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Overview of assistive technology with examples for students with various disabilities.
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Assistive Technology Courtney Norman ED 505 Spring 2015
What is Assistive Technology? • According to Davis (2013), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 defined assistive technologies two ways: 1. Assistive Technology Device: “Any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially or off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of a child with a disability” (20 U.S.C.§1401(1)(A)). 2. Assistive Technology Service: “Any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of assistive technology device” (20 U.S.C.§1401(2)).
Assistive Technology Laws • According to the Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1997 (IDEA), “school districts are required to consider assistive technology for all children with special needs as a vehicle to access the general curriculum and free and public education through the least restrictive environment” (Davis, 2013). • All teams working on Individualized Education Plans must consider the use of assistive technology to enhance the capabilities for the student (Davis, 2013). • “Federal regulation Section 300.105 requires that consideration of assistive technology be made available and documented, if required, as part of the child’s special education, related services, or supplementary aids and services” (IDEA, 1997).
Hearing ImpairedAssistive Technology • FM Systems • Two parts (teacher and student) • Wireless transmitter • Broadcasts signal through given area • Transmitter can be integrated into child’s hearing device • Microphone for teacher is worn on the lapel • Student can hear teacher clearly even with teacher’s back to class • Phonak FM System, 2015
Vision Impaired Assistive Technology According to Li (2012), “researchers have documented that assistive technology is being underutilized by students with visual impairments.” • Handheld CCTVs • Handheld video magnification device • CCTV (closed circuit television) • Offer higher and more variable magnification than spectacles, magnifiers, and telescopes • Provides increased working distance from the task • Easily fits in your pocket • Allows you to plug into TV for larger view • Adjustable color, brightness, & contrasts • I-Loview Handheld CCTV, 2015
Assistive Technology for Students with Learning Disabilities • Reminder Systems • Reminder systems help students with memory or organization learning disabilities • Watchminder is a vibrating watch and reminder system • Invented by a child psychologist who specializes in attention and learning disorders • Can help students with AD/HD, LD, and Autism • Primary students can use it to silently remind them to positively reinforce behaviors throughout the day • Secondary students can manage time on exams and organize a schedule • Students can program the watch to remind them to write down homework and assignments • Watchminder, 2015
Assistive Technology for Physically Disabled Students • Slant Boards • Low cost and low tech • Provides optimal writing position • Encourages student with physical disabilities to position hand in such a way that makes holding a pencil easier • Helps with copying tasks because the eyes do not have to move from vertical to horizontal position • Slant Board, 2015
References • California Ear Institute (2015). Classroom Assistive Listening Devices. Retrieved from:http://www.california earinstitute.com/hearing-device-center-listening-deviceclassroom-bay-area.php • Davis, T. T., Barnard-Brak, L., & Arredondo, P. L. (2013). Assistive Technology: Decision-making Practices in Public Schools. Rural Special Education Quarterly, 32(4), 15-23. • Fischer, M. (2015). What are Assistive Technologies? Retrieved from: http://www.lighthouse.org/for professionals/practice-management/managing-the-patient-with-low-vision/benefit-from-assistive technology/ • I-Loview (2015). Product description retrieved from: www.floridareading.com/i-loview.html • I-Loview Handheld CCTV Magnifier Retrieved March 26, 2015, from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v =aHAWAQVaRgE • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. 20 U.S.C. §1400 et seq. (1997). • Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act. 20 U.S.C.§1401 et seq (2004). • Li, Z., Ajuwon, P. M., Smith, D. W., Griffin-Shirley, N., Parker, A. T., & Okungu, P. (2012). Assistive Technology Competencies for Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments: A National Study. Journal Of Visual Impairment & Blindness, 106(10), 656-665. • Phonak FM System Retrieved March 25, 2015, from: http://www.mpsaz.org/special_ed/staff/njrogers/fm_trouble/
References (continued) • Slant Board (2015). Retrieved March 27, 2015 from: https://www.a3bs.com/slant board,p_1192_12902.html • Stindt, K. Reed, P., and Obukowicz, M. (2009). Assistive Technology for Seating, Positioning, and Mobility. Retrieved from: www.wati.org/content/.../free/.../Ch2-PositioningSeatingMobility.doc • Watchminder(2015). Retrieved March 26, 2015 from: http://watchminder.com/order • Watchminder (2015). AD/HD, LD, and Autism. Retrieved from: http://watchminder.com/uses/ad-hd-ld and-autism