Assistive Technology

Karen Ekonen

ED505

What is Assistive Technology?

Definition: Devices that extend the abilities of an individual in ways that provide physical access (i.e., wheelchairs, braces) and sensory access (i.e., Braille, closed captioning) (Roblyer and Doering, 2013).

What is Assistive Technology?

An assistive technology device can be any item, piece of equipment, or product system that can be used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of a child with a disability.• Assistive technology devices can be as

simple as pencil grips and word lists or as complex as stair lifts and voice-activated environmental controls (Roblyer and Doering, 2013).

What is Assistive Technology?

Assistive technology devices can be used by a variety of disabled and nondisabled students to improve academic achievement. In order to determine the most appropriate assistive technology (AT) for a disabled individual, an IEP team should meet to consider the individual’s strengths and weaknesses and to determine which AT device(s) would be most beneficial to help meet the goals of the IEP ("Assistive Technology: An Overview", 2014).

Assistive Technology Legal Mandates

Public Law 100-407: The Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act• Public Law 100-407 was signed into law in 1988 and

amended in 1994.• Purpose: to provide financial assistance to enable states to

“conduct needs assessments, identify technological resources, provide assistive technology services, and conduct public awareness” (Blackhurst, 2001).

• Federal regulations also state that an array of services should be provided. These services include:– An evaluation to determine a person’s needs for AT devices– Purchasing or leasing AT devices– Designing and fabricating AT devices– Coordinating services offered by AT service providers– Training and technical assistance for teachers, family members,

and/or employers (Blackhurst, 2001).

Assistive Technology Legal Mandates

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)• IDEA guarantees the right of all

disabled children to a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment.

• It mandates that the AT needs of all students be considered (Blackhurst, 2001).

Assistive Technology Legal Mandates

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004• The Individuals with Disabilities

Education Improvement Act of 2004 is an amendment to the IDEA of 1997.

• It mandates that each child’s need for AT devices and services must be considered by an IEP team (Blackhurst, 2001).

Assistive Technology for the Hearing Impaired

Personal frequency modulation (FM) systems can be used by hearing impaired students in the classroom.  They function like miniature radio stations operating on special frequencies. Consisting of a transmitter microphone used by the teacher, and a receiver used by the hearing impaired, the receiver transmits sound to the hearing impaired.  The sound can even be directly transmitted to a hearing aid ("FM Systems", n.d.).

Source: http://www.tecear.com/images/at216.jpg

Assistive Technology for the Seeing Impaired

Handheld Video Magnifiers can be used by seeing impaired students in the classroom.  They combine high-definition camera technology with a small size that is perfect for classroom use.  Students can change text and background colors to suit their needs, review all their pictures, and freeze images to examine them in more detail ("RUBY HD Handheld Video Magnifier - Freedom Scientific", n.d.).

Source: http://www.freedomscientific.com/images/product/ruby/RUBY-HD-Stand-01-thumb.jpg

Assistive Technology for the Learning Disabled

Word Prediction Software can be used by learning disabled students when using word processing programs by predicting words based on spelling, syntax, and frequent use.  This allows students who struggle with writing to use fewer keystrokes to compose their thoughts and ideas with proper spelling and grammar ("Word prediction software programs - Assistive Technology | GreatSchools", n.d).

Source: http://idt278df.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/cow6-ss.jpg

Assistive Technology for the Physically Disabled

Adapted joysticks can be used by students with limited hand movement.  They function like a traditional computer mouse, allowing precise cursor control with minimal hand movement to prevent fatigue.  Joysticks can be adapted with different handles, such as a straight stem, a T-bar, or a large soft ball, to suit individual needs ("Adapted Joystick - Mouse Control for those with Limited Hand Movement – Rock, n.d.).

Source: http://www.ablenetinc.com/Portals/0/images/products/rock-200.png

REFERENCES

Adapted Joystick - Mouse Control for those with Limited Hand Movement - Rock™. (n.d.). Retrieved      on March 28, 2014 from http://www.ablenetinc.com/Assistive-Technology/Computer-       Access/Rock-Adapted-Joystick

Blackhurst, A. E. (2001). Assistive Technology Legal Mandates. The National Assistive Technology      Research Institute.

FM Systems. (n.d.). Retrieved on March 28, 2014 from http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/FM-      Systems/ 

Roblyer, M. D., & Doering, A. H. (2013). Integrating educational technology into teaching (6th ed.).      Boston: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon Publishers.

RUBY HD Handheld Video Magnifier - Freedom Scientific. (n.d.). Retrieved on March 28, 2014 from      http://www.freedomscientific.com/products/low-vision/RUBY-HD-handheld-video-magnifier.asp

The IRIS Center for Training Enhancements. (2010). Assistive technology: An overview. Retrieved on       March 28, 2014 from http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/at/

Word prediction software programs - Assistive Technology | GreatSchools. (n.d.). Retrieved on      March 28, 2014 from http://www.greatschools.org/special-education/assistive-technology/966-     word-prediction-software-programs.gs