Assistive TechnologyMaggie Hepper

What is Assistive Technology?

According to the Assistive Technology Industry Association (ATiA), “Assistive technology is any item, piece of equipment, software or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities” (What is Assistive Technology? How is it Funded?).

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

“Technology has great potential in providing access for all learners. Through the use of a variety of assistive technologies, students with disabilities can have the ability to access the general curriculum. When assistive technology is appropriately integrated into the regular classroom, students are provided with multiple means to complete their work” (FCTD).

Janet Jendron, part of the University of South Carolina Assistive Technology Project

What/who could AT be helpful for?

autism spectrum disorders blindness and low vision deafness and hard of hearing computer access communication disorders mobility impairment mounting systems learning disabilities cognitive disabilities web accessibility augmentative and alternative communication devices (AAC)

Information found from ATiA

Who pays for it? There is no specific person who pays for every piece of assistive

technology. Examples of some who do include:› Schools systems pay for general special education learning

materials as well as technology specified in an IEP.› Government programs (whether Social Security, Veteran’s

benefits, or state Medicaid agencies) pay for certain assistive technology if it is prescribed by a doctor as a necessary medical device.

› Private health insurance pays for certain assistive technology if it is prescribed by a doctor as a necessary medical device or used for rehabilitation.

› Rehabilitation and job training programs, whether funded by government or private agencies, may pay for assistive technology and training to help people get a job.

› Employers may pay for assistive technology that is determined to be a reasonable accommodation, so an employee can perform essential job tasks.

Information found from ATiA

How do you decide what AT device to use?

An AT team is formed and they help decide what technology would be most helpful/useful.

Different organizations that can help include:› AOTA (American Occupational Therapy Association)› ASHA (American Speech-Hearing-Language Association)› CEC (Council for Exceptional Children)› LDA (Learning Disability Association of America)› RESNA (Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society

of North America)

Information found from ATiA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYvuS1L5Jbs › What is an AT Library and an AT loan program?

IEP and AT What is an IEP?

› “IEP (Individualized Education Program): Written document that describes a student with a disability’s educational plan; it discusses the disability, goals for the student, various things that need to be done throughout the school year, what services the school will provide, and where the student will learn.”

IEP’s help play a big role when deciding what type of device is needed for a student.

If an IEP team decides a device is needed the student can borrow the device until they decide whether it works for the student or not and then if it works for its intended purpose, steps are made to purchase it.

If the IEP team states it as a necessity for the student, the school must provide it for the student according to the law.

Information found from FCTD

How can teachers help with the use of AT devices?

As a teacher, you can have computers set up with proper software necessary for students with disabilities to use.

Include assistive technology during your lessons. Familiarize students in the classroom about the AT

devices and why it is necessary for some students to use.

Use AT devices even if they aren’t necessary. Some examples include large font size and amplification devices.

Information from FCTD

Low Tech Devices Low tech devices can be defined as a

device that one uses to make a task easier for themselves but doesn’t take much training on how to work it. They also tend to be less expensive and doesn’t have any complicated features when using them (“Tools for Life”).

Low Tech Devices (Reading) Reading guides – Direct the student’s eyes easier so they can

follow along with what is being read or what they are reading.

Magnifying bar – Make the print they are reading larger.

Finger pointers - Fun and easy way to help students follow along on the line they are reading.

Colored organizer tabs – Can help students keep track of what page or line they left on.

Slide readers – Way to help students follow along word by word, not necessarily line by line.

http://www.therapyshoppe.com/category/1676-reading-writing-tools-special-needs-kids-students-ot?limitstart=0&category_template=374

……..

Low Tech Devices (Writing) Finger spacers – cue students how much room to leave between

words and letters when they are first learning how to write

Slant boards – creates a smooth writing surface that provides an easy wrist position

Shaded line notebooks – alternate white and shaded lines so students can stay in the lines while writing

Pencil grips – easier for students to hold utensil

Triangular shaped crayons – teach students how to properly hold a pencil and they don’t roll away when on desk

http://www.therapyshoppe.com/category/1676-reading-writing-tools-special-needs-kids-students-ot?limitstart=0&category_template=374

…….

Low Tech Devices (Math) Modified paper – Grid paper with raised bumps or enlarged

grid paper helps students keep things straight and in line

Number stamps – can be used to mark numbers without writing them so it’s neater

Flashcards – helps students memorize math problems

Multiplication tables – easier way for students to find the answer to multiplication problems so it saves time

Raised lines on rulers – helps students who don’t have the best sight maybe or help them count the lines easier

…….

Low Tech Devices (Communication)

Communication Books – provides pages of symbols arranged by topic usually in which people can point at to show what they want

Communication Charts – similar to communication books but the symbols are arranged on a single board or sheet

Talking Mats – allows the person to stick the picture to it and is a structured tool for thinking

Information and ideas from “Communication Matters”

……

Mid Tech Devices Devices that may have some

complicated features and might be electronic or battery operated. They may also take some training to learn how to use and are more expensive than low-tech devices but cheaper than high-tech devices (“Tools for Life”).

Mid Tech Devices (Reading) Talking Dictionary – handheld device that

reads and defines words Reading Pen – handheld device that reads

words that you wrote or are reading Commercial e-books – read stories aloud to

you Digital Magnifier- magnifies the font which

would help with someone who is visually impaired

“Learning Disabilities – Reading”

……

Mid Tech Devices (Writing) Writing Templates – allows the student to

write letters easily by tracing letters Iris Pen – scans over words and then can

scan into the computer where you can edit the text and have it read aloud to you

Sticky Keys – program through Microsoft that allows you to press one key at a time that normally requires two fingers to run a function

Information found on “Supporting Writers”

……

Mid Tech Devices (Math) Calculator/Talking Calculator – easy

way to solve math problems by electronically telling you the answer.

