Assistive Assistive TechnologyTechnologyLeveling the playing fieldLeveling the playing field

Presented by Jennifer Izzo

An An Assistive Technology DeviceAssistive Technology Device is is defined as “any piece of equipment, defined as “any piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to or customized, that is used to increase, maintain or improve increase, maintain or improve functional capabilities of children functional capabilities of children with disabilities. (IDEA 300.5)with disabilities. (IDEA 300.5)

Some definitions….

This includes…This includes…

Low tech devices such as pencil grips, Low tech devices such as pencil grips, book marks, customized seating. book marks, customized seating.

Elementary tech devices such as Elementary tech devices such as switches, calculators, spell-checkers, switches, calculators, spell-checkers, and other battery-operated devices.and other battery-operated devices.

High tech devices such as computer High tech devices such as computer systems and programs and systems and programs and augmentative communication systems.augmentative communication systems.

More Definitions….More Definitions….

An An Assistive Technology ServiceAssistive Technology Service is “any service is “any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device. Such term acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device. Such term includes-includes- (A) the evaluation of the needs of an individual with a disability, (A) the evaluation of the needs of an individual with a disability,

including a functional evaluation of the individual in the including a functional evaluation of the individual in the individual's customary environment;individual's customary environment;

(B) purchasing, leasing, or otherwise providing for the acquisition (B) purchasing, leasing, or otherwise providing for the acquisition of assistive technology devices by individuals with disabilities;of assistive technology devices by individuals with disabilities;

(C) selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying, (C) selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying, maintaining, repairing, or replacing of assistive technology maintaining, repairing, or replacing of assistive technology devices;devices;

(D) coordinating and using other therapies, interventions, or (D) coordinating and using other therapies, interventions, or services with assistive technology devices, such as those services with assistive technology devices, such as those associated with existing education and rehabilitation plans and associated with existing education and rehabilitation plans and programs;programs;

(E) training or technical assistance for a child with disabilities, or, (E) training or technical assistance for a child with disabilities, or, where appropriate, that child’s family; andwhere appropriate, that child’s family; and

(F) training or technical assistance for professionals (including (F) training or technical assistance for professionals (including individuals providing education and rehabilitation services), individuals providing education and rehabilitation services), employers, or other individuals who provide services to, employ, employers, or other individuals who provide services to, employ, or are otherwise substantially involved in the major life functions or are otherwise substantially involved in the major life functions of children with disabilities”(IDEA 300.6).of children with disabilities”(IDEA 300.6).

AT Levels the Playing AT Levels the Playing FieldField

Advances in the development and use of Advances in the development and use of assistive technology have allowed students assistive technology have allowed students with disabilities equal access to curriculum, with disabilities equal access to curriculum, improved student achievement, and improved improved student achievement, and improved quality of life. Use of assistive technology quality of life. Use of assistive technology “levels the playing field” and promotes “levels the playing field” and promotes independence both in and out of the classroom. independence both in and out of the classroom.

Assistive technology is available in most Assistive technology is available in most institutions of higher learning and can be used institutions of higher learning and can be used to increase employability after school. Thus, to increase employability after school. Thus, the use of assistive technology promotes the use of assistive technology promotes lifelong independence and prepares students lifelong independence and prepares students with disabilities for the world outside of school.with disabilities for the world outside of school.

AT Must be Considered AT Must be Considered for All IEP Students!for All IEP Students!

The Individuals with Disabilities The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) states in Section Education Act (IDEA) states in Section 300.346(a)(2)(v) that the CSE shall 300.346(a)(2)(v) that the CSE shall “consider whether the child requires “consider whether the child requires assistive technology devices and assistive technology devices and services.”services.”

ConsiderConsider is defined in the American is defined in the American Heritage Dictionary as “to think Heritage Dictionary as “to think carefully about, to form an opinion carefully about, to form an opinion about, or to look at thoughtfully.” about, or to look at thoughtfully.”

WATI FormWATI Form

In order to facilitate this process, In order to facilitate this process, the CSE will fill out the CSE will fill out WATI Assistive WATI Assistive Technology Consideration GuideTechnology Consideration Guide. . This form will become part of the This form will become part of the student’s file as a record that AT was student’s file as a record that AT was considered. considered.

Adding AT to IEP’sAdding AT to IEP’s AT should be added using AT should be added using general termsgeneral terms, not , not

specific products.specific products.

