ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

By: Dustin Bowman

What is Assistive Technology?

Assistive technology device means 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 the functional capabilities of a child with a disability. 

AT is any device or service that helps a student with a disability to meet his or herindividualized education program (IEP) goals and to participate in the general education setting to the greatest possible extent. 

How does Assistive Technology help a student?

Communicate Perform academic tasks Participate in social and extracurricular

activities Move or travel around the school Use proper seating and positioning Access materials Perform everyday tasks

Rehabilitation Act

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act - In 1998, Congress amended the Rehabilitation Act to require Federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology accessible to people with disabilities. Section 508 was enacted to eliminate barriers in information technology, to make available new opportunities for people with disabilities, and to encourage development of technologies that will help achieve these goals. The law applies to all Federal agencies when they develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and information technology. Under Section 508 (29 U.S.C. 794d), agencies must give disabled �employees and members of the public access to information that is comparable to the access available to others. See also Section 508 Standards

ADA Act

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - Prohibits discrimination and ensures equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in employment, state and local government services, public accommodations, commercial facilities, and transportation. The ADA requires that reasonable accommodations be provided in meeting the needs of individuals with disabilities. Additional technical assistance regarding the ADA is available through the ADA Technical Assistance Program.

Hearing Assistive Technology

Hearing assistive technology systems (HATS) are devices that can help you function better in your day-to-day communication situations. HATS can be used with or without hearing aids or cochlear implants to make hearing easier—and thereby reduce stress and fatigue. Hearing aids + HATS = better listening and better communication.

Hearing Assistive Technology

Assistive Technology for the Vision Impaired

Increased contrast; enlarged images; use of tactile and auditory materials; books on tape; eye glasses; magnifier; large print books; low vision aids; screen magnifier; screen magnification software; electronic magnifier (sometimes called a CCTV); screen reader; braille keyboard or notetaker; braille translator software; braille printer/embosser; brailled materials; scanners; optical character readers; or reading machine.

Assistive Technology for Vision Impairments

Graphical Interface is used for blind people to surf the web and use general tasks on computers.

Assistive Technology for Learning Disabilities

AT for kids with LD is defined as any device, piece of equipment or system that helps bypass, work around or compensate for an individual's specific learning deficits

Learning Disabilities Helped with AT

Listening Math Organization Memory Reading Writing

AT for Physical Disabilities

Physical impairments come in many forms and can generally be classified as a loss or limitation of function in muscle control or movement or a limitation in mobility.

Examples of AT used with Physical Disabilties

Mouth stick - a device that enables users to control input through a stick that they manipulate with their mouth.

Head wand - Head wands are very similar in function to mouth sticks, except in this case the stick is strapped to the head.

Single-switch access – for people with very limited mobility. For instance, if a person can move only the head, a switch could be placed to the side of the head that would allow the person to click it with head movements. This clicking would then be interpreted using special software.

Oversized trackball mouse - A trackball mouse has the rollerball on top rather than underneath the mouse. Instead of moving the mouse to control movement, you move the rollerball. Some users find this easier to control. It also works well in conjunction with other devices, for example, head wands or mouth sticks.

Adaptive keyboard - There are a wide range of alternative keyboards on the market to help motor-impaired users including compact, expanded, ergonomic, on-screen, concept, rubber and ABC keyboards. To find out more about alternative keyboards, visit the Gateway website’s Alternative keyboards page.

Resources

http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/hearing-assistive-technology/

http://www.atp.ne.gov/techassist/def-legal.html

http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/at/cresource/what-should-ms-adelaide-know-about-assistive-technology-and-how-it-is-used-by-students-with-disabilities/at_01/#content

    http://www.ndrn.org/issues/assistive-technology/292-assistive-technology-federal-law-and-regulatio

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   http://www.teachingvisuallyimpaired.com/assistive-technology.html   http://www.greatschools.org/special-education/assistive-technology/702-assistive-technology-for-kid

s-with-learning-disabilities-an-overview.gs   http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Assistive_Technology_in_Education/Physically_Handicapped   http://blog.templatemonster.com/2012/04/11/low-vision-assistive-technologies-web-design/   http://www.readingrockets.org/article/assistive-technology-kids-learning-disabilities-overview