Teaching Students with Disabilities with Assistive
Technology
What is Assistive Technology?
A generic term that includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities
Process used in selecting, locating, and using them
Technology designed to be utilized in an assistive technology device or assistive technology service
Benefits of Assistive Technology
Easier for young children with disabilities to participate in day-to-day activities.
Promotes greater independence Enables people to perform tasks that they
were formerly unable to accomplish
Individualized Education Plan (IEPs)
Special services for students with disabilitiesProvide individualized education programs in
public schoolsFree of charge to familiesDescribes the goals the team sets for a child
during the school year, as well as any special support needed to help achieve them.
Disabilities that need IEPs
Learning disabilitiesAttention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Emotional disordersMental retardationAutismHearing impairmentVisual impairment
Speech or language impairment
Development delay
ADHD
IssuesHyperactiveTrouble focusingAnxious and excitedDisorderly at times
SolutionsHands-on activities to
keep students engaged
Breakdown assignments
Limit distractionsTeach good study
skillsUtilize technology to
involve students
Auditory Disabilities
IssuesLack of engagement
in the classroomLimits social
involvement and engagement
Not able to comprehend classroom lesson and instruction
SolutionsHave students hearing
testedUtilize ALD’s
(Alternative Listening Devices) Personal frequency
modulation system Infrared systems Induction loops systems One-to-one
communicators Visual systems
Reading and Writing Disabilities
IssuesBlindness of studentsLimited visionUnable to participate
in classroom activities
Physical disabilities limiting ability to write
SolutionsMagnification aidsLarge print booksAudio booksPalm devicesTalking word
processing softwareBraille software and
print books
References
Wikipedia: Assistive Technologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assistive_technology LD Online: Help for Young Learners: How To Choose AT?http://www.ldonline.org/article/8088http://
www.ldonline.org/article/8088 Kids Help: Individualized Education Planshttp://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/learning/iep.html American Speech-Language-Hearing Associationhttp://www.asha.org/public/hearing/treatment/assist_tech.htm Assistive Technology for Struggling Readershttp://public.doe.k12.ga.us/DMGetDocument.aspx/AT_Devices_to_Support_Reading.pdf?p=6CC6799F8C1371F6430622907ED6387EFF83C5F2F5DEB61663F1F60267BFC9BF&Type=D
