Educating Learners with Diverse Abilities Chapter 5 – Assistive Technology

1. Educating Learners with Diverse AbilitiesChapter 5 – Assistive Technology Wei Fang, Pebbles, Yan Ting, Izdihar, Hamidah

2. Definition • Assistive Devices aka AT • The range if assistive devices and services available to learners with disabilities. • Specially modified and customized.

3. Planning • Students • Generate new possibilities for special educators and their students. • Improve educational opportunities. • Key issues: 1. Supportive environment 2. Peer teaching and mentoring (Buddy system) 3. Understand full functioning capabilities of the AT • Eg. Student with cerebral palsy using motorized wheelchair to move around within classroom for activities

4. Planning • Teachers • Enhance acquisition of skills and content knowledge of student with special needs. • Exercise greater creativity when designing lessons to include student with special needs (through use of AT) • Key issue: 1. Minimize movement within and outside classroom (make student with special needs comfortable) 2. Manage lessons in timely manner 3. Be throughout familiar with AT 4. Conducive classroom environment (physical & socio-emotional) 5. Assisting/Co-teacher 6. Document and evaluate process of effectiveness of AT

5. Planning • Home • Practice use of AT with student at home – especially parents, who must take responsibility.

6. Selecting an AT • Determine type of AT needed – joint decision between specialist, educators & families. • Understand that it is not a quick-fix! • Availability of following info will help: • Primary disability/time of onset/cause of disability • Secondary disability/time of onset/cause of disability • Current and predicted family income and expenses • Health insurance data • Background information of dependants • Basically, clearly address the needs of student with special needs!

7. Range of AT • Accessibility Features in Microsoft System • Has built-in AT which helps student with special needs have easy access to the computer. • E.g. Cursor, keyboard shortcuts, stickykey (Capslock for Alt+Shift+Ctrl), accessibility wizard • Internet Accessibility • Internet Explorer: Allows adjustments to meet individual needs • E.g. Alternate text for images, Focus/Selection changes (I.e. Magnify specific areas of screen), enable page transition, play animations, sounds, videos (turn off if visually sensitive)

8. Range of AT • Hearing Impairments • Speech recognition system, C-print, TDD/TTY conversion modem (Text telephone), Alerting devices • Language Impairments • Screen Review Utilities, Multilingual pocket translator, Augmentative and alternative communications (AAC)

9. Range of AT • Learning Impairments • Spell checkers, Word prediction program, Portable word processor, Text-to-speech program, Time management, Graphic Organizers, Mnemonic strategies, Curriculum-based measurement (CBM), Stimulated community-based instruction • Mobility Impairments • Onscreen keyboard program, Keyboard filters, Touch screens, Alternative input device, Voice command (Option) • Visual Impairment • Video enlarger, Screen reader, Speech cognition systems, Speech synthesizers, Refreshable Braille displays

10. Implemending Considerations • IEP team usually makes decision on AT device needed – normally to reach goals of IEP. • School staff members given opportunity to be trained on AT device.

11. Assessment of AT • Purpose: Find out individual’s abilities, disabilities, and setting where the person is to function, and to identify the proper use of AT device to independently accomplish specific tasks required in the setting. • Three phrases: 1. Screening 2. Referral 3. Feedback • How to rate effectiveness:Pg: 139-141 • Issues that needs to be addressed

12. Evaluation of AT • Student with special needs will benefit from constant review of AT device! • Services in Singapore: • E.g. National Council of Social Service (NCSS), Ministry of Community development and Sports (MCYS) published info on services.