Assistive Technology By: Holly Whitaker
Assistive technology is any item, piece of equipment, software or product system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. Assistive Technology
There are several Technology specific Laws and Regulations regarding Technology. I have provided a brief overview of each. Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act - Section 501 of this act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in Federal employment and requires Federal agencies to establish affirmative action plans for the hiring, placement, and advancement of people with disabilities in Federal employment. Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act - Section 504 prohibits discrimination based on disability in federally funded and federally conducted programs or activities in the United States, including employment programs. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act The Law in regard to Assistive Technology
Section 505 of the Rehabilitation Act - Section 505 establishes the enforcement procedures for title V of the Rehabilitation Act. Section 505 (a) (1) provides that the procedures and rights set forth in Section 717 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 shall be available with respect to any complaint under Section 501. Section 505 (a)(2) provides that the remedies, rights and procedures set forth in title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 shall be available to any person alleging a violation of Section 504. Section 508 is also enforced through the procedures established in Section 505 (a)(2). Section 505 of the Rehabilitation Act Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act - In 1998, Congress amended the Rehabilitation Act to require Federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology accessible to people with disabilities. Section 508 was enacted to eliminate barriers in information technology, to make available new opportunities for people with disabilities, and to encourage development of technologies that will help achieve these goals. The law applies to all Federal agencies when they develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and information technology. Under Section 508 (29 U.S.C. 794d), agencies must give disabled employees and members of the public access to information that is comparable to the access available to others. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act The Law in regard to Assistive Technology
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - Prohibits discrimination and ensures equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in employment, state and local government services, public accommodations, commercial facilities, and transportation. The ADA requires that reasonable accommodations be provided in meeting the needs of individuals with disabilities. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act of Section 255 of the requires manufacturers of telecommunications equipment and providers of telecommunications services to ensure that such equipment and services are accessible to persons with disabilities, if readily achievable. Section 255 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 The Law in regard to Assistive Technology
Assistive Technology Act of The Assistive Technology Act establishes a grant program, administered by the U.S. Department of Education, to provide Federal funds to support State programs that address the assistive technology needs of individuals with disabilities. Assistive Technology Act of 1998 The Law in regard to Assistive Technology
A student may use assistive listening devices to help amplify sound or take out background noise in the classroom environment due to a hearing impairment or auditory processing disorder. The Personal Hearing Amplifier (on right) is a common device seen in Elementary Schools. The Talking Box (on left) is for the more severe hearing disorders that helps students communicate by pressing a button and the machine communicating for them Assistive Technology for Hearing Impaired
Video magnifiers enlarge written materials and small objects for easier viewing for students with low vision. The video magnifiers can make enlarged print appear in color, in black and white, or in negative (white on black), and some even read text out loud. This is a great device for students with vision impairments who are in a general education classroom. Using video magnifiers students can enlarge textbook pages and handouts without having to scan or copy these pages. Assistive Technology for Seeing Impaired
Talking word processors, sometimes called text-to-speech programs, will read aloud what the student has typed. Auditory feedback can be very useful for students with learning disabilities because they can listen to the text they have written and make sure the meaning is clear. Assistive Technology for Learning Disabled
Co-Writer is a word prediction tool that can help students with disabilities with Spelling and Grammar. It is a software that can be used on common devices like an iPad. If students can write just 30% of what they want to say, Co-Writer will do the rest. As students write, Co-Writer “predicts” what they’re trying to say and offers word suggestions in real time. This Assistive Technology would be a great resource for a Physically Disabled student who may have trouble using a writing tool. Assistive Technology for Physically Disabled Before: After: (Using Co-Writer)
An assistive technology success story. (n.d.). Retrieved March 24, 2015, from Assistive Technology to Meet K12 Needs. (n.d.). Retrieved March 24, 2015, from Assistive Technology: Federal Law and Regulations. (n.d.). Retrieved March 24, 2015, from FcpsACT. (n.d.). Retrieved March 24, 2015, from Roblyer, M., & Edwards, J. (2000). Using Assistive Technology to Help Students Access Learning Materials. In Integrating educational technology into teaching (6th ed., pp ). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Merrill. Students, Schools and Universities Low Vision and Blindness Resources. (2014, September 17). Retrieved March 24, 2015, from resources/ resources/ The IRIS Center for Training Enhancements. (2010). Assistive Technology: An Overview. Retrieved on March, 24, 2015 from What is Assistive Technology? How Is It Funded? (n.d.). Retrieved March 24, 2015, from Resources