1. Impacts of the Tech Act Shauntel Dorsey EDU 620: Meeting Individual Student Needs with Technology Kimberly Diane Hall, Ed.D.

2. What is the Assistive Technology Act? o ‘‘SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES. ‘‘(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: ‘‘(1) Over 54,000,000 individuals in the United States have disabilities, with almost half experiencing severe disabilities that affect their ability to see, hear, communicate, reason, walk, or perform other basic life functions. ‘‘(2) Disability is a natural part of the human experience and in no way diminishes the right of individuals to— ‘‘(A) live independently; ‘‘(B) enjoy self-determination and make choices; ‘‘(C) benefit from an education; ‘‘(D) pursue meaningful careers; and ‘‘(E) enjoy full inclusion and integration in the economic, political, social, cultural, and educational mainstream of society in the United States

3. What is the Assistive Technology Act? o Also known as the Tech Act o Promote people’s awareness of, and access to, assistive technology (AT) devices and services o Provide AT to person’s with disabilities to help them fully participate in: Education Employment Daily Activities (National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities, 2009)

4. What is the Assistive Technology Act? o The Tech Act covers: All disabilities All ages All environments (early intervention, K-12, post-secondary, vocational rehabilitation, community living, aging services (National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities, 2009)

5. Definitions o “The Assistive Technology Act of 2004 defines an assistive technology device in the following way: …any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities” (National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities, 2009). o “An assistive technology service is defined as: …any service that directly assists an individual with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device” (National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities, 2009).

6. Impact on Education o Allows students to access technology All who require AT will be granted access to it Students are included in daily classroom activities with peers Gain more technology equipment at schools -can be beneficial to all students

7. Impact on Education o Help students accomplish: Mastering grade level content skills Improve writing and organizational skills Grade level reading skills Improve note-taking skills o Material is presented in a variety of ways, using many different types of technological devices Computers Videos Listening devices Braille writers (USC, n.d., para. 19)

8. Current State of The Tech Act o The Center on Technology and Disability (CTD) is funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) Formally known as the FCTD (Family Center on Technology and Disability (1989-2012) o The CTD is “designed to increase the capacity of families and providers to advocate for, acquire, and implement effective assistive and instructional technology (AT/IT) practices, devices, and services” (CTD, 2014)

9. Current State of The Tech Act o CTD “serves diverse audiences, including families, teachers, administrators, researchers, service providers, personnel preparation programs, family information and training centers, community resource centers, product developers and vendors, and other relevant programs” (CTD, 2014)

10. Current State of The Tech Act o Assistive technology does not only have to be used for academic purposes o Assistive technology can include: Curb cuts- shopping carts, strollers, wheelchairs Closed-caption decoders- sports bars, fitness centers, people who lack English proficiency Ramps Canes USC, n.d., para-31

11. Current State of The Tech Act o Help students with variety of learning styles Software that reads to students Keyboard and mouse that are easy for preschooler to use o Help teachers create independence amongst the class Students are able to use assistive technology on their own Allows teacher to work in groups or one-on-one with other students USC, n.d., para-31

12. Current State of The Tech Act o Provide inclusive technologies in the classroom allow diverse individuals to complete a task in different ways Example: Teacher gives assignment where students are required to make a presentation -use of inclusive technologies offers choices to students -get to choose what presentation software they want to use and how to present it -equalizes the opportunity to succeed with peers (Edyburn, 2013, 1.5- para. 17

13. Fostering Assistive Technology o Education Get to know the students and their families -families wants, needs, and concerns Conduct research on what is beneficial for them to achieve -activities and devices Include them in every aspect of the daily routine Try to make it as normal as possible and let them make choices Provide assistive technology devices as much as needed -discuss with principal and inclusion classroom teacher

14. Fostering Assistive Technology o Employment Get to know the employee - wants, needs, concerns, strengths, and interests Conduct research on what is beneficial for them to achieve -activities and devices Clearly explain duties -set boundaries for both parties -make accommodations Involve them in work functions Support as much as needed, but give space to achieve

15. Fostering Assistive Technology o Daily Activities Make a routine - how things will go for getting ready for the day Have assistive technology devices in place for easy access -wheelchairs close to bed -railings -listening or speech devices for communication Allow them to make choices Support as much as needed, but give space to achieve

16. Fostering Assistive Technology o Community Allow students to make choices and express their interests in their community -would they like to help others? Allow students to explore -what would they like to do? Let them know they can do whatever they put their mind to

17. Fostering Assistive Technology o Technology grows with the students As a child, they may start out using certain devices As they grow and develop, technology will also grow and develop Get students to try new assistive technology devices

18. My Teaching and Learning o My Teaching will: Cater to the individual needs of my students Involve all students across the board -student interaction with peers creates great social skills Influence students to reach for the stars Give the students the confidence and skills they need to succeed

19. My Teaching and Learning o My Teaching Work to get and use everything I can to help these students Inform them and others that they are more than they look Influence other educators to use assistive technology

20. My Teaching and Learning o My Learning Better educate myself on assistive technology Attend workshops and trainings that offer: -resources on accessing devices -instructions on using devices -strategies that will benefit these learners

21. My Teaching and Learning o Their Learning ISTE standards that align with their learning 21 st Century skills needed to succeed in this fast- pace, technological society They can do anything they set their minds to They will become masters of their craft and can teach others so much more They are equals

22. References o Center on Technology and disability (2014) Retrieved from: http://www.ctdinstitute.org o Edyburn, D. L. (2013). Inclusive technologies: Tools for helping diverse learners achieve academic success. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc. o National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities. (2009). Assistive Technology Act. Retrieved from http://nichcy.org/laws/ata o University of South Carolina (n.d.), Retrieved from: http://www.sc.edu/scatp/cdrom/atused.html