Examples….Examples…. Alternate Input Alternate Input

Alternate KeyboardAlternate Keyboard Keyboard AdditionsKeyboard Additions Switches and Switch SoftwareSwitches and Switch Software Voice Recognition SystemsVoice Recognition Systems Optical Character Recognition Software and ScannersOptical Character Recognition Software and Scanners Pointing and Typing AidsPointing and Typing Aids Touch ScreensTouch Screens Mouse AlternativeMouse Alternative Arm and Wrist SupportsArm and Wrist Supports

Alternate OutputAlternate Output Talking Word Processors Talking Word Processors Large Print Word ProcessorsLarge Print Word Processors Compatible Visual DisplaysCompatible Visual Displays Braille EmbossersBraille Embossers Braille TranslatorsBraille Translators Refreshable Braille DisplaysRefreshable Braille Displays Screen ReadersScreen Readers Screen Magnification SoftwareScreen Magnification Software Scan/Read SoftwareScan/Read Software

Processing AidsProcessing Aids Word Prediction ProgramsWord Prediction Programs Reading Comprehension ProgramsReading Comprehension Programs Reading ToolsReading Tools Writing-Composition ProgramsWriting-Composition Programs Electronic Reference ToolsElectronic Reference Tools

Specialized ProductsSpecialized Products Augmentative and Alternative Communication Augmentative and Alternative Communication

ProductsProducts Closed-Circuit TelevisionsClosed-Circuit Televisions Note TakersNote Takers GPSGPS Assistive Listening DevicesAssistive Listening Devices

AT ServicesAT Services

Use of AT is an ongoing process, as Use of AT is an ongoing process, as technology changes very rapidly, and technology changes very rapidly, and student’s needs change over time.student’s needs change over time.

It must be considered whether regular It must be considered whether regular consultation with the student, consultation with the student, teachers, and therapists needs to be teachers, and therapists needs to be added as an AT service. This includes added as an AT service. This includes time for training, upkeep of time for training, upkeep of equipment, integration into curriculum equipment, integration into curriculum and technical assistance (IDEA 300.6)and technical assistance (IDEA 300.6)

Scan and Read Scan and Read

Our most commonly used AT Our most commonly used AT program at Pioneer is Kurzweil program at Pioneer is Kurzweil 3000. This is available throughout 3000. This is available throughout the district as well as our public the district as well as our public libraries.libraries.

Many colleges offer Kurzweil as Many colleges offer Kurzweil as well, including GCC, which lists the well, including GCC, which lists the program on their website.program on their website.

Kurzweil DemoKurzweil Demo

Please watch this quick video demo.Please watch this quick video demo.

Demo videoDemo video

Now try it on your own….use the Now try it on your own….use the directions given on your handout to directions given on your handout to complete the assignment. Please complete the assignment. Please raise your hand if you have questions!raise your hand if you have questions!

Kurzweil can be used to provide Kurzweil can be used to provide access to books for those with access to books for those with physical limitations, with the physical limitations, with the exception of blindness.exception of blindness.

Kurzweil has shown to be effective Kurzweil has shown to be effective for ADHD students.for ADHD students.

Other ideas???Other ideas???

How else can Kurzweil be used?

Voice Recognition Voice Recognition SoftwareSoftware

Our second most widely used AT program is Our second most widely used AT program is Dragon Naturally Speaking. This is a program Dragon Naturally Speaking. This is a program that allows the user to speak to the computer, that allows the user to speak to the computer, and the program will write what is said.and the program will write what is said.

For some students, much training is required, For some students, much training is required, but the benefits are great.but the benefits are great.

Voice files created in school can be transferred Voice files created in school can be transferred to a USB or other portable drive, then given to to a USB or other portable drive, then given to the student upon graduation for future use.the student upon graduation for future use.

Dragon can be used with any program in which Dragon can be used with any program in which writing is involved, included MS office as well as writing is involved, included MS office as well as Kurzweil.Kurzweil.

Why use Dragon?Why use Dragon?

There are other programs available, There are other programs available, including a word recognition including a word recognition program through MS Office, and the program through MS Office, and the new Windows Vista.new Windows Vista.

The limitations are that they are not The limitations are that they are not as accurate, not as user friendly, and as accurate, not as user friendly, and they do not have portability.they do not have portability.

Dragon DemoDragon Demo

Please watch the following demo:Please watch the following demo:

Dragon DemoDragon Demo

What can Dragon be What can Dragon be used for?used for?

Students with poor handwriting or who Students with poor handwriting or who fatigue physically.fatigue physically.

Students with poor spelling/phonics Students with poor spelling/phonics skills.skills.

Students who struggle to get their Students who struggle to get their thoughts down.thoughts down.

Students with mild speech impediments Students with mild speech impediments as part of speech therapy.as part of speech therapy.

Others??????Others??????

Where Do We Go From Where Do We Go From Here?Here?

Please go to back to Mrs. Izzo’s Please go to back to Mrs. Izzo’s homepage, and go to the AT Wiki.homepage, and go to the AT Wiki.

Make yourself a log-in, and make Make yourself a log-in, and make some comments on what you think! some comments on what you think! A discussion has already been A discussion has already been started!started!