Assistive Technology

Assistive Technology, or AT, 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

(Assistive Technology: An Overview, 2014)

Laws regarding Assistive Technology

• IDEA- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act-ensures services to children with disabilities

• ADA-Americans with Disabilities Act-equal opportunity for those with disabilities

• Section 255 of The Telecommunications Act of 1996-telecomunications manufacturers to make products and services available to those with disabilities

• Assistive Technology Act of 1998-provide funds for schools to those that support assistive programs

(Assistive Technology: Federal Laws and Regulations, 2012)

• Assistive Technology can be used in two forms• Devices• Services

(Assistive Technology: An Overview, 2014)

AT Devices

• IDEA ‘04 defines an AT device as “any item, piece of equipment, or product system, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of a child and specifically excludes a medical device that is surgically implanted or the replacement of such a device” (Petschauer, 2013).

• AT devices can be complex, or they can be as simple as a modified pencil.

AT Services

• IDEA ‘04 defines an assistive technology services as “any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device” (Assistive Technology: Federal Laws and Regulations, 2013).

• For Example, constructing the classroom effectively to ensure proper use of AT devices, making sure the devices are working properly, and using the device in all environments. These plans are made possible through IEP’s set up by the teacher, special education teacher, and parents.

Hearing Impaired

• There are three types of devices used for the hearing impaired

• Assistive Listening Devices (ALD)• Augmentative and Alternative Communication• Alerting Devices

(The Iris Center, 2014)

Assistive Listening Devices

• These help to amplify the sounds. These can be used with hearing aids or cochlear implants to help hear sounds better

• Personal amplified systems• Infrared systems• FM systems• Loop Systems• Soundfield systems

(Assistive Devices for People with Hearing Disorders, 2011)

Augmentative and Alternative Devices

• Help people with communication disorders to express themselves.

• Unaided-gestures, body language, and sign language

• Aided- using tools and equipment in addition to using the body. For example: paper and pencil, communication books and posters, or any aid used to help with communication

(People with Hearing Disorders, 2011)

Alerting Devices

• These devices emit loud sounds or blink lights to inform deaf people of something taking place.

Seeing Impaired

• Technology has progressed tremendously for those visually impaired. New and old devices and services are essential for students to obtain a quality education.

• AT for the visually impaired are:• Programs for computers that can magnify the words on the screen,

as well as speak the text on the screen• Stand alone- personal digital assistants (PDA’s), and electronic book

players• Optical recognition systems- scan printed material and speak the

text. Also, braille embossers

(Assistive Technologies, 2013)

Learning Disabled• Students with learning disabilities can struggle in

the area of schoolwork. By using Assistive Technology, students with learning disabilities can learn to become more independent learners.

• These devices do not cure or diminish the learning disability, but they do focus on the strengths of the learners.

• Devices used for the learning disabled:• Scanners and screen reading software, voice recognition

software, talking calculators, and highlighting and note taking programs

(Stanberry, 2014)

Physically Disabled• Students with physical disabilities often have

limitations in their education. These disabilities can include loss of limb(s), muscle control, or any limitation in mobility.

• Assistive technologies have aided the potential of the physically disabled to obtain a quality education.

• Examples of AT’s for the physically disabled include: • Mouth stick-controls input through a stick the users

manipulate with their mouth• Adaptive keyboard-compact, expanded, rubber, or ergonomic • Voice recognition programs-entering text and using task on

the computer by using their voices

(Petschauer, 2013)

References“Assistive Devices for People with Hearing Disorders”. (2011). National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Retrieved on March 26th from nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing“Assistive Technology”. (2013). American Foundation for the Blind. Retrieved March25th from www.afb.org“Assistive Technology: An Overview”. (2014). The Iris Center. Retrieved March 25th from iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu “Assistive Technology: Federal Laws and Regulations”. (2012). National Disability Rights Network. Retrieved on March 26th from www.ndrn.comHasselbring, Ted. (2014). “Technologies for Students with Hearing Impairments”. The Future Of Children. Retrieved on March 25th from www.princeton.edu/futureofchildren. NCLD Team. (2014). National Center for Learning Disabilities:

Assistive Technology. Retrieved on March 26th from www.ncld.orgPetschauer, Diana. (2013). “Assistive Technology for Education”. Assistive Technology for Education LLC. Retrieved on March 27th from assistivetechnologyforeducation.comStanberry, Kristin. (2014). “Assistive Technology for Kids with Learning Disabilities: An Overview”. WETA Public Broadcasting. Retrieved on March 26th from readingrockets.org“What is ATAP?”. (n.d). Association of Assistive Technology Programs. Retrieved March 27th from www.atap.org