Assistive Technology

Definition

Assistive technology is any device or service that helps a student with a disability meet his or her Individualized Education Program goals. The assistive technology allows the student to participate in general education settings by improving the functional performance of the student’s disability.

Disabilities Education Act The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) requires public schools to make available to all eligible children with disabilities a free appropriate education in the least restrictive environment appropriate to their individual needs. An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is required for each child. An IEP is a written plan that describes the student's specific special education needs and services provided to meet the student’s needs.

Assistive Technology DevicesScreen Magnification and Reader

Blind or visually impaired students can access information by using the internal magnification built into the computer. Other students may require additional amounts of magnification or screen reading software to access information. Students needing additional magnification may access screen reader software programs developed for computer users whose vision loss prevents them from seeing screen content. JAWS reads aloud what's on the PC screen and gives the user a unique set of intelligent tools for navigating and accesses web pages and all screen content.

FM systems may be used for the hearing impaired. This system uses radio signals to transmit amplified sounds. They

are often used in classrooms where the instructor wears a small microphone connected to a transmitter and the student

wears the receiver, which is tuned to a specific frequency, or channel. FM systems can transmit signals up to 300 feet

and are able to be used in many public places. Since radio signals are able to penetrate walls, listeners in one room may

need to listen to a different channel than those in another room to avoid receiving mixed signals. Personal FM systems

operate in the same way as larger scale systems and can be used to help people with hearing loss to follow one-on-one

conversations. Click on the video, to learn more about FM systems.

FM Systems

Students with learning disabilities in academic areas such as reading, math, and science can receive assistance from E-books, Ipads and laptops. These devices contain text-to-speech audio, and apps that support academic areas. Students may access these websites in the classroom or at home. Many of the apps such as Moby Max, Compass Learning, XtraMath, and Stride Academy monitor student progress in weak academic areas that teachers can use for subject related intervention.

E-books, Ipads and Computers

Physically disabled students can receive

assistance with

adjustable monitors and keyboards. These

devices are attached to wheelchairs and

provide assistance to students with limited

fine motor skills due to physical deformities.

The monitor can adjust in various positions

and the keyboard has trays that raise and

lower with large font keyboards with easy to

see keys. The keyboards are adaptable for use

with ipads and other electronic devices.

Adjustable Monitors and Keyboards

ReferencesAT and the IEP. (2014, October 13). Retrieved March 27, 2015, from http://www.ctdinstitute.org/library/2014-10-13/and-iep Assistive Devices for People with Hearing, Voice, Speech, or Language Disorders. (n.d.). Retrieved March 27, 2015, from http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/pages/assistive-devices.aspx#2

Assistive Technology: An Overview. (n.d.). Retrieved March 27, 2015, from http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/at/

BLINDNESS SOLUTIONS: JAWS®. (n.d.). Retrieved March 27, 2015, from http://www.freedomscientific.com/Products/Blindness/JAWS Hearing Loss in the Classroom. (n.d.). Retrieved March 27, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBrnvGKLF_Q&feature=youtu.be