Assistive
Technology
By Vivian Boyd
What is Assistive Technology
Any item, piece of equipment, or product system, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of a child and specifically exclude a medical device that is surgically implanted or the replacement of such device is assistive technology. The Individuals w/Disabilities Educational Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA 04).
Assistive Technology is utilized to:
Communicate Perform Academic Tasks Participate in Social & Extracurricular Activities Move or Travel Around the School Use Proper Eating & Positioning Access Materials
Examples of Assistive Technology:
Adaptive toys
Text reader/word prediction software
Book scanner/reader/magnifier Reacher/Grabber
Braille Book
Braille Writer
Examples of Assistive Technology:
Electronic Choice-Making Device
Audio Books Mathematical Equation Software
Braille Display/Input Device
Joy-stick Input Device On-Screen Keyboard
Federal Law
The Technology Assistance Act for Individuals w/Disabilities (Public Law 100407), 1998
Reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1997 (Public Law (08-17)
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act:
Heightened Accountability Enhanced Flexibility Local Control of Funds
Enhanced Parental Choice
Increased Use of Research-Based Instructional Methods
Study on Perception of Impact of NCLB:
Teacher & Paraprofessional Qualifications Use of Evidence-Based Practices
High Standards for All Students
Vannest, Mahadevan, Mason, and Temple-Harvey (2009)
Implications of No Child Left Behind:
Trends in Prevalence of Autism American Sign Language Trained Personnel Universal Design for Learning Web Accessibility
Learning Disabled:
Conditions that may impair cognitive abilities: Mild Cognitive Disabilities Reading Skills Writing Skills Math Skills Moderate & Severe Cognitive Disabilities
Physically Disabled:
Assessing need for Assistive Technology:
Occupational Therapists Physical Therapists
Rehabilitation Engineers
Assistive Technology Specialists
Hearing Impaired
Assistive Listening Devices: Designed to improve audibility in specific listening situations
Seeing Impaired
Technology for individual who is blind:
Canes & Sensor Technology
Tools to Convert Printed Information Screen Readers Technology for partially sighted Closed Circuit Television Text Information Enlarged Contrast Altered Screen Magnificator
Hearing Impaired:
The telecoil in hearing aids Telecoils are a mechanism inside the hearing aid which enable the hearing aid to be used directly with hearingaid compatible telephones and most assistive listening devices.
Seeing Impaired:
Refreshable Braille displays use a specialized hardware device that works in conjunction with a software program. The software program translates text from the computer screen into Braille and then displays the material onto an external hardware device called a Braille display. The Braille display consists of a strip containing a series of very small pins that emerge to form a temporary line of Braille text. As the reader moves from one section of text to the next, the pins shift, and the new data is displayed.
Physically Impaired:
Read and Write Gold Comprehensive Literacy software with features such as Text-to-Speech with highlighting, Word Prediction while typing, Study skills for organization and research, Scanning Documents & Books with OCR, highlighting and exporting with Bibliography, FactMapping and Brainstorming, and Web apps for the iPad. The features of Read and Write Gold are also available as an extension in the Chrome browser.
Cognitive Impairments
DAISY Audio Players There are several DAISY audio players available, such as the Bookport Plus, PlexTalk, and VictorStream. These audio book players are accessible to individuals who are Blind or Visually impaired, as well as those with print disabilities due to a physical or cognitive disability, such as TBI or Dyslexia. Download & Listen to audiobooks with Bookmarks, audio record, download MP3 music files, and more.
References:
Roblyer, M. D. (2000). Integrating educational technology into teaching. (6thh ed.). Boston: Pearson. (n.d.). Retrieved from www.assistivetechnologyforeducation.com (n.d.). Retrieved from Http://iris/peabody.vanderbilt.edu/at/chalcycle.htm (n.d.). Retrieved from Http://DhS.state.mn.us/us/main.idcplg (n.d.). Retrieved from Http://ocfs.state.ny.us/main/cb/assisitivetechnologyforeducation.asp .
