Assistive Technology

Maggie AdamsAnd

Danielle Danaher

What is assistive technology?

O “Any item, piece of equipment or product system… that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities”

Understanding Assistive Technology

HistoryO Pellerino Turri’s typewriterO BrailleO Pre-computer technologyO Education for All Handicapped

Children Act 1975O Assistive Technology Act of 1998

DevicesO There are an array of devices for

each need, including O visual impairmentO hearing impairmentO communication disabilitiesO learning disabilitiesO motor-skill related disabilities

Visual Impairment

• Braille• Read:OutLoud• PHANToM®

Hearing Impairment, Learning and

Communication Disabilities

• Cochlear Implants• Hearing Aids

• Use of pictures• Don Johnston Technology• Leap FrogDevices

Stephen Hawking

• Diagnosed with ALS• Uses a Speech Plus

speech synthesizer• Has a specially made

wheelchair• A Brief History of Time

Stephen Hawking

Don JohnstonO Don Johnston had a reading disability

that was never helpedO 32 years, 32,000 schoolsO Make assistive technology for many

reading and writing disabilities, especially autism and dyslexia

Pros

O Takes expertise that few have

O Lack of funds

Improve and aide capabilites of children

Better behavior and attitude

Ability to connect with teachers and peers

Cons

Our OpinionThe benefits far outweigh the negative consequences. Using

assistive technology is more than worth it! We should continue to use it in the classroom, further the research, and improve the

technology.

Works CitedClark, S., & Baggaley, J. (2004). Assistive Software for Disabled Learners. International Review of

Research in Open and Distance Learning, 5(3), Retrieved from EBSCOhost.http://0-web.ebscohost.com.maurice.bgsu.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=5&hid=122&sid=6c365651-b744-4c64-ae31-fcf154d8b794%40sessionmgr113

Dyal, A., Carpenter, L., & V. Wright, J. (2009). Assistive Technology: What Every School Leader Should Know. Education, 129(3), 556-560. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. http://0-search.ebscohost.com.maurice.bgsu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=37138555&site=ehost-live&scope=site Hawking, S. W. Disability Advice. Retrieved from http://www.hawking.org.uk Jones, M., Minogue, J., Oppewal, T., Cook, M. P., & Broadwell, B. (2006). Visualizing without Vision at the

Microscale: Students with Visual Impairments Explore Cells with Touch. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 15(5-6), 345-351. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

http://0-web.ebscohost.com.maurice.bgsu.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=6c365651-b744-4c64-ae31-fcf154d8b794%40sessionmgr113&vid=7&hid=122

Johnston, D. (2011). What We Do and Why We Do It. Retrieved from http://www.donjohnston.com Lewis, R. (1998). Assistive technology and learning disabilities: Today's Realities and Tomorrow's

Promises. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 31(1), 16. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. http://0-search.ebscohost.com.maurice.bgsu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=mnh&AN=9455174&site=ehost-live&scope=site

National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance. (2011). National Assessment of IDEA Overview. NCEE 2011-4026. National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance, Pgs 1-2. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. http://0-search.ebscohost.com.maurice.bgsu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=ED522068&login.asp&site=ehost-live&scope=site Parette, H. P., & Stoner, J. B. (2008). Benefits of Assistive Technology User Groups for Early Childhood Education Professionals. Early Childhood Education Journal, 35(4), 313-319. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.  http://0-search.ebscohost.com.maurice.bgsu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ785804&login.asp&site=ehost-live&scope=site  Roth, G. A., & Fee, E. (2011). The Invention of Braille. American Journal of Public Health, 101(3), 454. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2010.200865 http://0-search.ebscohost.com.maurice.bgsu.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=59439346&site=ehost-live&scope=site