Introduction to Technology: General, Instructional, and

Assistive Technologies

What types of technology do YOU use every day?

Categories

School

ExtracurricularEntertainment

Home

Now let’s think about the PURPOSE of the technology we use….

General

Informational/Instructional

Assistive

Assistive Technology

• Federal Definition: “…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 functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.”

[20 U.S.C. Chapter 33, Section 1401 (250)]

• In other words, a broad term referring to any kind of technology that helps people with disabilities function more effectively

Information Technology (IT)

Refers to anything related to computing technology, such as networking, hardware, software, the Internet, or the people that work with these technologies

Let’s take a look at IT and AT merged….

Digital book showing technology increasing knowledge of content, increasing skills, and increasing function!

CategoriesGeneral(All Technology)

Informational/Instructional

Assistive

Where do these technologies belong?

• Google calendar• Photoshop• Facebook• Headphones • Alternate keyboards• Clickers • SMART Board• Paper overlays• Scan read and write software• Speech recognition software• Fax machine

• Alarm clock• Screen magnification• Cell phone• LCD projector• Microwave• Xbox• iPad• Computer• Microsoft Office• Printers• Handheld audio readers

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