Overview of Assistive Technology Adams 12 School District Assistive Technology Team

Assistive Technology… …is mandated by law. …must be considered annually for every student with an IEP. …may be indicated when a student is having difficulty achieving their IEP goals and objectives.

Assistive Technology Act of 1998: 'assistive technology device' 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.

Assistive Technology Act of 1998: ‘assistive technology service’ means any service that directly assists an individual with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device.

Adams 12 Assistive Technology Team Multi-disciplinary Team: 2 Special Educators 2 Speech Therapists 1 Motor Therapist 1 Para-Educator

What does the AT Team do? Consultation Evaluation of AT Need AT Training Curriculum Adaptations Using AT Materials (Loan Banks) Programming of AT

AT Strategies Low Tech Slant Board Electronic Spell Checker Tape Recorders Changes in text size, in spacing, in background color Calculator

AT Strategies High Tech Word Processor Word Prediction Software Talking Word Processor Multimedia Software Voice Recognition Software

AT Strategies High Tech (cont.) Software for Organization of Ideas Software with Template for Math Computation Electronic Books Books on Tape Screen Readers

Teacher Resources/Tools Books News-2-You Boardmaker

Books Every Move Counts Hands-On Reading Book of Possibilities Visual Strategies for Improving communication Picture Exchange Communication System

News-2-You Weekly Online Newspaper Current Events Text with line- drawn Pictures Many Activities

News-2-You Activities Basic Information About topic Places in the News People in the News Recipe, Joke, and Game Pages Review Page

Boardmaker Database of picture symbols Communication Overlays Multiple Languages Classroom Adaptations

Student Resources Software Computer Access Communication

Software Co:Writer Write:OutLoud PixWriter Start-to-Finish Microsoft Word Features Microsoft PowerPoint

Co:Writer Word Prediction Reduces # of Keystrokes Works with a Word Processor

Write:Outloud Talking Word Processor Import Electronic Text to be Read

PixWriter Talking Word Processor Beginning Readers and Writers Combines Print, Graphics and Speech

High Interest/Low Vocabulary Grade level 2/3 and 4/5 Paperback Computer Book Audio Cassette Start-To-Finish Books

STF: 60+ Titles Sports Short Stories Classics (Literature & Adventures) Myths and Legends Mysteries History Science and Nature

Computer Access Intellikeys AlphaSmart

Intellikeys Alternative keyboard Programmable Customize overlays for individual needs

AlphaSmart Stand-alone Keyboard Take Notes Write First Drafts Keep Assignments Organized Transfer Work to Computer to Edit

Switch Access Switches PowerLink All-Turn-It

Switches Can Emulate Mouse Clicks Run Single Switch Software Use with PowerLink for Environmental Control

Powerlink Students can control their environment Operate appliances with a switch Cordless option

All-Turn-It Spinner Switch activated Fun way to include students in general classrooms

Communication Devices PECS Visual Schedules

BIGmack Single message ouput device Large target area for visual and motor needs

DynaVox 3100 Dynamic, touch screen display Synthesized or digitized speech Links to other pages Programmable Built-in ECU

Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) Developed to functional communication skills. Used primarily with students who either do not use speech or speak with limited effectiveness.

Visual Schedules Clarifies verbal information Develops independence Provides structure to accept change Use objects, photos, picture symbols or words

Assistive Technology Alternate ways to communicate Access to technology Access to environment Academic modifications