Assistive TechnologyAssistive Technology

By Andrea Bilello, M.Ed.By Andrea Bilello, M.Ed.

DefinitionDefinition

Assistive or Adaptive Technology (AT)Assistive or Adaptive Technology (AT) “…“…products, devices or equipment, products, devices or equipment,

whether acquired commercially, whether acquired commercially, modified or customized, that are modified or customized, that are used to maintain, increase or used to maintain, increase or improve the functional capabilities of improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities…” individuals with disabilities…” (Assistive Technology Act of 1998)(Assistive Technology Act of 1998)

Assistive Technology ServicesAssistive Technology Services

Any service that directly assists Any service that directly assists students with disabilities in students with disabilities in selecting, obtaining, or selecting, obtaining, or appropriately using AT devices appropriately using AT devices or programs. or programs.

Assistive Technology Assistive Technology Categories/Product Families. Categories/Product Families.

Communication AidsCommunication Aids Computer Access AidsComputer Access Aids Daily Living AidsDaily Living Aids Education and Learning AidsEducation and Learning Aids Environmental AidsEnvironmental Aids Ergonomic EquipmentErgonomic Equipment Hearing and Listening AidsHearing and Listening Aids Mobility and Transportation AidsMobility and Transportation Aids Prosthetics and OrthoticsProsthetics and Orthotics Recreation and Leisure AidsRecreation and Leisure Aids Seating and Positioning AidsSeating and Positioning Aids Vision and Reading AidsVision and Reading Aids

http://www.rehabtool.com/at.htmlhttp://www.rehabtool.com/at.htmlhttp://www.atstar.org/atinfo/atcat.htmhttp://www.atstar.org/atinfo/atcat.htm

Universal Design: definitionUniversal Design: definition

Universal design is the design of Universal design is the design of products and environments to products and environments to be accessible by all people, to be accessible by all people, to the greatest extent possible, the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation without the need for adaptation or specialized design.or specialized design.–Ron Mace –Ron Mace (http://www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/about_ud/about_ud.htm(http://www.design.ncsu.edu/cud/about_ud/about_ud.htm))

Universal Design continuedUniversal Design continued

Access to everyoneAccess to everyone Providing products, Providing products,

communication and communication and environments that are environments that are accessible to everyoneaccessible to everyone

UDL Universal Design for UDL Universal Design for Learning Learning

Universal Design as defined Universal Design as defined by the AT Act of 1998 and by the AT Act of 1998 and IDEA 2004 IDEA 2004 ““The term `universal design' means a The term `universal design' means a

concept or philosophy for designing and concept or philosophy for designing and delivering products and services that are delivering products and services that are usable by people with the widest possible usable by people with the widest possible range of functional capabilities, which range of functional capabilities, which include products and services that are include products and services that are directly usable (without requiring assistive directly usable (without requiring assistive technologies) and products and services technologies) and products and services that are made usable with assistive that are made usable with assistive technologies.”technologies.”

Universal Design for Learning Universal Design for Learning (UDL)(UDL)

“…“…research-based framework research-based framework for designing curriculafor designing curricula; ; that is, that is, educational goals, methods, educational goals, methods, materials, and assessmentsmaterials, and assessments that that enable all individuals to gain enable all individuals to gain knowledge, skills, and knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm for learning.”enthusiasm for learning.”

http://www.cast.orghttp://www.cast.org

What does a Universally What does a Universally Designed Curriculum Offer?Designed Curriculum Offer?

Multiple means of Multiple means of representationrepresentation

Multiple means of expression Multiple means of expression Multiple means of engagementMultiple means of engagement

UDLUDL

Explore these links to learn more about UDL:

What is Universal Design for Learning?, http://www.cast.org/research/udl/index.html

UDL Toolkits: Teaching Every Student, http://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/toolkits/tk_introduction.cfm?tk_id=61

Curriculum Access and Universal Design for Learning, http://www.ericdigests.org/2000-4/access.http://www.ericdigests.org/2000-4/access.