Coin Abacus – helps students understand how to count money better by using visuals.

…..

Mid Tech Devices (Communication)

Go Talk Express 32 – battery operated board where It has a bunch of different symbols and when you press it, it says what you want for you

Frustration Choice Board – good for students who have behavioral problems so they can just tap the button to show how they are feeling

Motion Talker – works great for those who may have tactlie defensiveness and need to give a quick message

Ideas found on Pinterest

High Tech Devices High tech devices are the most

complex equipment used as assistive technology. They have digital or electronic components and may be computerized. They also take a large amount of training to operate. They are the most expensive type of devices as well. (“Tools for Life”).

High Tech Devices (Reading)

CCTV Video Magnifiers – magnifies what the student is reading if they are visually impaired

Ipad – allows students to be able to zoom in on text and change the colors so it is easier for them to see

Information from FCTD

….

High Tech Devices (Writing) Electronic Dictionary – portable and

easy for students to use when looking up how to spell a word or what a word means

Word prediction software – helps students by predicting what word they are going to type to save time

….

High Tech Devices (Math) Math Talk – helps students understand

the math they are working on while being able to say what the problem is and have the computer type it automatically for them

Electronic worksheets – allows the students to do the problems electronically instead of on paper

….

High Tech Devices (Communication)

V Pen – pen you use to tap letters on a keypad and it keeps track of what you are saying and will repeat it for you aloud.

Tobii C12 – system where the person can look at a certain symbol for a certain amount of time and the system is able to read their eye gaze

Tellus Mobi – Device that has pages and pages of symbols for person to select to say what they want

Ideas found on “Communication Matters”

Useful devices for studying and reading

Print and picture schedules Text highlighters Voice output reminders for tasks and assignments Software for manipulation of objects Software for organization Book adapted for page turner Talking electronic devices for single words Scanner for talking word processor Electronic books Info from FCTD

Apps Dragon Dictation SpeakText for eBook Proloquo2go iCommunicate Tap to Talk Evernote Documents to Go Talking Web Browser-Pro Everyday Social Skills iPrompts Pro First, then My Choice Board myHomework Student Planner HeyTell

Everyday use of AT devices Devices for eating

› Adapted utensils and plates› Arm support› Automated feeding

Devices for home living› Switch› Battery interrupter› Control unit› Infrared sender/receiver

Devices for dressing› Velcro fasteners› Button hook

Success Stories Destani is a twelve year old, just like everyone else in her

class, except she has Muscular Dystrophy. Having this disorder makes doing everyday school tasks difficult, but with the help of some technology she is able to move right along with the class and do everything they are doing, just in a different way. The device she uses is called the Vanguard Plus. This device uses a sensor that she can control by pointing her head. She is able to study, listen, and talk by using this device, as well as doing her assignments and projects on it. She has high goals and will be able to work towards them with the help of assistive technology. Destani was awarded the 2012 Horn Walter Outstanding Achievement in Special Education Award.

….. Makayla Stormer was given a Vantage through

the PRC “40 for 40” program. This device worked so well with her that she is now able to use her own voice to talk and use her own words. Her former SLP says without the device she wouldn’t have been able to have had such advancements in her communication and that she firmly believes this device was instrumental in teaching her how to talk. Now that she is able to communicate on her own, without using the device, it has been given to another family to use with their child.

…. Adam Assi who is 11 years old and received a device

through the “40 for 40” program. Before he was given this device he was only able to communicate through motions and vocalizations. Learning this device takes time obviously, but he was able to make strides and advance his vocabulary and communication skills. At first he would press the Minspeak buttons, but that took a while to communicate, so he switched to typing in what he wanted to say. He is now able to type in what he wants to say on a regular computer. This device can travel with him as well and he is able to take it to restaurants and order what he wants to be more independent.

…. Kim Vuong is another person who was successful using AT

devices and she is 36 years old. Kim was born with normal physical abilities, but a high fever she had when she was a child caused her to have cerebral palsy. This made her speech difficult so she was given a device when she was 8, but that broke and she wasn’t given another one until she was 25. She was given this device when she was working at an independent living center and clients were saying they couldn’t understand her on the phone. She chose to use the Vantage because it was loud enough so she could be heard on the phone and that it was quick and easy to use. She went on to get her Associates degree in women studies and she says she wouldn’t have been able to without her device. She is now a PRC Ambassador.

AT Devices in the classroom https://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcUNnnwFm4g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WELoJutEYHo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DVu6pzj7rA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXnqToAwqiE

References "Communication Matters." High-tech Communication Systems.

Communication Matters, 2014. Web. 22 Oct. 2014. <http://www.communicationmatters.org.uk/page/high-tech-aac>.

"Learning Disabilities - Reading." Technology Options for Special Needs. N.p., Sept. 2014. Web. 22 Oct. 2014. http://atpdc.wordpress.com/learning-disabilities/.

"Supporting Writers." : Mid Tech Assistive Technology for the Writing Process. N.p., 18 July 2012. Web. 22 Oct. 2014. <http://supportingwriters.blogspot.com/2012/07/mid-tech-assistive-technology.html>.

"Tools for Life." Tools for Life. AMAC, n.d. Web. 09 Oct. 2014. <http://www.gatfl.org/assistive.php>.

What Is Assistive Technology? How Is It Funded?" - Assistive Technology Industry Association. ATiA, n.d. Web. 09 Oct. 2014. <http://www.atia.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3859>.

"The Family Center on Technology and Disability." FCTD. N.p., 2014. Web. 09 Dec. 2014. <http://www.fctd.info/powerpoints>.

All images from google.