ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY IN THE SCHOOLS

1. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY IN THE SCHOOLS TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS: Technology Solutions in the Classroom Kathy Knighton (kknighto@access.k12.wv.us) Annette Carey (acarey@access.k12.wv.us) West Virginia Department of Education Office of Special Programs Extended and Early Learning

2. West Virginia 21st Century Schools Learning for All……Whatever It Takes • Who are your students? • Do they all have equal access to the learning environment? • What can I do to support their learning?

3. Your Classroom: • 17% of all West Virginia students are students with disabilities • 63.6% of children with disabilities are in the general education classroom • Chances are your classroom have students with disabilities • Some Students need more supports than others

4. How We Teach Child behavior OUTPUT INPUT PROCESS What if the child does not have easy access to the input (sensory) or access to the output (communication/motor)

5. INPUT • 10% of the population has a hearing loss • 37% of children with minimal hearing loss had failed a grade • Children with unilateral hearing loss are 10 times more likely to fail a grade by age 10

6. UNFAIR SPELLING TEST

7. How did you do? • 1. bath • 2. pearl • 3. sour • 4. mouse • 5. learn • 6. wheat • 7. vine • 8. tape • 9. hedge • 10. mood

8. Input 80% of learning is through your vision Vision and hearing are your distance senses 95% of all learning is through your distance senses 90% of learning is incidental Learning progresses from the known to the unknown

9. The disability is not the Sensory Impairment The disability is in INFORMATION GATHERING

10. Assistive Technology in the Schools • Legal Aspects of Assistive Technology • Legislation • Implications for schools • Implementation in the Schools • Overview of assistive technology devices/services • Educational interventions • Resources

11. Role of Assistive Technology • Tremendous potential to promote equity for students with disabilities…… • independent • self-confident • productive • integrated into school and society. • Technology is for ALL children – for students with disabilities, it may need to be more personalized. • Increase your awareness!!

12. What is Assistive Technology? • “Any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially or off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities” • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

13. Assistive Technology computers SOFTWARE MAGNIFYING GLASS communication devices adapted toys switches calculators ADAPTED KEYBOARDS

14. The Assistive Technology Continuum • No-tech • Low-tech • Medium-tech • Hi-tech

15. No-Tech Assistive Technology • No-tech solutions make use of procedures, services and existing conditions in the environment that do not involve the use of devices or equipment. • These might include services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy or the services of other specialists.

16. Low Tech Assistive Technology • Low-tech items are less sophisticated and can include devices such as adapted spoon handles, non-tipping drinking cups and Velcro fasteners.

17. Medium Tech Assistive Technology • Medium-tech devices are relatively complicated mechanical devices, such as wheelchairs.

18. High Tech Assistive Technology • High-tech devices incorporate sophisticated electronics or computers.

19. Categories of Assistive Technology • There are many types of assistive technology to aid individuals in all aspects of life.

20. Daily living • Daily Living aids are for use in activities such as eating, bathing, cooking, dressing, toileting, and home maintenance.

21. Computer technologies • Computer technologies are input and out- put devices that enable persons with disabilities to use a computer.

22. Augmentative Communication • Augmentative Communication devices provide a means for communication for persons with limited speech.

23. Environment Control Units • ECU’s (electronic systems) enable someone with limited mobility or fine motor skills to control devices in the home or other surroundings.

24. Seating and positioning • Seating and positioning accommodations to a wheelchair or other seating system to provide greater body stability, trunk /head support and an upright posture, and the reduction pressure on the skin surface (cushions, contour seats, lumbar supports).

25. Mobility Aids • Manual and electric wheelchairs, mobile bases for custom chairs, walkers, three wheel scooters and other utility vehicles used for increasing personal mobility.

26. Prosthetics and orthotics • Replacements, substitutions or augmentation of missing or malfunctioning body parts with artificial limbs or other orthotic aids (splints, braces, etc.)

27. Home, school and worksite modifications • Home and workplace modifications are structural adaptations, fabrications in the home, worksite or other areas (ramps, lifts, bathroom changes) that remove or reduce physical barriers for an individual with a disability.

28. Sensory aids • Sensory assistive technologies enable an individual with hearing, sight, or other sensory impairments.

29. Universal Design for Instruction (UDI) • Universal Design • Design products & environments to meet a wide range of needs • Ex: ramps, curbs, automatic doors • Architectural concept • Universal Design for Learning (UDL) • Make learning goals achievable by wide range of individuals • Built into instructional design/operating systems of educational materials • Not added on after the fact

30. Legal Aspects: Legislation • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) • Access to the general curriculum • WV Policy 2419: Regulations for the Education of Exceptional Students • No Child Left Behind (NCLB) • Improve achievement for ALL students • Accountability for students with disabilities

31. Legal Aspects…… • School districts are mandated to make assistive technology available to all students with disabilities if appropriate to receive a free, appropriate public education. • IEP Team Decision • Home Use • Funded by district • Provide devices/services • Consideration of special factors. • Assistive technology must be considered for ALL students in the special education process.

