Assistive TechnologyAmber ForsytheTechnology and Education ED505

Definition of Assistive Technology

“The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA ’04) defines an assistive technology 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 that is surgically implanted or the replacement of such device.”

“IDEA ’04 defines an assistive technology service as any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device.”

(The IRIS Center for Training Enhancements, 2010)

Know the laws of Assistive Technology

All IEP teams must consider Assistive Technology• AT focuses on the unique needs of

the student• AT should promote confidence and

independence

All schools must provide necessary Assistive Technology• Schools must provide appropriate

training for AT• Students, teachers, and parents

should all be trained

• By law, schools cannot cite cost or lack of resources as a reason for not providing Assistive Technology.

• The use of Assistive Technology should be monitored regularly to evaluate its effectiveness as it pertains to the goals set forth in the student’s IEP.

(Assistive Technology, 2014)

Examples of Assistive Technology in the Classroom

AT for the Hearing ImpairedLive voice to text software allows students who are hearing impaired to see what the teacher is saying in real time. This software was once costly, but now it is readily available on apps for all types of devices for little or no cost.

(Caption Mic, n.d)

AT for the Seeing Impaired

This solution for the seeing impaired allows students to use a camera to magnify books or other print onto a computer screen. This s a high cost solution. (around $2,000) For lower costs, pages could be blown up to a size that is appropriate for the student to read when possible.

(Transformer, n.d.)

AT for the Learning Disabled

Audio books can be useful for students with a reading learning disability. The audio books allow students to practice their comprehension skills with the class in a way that they can better understand. When audio books are used with traditional books, students can grow the skills that they have by following along.

(Best Books for Kids, n.d.)

AT for the Physically Disabled

This is a grip that allows students who are physically disabled to hold a pencil with their entire hand. This can help any student who can write but lacks the fine motor skills to hold a pencil in the traditional way.

(Pencil Grip Writing C.L.A.W. Small, n.d.)

References

Assistive Technology. (2014, December 7). Retrieved March 28, 2015, from http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/atech.index.htm

Best Books for Kids. (n.d.). Retrieved March 28, 2015, from http://www.best-books-for-kids.com/audio-books-for-children.html

Caption Mic. (n.d.). Retrieved March 28, 2015, from http://www.mhsa.us/mhsa_cm.html

Pencil Grip Writing C.L.A.W. Small. (n.d.). Retrieved March 28, 2015, from http://www.adoremusbooks.com/pencilgripwritingclawsmalltpg-211.aspx

The IRIS Center for Training Enhancements. (2010). Assistive Technology: An Overview. Retrieved on March 28, 2015 from http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/at/

Transformer. (n.d.). Retrieved March 28, 2015, https://www.enhancedvision.com/shop /low-visionproducts/transformer?gclid=CjwKEAjwot moBRCc6LWd2ZnkuBYSJACyt2qumZy2u-HYsBPvQxnwPqqT6WGmA8ljmGdC3_1s38WmtRoC7ajw_wcB