf/scoop.html
Learning Disabled • Assistive technology addresses a wide range of learning disabilities. • A calculator can be used to keep score during a math activity if a student struggles with math. • A student who has difficulty writing can use a speech to text software program to complete a report. http://www.readingrockets.org/article/assistive-technology-kids-learning-disabilities-overview
Audio Books • Audio books are a valuable resource for students who are below level in reading fluency to practice comprehension skills. http://www.greatschools.org/special-education/assistive-technology/954-audio-books-publications.gs?content=954 Images retrieved from http://www.servallcoast.com/modules/com_events/dead-until-dark-960.html?dead-until-dark-960
Physical Disabilities • Students with physical disabilities are able to participate in educational activities through the use of devices such as a slant board, book holder, automatic page-turners, and adapted pencil grips. http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/rehabtech/conditioninfo/Pages/device.aspx http://www.discountschoolsupply.com/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?Product=26629 http://www.broadenedhorizons.com/automatic-page-turner-for-books http://www.especialneeds.com/handwriting-writing-writing-aids-pencils-grips.html
Trackballs • A common computer device to assist students with limited fine motor ability is a trackball. A trackball is a mouse alternative that does not require a wide range of motion since the ball is located on top and can be operated with a single finger, chin, elbow, foot, or even a stick. https://smartech.gatech.edu/bitstream/handle/1853/7351/Mouse-LP.pdf;jsessionid=1596E1FB47DECFA657B007A0E252E7E6.smart1?sequence=3
Trackballs cont. • Since the mouse is stationary and the ball is located on top, it is not necessary to grip the mouse. Students with physical disabilities are able to complete tasks on the computer and reach desired learning outcome. https://smartech.gatech.edu/bitstream/handle/1853/7351/Mouse-LP.pdf;jsessionid=1596E1FB47DECFA657B007A0E252E7E6.smart1?sequence=3 Image retrieved from http://www.ergovancouver.net/images_configurations_slimblade.htm
Resources • http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/at/cresource/what-should-ms-adelaide-know-about-assistive-technology-and-how-it-is-used-by-students-with-disabilities/at_02/ • https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/assistive-technology/assistive-technologies-basics/assistive-technology-tools-that-help-with-learning • http://www.fctd.info/resources/techlaws.php • https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/edlite-FAPE504.html • (http://ndrn.org/en/issues/assistive-technology/292-assistive-technology-federal-law-and-regulations.html • http://www.parentcenterhub.org/repository/ata/ • https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/assistive-technology/assistive-technologies-basics/assistive-technology-tools-that-help-with-learning • http://www.harriscomm.com/essential-sign-language-pocket-guide-offering-assistance.html • http://www.hearingloss.org/sites/default/files/docs/HLAA_ALDS_Brochure.pdf • http://communicationplanstoday.blogspot.com/2011/04/board-communication-plans.html • https://smartech.gatech.edu/bitstream/handle/1853/7351/Mouse-LP.pdf;jsessionid=1596E1FB47DECFA657B007A0E252E7E6.smart1?sequence=3
Resources cont. • http://www.afb.org/info/living-with-vision-loss/using-technology/assistive-technology/video-magnifiers-221/1235 • https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/edlite-FAPE504.html • http://www.aph.org/pbf/scoop.html • http://www.readingrockets.org/article/assistive-technology-kids-learning-disabilities-overview • http://www.greatschools.org/special-education/assistive-technology/954-audio-books-publications.gs?content=954 • http://www.servallcoast.com/modules/com_events/dead-until-dark-960.html?dead-until-dark-960 • http://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/rehabtech/conditioninfo/Pages/device.aspx • http://www.discountschoolsupply.com/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?Product=26629 • http://www.broadenedhorizons.com/automatic-page-turner-for-books • http://www.especialneeds.com/handwriting-writing-writing-aids-pencils-grips.html • https://smartech.gatech.edu/bitstream/handle/1853/7351/Mouse-LP.pdf;jsessionid=1596E1FB47DECFA657B007A0E252E7E6.smart1?sequence=3 • http://www.ergovancouver.net/images_configurations_slimblade.htm