1. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY INTRODUCTION

2. Basic Premise: All students can participate! All students can learn! All students can achieve! ALL students…including students with disabilities!

3. Basic Premise of IDEA: Students with disabilities must be provided an educational program that will help the student be involved in, and progress in, the general curriculum.

4. Basic Premise of Assistive Technology Assistive technology, when coupled with universally designed curriculum, maximizes learning opportunities for students with disabilities.

5. Benefits to Students Provide access to educational materials and activities Modify the environment to accommodate each students skills and abilities Support each students need to read, write, speak, listen Support independence, participation and productivity across school, home and community environments

6. Definition of an Assistive Technology Device …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 children with disabilities. (IDEA 2004, Part A, 300.5)

7. Definition of Assistive Technology Services …any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device.

8. Assistive technology is related to function, not to a particular disability category. Mobility Recreation Seating/Positioning Listening Seeing Self-care Cognitive Processing Handwriting Spelling Reading Math Written Expression Daily Organization Communication

9. Continuum from No/Low Tech to High Tech No/Low TechMid TechHigh Tech Simple Little Maintenance No electronics Some Maintenance Some Training More Electronics More Maintenance More Training Complex Electronics

10. Examples of Low Tech for Reading Book holder Color filters Highlighters, markers, post-it flags Braille text

11. Examples of Mid Tech for Reading Books on tape/CD Talking dictionary Handheld scanner

12. Examples of High Tech for Reading Talking word processor Scanner with OCR Picture-supported text

13. Examples of High Tech for Reading Multimedia formats Interactive software

14. Examples of Low Tech for Writing Pencil grip; weighted pens Markers and white board Reference material

15. Examples of Low Tech for Writing Special paper or writing surfaces Writing guides Keyguard; support for arm

16. Examples of Mid Tech for Writing Electronic spell checker Word processor Braille notetaker

17. Examples of High Tech for Writing Visual organization software Alternate input Word prediction

18. Examples of High Tech for Writing On-line references Text-to-speech feedback Speech recognition Braille embossing

19. Examples of Low Tech for Communication Aided Language Stimulation for comprehension Eye-gaze frames Communication boards, books or other formats

20. Examples of Mid Tech for Communication Single and multiple message devices Sequenced message device TDD (telephone devices)

21. Examples of High Tech for Communication Dynamic screen devices Symbol sequencing Text-to-speech

22. Examples of High Tech for Hearing Sound field amplification Personal FM or infrared listening system Hearing aids Cochlear implants

23. Examples of Low Tech for Mobility and Seating Cane, crutches, walker Ramp Transfer board Seating adaptations

24. Examples of Mid Tech for Mobility and Seating Specialized seating Rollator

25. Examples of High Tech for Mobility and Seating Wheelchair Elevator/Chair Lift Hand Controls

26. Examples of Low Tech for Environmental Control and Daily Living Skills Adapted eating and cooking utensils Universal cuff Adapted tools

27. Examples of Mid Tech for Environmental Control and Daily Living Skills Talking devices Special lighting Appliance controller

28. Examples of High Tech for Environmental Control and Daily Living Skills ECU for controlling many devices

29. What is everyone else doing that this student is not able to do? What (exactly) are the barriers for this student? What has been tried to meet the students special needs? Is it working? Ask the right questions!

30. When Are Assistive Technology Devices or Services Necessary? When it is needed for the child to receive FAPE. When it is needed for the child to be educated within the LRE. When the AT devices and services will give the student access to educational activities and programs.

31. When appropriate assistive technologies are provided for a student, the possibilities are endless!

32. The End ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY: Introduction OCALI/Ohio AT Network, 2007

33. Ohio AT Network Scope of Work: To support the use of technology at each tier of support that will maximize accessibility to academic content standards to enhance learning. Technology to maximize individual learning technology to improve student performance Academic success for all students The statewide collaborative network provides consistent and comprehensive professional development, technical assistance and product development/dissemination related to the use of technology/assistive technology. Build and sustain capacity to make data-driven decisions regarding the use of technology/assistive technology to maximize learning for all students.