Assistive Technology and its place in the classroom setting

1. Assistive Technology and its place in the classroom setting Presented by Janine Hazel Crump

2. What is Assistive Technology? AT is “any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of a child with a disability” AT can be anything from a simple device, such as a magnifying glass, to a complex device, such as a computerized communication system.

3. Points to Remember About AT * Can be low tech or high tech * Is not always specialized or customized (Note: AT devices may also benefit an individual without a disability.)

4. Goals of AT Enhance Functional Ability • Increase self-esteem • Increase participation in the community • Increase interaction Promote Independent Living • Education • Recreation • Daily Living • Employment Provide Computer Access • Software & Hardware Modifications

5. About AT MYTH • AT is a magic cure-all • All AT is expensive and Hi-tech • Only kids with physical disabilities need AT • AT vendors are always helpful and accurate • AT is a luxury REALITY • AT is a tool • AT can cost nothing or many $$$ • AT can assist with all types of disabilities • AT vendors are businesses and want to sell their products • AT can be the difference between dependence and independence

6. AT Fosters Inclusion • Inclusion: The practice of educating all or most children in the same classroom, including children with physical, mental, and developmental disabilities. • AT helps students who have disabilities learn the material in a way that they can understand it • AT helps eliminate barriers students may face that prevent them from being at the same level as their classmates

7. AT Benefits ALL Students 15-20% of the general population is in need of some type of “cognitive task assistance.” A large population of “at risk” students need assistance, but because they don’t easily fit into a diagnostic profile, they do not receive assistance; if AT is available to everyone, these students can benefit. AT aids in all of the subject areas in school.

8. IEPs and AT • IEPs play a big role in the AT services a student receives. • IEP (Individualized Education Program): Written document that describes a student with a disability’s educational plan; it discusses the disability, goals for the student, various things that need to be done throughout the school year, what services the school will provide, and where the student will learn. • Students receive AT through their IEP. • When the IEP Team decides that AT is an option, they allow the student to borrow the device until it is known that that particular device will help the student in the way intended. • If the AT device is determined to be necessary, steps are made to purchase it or acquire it through a loan program. • If AT is suggested through the IEP, the school must provide a student with it according to the law. • If an IEP Team feels they cannot make the best decision concerning a child and AT, the child may go through a secondary, independent AT evaluation. • AT evaluations look at the student’s abilities and needs, determine goals, and identify possible AT devices to try.

9. Teachers Can Make their Classrooms More Conducive to AT • Have certain computers in the classroom that are set up for the use of the students with disabilities - ones that have necessary software on them. • Include AT in lessons. • Familiarize the other students with the AT that other students may be using in the classroom and make sure they understand why this AT is being used. • Use AT even if it is not necessary; enlarge fonts, use amplification devices, use computers, have calculators available, etc. It will benefit all of the students!

10. AT in the Classroom The AT you find in your classroom may be in place to aid in the following areas: • Computer Access • Composing Written Material • Communication • Reading • Learning and Studying • Math • Mobility • Vision • Hearing

11. AT Categories • The following categories of education-related technology are intended to provide a general guide of a variety of applications. Although these are not all inclusive, perhaps they will help you in identifying the area(s) in which AT could benefit the student.

12. Sensory enhancers • Help students with sensory deficiencies to access their environments. Examples of this type of AT would include augmentative communication devices, text magnifiers, scanners with speech synthesizers and voice analyzers.

13. Keyboard adaptations, emulators • Are alternatives to the standard computer keyboard used for inputting data. This category of AT would include such items as joysticks, light pens, touch screens, touch sensitive keyboard pads, etc.

14. Environmental controls, manipulators • Modify the operation of a device to compensate for environmental restrictions caused by a disability. Adaptations of light switches, timers, and telephones; robotics; additional external switches which can be activated by pressure, eyebrows or breath.

15. Instructional uses of technology • These are specifically designed computer software, enable students with disabilities to receive full and equal educational opportunities. There is a wide variety of software available from practice drills to computer-assisted instructional programs.

16. Motivational devices • Encourage the student to interact with his or her environment through exploration, manipulation and play. This category includes many types of toys and games which are commercially available “off-the-shelf”, or which can be easily adapted.

17. Mobility devices • Those devices that assist a student to help them get around in the school building and participate in student activities. Examples include such things as self-propelled walkers, manual or powered wheelchairs, and powered recreational vehicles like bikes and scooters.

18. Self Care • These aids are necessary for some students who require assistance with activities like feeding, dressing, and toileting. Devices that help with self care include such things as robotics, electric feeders, adapted utensils, specially designed toilet seats, and aids for tooth brushing, washing, dressing, and grooming.

19. Important Role • Any of these devices can play an important role in classroom instruction and the student’s education. These are but a few examples of the types of technology that can be provided by the local school district for the child.

20. AT for Vision: Aids students who are blind or have low vision. • Eyeglasses • Large-print books • Books on tape • Magnifying glass • Slate and Braille stylus • Stencil • Tape recorder • Cassettes • Stereo headphones • Lighting contrasts • Adapted paper (e.g., raised surfaces, • highlighted lines, various colors, sizes) • Pen lights • Calculator with large keys or large display • Talking calculators

21. Text Enlargers

22. Braille & Tactile Devices

23. Assistive Technology for Communication • Aids students who have difficulty in communicating effectively (i.e., they are unintelligible, have no or very little verbal skills, or have limited language proficiency).

24. DynaMyte (DynaVox Systems, LLC.) • Portable communication devices, such as the DynaMyte, provide a way for students with communicative disabilities to initiate, respond and converse. As a student selects a sequence of picture symbols, the computer "speaks" the pre-programmed message.

25. Dedicated Communication Devices Freedom 2001LITE

26. AT for Access • Aids students who have difficulties in accessing communication, learning tools, or engaging in classroom or home activities.

27. AT for Access • Adapted common tools (e.g., big pencils) • A roller-ball (or tracker-ball) pointing device with a separate button for clicking • Adapted handles (e.g., pencil grips) • Scotch? tape to hold paper in place, Velcro?, slant borders • Adapted book-page turners or fluffers • Adapted paper (different sizes) • Built-up stylus

28. Access Technologies • Include those applications of technologies that provide a way for students with disabilities to better "access" classroom instructional materials provided as part of the general curriculum.

29. Access Technologies

30. AT for Hearing:Aids students who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. • Hearing aids • Signaling devices • Vibrotactile switch • Pictures, photographs, objects • Communication boards • Assistive listening devices (e.g., amplified phone system) • Phonic ear • Headphones (to keep the listener focused, adjust sound, etc.)

31. Hearing Aids Virtually visible hearing aid

32. Additional Resources Family Center on Technology and Disability http://www.fctd.info/ National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities http://www.nichcy.org Center for Implementing Technology in Education http://www.cited.org/index.aspx Assistive Technology in the Classroom http://atto.buffalo.edu/registered/ATBasics/Foundation/intro/index.php/ Office of Special Education Programs http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/osep/index.html