By: Kevin Richardson

Assistive technology is any kind of technology that can be used to enhance the functional independence of a person with a disability (“Assistive Technology” 2015).

Assistive technology can be anything from a simple device such as a magnifying glass, to a complex device, such as a computerized communication system (“Assistive Technology” 2015).

There are many laws that govern the implementation of assistive technology. A few of those laws are addressed on the following slides.

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(“Technology Specific Laws” 2012).

Section 504 prohibits discrimination based on disability in federally funded and federally conducted programs or activities in the United States, including employment programs (“Technology Specific Laws” 2012).

Assistive Technology Act of 1998 Public Law 105-394 [29 USC 2201] The Assistive Technology Act, also known as the “Tech Act” provides funds to states to support three types of programs:

the establishment of assistive technology (AT) demonstration centers, information centers, equipment loan facilities, referral services, and other consumer-oriented programs;

protection and advocacy services to help people with disabilities and their families, as they attempt to access the services for which they are eligible;

Federal/state programs to provide low interest loans and other alternative financing options to help people with disabilities purchase needed assistive technology (“Assistive Technology Laws” 2015).

There are many tools that can be considered assistive technology. Each one is used to assist a learner in getting a quality education.

Assistive technology is available to address a variety of needs for learners. A few will be discussed on the following slides.

Hearing loop (or induction loop) systems use electromagnetic energy to transmit sound. A hearing loop system involves four parts:

A sound source, such as a public address system, microphone, or home TV or telephone.

An amplifier. A thin loop of wire that encircles a room or

branches out beneath carpeting.. A receiver worn in the ears or as a headset

(NIDCD, 2014).

Figure 1 [Image of Sound Induction Loop] Retrieved January 22, 2015 from

http://soundinduction.co.uk/pages/induction-loop-systems/

Optical character recognition (OCR) technology offers blind and visually impaired persons the capacity to scan printed text and then speak it back in synthetic speech or save it to a computer.

There are three essential elements to OCR technology—scanning, recognition, and reading text (AFB, 2014).

Figure 2 [Image of Optical Recognition Scanner]. Retrieved January 22,

2015 from http://gadgetsgo.com/ocr-optical-character-recognition-pen-scanner.html

Talking Calculator Talking calculators can help students that

may have a learning disability. The calculators can read the numbers or symbols aloud to the learner. It can also vocalize the answer to the problem. This auditory feedback can help the student ensure that the correct numbers are pressed (Stanberry, 2010).

Figure 3 [Image of Talking Calculator]. Retrieved January 21, 2015 from

http://www.cviga.org/sightseeing/safe_sight_school_supplies_visually_impaired

Adaptive keyboard  There is a wide variety of alternative

keyboards that can help physically disabled students .

Some of these are compact, expanded, ergonomic, on-screen, concept, rubber and ABC keyboards (General Medical Council, 2015).

Figure 4(Kuhn, 2015)

American Foundation for the Blind, AFB. (2014). Optical Character Recognition Systems Retrieved from http://www.afb.org/info/living-with-vision-loss/using-technology/assistive-technology/optical-

character- recognition-systems/1235

Assistive Technology 101. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.fctd.info/factsheet/at101

Assistive Technology Laws. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.fctd.info/resources/techlaws.php

General Medical Council. (2015). Assistive technologies for people with physical impairments. Retrieved from

http://www.gmc-uk.org/accessibility/assistive_technologies/physical_impairments.asp

[Image of Optical Recognition Scanner]. Retrieved January 22, 2015 from http://gadgetsgo.com/ocr-optical-character-recognition-pen-scanner.html

[Image of Sound Induction Loop]. Retrieved January 22, 2015 from http://soundinduction.co.uk/pages/induction-loop-systems/

[Image of Talking Calculator]. Retrieved January 21, 2015 from http://www.cviga.org/sightseeing/safe_sight_school_supplies_visually_impaired

Kuhn, E. (2015). Alphabetically Oriented Keyboard. Retrieved from http://t2-13h1onlineb.wikispaces.com/Adaptive+Keyboard-Emily+Kuhn

National Institute on Deafness and Other Common Disorders, NIDCD. (2014, July 3). Retrieved from http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/pages/assistive-devices.aspx

Stanberry, K. & Raskind, M. (2010). Talking Calculators. Retrieved from http://www.greatschools.org/special-education/assistive-technology/953-talking-calculators.gs

Technology Specific Laws and Regulations. (2012) Retrieved from http://ndrn.org/en/issues/assistive-technology/292-assistive-technology-federal-law-andregulations.html