Dynamics and Impact on the Learning of our Students
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY IN
EDUCATION
Any technology that can help close the gap between a student’s disability and their academic potential.
Can be in the form of a device or service.
WHAT IS ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY?
BROAD GOALS
Empowering students with disabilities to be…
- Productive - Independent- Better learners
SPECIFIC GOALS
Better communication with peers and teachers
Students developing initiative and confidence in academic and social tasks
Unrestrictive geography around the classroom for students
WHAT ARE THE GOALS OF ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY?
Commonly used types…
- Speech recognition programs
- Audio books- Talking calculators - Video magnifiers- Brail text- Graphic organizers- Portable word
processors
WHAT TYPES OF ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY ARE AVAILABLE TO
STUDENTS?
A team and utility built into the special education arm of the school to coordinate A.T.
Monitoring and evaluating to the available A.T.
Making progressive decisions based off quantitative data as to the effectiveness of the A.T.
Training in using A.T. for parents, students and teachers.
Funding
WHAT SHOULD SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS CONSIDER WHEN
IMPLEMENTING A.T.?
A primary legal requirement for assistive technology is IDEA, or Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
IDEA requires the following…- Building of A.T. accommodations into the IEP- Schools must provide A.T. training to teachers,
parents, and students- Parents’ rights to request student evaluations for A.T.
services
The Assistive Technology Act also provides legal reinforcement to A.T. This act supports UDL (Universal Design for Learning) which helps build equal learning opportunity into a curriculum including accessibility.
WHAT LAWS SURROUND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ASSISTIVE
TECHNOLOGY?
EXAMPLES OF ASSISTIVE
TECHNOLOGY
TDD, or telecommunication devices uses captioning to convert verbal language into words on a screen for the student.
A.T. FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED
Video magnifiers allow students magnify physical text into manipulative digital text.
A.T. FOR THE SEEING IMPAIRED
Alternate keyboards have customable keys. This allows teachers to pair letters and numbers to elements such as colors and patterns.
A.T. FOR LEARNING DISABLED
Eye tracking technology allow students to move objects on screens and make specific selections via preset eye movements.
A.T. FOR THE PHYSICALLY DISABLED
Assisstive devices for people with hearing, voice, speech, or language disorders. (2011, December). Retrieved from http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/pages/ assistive-devices.aspxAssistive technology for people with physical impairments. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.gmc-uk.org/ accessibil ity/
assistive_technologies/ physical_impairments.aspRoblyer, M.D. & Doering, A. (2013). Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching 6th edition (p. 408). Columbus, Ohio: Merril l Prentice Hall
Stanberry, K., & Raskind, R. (2010, February). Alternative keyboards. Retrieved from http://www.greatschools.org/special-education/assistive-technology/957-alternative-keyboards.gsThe IRIS Center for Training Enhancements. (2010). Assistive Technology: An Overview. Retrieved on [1/20/15] from http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/at/
REFERENCES
