Assistive Technology

Created by: Amber KeithED 505 June 14, 2015

What is assistive technology?

▪ According to the U.S. Department of Education (2015), an assistive technology device is defined as “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 functional capabilities of a child with a disability” (para. 1).

So what does that mean?

▪ Assistive technology device

- Any device or tool used to help a disabled person academically and/or functionally.

- Example: a text reader

▪ Assistive technology service

- A service or program to help an individual acquire, use, and maintain an assistive technology device

- Example: training on how to use an AT device

Carpenter & Wright, 2009

Is AT just for school?

▪ Assistive technology is not limited to the classroom. AT is and can be used for individuals at home, at work, and at school, and AT can help improve the independence of a person with disabilities by allowing them to perform tasks or do things they wouldn’t otherwise be able to do. It can also help maintain skills and abilities a person already has, or it can help someone overcome obstacles and situations that previously impaired the person’s abilities.

Carpenter & Wright, 2009

Assistive Technology Video

▪ To understand assistive technology a little better:

▪ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DB9pKkZoJDc

Types of AT

Low Tech: - magnifiers - pencil grips - reachers/grabbers

High Tech: - digital hearing aid - power wheelchair - voice recognition software

Medium Tech: - audio books - manual wheelchair - alternate mouse or keyboard

“What is,” 2015

What assistive technology is NOT…

▪ It is NOT… a surgically implanted device.

▪ It is NOT… technology used for fun in the classroom.

▪ It is NOT… required for students without a disability.

▪ It is NOT… just the responsibility of the special education teacher.

▪ It is NOT… just a device given to the student to meet a federal law.

▪ It is NOT… just an expensive tool or device.

▪ It is NOT… to be overlooked because of expense or difficulty understanding how to use it. The Iris Center, 2010

The Assistive Technology Act

▪ Was first signed into law in 1988 as the Technology-Related Assistance Act of 1988. It has been reauthorized in 1994, 1998, and 2004.

▪ The purpose of the law is for all persons with disabilities to have access to AT that can help them maintain or improve their independence, their academics, how they live, etc. It enables AT to be available to all persons with disabilities and covers people of all ages, from birth through the elderly.

▪ The law also provides grants to fund states with an Assistive Technology Act Project; this enables states to fund these services and devices.

“Assistive Technology Act,” 2015

AT in Education…

Assistive Technology is discussed in multiple laws and federal acts.

▪ The reauthorization of IDEA in 1997 requires technology services and devices to be considered for every single child with a disability and such devices used will be a part of the IEP process (

▪ The Americans with Disabilities Act, along with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, also requires AT to be provided to a student with disabilities if it will help a student have equal opportunities and access or if it removes barriers that otherwise existed.

Each of these require that a device be considered based on what the device does for the person. “SC Curriculum,”

2015

What kinds of devices might be used in education?

AT devices used to help a student with disabilities

Hearing Impaired Assistive Technology Device: Assistive Listening Device

▪ An Assistive Listening Device (ALD), particularly an FM system, uses a transmitter connected to a microphone used by the teacher to wirelessly transmit the teacher’s voice to a receiver connected to the student’s personal hearing aid. This often omits background noises and other loud sounds, allowing the student to more clearly hear and understand the teacher.

Clark, 2015

Visually impaired assistive technology devices: Screen readers

▪ Screen readers offer students the ability to interact with and use a computer through braille or a speech synthesizer. Basically, the user gives commands to the computer, or has settings for the program to automatically follow. The program can read or spell words, screens of texts, highlight, describe an image, etc. Students are able to use and interact with a computer through this software.

Afb.org

Learning Disabled assistive technology device: Audio books

▪ Audio books primarily assist learning disabled students who struggle with reading, dyslexia, etc. (blind students also use these programs). Students can hear what they are reading and can bookmark pages, interact with the text, and find definitions for words immediately. These devices help provide support to students so they can learn to read and comprehend texts independently.

Stanberry, n.d.

Physically disabled assistive technology device: positioning chair

▪ The Rifton positioning chair can be used with a wide range of physical disabilities. The chair’s intent is to help students learn and improve posture and sitting skills while still allowing them to participate in activities, daily routines, and completing everyday tasks. The chair helps build strength to sit and to participate in the activities of the classroom.

“Rifton,” n.d.

To conclude

▪ Assistive Technologies are vital to the success of students with disabilities. These technologies allow students to be successful both inside and outside the classroom; many help students become stronger and more independent learners. It is important for all educators to be familiar with AT and the laws concerning AT so that all students’ needs are being met.

Picture and Image websites

▪ What is AT? http://integrating-tech.weebly.com/uploads/1/0/9/5/10959546/7006625.jpg?666

▪ Assistive technology devices: http://www.loftonspace.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/blogAssistiveTechnology.jpg

▪ Accessibility: http://www.sa.sc.edu/sds/files/2012/07/accessibility_sm.png

▪ Magnifying glass: http://www.gatfl.org/images/magnifying-glass.jpg

▪ Powerchair : http://www.gatfl.org/images/power-wheelchair.jpg

▪ Mouse: http://students.depaul.edu/~rwise1/RR_Web/track.jpg

▪ Hearing: http://www.tecear.com/images/at216.jpg

▪ Vision: http://www.ucntn.umk.pl/en/www/gfx/main/handi/jaws-03.jpg

▪ LD: http://specialedpost.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/child-with-headphones.jpg

▪ Physical: http://www.rifton.com/~/media/images/rifton/blog/blog-images/2014/feb-14/positioning-chair-special-needs.jpg?h=194&la=en&mw=205&w=205

References

Assistive Technology Act. (2009, December 1). Retrieved June 15, 2015, from http://www.parentcenterhub.org/repository/ata/

Carpenter, L. B., Dyal, A., & Wright, J. V. (2009). Assistive technology: what every school leader should know. Education, 129(3), 556+. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com.ezproxy.uwa.edu:2048/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA196151549&v=2.1&u=naal_uwa&it=r&p=PROF&sw=w&asid=e662f25434ce5d9c7f7212a055eaaf77

Clark, C. (2015). Assistive Listening Devices. Retrieved June 14, 2015, from https://www.necc.mass.edu/academics/support-services/learning-accommodations/deaf-and-hard-of-hearing-services/student-resources/accommodations-tipsheets/assistive-listening-devices/

IDEA - Building The Legacy of IDEA 2004. (2015). Retrieved June 13, 2015.

Rifton Activity Chair. (n.d.). Retrieved June 14, 2015, from http://www.especialneeds.com/seating-positioning-adaptive-seating-seating-system-rifton- activity-chair-hi-lo-base-small.html

SC Curriculum Access through AT. (2015, May 19). Retrieved June 14, 2015 from http://www.sc.edu/scatp/cdrom/atused.html

Screen Readers. (2014). Retrieved June 14, 2015, from http://www.afb.org/prodbrowsecatresults.asp?catid=49

Stanberry, K. (n.d.). Audio Books & Publications. Retrieved June 13, 2015, from http://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/audio-books-publications/

The IRIS Center for Training Enhancements. (2010). Assistive Technology: An Overview. Retrieved on [month, day, year] from http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/at/

What is assistive technology. (n.d.). Retrieved June 13, 2015, from http://www.gatfl.org/assistive.php