Assistive Technology

Bo Hartley Warren

What is Assistive Technology?

A variety of tools used to help people with learning disabilities reach their full potential.

These tools are not made to fix specific deficit but help people work around them. These

tools can range from something as simple as a tape to recorder to computers that read

certain text out loud.

Laws about Assistive Technology

• IDEA requires that related services be provided when necessary to assist a student with a disability to benefit from special education.

• Schools may be required to provide assistive technology devices and services under related services. • Related services include transportation, and such developmental, corrective, and other supported

services as are required to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education, and include speech-language pathology and audiology services, interpreting services, psychological services, physical and occupational therapy, recreation, including therapeutic recreation, early identification and assessment of disabilities in children, counseling services, including rehabilitation counseling, orientation and mobility services, and medical services for diagnostic or evaluation purposes.

• Related services also include school health services and school nurse services, social work services in schools, and parent counseling and training.

• While the list of related services is long, it is not exhaustive and may include other developmental, corrective, or support services.

• Related services, however, do not include a medical device that is surgically implanted, or the maintenance or replacement of such a device.

• In situations where assistive technology may fall under the general category of related services, school districts are expected to provide the assistive technology. All related services must be provided to a student with a disability at no cost to the parent or guardian.

Assistive Technology for Vision Impaired

EyeglassesLarge-Print BooksBooks on TapeMagnifying GlassBraille StylusStencilTape RecorderHeadphonesLighting ContrastAdapted Paper (Various Sizes, Shapes, Colors)Pen LightsCalculator with Large KeysTalking CalculatorsPost-it NotesHighlighters

Color Blind AidsBraille WriterBraille PrinterBraille Translation SoftwareComputer with speech Closed Circuit TVLetter or Word MagnifiersComputer Screen MagnifiersGlare Reduction ScreensTalking Dictionaries, Thesaurus, Spell CheckerVideo MagnifiersVoice Output Screen Reading SoftwareScreen Readers

Talking Calculator

A talking calculator has a built-in speech synthesizer that reads aloud each number, symbol, or operation key a user

presses; it also vocalizes the answer to the problem. This auditory feedback may help a student check the accuracy of the keys he presses and verify the answer before he

transfers it to paper.

Assistive Technology For Hearing Impaired

Hearing AidsSignaling DevicesPictures, Photographs, Object LessonsCommunication BoardAssistive Listening Devices (Amplified Sound SystemsPhonic EarHeadphonesFM Amplification SystemsTDD/TYY For Phone ServicesClosed-Captioning TVReal-Time CaptioningCD-Based BooksAudio Voice AmplificationTelecaption DecodersVibrotactile Systems

FM System

The microphone picks up the Teachers voice, and the transmitter sends it right to

the child’s receiver for amplification in their hearing aid. This is such a great

example of assistive technology because it enables the student to pay attention to what is being taught instead of straining

and trying to focus on if they can hear the teacher.

Assistive Technology for Learning Disabilities

Highlighting TapePost-It NotesPicture and Written ScheduleSocial StoriesWritten of Pictorial Supported DirectionsLabeling Aids Editing Devices: White Out, Correction Tape,

Correction Pen, Etc. Sentence WindowsGraphic OrganizersSingle-Word Scanners or Reading PensPortable Word ProcessorTalking Word Processors

Hand Held Computers

Voice-Recognition Software

Software for Organizing or Reminding

Electronic Organizers or Reminders

Word-Prediction Software

Multimedia Software for Idea Production

Talking Electronic Devices or Software to Pronounce Words

Graphic Organizer Software

Text-Reading Software

Voice Output Measuring Devices

Portable Word Processors

Example of Assistive Technology for Learning Disabilities

For the most part computers, tablets and handheld devices when paired with headphones can be very useful for students with disabilities because they cut out distractions, decrease the stress of stimuli and leave more of a student’s brain for thinking. When using various forms of technology it is always good to have preapproved learning tools available. It is also good to teach children those with or without learning disabilities how to search the web.

KidRex is a version of Google but it is Kid friendly. KidRex is a great tool for students with major or minor learning disabilities because it allows them to explore the internet world without an abundance of supervision.

Assistive Technology for Physical Disabilities

Big Pencils, Pens, Crayons, Etc.A Roller-BallAdapted HandlesScotch TapeVelcroAdapted Book TurnersAdapted PaperBuilt-Up StylusT-Bar to Assist with TypingSwitchesHead PointersJoysticksAdapted MouseTypewriterAdaptive Switches Alternative Keyboards

A Mouth StickFoot PedalsArm SupportsSlant BoardTilt BoardBook HoldersKey GuardsOn Screen KeyboardsTouch Sensitive Colored LightsVoice Input and Output DevicesVoice Recognition SoftwareEye Controlled Computer DevicesTouch WindowsPortable Word ProcessorWord Completion Utilities

Example of Assistive Technology for Physical Disabilities

• http://youtu.be/QrkJN6jLPbc

EyeGaze is a portable camera like computer component that is compatible with all models computers. EyeGaze allows students to control the mouse,

keyboard, and computer system with their eyes, and if chosen in settings with their speech. EyeGaze includes lessons, games, learning activities, and more.

There is also an option to upload your own games and worksheets!

References• An Overview of Assistive Technology | Assistive Technology | At School. (n.d.). Retrieved August 27, 2014.

http://www.ncld.org/students-disabilities/assistive-technology-education/overview-assistive-technology

• Definitions and Legal Requirements. (n.d.). Retrieved August 27, 2014. http://www.atp.ne.gov/techassist/def-legal.html

• Lisa Nielsen: The Innovative Educator: 25 Incredible Assistive Technologies. (n.d.). Retrieved August 28, 2014. http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com/2011/09/25-incredible-assistive-technologies.html

• Spectronics-Word Prediction Software Comparison Chart. (n.d.). Retrieved August 28, 2014. http://www.spectronics.com.au/

• HelpKidzLearn EyeGaze. (n.d.). Retrieved August 28, 2014. http://www.helpkidzlearn.com/shop/eye-gaze/helpkidzlearn-eyegaze