Assistive Technology

Jennifer Hart

Polly Foley

Erin Tantillo

What is Assistive Technology?

• Devices used by children and adults with disabilities.

• Designed to compensate for functional limitations.

• Enhance and increase learning, independence, mobility, communication, environmental control and choice.

Types of Technology

• Low-Tech-Equipment and other supports readily available in schools, including off-the-shelf items to accommodate the needs of students.

• High-Tech - Supports students who may need more specialized equipment and support services beyond basic assistive technology, often students with low incidence and/or significant/severe disabilities.

Low-Technology for High-Incidence Low-Technology for High-Incidence Disabilities:Disabilities:LD/Communication Disorders/MRLD/Communication Disorders/MR

• Liquid paperLiquid paper

• Pencil gripsPencil grips

• Raised-line paperRaised-line paper

• Post-it notesPost-it notes

• HighlightersHighlighters

• Misspeller’s Misspeller’s DictionaryDictionary

• Index tabsIndex tabs

• EZC reader- EZC reader- reading stripsreading strips

• Hand-held tape Hand-held tape recorderrecorder

High-Technology for high-incidence disabilities: LD/Communication Disorders/MR

• Word prosessor (Quickpad, Alphasmart)

• Reading and writing software

• Multi-media software (powerpoint, Inspiration)

Assistive Technology for Students with BD

• WatchMinder• Behavior

modification through video

High-Tech Resources for High-Tech Resources for Hearing ImpairmentsHearing Impairments

Link-it array Link-it array microphone systemmicrophone system

Chatpack desktop Chatpack desktop sound field systemsound field system

TactaidTactaid

Hearing Impairments- ResourcesHearing Impairments- Resources

www.handspeak.comwww.handspeak.com www.abcdeaf.comwww.abcdeaf.com

Orthopedic Impairments

Communication boards Modified mouse Switches Keyguard Altered keyboard

AutismAutism

Digital cameraDigital camera Picture making softwarePicture making software

Visual Impairments- Visual Impairments- high -high -tech Helptech Help

Mobility AidMobility Aid Braille MachineBraille Machine

Visual Impairments-low-tech Visual Impairments-low-tech assistanceassistance

Voice recognition Voice recognition softwaresoftware

Position in classroomPosition in classroom

Text to speech Text to speech softwaresoftware

Braille translation Braille translation softwaresoftware

Working with technology Working with technology

Opt for open-Opt for open-ended devicesended devices

Try lowest Try lowest technology firsttechnology first

Collaborate with Collaborate with other teachersother teachers

Collaborate with Collaborate with parentsparents

Working with Technology Working with Technology Cont. Cont.

Ensure that devices Ensure that devices used by students are used by students are age and gender age and gender appropriateappropriate

Use the assistive Use the assistive technology even if it is technology even if it is new to younew to you

Know School district Know School district policy concerning policy concerning equipment equipment

Be willing to ask for Be willing to ask for training on equipmenttraining on equipment

Experiment with Experiment with assistive technologyassistive technology

In Class Application In Class Application ComputersComputers- can be either low - can be either low

tech or high tech often it tech or high tech often it depends on the software. depends on the software. Computers can enrich Computers can enrich students’ education and assist students’ education and assist all students in maximizing their all students in maximizing their interests. interests.

Instructional assistants- large Instructional assistants- large array of computer software for array of computer software for all ages. all ages.

EXAMPLESEXAMPLES: teaching : teaching mathematics, supporting mathematics, supporting student journal writing, student journal writing, strategic reading. strategic reading.

Motivational toolMotivational tool Means for adaptive Means for adaptive

communicationcommunication Data collection toolData collection tool PortfolioPortfolio Teacher record keepingTeacher record keeping Teacher communicationTeacher communication

IEPS- Individual Education Programs

IEP software- enables educators to write the IEP electronically

State and local IEP policies and forms- needed for intervention assistance teams, special education referral, IEPs, and other special education activities.

RESOURCE: Additional IEP software Council for Exceptional Education http://www.cec.sped.org/bk/catalog.htm

INCLUDEINCLUDE

☺ IIdentify environmental, curricular, and instructional classroom dentify environmental, curricular, and instructional classroom demands.demands.

☺ NNote student learning strengths and needs.ote student learning strengths and needs.☺ CCheck for potential areas of student success.heck for potential areas of student success.☺ LLook for potential problem areasook for potential problem areas☺ UUse information gathered to brainstorm instructional adaptation se information gathered to brainstorm instructional adaptation ☺ DDecide which adaptation to implementecide which adaptation to implement☺ EEvaluate student progressvaluate student progress☺ http://www.closingthegap.com http://www.closingthegap.com

Prove ItTESTING

Improve ItTRAINING

TESTINGTRAININGRECORD KEEPING / DOCUMENTATION

OUTCOMES

Proficiency Levels(in Database)

Teacher / Assistant directed testing

Self paced:Opportunity for fullindependence in testing

Individual one-on-one training with teacher or assistant

Computer class B101

Other classes in school

Percentage scores

Time involved in training

Tests and Training Titles

Bar graphs

One page summary of student’s skill and use of adaptive technology

INFORMATION RECORDED IN DATABASE

2001-2002

Cooperative learning and Cooperative learning and Peer relationshipsPeer relationships

∞ Cooperative learning- helps overcome barriers Cooperative learning- helps overcome barriers on cooperative learning group that are heavily on cooperative learning group that are heavily based on reading skills or quick communication.based on reading skills or quick communication.

∞ Peer relationshipsPeer relationships- - dialogue journals and dialogue journals and problem-solving videosproblem-solving videos

CollaborationCollaboration

► Sharing of information Sharing of information among colleagues, among colleagues, traditionally when traditionally when professionals interact face professionals interact face to face or over the phone. to face or over the phone.

► InternetInternet- - enables enables professionals from all over professionals from all over the country and other the country and other countries as well to share countries as well to share ideas, ask questions, and ideas, ask questions, and provide support to others. provide support to others.

► ““A Practical Guide for A Practical Guide for Educators”Educators”

http://www.lab.brown.edu/http://www.lab.brown.edu/public/ocsc/public/ocsc/collaboration.guidecollaboration.guide

Additional Assistive Technology Additional Assistive Technology Links Links

►Useful Websites for TeachersUseful Websites for Teachers

Technology for everyoneTechnology for everyone

Assistive technology for students with diAssistive technology for students with disabilitiessabilities

Assistive technology considerationAssistive technology consideration

Innovation without boundariesInnovation without boundaries

BIBLOGRAPHY• Friend, M. & Bursuck, W. D., (2002). Including Students with Special

Needs. Boston: Pearson Education Co.• http://www.assistivetech.com/• www.abledata.com • Krick, W. “Enable Mart;” Mindnautilus.com. 1999-2004.

Mindnautilus.com 05/30/04http://www.enablemart.com• Davis, J. “Assistive Technology.” Sitequest.com. 2004.

Sitequest.com 05/30/04.http://www.sightquest.com• Brawley, R., “Assisitive Technology.” California Department of

Education. 04/27,/04. CDE 05,/30/04. http://www.cde.ca.gov/re/pn/sm/assistech.asp

• Rowley, B. “Family Village School.” Wisc.Edu. 11/03/03. Wisc.Edu 05/30/04 http://www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/education/at.html