Assistive Technologies In the Classroom

Assistive Technologies In the ClassroomResources for Special Needs

TermsAssistive TechnologyAny item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilitiesAdaptive TechnologyItems that are specifically designed for persons with disabilities and would seldom be used by non-disabled persons

Reasons For Assistive/Adaptive LearningIncreased opportunity for educationSocial interactionMeaningful employmentAwarenessUnited community

Disability and the Need for Assistance

Image provided by Census BureauDisabilities and Technological Resource to AssistBlindnessInputLocator dots on the keyboard OutputSpeech outputRefreshable BrailleBraille embossersScanners with optical character recognition

Image Provided by Post of Belarus Disabilities and Technological Resource to AssistLow VisionInputLarge-print key labels and home row indicatorsOutputLarge monitors and anti-glare screensScreen enlarger softwareColor and contrast adjustmentsSpeech output systemsDisabilities and Technological Resource to AssistLearning DisabilitiesInputPhonetic Spelling softwareSpeech recognition products Concept mapping softwareOutputEnlarged screen displaysAlternative color contrastsSpeech outputReading systems incorporating OCRImage Provided by Melesse

Disabilities and Technological Resource to AssistSpeech and Hearing ImpairmentsOutputComputer programmed to flash the screen instead of a tone to indicate an errorCommunication devices that substitute for voices for students who cannot communicate verbally

Image Provided by Manual on Uniform Traffic Control DevicesDisabilities and Technological Resource to AssistMobility and Orthopedic ImpairmentsInputFlexible positioning or mounting of equipmentSoftware utilities that combine multiple keystrokesTrackballs or other alternatives to a mouseKeyboard emulation with specialized switches that allow the use of scanning or Morse code inputOutputSpeech output software

Considerations

Assessment of studentAbilities, interests and preferences Family's culture and value system EnvironmentFunctional tasks for participating in daily routinesOngoing intervention and evaluation

Photo Provided by David J. HewittConsiderationsFactors for successStudent and family goals and values form the basis of the student's educational programs Students, family, therapists and educators work as a team to select, obtain, implement assistive technologyCommunication about all aspects of the students school program is frequent and honest Both major and minor glitches are solved quickly and systematically by the team

Understanding Assistive Technology

Resources

ATTO: Introduction to Assistive Technology: Device Selection. (n.d.). ATTO: Assistive Technology Training Online. Retrieved March 19, 2013, from http://atto.buffalo.edu/registered/ATBasics/Foundation/intro/introselection.phpBurgstahler, S. (n.d.). Adaptive Technology. University of Washington. Retrieved March 19, 2013, from http://www.washington.edu/doit/Faculty/Strategies/Academic/Adaptive/

Images courtesy of Wikimedia CommonsSong by Sigur Ros GlosoliGlsliSigur RsTakk, track 2/112005Alternative & Punk376087.66eng - 00001A2A 000019E9 0000D741 00011C54 0004782F 00052BE0 000089F6 00008C95 0005234E 00046463eng - iTunes_CDDB_IDs11+756090E0D4DDBCC7CFB0A600C3A81744+5804419