ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR

DISABLED STUDENTS

Tammy Stevenson

Introduction

This slide show will introduce assistive technology to help disabled students. There are many types of technologies that are available to help students learn.

I have focused on the most used technologies in schools today.

There are many types of assistive technologies available to help students and they are not limited to this presentation.

It is important to keep in mind the needs of the students when picking out technologies to help students succeed.

Assistive Technology Definition

Assistive Technology : 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 functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.

Laws that impact the provision of Assistive Technology:

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in employment, state and local government, public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation, and telecommunications.

Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) was initially passed in 1975 as P.L. 94-142 guaranteed that eligible children and youth with disabilities would have a free and appropriate public education available to them, designed to meet their educational needs.

Assistive Technology Act of 1998; An act to support programs of grants to State to address the assistive technology needs of individuals with disabilities.

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act: Requires that all electronic and information technologies developed and used by any Federal Government Agency must be accessible to people with disabilities.

Assistive Technology to Assist:

Learning disabled Reading, writing, math

Visually Impaired Hearing Impaired Physically disabled

Assistive Technology for Learning Disabled

Reading Pens: pens used by students who have trouble processing printed words. The pen will “speak” the word that is highlighted.

Books on Tape: Books that are professionally recorded on tape are beneficial to students that struggle with reading and listening skills.

Assistive Technology for the Visually Impaired:

Alternative Keyboards: oversized letters on the keyboard allow student with visual impairments to better see the letters.

Braille: tactile writing system used by visually impaired and blind individuals for books, menus, signs, elevators, etc.

Assistive Technology for Hearing Impaired

Hearing Aids: hearing devices that are worn behind the ear or on the body that amplify sound and are of better benefit in a quiet environment.

FM Amplification Systems: creates a link between the teacher with a microphone and the hearing aid for the hearing impaired student.

Live speech captioning: process in which a stenographer types the teacher’s words and the text is displayed on a computer screen.

Assistive Technology for the Physically Disabled:

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

Rollerball Mice: rollerball is on top of the mouse rather than underneath for easier control. These work well with head wands and mouth sticks.

What Educators Need To Know:

When developing an IEP (Individualized Educational Plan) assistive technology MUST be considered for every student.

Assistive Technology can be used at home if it is determined in the IEP and the family is at no cost.

Microsoft Office Since many schools have Microsoft Office,

there are many types of resources that Microsoft offers in regards to assistive technology that are built into Windows: Ease of Access Center Narration of typing Voice operated keys and controls

For More Information… Please visit or read these citations to learn more about assistive

technology for disabled students: Batchellor, Lori. "Assistive Technology For The Blind." Information and Resources For People With Disabilities: Disaboom. N.p., n.d.

Web. 25 Feb 2012. <http://www.disaboom.com/blind-and-visual-impairment/assistive-technology-for-the-blind>.

Bragam, Ruth. "Integrating Technology Into A Students IEP." National Rural Development Institute and the American Council on Rural Special Education. (2006)

Behrmann, Michael. "Assistive Technology for Young Children in Special Education." (2001)

"Guide For Individuals with Learning Impairments." Microsoft Assessibility, Technology For Everyone. Microsoft, 2012. Web. 25 Feb 2012. <http://www.microsoft.com/enable/guides/learning.asp&xgt;.

Hager, Ronald. "Funding of Assistive Technology." (2003): n. page. Web. 21 Feb. 2012. <http://atto.buffalo.edu/registered/ATBasics/Foundation/inro/funding.pdf>.

National Center for Education Statistics. 2008. Chart. Digest of Education Web. 22 Feb 2012.

Lartz, Maribeth, and Julia Stoner. "Perspectives of Assistive Technology." Assistive Technology Outcomes and Benefits. 5.1 (2008): Web. 25 Feb. 2012. <http://www.atia.org/files/public/ATOBV5N1ArticleSEVEN.pdf>.

Raskind, Marshall, and Kristen Stanberry. "Assistive Technology for Kids With LD: An Overview." Great Schools., 2009. Web. 24 Feb 2012. <http://www.greatschools.org/special-education/assistive-technology/702-assistive-technology-for-kids-with-learning-disabilities-an-overview.gs>.

Stoden, Robert. "Diversifying Instruction." Technology Voices. 2011: http://www.fctd.info/assets/newsletters/pdfs/296/FCTD-TechVoices-nov11.pdf?1325708799

Stokes, Susan. "Assistive Technology For Children With Autism." Autism Interventions and Strategies. Special Education Services, n.d. Web. 25 Feb 2012. <http://www.specialed.us/autism/assist/asst10.htm>.

Hager, Ronald. "Funding of Assistive Technology." (2003): n. page. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://atto.buffalo.edu/registered/ATBasics/Foundation/inro/funding.pdf>.

**All pictures in this presentation were from Microsoft Office PowerPoint unless a website is listed below the picture.

References:

Assistive Technology For Students With Hearing Impairments (n.d.) Retrieved from www.sped.wikidot.com

What is Assistive Technology? How is it Funded (n.d.) Retrieved from www.atia.org

Assistive Devices for People with Hearing, Voice, Speech, or Language Disorders (n.d.) Retrieved from www.nidcd.nih.gov

Assistive Technology for Kids with LD: An Overview (n.d.) Retrieved from www.greatschools.org

Assistive Technology for People with Physical Impairments (n.d.) Retrieved from www.gmc-uk.org

Assistive Technologies for Writing (n.d.) Retrieved from www.assistivetechnologyforwriting.blogspot.com