1. Assistive TechnologyLydia Kesler

2. Assistive Technologyhe Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA 04) defines an assistivetechnology 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 thatis surgically implanted or the replacement of such device (e.g., a cochlear implant). Assistive technology,therefore, might be something as complex as a hand-held electronic magnifying instrument or as simpleas a specialized rubber pencil grip. (The IRIS Center for Training Enhancements. 2010).ach state and territory in the United States has a grant from the United States Department of Educationfor the procurement and service of assistive technologies for disabled students. (Assistive TechnologyAct, 2013) 3. AT in the Classroomndividualized Educational Plans (IEPs) need to include what assistivetechnology is required for the student and how that technology is tobe used in the classroom. 4. Law regarding ATriginally called the Technology Related Assistance Act, the Assistive Technology Act waspassed in 1998. From that time forward, the U.S. was required to award grants to eachstate that allowed them to acquire and maintain assistive technology for their citizens withdisabilites. The Act extends into the classroom with provisions in the law for education.There have been multiple amendments and required reauthorizations of this Act. Themost recent took place in 2014. Additional laws that deal with assistive technologyinclude the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Americans withDisabilities Act (ADA), The Hearing Aid Compatibility Act of 1988,Telecommunications Act of 1996, and the Federal Government Procurement ofAccessible Information Technology (Assistive Technology Laws, 2014) 5. Hearing impairedearing loop (or induction loop) systems use electromagnetic energy to transmit sound. A hearing loopsystem involves four parts:sound source, such as a public address system, microphone, or home TV or telephonen amplifierthin loop of wire that encircles a room or branches out beneath carpetingreceiver worn in the ears or as a headsetmplified sound travels through the loop and creates an electromagnetic field that is picked up directly by ahearing loop receiver or a telecoil, a miniature wireless receiver that is built into many hearing aids andcochlear implants. To pick up the signal, a listener must be wearing the receiver and be within or near theloop. Because the sound is picked up directly by the receiver, the sound is much clearer, without as muchof the competing background noise associated with many listening environments. Some loop systems areportable, making it possible for people with hearing loss to improve their listening environments, asneeded, as they proceed with their daily activities. A hearing loop can be connected to a public addresssystem, a television, or any other audio source. For those who dont have hearing aids with embeddedtelecoils, portable loop receivers are also available. (NIDCD, 2014)Picture source: cdsecurityandfire.co.uk 6. Visually impairedlosed Circuit Television (CCTV) is a type ofassistive technology that can be used to helpthe visually impaired. The CCTV devicecouples a magnifier with a camera that is thenprojected onto a television screen allowingthe user to magnify documents, images, andother printed material. (Assistive technologyfor students with low vision CCTV)Picture source: emvitu.com/i/ccct_img_7.jpg 7. Learning disabledhe technology behind eText allows people withlearning disabilities such as Dyslexia to readwith modifications to the text. eText iselectronic text of a book or textbook that hascapabilities such as text to speech andtext/background color variation. Manystudents that suffer from a learning disabilitycan gain confidence and efficiency using eText.Many of the eText resources that are availableare free of charge so all students have theability to read using certain modifications.(eText, 2014)Picture source: www.brothersoft.com 8. Physical disabilitiesouch screens allow some physically disabledstudents the chance to use technologies thatwould otherwise be impossible to use. Studentswith physical disabilities such as reduced hand orupper body function or quadriplegic paralysis canuse touch screens on the computer instead of akeyboard and mouse combination. Full videodemonstrating the touch screen can be seen athttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0sdm-rnqeo(Products overview, 2014)Picture source: apple.com 9. Assistive technology act. (2013, April). In National Dissemination Center for Children withDisabilities. Retrieved August 23, 2014, from http://nichcy.org/laws/alaAssistive technology for students with low vision closed circuit television (CCTV).(1999, May 18). In Visually Impaired Resource Guide. Retrieved August 23, 2014, fromhttp://www.setbc.org/setbc/vision/virg/p3_21.htmlAssistive technology laws. (2014). In NCSeT. Retrieved August 23, 2014, fromhttp://ncset.uoregon.edu/index.php/supported-etext-mainmenu-88/theoretical-foundations-mainmenu-60/49-students-with-disabilitiesNational Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD).(2014). In NIDCD. Retrieved August 23, 2014, fromwww.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/pages/assistive-devices.aspxProducts overview. (2014). In KEYTEC, INC. Retrieved August 23, 2014, fromhttp://www.magictouch.com/products.html 10. Assistive technology act. (2013, April). In National Dissemination Center for Children withDisabilities. Retrieved August 23, 2014, from http://nichcy.org/laws/alaAssistive technology for students with low vision closed circuit television (CCTV).(1999, May 18). In Visually Impaired Resource Guide. Retrieved August 23, 2014, fromhttp://www.setbc.org/setbc/vision/virg/p3_21.htmlAssistive technology laws. (2014). In NCSeT. Retrieved August 23, 2014, fromhttp://ncset.uoregon.edu/index.php/supported-etext-mainmenu-88/theoretical-foundations-mainmenu-60/49-students-with-disabilitiesNational Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD).(2014). In NIDCD. Retrieved August 23, 2014, fromwww.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/pages/assistive-devices.aspxProducts overview. (2014). In KEYTEC, INC. Retrieved August 23, 2014, fromhttp://www.magictouch.com/products.html