Assistive Technology Kaytie Casanova

What is Assistive Technology?  IDEA describes Assistive Technology as:  A 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 the functional capabilities of a child with a disability.

The History of Assistive Technology  Assistive technology is relatively new throughout the field of education.  In 1997 the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was revised.  One of the new requirements stated that each IEP team mush now consider a group of “special factors.”  The requirement states:  “…the IEP Team shall…consider whether the child requires assistive technology devices and services.”  Other questions that should now be considered by IEP Teams include:  “Does this child need assistive technology in order to accomplish the educational goals we have set?”  “So what assistive technology?”  How can it help children with learning disabilities?”

 When assistive technology first started being incorporated into IEPs parents became concerned with the fact that they would never be able to learn the skill and steps if they had a device that could do it for them. For example: For example: They worried that if the student used a computer to do written work that they’d never learn to spell or use a pencil.They worried that if the student used a computer to do written work that they’d never learn to spell or use a pencil. However research tells us that assistive technology can be a tool to help children acquire the more difficult concepts which they can understand, but which their deficits in reading, writing or processing have prevented them from learning.However research tells us that assistive technology can be a tool to help children acquire the more difficult concepts which they can understand, but which their deficits in reading, writing or processing have prevented them from learning.

LD & Assistive Technology  The are five main categories in which assistive technology is mainly used with LD Students. Writing Writing Reading Reading Math Math Studying/Organizing Studying/Organizing Listening/Note Taking Listening/Note Taking

Writing: The most common goals on IEPs are handwriting and written communication goals. The most common goals on IEPs are handwriting and written communication goals. Children who have writing and communication goals in their IEPs can have a wide variety of different areas of assistive technology that may be beneficial to them Children who have writing and communication goals in their IEPs can have a wide variety of different areas of assistive technology that may be beneficial to them The level of need in the writing area also have two very different levels. The level of need in the writing area also have two very different levels.

Writing & Mild Disabilities  Writing Process: generating ideas, organizing, drafting, editing, revising, and producing a neat, clear final copy. Process: generating ideas, organizing, drafting, editing, revising, and producing a neat, clear final copy. Word processors allow for teachers to make suggestionsWord processors allow for teachers to make suggestions Networking computers to students can work togetherNetworking computers to students can work together Computer editing to improve handwriting problemsComputer editing to improve handwriting problems Mechanics: spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. Mechanics: spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. Spell-checkersSpell-checkers Word prediction softwareWord prediction software

Reading  There are many different forms of assistive technology that can help students to identify words, phrases, or entire documents. There are also a wide variety of disabilities and disorders that may cause difficulty in reading There are word processors on computers that can say the word or read the entire passage out loud. There are word processors on computers that can say the word or read the entire passage out loud. Devices that scan certain reading passage and then read it out loud Devices that scan certain reading passage and then read it out loud Reading Pens: which is a device that is simply rolled across the text and then it is read aloud Reading Pens: which is a device that is simply rolled across the text and then it is read aloud Word Magnifiers Word Magnifiers

Reading Pen Word Scanners Word Magnifier

Math  If students are having trouble in math there are different programs that can make math easier and even do basic calculations IntellimathicsIntellimathics allows students to experience math using manipulatives on the screen allows students to experience math using manipulatives on the screen BigCalcBigCalc on screen calculator with speech support on screen calculator with speech support

Intellimathics Intellimathics BigCalcBigCalc

Studying & Organizing  Many students have trouble keeping track of assignments and organizing through thoughts to show what they know The use of a PDA or interactive picture planner The use of a PDA or interactive picture planner Creating flow charts to chart already learned information Creating flow charts to chart already learned information

Listening & Note Taking  Listening The teacher can use a microphone that transmitts his lesson to headphones worn by the student The teacher can use a microphone that transmitts his lesson to headphones worn by the student Provide an addition visual aid Provide an addition visual aid Use interactive manipulatives Use interactive manipulatives  Note Taking Videotape lesson for visual learners/students who can’t be in class for extended periods of time Videotape lesson for visual learners/students who can’t be in class for extended periods of time Send class notes through Send class notes through Translating print-based notes to voice by using optical character recognition (OCR) software with a voice synthesizer. Translating print-based notes to voice by using optical character recognition (OCR) software with a voice synthesizer.

Assistive Technology & Specific Disabilities  Blindness: There are assistive devices for all levels of vision impairment There are assistive devices for all levels of vision impairment Color Teller: talking color identifier that will determine the color of materials and objects.Color Teller: talking color identifier that will determine the color of materials and objects. Talking Microwaves: makes it easy to cook with electronicsTalking Microwaves: makes it easy to cook with electronics Talking watches and alarm clocksTalking watches and alarm clocks Braille machines that automatically note take in Braille for the student.Braille machines that automatically note take in Braille for the student. Braille embossers that teachers can use to modify assignements for blind students.Braille embossers that teachers can use to modify assignements for blind students.

Assistive Technology and everyday living  There are also many different accommodations that can be offered to people with disabilities from wheel chairs to living accommodations.