Assistive Technology

1. Assistive Technology Christine Blakley Ed 508

2. Traditional classrooms… • •don’t always meet the unique needs of every student. This is where assistive technology comes into play. • •ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY includes “any device or service that helps a student with a disability to meet his or her individualized education program (IEP) goals and to participate in the general education setting to the greatest possible extent.”

3. Examples of Assistive Technology: • ~ Specialized learning materials • ~ Specialized curricular software • ~ wheel chairs • ~ braces • ~ walkers • ~ pencil holders • ~ Felt covered communication boards • ~ Special purpose computers • ~ Positioning devices • ~ Prosthetics • ~ Computer keyboards • ~ Screen-readers

4. The Law in regard to Assistive Technology… • In general, the legal support for providing assistive technology devices and services to students in the schools is rooted in IDEA, the federal law that governs the provision of special education in the United States. • IDEA requires that IEP teams consider all of the "academic, developmental, and functional needs of the child" (IDEA Sec. 614(d)(3)(A)(iv)), as well as specifically "consider whether the child needs assistive technology devices and services" (IDEA Sec. 614(d)(3)(B)(v)). This means that every IEP team must at least discuss and determine whether or not assistive technology devices and services would help the child achieve a free, appropriate public education.

5. Hearing Impaired… Several types of assistive technology are available to improve sound transmission for people with hearing loss. • A cochlear implant is a small, complex electronic device that can help to provide a sense of sound to a person who is profoundly deaf or severely hard-of-hearing.

6. Visual Impairment… The term "visual impairment" is used to describe a wide range of conditions which affect clarity of vision and visual field. • Braille computer displays are available for blind computer users who cannot use a standard computer monitor. These unique displays are used to read text output on the computer.

7. Learning Disabilities… AT for kids with LD is defined as any device, piece of equipment or system that helps bypass, work around or compensate for an individual's specific learning deficits. • Talking calculators have a built-in speech synthesizer that reads aloud each number, symbol, or operation key a user presses; they also vocalize the answer to the problem. This auditory feedback may help a student check the accuracy of the keys he or she presses and verify the answer before he or she transfers it to paper.

8. Physical Impairments… Physical impairments come in many forms and can generally be classified as a loss or limitation of function in muscle control or movement or a limitation in mobility. • Eye tracking devices can be a powerful alternative for individuals with no control, or only limited control, over their hand movements. The device follows the movement of the eyes and allows the person to navigate through the web with only eye movements.

9. References • Assistive technology: An overview. (2010). IRIS. Retrieved July 18, 2014, from http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/at/ • Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, U.S. Department of Education. (2000, June 8). Educating blind and visually impaired students; Policy Guidance; Notice. Federal Register, 65 (111) 36585-36594. Retrieved July 16, 2014, from www.ed.gov/legislation/FedRegister/oter/2000-2/060800a.html. • Regulating doctors, ensuring good medical practice. (2014, January 1). GMC. Retrieved July 18, 2014, from http://www.gmc-uk.org/index.asp.