ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY WHAT EDUCATORS NEED TO KNOW 1

WHAT IS ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY? Assistive technology refers to technology made available for individuals with disabilities. This includes “extending the abilities of an individual in ways that provide physical access and sensory access.” This type of technology “can also help address special teaching and learning needs” (Doering & Roblyer, 2013). An assistive technology device means “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” (Doering & Roblyer, 2013). These tools are important because it gives students with disabilities increased opportunities for learning, productivity, and independence that would not be available otherwise. 2

LAW REGARDING ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY All teachers are called to design lessons that meet the needs of all learners within their classroom. Integrating Education Technology into Teaching by Roblyer and Doering outlines two federal laws explaining educators’ responsibilities regarding technology use by individuals with disabilities: 1.The Technology-Related Assistance Act for Individuals with Disabilities (Public Law ), passed in 1988, provides funding for statewide systems and services to provide assistive technology devices and services to individuals with disabilities. 2.Reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1997 (Public Law ) mandates that every individualized education program (IEP) team “consider” assistive technology when planning the educational program of an individual with a disability. The most recent reauthorization of IDEA in 2004 reemphasize to schools the importance of academic achievement by students with disabilities and the need to help each student meet achievement goals. 3

TYPES OF ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY The next slides will provide examples and pictures of assistive technology for the following: Hearing impaired Seeing impaired Learning disabled Physically disabled 4

HEARING IMPAIRED ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY The most common technical obstacles individuals with limited hearing experience are computer problems involving audio feedback (example-error messages) and a hindrance with sound in multimedia software (Doering & Roblyer, 2013). As a result, individuals with hearing impairments are using FM amplification systems (also known as assistive listening devices) in the classroom (Lewis, 2010). Teachers wear a wireless microphone and the students with hearing impairments wear receivers that amplify the teacher’s voice and serve to focus the attention of the student (Doering & Roblyer, 2013). 5

FM AMPLIFICATION SYSTEM 6

SEEING IMPAIRED ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY For individuals with limited or no eyesight, the following are effective technology tools to promote independence: Canes and sensor technology Screen readers Closed-circuit television Tools to convert printed information-These tools convert printed information into audio. This enables a person who is blind to gain information by listening instead of reading. Necessary tools to convert printed information into audio includes a scanner, optical character recognition (OCR) software, and speech synthesis. An example of OCR software is the WYNN Wizard by Freedom Scientific Inc. The WYNN Wizard is designed to scan and read. It works by placing text on the scanner and scanning the material into the computer. The WYNN Wizard software then converts the scanned printed pages into electronic text, and the speech synthesis tools read the material aloud (Southern Connecticut State University, 2013). 7

WYNN WIZARD BY FREEDOM SCIENTIFIC INC. 8

LEARNING DISABLED ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY Learning disabled may describe a student who has a cognitive disability, academic disability, social-emotional disability (Meese, 2001). To aid students in reading skills, text-to-speech products support students with communication disabilities. Doering & Roblyer (2013), found communication tools including the CAST eReader (CAST) and the Quicktionary Reading Pen (WizCom) aid students in the classroom. The Reading Pen enables students to copy and paste text into a talking word processor. This helps students struggling to read be able to listen to words aloud. 9

READING PEN BY WIZCOM 10

PHYSICALLY DISABLED ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY Individuals with physical disabilities need assistance with mobility and agility. Students with such disabilities may have difficulties with gross- or fine-motor movements (Doering & Roblyer, 2013). Joysticks are useful with wheelchairs and computers. The joystick may be used as a handle to operate a wheelchair or control the movement of the cursor or pointer on a computer screen (Doering & Roblyer, 2013). Most students with physical disabilities need access to a computer with an alternative to a common keyboard. Switches may be used for controlling a computer. 11

JOYSTICK FOR COMPUTERS 12

REFERENCE PAGE Doering, A.H. & Roblyer M.D. (2013). Integrating educational technology into teaching (6 th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education Inc. Lewis, D. (2010). Individual FM systems for children: Where are we now? Perspectives on Hearing and Hearing Disorders in Childhood, 20, Meese, R.L. (2001). Teachingg learners with mild disabilities: Integrating research and practice. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thompson Learning. Southern Connecticut State University. (2013). Technology in-depth. Retrieved from technology/indepth.html technology/indepth.html 13

PICTURE SOURCES Joystick Pictures- FM Amplification System Picture- Reading Pen- 7 WYNN Wizards Freedom Scientific’s Premier Product- technology/indepth.html 14