Assistive Technology Presentation ED505

1. Assistive Technology Jennifer Beagles ED505 University of West Alabama

2. Explanation of Assistive Technology • Assistive Technology is any device or service that aids in helping students with disabilities reach their full potential in general education classes. • AT improves the individual performance of the student. This can help students function proficiently in communication, academic tasks or extracurricular activities.

3. Laws Regarding Assistive Technology • IDEA 2004 requires IEP teams to consider the assistive technology needs of all children with disabilities. (20 U.S.C. 1414(d)(3)(B)(v)) • The IEP team makes decisions on devices and the unique needs of each individual child. If the IEP team determines a need for these devices the school district is responsible for providing these.

4. Laws Regarding Assistive Technology • IDEA 2004 also requires schools to provide assistive technology training for the teachers, child, and family. • The child, his/her family members and teacher may need training on how to use these special devices.

5. Hearing Impaired • Assistive listening technologies are devices to help the deaf and hard of hearing participate in everyday communication, according to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. • These specialized devices are used in addition to hearing aids to undo the negative effects of poor acoustics and background noise.

6. Hearing Impaired • Personal frequency modulation, or FM, systems transmit sound from the speaker's microphone to an FM receiver and from there to the user's hearing aids.

7. Visually Impaired • Video Magnifiers also referred to as Closed-Circuit Televisions (or CCTVs), enlarge text and other objects. They also increase the contrast and visibility of just about anything that is viewed with them. • Anyone with low vision who can no longer read regular sized newsprint comfortably while using glasses or special lenses should seriously consider a video magnifier CCTV. This includes all partially sighted persons and the vast majority of persons with low vision who have been declared "legally blind".

8. Visually Impaired • Closed-Circuit Television

9. Learning Disabled • Audio books and publications are a great assistive technology for the learning disabled . Recorded books allow users to listen to text and are available in a variety of formats, such as audiocassettes, CDs, and MP3 downloads.

10. Physically Disabled • Sip-and-Puff Systems: A truly innovative tool that makes computer use easier for students with mobility challenges, including paralysis and fine motor skill difficulties. • Sip-and-Puff systems allow users to control a mouth stick, similar to a joystick, using their breath. Students can direct the mouth stick to click on web pages, type, and perform other functions.

11. Physically Disabled • Students can direct the mouth stick to click on web pages, type, and perform other functions.

12. Reference Page • IRIS Center Peabody College Vanderbilt University (2015). Retrieved from: 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/#content • Peter W. D. Wright and Pamela DarrWright (2015). Retrieved from: http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/atech.index.htm • Anderson Stacey (2015). The LIVESTRONG Foundation. Retrieved from: http://www.visual-techconnection.com/ • http://www.greatschools.org/special-education/assistive-technology/948-reading-tools.gs • Salon Media, Inc. (2015). Retrieved from: http://www.salon.com/2010/06/30/kid_audio_books_open2010/ • http://www.teachthought.com/technology/8-helpful-assistive-technology-tools-for-your-classroom/ • http://enablingdevices.com/catalog/capability_switches/sip-puff-breath-switches/sip-and-puff-switches-accessories