Brittney Poling, Octavia Houston, and Jordan Wilhelm

A formal, legal definition of assistive technology was first published in the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988 (The Tech Act). Amended in 1994; in 1998, it was repealed and replaced with the Assistive Technology Act of 1998 ("AT Act"). Assistive technology is technology used by individuals with disabilities in order to perform functions that might otherwise be difficult or impossible. Assistive technology can include: -mobility devices -hardware -software

The individuals with Disability Act Amendments of 1997 defines AT as: “Any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially, off the shelf, modified, customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of a child with a disability”(IDEA, 1997,20, USC, Ch. 33, Sec [25] US.).

Assistive Technology for Vision: Aids students who are blind or have low vision. Assistive Technology for Communication: Aids students who have difficulty in communicating effectively. Assistive Technology for Access: Aids students who have difficulties in accessing communication, learning tools, or engaging in classroom or home activities. Assistive Technology for Hearing: Aids students who are deaf or hard-of- hearing. Assistive Technology for Learning and Studying: Aids students with high-incidence disabilities to increase, maintain, or improve their functional capabilities.

MAYBE HERE IS WHERE WE CAN INTRODUCE THE ACTIVITY OF PLACING TECHNOLGIES IN THE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES… THEN THE NEXT COUPLE OF SLIDES CAN GO THROUGH EACH CATEGORY AND NAME/EXPLAIN SOME OF THE TECHNOLOIES THAT FIT. LIKE THE NEXT SLIDE..

For Assistive Technology for Access: Adapted common tools (e.g., big pencils) A roller-ball (or tracker-ball) pointing device with a separate button for clicking Adapted handles (e.g., pencil grips) Adapted book-page turners or fluffers Adapted paper (different sizes) Built-up stylus T-bar to assist with typing Switches Head pointers Joysticks Adapted mouse