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Assistive Technology

Brandy PanagosTechnology and Education

+What is it?

Assistive technology is defined as “any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of a child with a disability.”

+Law

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” (e.g., a cochlear implant).

IDEA ’04 requires IEP teams to consider whether AT devices and services are needed to accomplish the individualized goals and objectives for students with disabilities.

Most broadly, school personnel must make certain that students have access to needed AT if they are to ensure that all students have access to a free appropriate public education (FAPE).

+Real World Consideration

Will the school fail to recommend assistive technology accommodations due to cost, lack of training, or fear of interrupting the general classroom environment?

Are they generally unaware of the existence of emerging assistive technology?

+Hearing Impaired

An audio loop, infrared system, and an FM system are examples of assistive technology that enhance sound reception.

An audio loop works with cochlear implants and uses electromagnetic signals in the implant.

An infrared system uses light to carry sound to a receiver.

An FM system uses radio waves to carry sound to a personal receiver.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4a/Assistive_Listening_Device.jpg

+Seeing Impaired

Video magnifiers, braille technology, and speech systems are examples of assistive technologies for the seeing impaired.

Video magnifiers are use a camera to project magnified images onto a TV or computer monitor. Subjects can zoom as needed.

Braille displays, printers, and notetakers facilitate the input and output of information using braille.

Speech systems consist of synthesizers and screen readers that provide audible information on the web.

http://www.boundlessat.com/core/media/media.nl?id=9753&c=1281905&h=e4d37ce85bf22780c374

+Learning Disabled

Apps or standalone software examples of assistive technology for the learning disabled.

Text-recognition software can read text aloud.

Speech recognition software turns spoken language into written language.

Talking calculators can help students with math.

Apps like Popplet, IStudiezPro, iAnnotate can also help students organize themselves, think through an assignment, or analyze difficult material.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c0/Minimo.jpg

+Physically Disabled

Speech recognition software, Intellikeys, or SmartNav4, or apps can help physically disabled students.

Each technology meets students on a level consistent with their mobility or needs.

Head wands, sticky keys, and eye tracking devices can also be helpful.

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+Final Thoughts

Assistive technologies exist to level the playing field for students with disabilities.

New technologies are emerging in each area all the time.

Teachers should strive to understand students’ assistive technologies in order to best meet the needs of each student.

Not all assistive technologies involve high-tech devices. Some assistive devices include furniture modifications and writing instrument modifications.

Many websites and apps can help facilitate learning inexpensively or for free.

+Reference

American Foundation for the Blind. http://www.afb.org/info/living-with-vision-loss/using-technology/assistive-technology/123

Assistive Technology Training Online, Buffalo. (2000). Introduction to AT: Basic technologies. Retrieved on July 20, 2010, from http://atto.buffalo.edu/registered/ATBasics/Foundation/intro/introbasic.php

Authority: 20 U.S.C 1401(1) or IDEA Amendments of 2004. P.L. 108-446, 20 U.S.C. S 1400 et seq., 300.5

General Medical Council. Assistive Technologies for People with Physical Impairments. http://www.gmc-uk.org/accessibility/assistive_technologies/physical_impairments.asp

Hearing Loss Association of America. http://www.hearingloss.org/content/hearing-assistive-technology

The IRIS Center for Training Enhancements. (2010). Assistive Technology: An Overview. Retrieved on [month, day, year] from http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/at/

National Center for Learning Disabilities. http://www.ncld.org/students-disabilities/assistive-technology-education