32. Challenges of Assistive Technology • Lack of Information • Current/accurate information • Lack of Expertise • Skills/Knowledge • High Rate of Abandonment • 1/3 abandoned after first year • Lack of Funding • Significant barrier • Inclusion and Lack of Assistive Technology

33. Implications for Schools • PLANNING • School district’s long range technology and special education plans, procedures, services, and budget include assistive technology. • TRAINING • All staff are able to appropriately “consider” students for assistive technology services and/or devices. • Staff are trained to integrate technology in teaching to help students with disabilities gain skills and achieve higher standards. (NCLB) • INCLUSION • Assistive technology is used to support the inclusion of students with disabilities in regular education placements and access to the general curriculum.

34. Educator Responsibilities • Increasing knowledge of AT • How different tools support student needs • Organizing AT implementation • Ensuring that AT is used consistently • Across environments • Monitoring student progress • Communicating results to colleagues and parents • Learning more about how AT can enhance instruction and student learning

35. Assistive Technology • Communication • Picture Board, Voice Output Device • Hearing/Vision • FM system, magnifier, Braille printer • Position, Access, and Mobility • Walker, wheelchair, grab rails • Activities of Daily Living • Adaptive eating devices, drinking devices • Environmental Controls • Light switch extension, remote controlled appliances

36. TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS • Educational choices in Assistive Technology • Instructional Use of Video & Captioning • Multimedia • Organizing Tools • Providing Access to Portable Tools • Word Prediction • Technology in Early Childhood Education • Low-tech/High-tech Solutions • Commercially Available • Adapted Items • Creative Solutions

37. Assistive Technology and ReadingHow Assistive Technology is used to support students in developing literacy. • Highlighting Important Words • Text Readers • Changes in Text, Spacing, Color • Physical Access • Speaking Spell Checkers • Electronic Books • Single Word Scanners • Resources • http://www.greatschools.net/cgi-bin/showarticle/3071 • http://www.tcnj.edu/~caties/documents/ATChecklistWATI.pdf

38. Assistive Technology and Math • Abacus/Math Line • Calculator/Talking Calculator • Tactile/Voice Output Measuring Devices • Math Smart Charts • Low Tech Adaptations for Answering • Enlarged Math Worksheets • On screen Calculator • Alternative Keyboards • Software/Voice Recognition

39. Assistive Technology and Writing • Adapted Paper/Pencils • Pencil Grips • Rubber Stamps • Word Processor • Writing Guides • Computer • Alternate keyboards • Arm Support • Mouth Stick/head pointer • Scanner

40. Assistive Technology Tools Learning and Studying • Print or Picture Schedule • Highlighting Text • Recording Material • Voice Output Reminders • NCR Paper • Low Tech Aids to Identify Materials • Electronic Organizers • Palm Computers • Software

41. CAMP GIZMO

42. CAMP GIZMO….. • GIZMO LABS • Computer • Augmentative communication • Mobility/play • Sensory Integration/CVI • Resource Library • KIDS CAMP (Inclusive) • Child care coordinators/workers • Adapt Activities • WORKSHOPS • Variety of topics from assistive technology regulations to switch making • WVU Feeding Team

43. CAMP GIZMO • Assistive Technology Summer Camp • Parents, professionals and students learn how assistive technology can help young children (0-8) with significant and multiple developmental needs • WV Schools for the Deaf and Blind Campus • Romney, WV • 220 Participants (135 adults/85 children) • Lodging/meals provided • Professional Development Opportunities • WVU SLPs/OTs/PTs • Karen Haines – WVU Class • CEUs, Grad Credit from MU and WVU

44. Technology Tips • Consider low-tech solutions first. • Build a network of individuals knowledgeable about equipment and low-tech strategies. • Access local, regional and national resources. • Consider adaptable equipment when purchasing new technology and other educational products. • Systems should be portable. • BE CREATIVE!

45. TIS Technology Tips • See Equipment Tips Handout • Provide print or tactile copy of screens • Verbal descriptions • Be cognizant of background noise • Lighting enough to see…watch for glare • Choose font, size, color for strong contrast • Paler highlighters • Uncluttered screens • Described and Caption Media Program: http://www.dcmp.org/

46. Resources • Article: Using Flexible Technology to Meet the Needs of Diverse Learners: What Teachers Can Do • Pathways to Learning for Students with Cognitive Challenges • AT 101: Assistive Technology Glossary • Universal Design for Instruction • Web Resources for Assistive Technology in the Classroom • Assistive Technology Funding in the Schools • TIS TECHNOLOGY TIPS • WVATS Mini-grants

47. WV RESOURCES • West Virginia Department of EducationOffice of Special Programs Contact: • Annette Carey (acarey@access.k12.wv.us) • Kathy Knighton kknighto@access.k12.wv.us 1-800-642-8541, (304) 558-2696 • West Virginia Department of Health and Human ResourcesWV Birth to Three ProgramContact: Pam Roush(304) 558-6311, 1-800-642-9704 • WV Early Childhood Resource Lending Library (ECRLL) 558-53881-800-642-9704 • West Virginia Assistive Technology System (WVATS)1-800-841-8436, www.ced.wvu.edu • West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation ServicesContact: Bev Binford, (304) 776-4702http://www.wvdrs.org, 1-800-642-8207

48. Thank-you!