“For most of us, technology makes things easier. For a person with a disability, it makes things possible.”

-Judy Heumann

Mary Behm 1/24/2015

WHAT IS ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY?• Assistive and Adaptive Technology and Devises that reduces barriers to learning for students with a variety of special needs and challenges, and enables them to perform task that might otherwise be difficult or impossible.

•Assistive technology device means 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. The term does not include a medical device that is surgically implanted, or the replacement of such device.(IDEA 300.5)

•Assistive technology service means any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device. (IDEA 300.6)

LAWS REGARDING ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY USE

IDEA & ADA provides protection for assistive technology and mandates that technology devices and services be considered and available to every child with a disability. Also ensures that schools annually consider AT accommodations in the IEP of all eligible students and may be required to provide related assistive devices and services needed to promote ability and accomplish goals

The Assistive Technology Act of 1998 supports State efforts to improve the provision of assistive technology to individuals with disabilities through comprehensive statewide programs of technology-related assistance, for individuals with disabilities of all ages

The Assistive Technology Act of 2004 focused on helping states build "systems for improving access to assistive technology devices for individuals with disabilities. It required States to provide direct aid to individuals with disabilities to ensure they have access to the technology they need.

CHOOSING THE BEST ASSISTIVE TCHNOLOGY

Different disabilities require different assistive technologies.

AT is most often a decision made with a team(IEP) of professionals and consultants that are trained to match particular assistive technologies to specific needs so the person can function more independently.

The IEP Team shall consider whether the child needs assistive technology devices and services to accomplish individualized goals

VARIETY OF ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY For:

Hearing Impaired

Visual Impaired Learning Impaired

Physically Disabled

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR HEARING IMPAIRED

•Hearing aids•Signaling devices•Pictures, photographs, objects•Communication boards•Assistive listening devices•Phonic ear•Headphones (to keep the listener focused, adjust sound, etc.)•FM amplification systems (e.g., auditory trainer)•TDD/TTY for phone service•Closed-captioning television•Real-time captioning•CD-based (text)books, electronic books•Telecaption decoders•Vibrotactile systems

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR THE VISUAL IMPAIRED

•Large-print books•Magnifying glass•Slate and Braille stylus•Stereo headphones•Adapted paper (e.g., raised surfaces, highlighted lines, various colors, sizes)

•Talking calculators•Braille writer•Computer with speech output or feedback•Operating system special-accessibility options (screen enlargement, adjustment of keyboard, sound, display, mouse)

•Closed-circuit television•Computer-screen magnifiers•Letter- or word-magnification software•Glare-reduction screens•Talking electronic dictionary, thesaurus, spell checker•Voice amplification or voice projector•Screen readers

AT FOR THE LEARNING IMPAIRED•Pen/Pencil grips• Adapted paper/writing templates• Word processors• Word card/book/wall• Spelling/Grammar Checker•Predictable texts•Electronic books•Talking electronic devices/software•Highlighters• Recorded material• Hand-held scanners• Electronic organizers• Print or picture schedule• Number line• Enlarged worksheets• Calculators• Talking clocks• Voice Output measuring device

AT FOR THE PHYSICALLY DISABLED• Electronic pointer devices•Voice Recognition Software• Wheelchairs•Single-switch access •Oversized trackball mouse•Adaptive keyboards•Head wand 

RESOURCES & LINKS:

http://idea.ed.gov

http://www.atia.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3859

http://www.ataporg.org/summaryact.html

http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/methods/technlgy/te7assist.htm