Assistive TechnologyBy Ivory Robinson

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 children with disabilities.

What is Assistive Technology?

As an educator, it is important to be familiar with the law in regards to students who rely on assistive technology. The last thing any of us wants is to purposely or mistakenly do anything towards our students that can be deemed illegal. The following section provides a few of the laws that are in place to protect those who rely on assistive technology and/or are handicap.

Let’s Have a Talk

Americans with Disabilities Act ( ADA ) Public Law 101-336 [42 USC 12101] The ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in

employment, state and local government, public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation, and telecommunications. The law has four sections, or “Titles”. Title I addresses employment, saying that any employer who has 15 or more employees must offer “equal opportunity” to employment-related activities. Title II applies to state and local governments, and insists that people with disabilities be given equal access to public education, employment, transportation, recreation, health care, and other areas under their control. Title III addresses public accommodations that may be provided by private companies, including private schools, restaurants, stores, hotels, doctors’ offices, etc. Title IV addresses assistive technology specifically, as it requires that telephone companies provide the necessary services to allow people who are deaf or hearing impaired to use telecommunications devices.

Assistive Technology and the Law

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act 29 U.S.C. § 794d Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act requires that all

electronic and information technologies developed and used by any Federal government agency must be accessible to people with disabilities. This includes websites, video and audio tapes, electronic books, televised programs, and other such media. Individuals with disabilities may still have to use special hardware and/or software to access the resources. Section 508 does not apply to the private sector or to organizations that receive Federal funds.

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Assistive Technology Act of 1998 Public Law 105-394 [29 USC 2201] The Assistive Technology Act, also known as the “Tech Act”

provides funds to states to support three types of programs: the establishment of assistive technology (AT) demonstration

centers, information centers, equipment loan facilities, referral services, and other consumer-oriented programs;

protection and advocacy services to help people with disabilities and their families, as they attempt to access the services for which they are eligible;

Federal/state programs to provide low interest loans and other alternative financing options to help people with disabilities purchase needed assistive technology.

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Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was initially passed in 1975 as P.L. 94-142. That law, known as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, or the EHA, guaranteed that eligible children and youth with disabilities would have a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) available to them, designed to meet their unique educational needs. P.L. 94-142 has been amended many times since passing in 1975, most recently in 2004.

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What Can Aid Our Children Who Rely on Assistive Technology in the Classroom?

The important thing to remember as educators is that we have to do our part in helping those students who rely on assistive technology the best we can.

With that said, there are many devices available for any school system to use when educating our students with certain needs. The following slides give a description of a few devices and how they can be useful for students with specific impairments.

For the Hearing Impaired FM System or Personal FM System

FM systems use radio waves to transmit the sound from the speaker’s mouth to your ears. This requires the speaker to wear your FM microphone/transmitter. You can use FM systems even if you have to go into another room or if you are outside walking around. This system will also work with your hearing aids.

This is a great device for hearing impaired students to use for classroom lectures. It picks up from various distances and it allows the words of the teacher to be more amplified, which will lead to a better understanding of what’s being taught.

For the Seeing Impaired Prodigi Desktop Electronic Magnifier

This device is a table-top magnifier that makes seeing and reading comfortable and efficient. It can be magnified as much as needed without compromising image quality. It is available in the 20 inch and 24 inch model.

This is helpful for vision-impaired students when it comes to handouts, worksheets, homework, etc. This device allows them to view all paper documents at a much larger size than usual. This can be used effectively at home as well as school.

For the Learning Impaired For example, SoundNote and Dexteria

are applications for mobile devices that aid children with Dysgraphia and writing difficulties.

SoundNote allows simultaneous recording, typing or handwritten notes. Dexteria offers therapeutic hand exercises (not games) that improve fine motor skills and handwriting readiness in children.

In this day and time, mobile applications are useful, easily accessible and very convenient. Students with learning disabilities can use applications like those previously mentioned for their specific disability. For students with dyslexia or reading difficulties, the ClaroSpeak application allows them to take record notes from classroom lectures, instruction, etc. This is helpful because they will be able to focus on the lesson as opposed to primarily focus on writing notes in which they struggle with. The list of these helpful mobile applications is rich.

For the Physically Impaired Computer Keyboard Keyguard

This device helps prevent typos and mistakes during typing for people who suffer from limited mobility.

This device is very helpful for physically impaired students who suffer from limited mobility. The keyguard firmly covers the keyboard and typically comes in bright colors to limit mistakes. This is a very helpful tool for students with limited mobility who have to take classes using computers and for when they have to type up research papers, homework assignments and more. For the record, there are several assistive technology items that help with a wide range of physical disabilities.

As educators, it is beneficial for us to be familiar with various assistive technology devices in order to better help our students of special needs. All students deserve a fair chance at a quality education, even those who are impaired. The technology is here for us to help our impaired students. All we have to do is utilize it constructively.

Ending Thoughts

Disability and, Family Center on Technology. (2014). AssistiveTechnology Laws. Retrieved from http://www.fctd.info/resources/techlaws.php#skip_nav

.gov OK, About. (2014). Real Questions and Real AssistiveTechnology Solutions. Retrieved from http://

www.ok.gov/abletech/Assistive_Te chnology/ATFAQ.html Group, HumanWare. (2005-2014). Prodigi Desktop electronic

magnifier 20 in. Retrieved from http://store.humanware.com/hus/prodigi-desktop-electronic- magnifier-20-in.html

Learning Disablities Inc., National Center For. (2014). Apps to Help Students With Dysgraphia and Writing Difficulties. Retrieved from http://www.ncld.org/students-disabilities/assistive- technology-education/apps-students-ld-dysgraphia-writing- difficulties

Industries, Inc., Fentek. (2014). Computer Keyboard Keyguard.Retrieved from http://www.fentek-ind.com/Keyguard.htm#.VDRcn_ldVFt

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