Assistive TechnologyAssistive Technology

Kaytie CasanovaKaytie Casanova

What is Assistive Technology?What is Assistive Technology?

IDEA describes Assistive Technology as:IDEA describes Assistive Technology as:

A device any item, piece of equipment, or A device any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired product system, whether acquired

commercially off the shelf, modified, or commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized that is used to increase maintain, customized that is used to increase maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of a child or improve the functional capabilities of a child

with a disability.with a disability.

The History of Assistive The History of Assistive TechnologyTechnology

Assistive technology is relatively new throughout the field of Assistive technology is relatively new throughout the field of education. education.

In 1997 the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was In 1997 the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was revised. revised.

One of the new requirements stated that each IEP team mush now One of the new requirements stated that each IEP team mush now consider a group of “special factors.”consider a group of “special factors.”

The requirement states:The requirement states: “…“…the IEP Team shall…consider whether the child requires assistive the IEP Team shall…consider whether the child requires assistive

technology devices and services.”technology devices and services.” Other questions that should now be considered by IEP Teams Other questions that should now be considered by IEP Teams

include:include: ““Does this child need assistive technology in order to accomplish the Does this child need assistive technology in order to accomplish the

educational goals we have set?”educational goals we have set?” ““So what assistive technology?”So what assistive technology?” How can it help children with learning disabilities?”How can it help children with learning disabilities?”

When assistive technology first started being When assistive technology first started being incorporated into IEPs parents became incorporated into IEPs parents became concerned with the fact that they would never be concerned with the fact that they would never be able to learn the skill and steps if they had a able to learn the skill and steps if they had a device that could do it for them.device that could do it for them. For example:For example:

• They worried that if the student used a computer to do They worried that if the student used a computer to do written work that they’d never learn to spell or use a pencil.written work that they’d never learn to spell or use a pencil.

• However research tells us that assistive technology can be a However research tells us that assistive technology can be a tool to help children acquire the more difficult concepts which tool to help children acquire the more difficult concepts which they can understand, but which their deficits in reading, they can understand, but which their deficits in reading, writing or processing have prevented them from learning.writing or processing have prevented them from learning.

LD & Assistive TechnologyLD & Assistive Technology

The are five main categories in which The are five main categories in which assistive technology is mainly used with assistive technology is mainly used with LD Students. LD Students. WritingWriting ReadingReading MathMath Studying/OrganizingStudying/Organizing Listening/Note TakingListening/Note Taking

Writing:Writing:

• The most common goals on IEPs are The most common goals on IEPs are handwriting and written communication goals.handwriting and written communication goals.

• Children who have writing and communication Children who have writing and communication goals in their IEPs can have a wide variety of goals in their IEPs can have a wide variety of different areas of assistive technology that may different areas of assistive technology that may be beneficial to thembe beneficial to them

• The level of need in the writing area also have The level of need in the writing area also have two very different levels.two very different levels.

Writing & Mild DisabilitiesWriting & Mild Disabilities

WritingWriting Process: generating ideas, organizing, drafting, Process: generating ideas, organizing, drafting,

editing, revising, and producing a neat, clear final editing, revising, and producing a neat, clear final copy. copy.

• Word processors allow for teachers to make suggestionsWord processors allow for teachers to make suggestions• Networking computers to students can work togetherNetworking computers to students can work together• Computer editing to improve handwriting problemsComputer editing to improve handwriting problems

Mechanics: spelling, grammar, and punctuation Mechanics: spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. errors.

• Spell-checkersSpell-checkers• Word prediction softwareWord prediction software

ReadingReading

There are many different forms of assistive technology There are many different forms of assistive technology that can help students to identify words, phrases, or that can help students to identify words, phrases, or entire documents. There are also a wide variety of entire documents. There are also a wide variety of disabilities and disorders that may cause difficulty in disabilities and disorders that may cause difficulty in readingreading

There are word processors on computers that can say the word There are word processors on computers that can say the word or read the entire passage out loud.or read the entire passage out loud.

Devices that scan certain reading passage and then read it out Devices that scan certain reading passage and then read it out loudloud

Reading Pens: which is a device that is simply rolled across the Reading Pens: which is a device that is simply rolled across the text and then it is read aloudtext and then it is read aloud

Word Magnifiers Word Magnifiers

Reading PenReading Pen Word ScannersWord Scanners

Word MagnifierWord Magnifier

MathMath

If students are having trouble in math there are If students are having trouble in math there are different programs that can make math easier different programs that can make math easier and even do basic calculationsand even do basic calculations

• Intellimathics Intellimathics allows students to experience math using manipulatives on the allows students to experience math using manipulatives on the

screen screen

• BigCalc BigCalc on screen calculator with speech support on screen calculator with speech support

Intellimathics Intellimathics

•BigCalc BigCalc

Studying & OrganizingStudying & Organizing

Many students have trouble keeping track Many students have trouble keeping track of assignments and organizing through of assignments and organizing through thoughts to show what they knowthoughts to show what they know The use of a PDA or interactive picture The use of a PDA or interactive picture

plannerplanner Creating flow charts to chart already learned Creating flow charts to chart already learned

informationinformation

Listening & Note TakingListening & Note Taking

ListeningListening The teacher can use a microphone that transmitts his lesson to The teacher can use a microphone that transmitts his lesson to

headphones worn by the studentheadphones worn by the student Provide an addition visual aid Provide an addition visual aid Use interactive manipulativesUse interactive manipulatives

Note TakingNote Taking Videotape lesson for visual learners/students who can’t be in Videotape lesson for visual learners/students who can’t be in

class for extended periods of timeclass for extended periods of time Send class notes through E-mailSend class notes through E-mail Translating print-based notes to voice by using optical character Translating print-based notes to voice by using optical character

recognition (OCR) software with a voice synthesizer. recognition (OCR) software with a voice synthesizer.

Assistive Technology & Specific Assistive Technology & Specific DisabilitiesDisabilities

Blindness:Blindness: There are assistive devices for all levels of vision There are assistive devices for all levels of vision

impairmentimpairment• Color Teller: talking color identifier that will determine the Color Teller: talking color identifier that will determine the

color of materials and objects.color of materials and objects.• Talking Microwaves: makes it easy to cook with electronicsTalking Microwaves: makes it easy to cook with electronics• Talking watches and alarm clocksTalking watches and alarm clocks• Braille machines that automatically note take in Braille for the Braille machines that automatically note take in Braille for the

student.student.• Braille embossers that teachers can use to modify Braille embossers that teachers can use to modify

assignements for blind students.assignements for blind students.

Assistive Technology and everyday Assistive Technology and everyday livingliving

There are also many different There are also many different accommodations that can be offered to accommodations that can be offered to people with disabilities from wheel chairs people with disabilities from wheel chairs to living accommodations.to living accommodations.