Assistive Technology By: Katelyn Dunagan

Assistive Technology What is Assistive Technology? Assistive Technology (adaptive technology) as stated by the United States Assistive Technology Act of 1998, refers to any "product, device, or equipment, whether acquired commercially, modified or customized, that is used to maintain, increase, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.” Assistive Technology devices can range from wheelchairs and grab and reach devices to enlarged keyboards, braille books and sound magnification tools. Assistive Technology encompasses a wide range of learning disabilities and physical handicaps.

Assistive Technology Law What does the law say in regards to assistive technology? The Family Center of Technology and Disability states: “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.”

Types of Assistive Technology There are many different types of assistive technology devices for all types of learning disabilities and physical disabilities. Some of the most commonly used devices are to aid the hearing impaired, visually impaired, learning disabilities, and physical handicaps.

-One device used to assist with hearing impairment is a Bionic Ear -One device used to assist with hearing impairment is a Bionic Ear. The teacher has a microphone attached to him/her and the student has the sound amplifier and headphones. This allows the student to hear the teacher clearly without disruptions. Hearing Impaired Kid’s Health states that “Hearing impairment occurs when there's a problem with or damage to one or more parts of the ear.” “The degree of hearing impairment can vary widely from person to person. Some people have partial hearing loss, meaning that the ear can pick up some sounds; others have complete hearing loss, meaning that the ear cannot hear at all (people with complete hearing loss are considered deaf). In some types of hearing loss, a person can have much more trouble when there is background noise. One or both ears may be affected, and the impairment may be worse in one ear than in the other.” Hearing impairment can be either congenital (born with) or acquired during childhood, adolescents or adulthood. “National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders states that about 28 million Americans are deaf or hearing impaired. That's about 1 out of every 10 people. Another 30 million are exposed to hazardous noise levels on a regular basis. Hearing loss is also the most common birth anomaly.”

Seeing Impaired - The desktop electronic magnifier is one of many assistive technology tools used to aid the visually impaired. Other options are braille books or audio books. Kid’s Health states that Visual Impairment is “any kind of vision loss, whether it's someone who cannot see at all or someone who has partial vision loss. Some people are completely blind, but many others have what's called legal blindness. They haven't lost their sight completely but have lost enough vision that they'd have to stand 20 feet from an object to see it as well as someone with perfect vision could from 200 feet away.” Most babies that have blindness are born with congenital blindness. Blindness during childhood and adolescents is rare, with the exception of injury.

Learning Disabled Word Prediction software is a very useful assistive technology tool for kids with writing struggles and dyslexia. “Assistive Technology for kids with a Learning disability (LD) is defined as any device, piece of equipment or system that helps bypass, work around or compensate for an individual's specific learning deficits.” Listening, Math, Organization and memory, Reading and Writing are some common areas that children with LD struggle with and require assistive technology tools.

Physical Handicaps A computer joystick is an assistive technology tool that serves as an alternative form of a mouse. It is used for those who are unable to physically operate a mouse. Students suffering from physical handicaps can suffer from decreased fine motor skills (difficulty writing and typing), mobility,(limited range of motion in limbs) and a variety of other physical issues that can limit their performance.

References Assistive Technology Act of 1998 | Section508.gov. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.section508.gov/assistive-technology-act-1998 FCTD | Assistive Technology Laws. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.fctd.info/resources/techlaws.php Hearing Impairment. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://kidshealth.org/teen/diseases_conditions/sight/hearing_impairment.html# Visual Impairment. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://kidshealth.org/teen/diseases_conditions/sight/visual_impairment.html# View Desktop Macular Degeneration Products & Low Vision Aids. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.enhancedvision.com/low-vision-product-types/desktop-assistive-technology-for-the- visually-impaired.html Assistive Technology in Education/Physically Handicapped. (n.d.). Retrieved January 26, 2014, from http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Assistive_Technology_in_Education/Physically_Handicapped JoyStick-C : Spectronics - Inclusive Learning Technologies. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.spectronicsinoz.com/product/joystick-c