1. Samantha Bobkoskie

2. Overview Assistive Technology is defined as “an umbrella term that includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities and also includes the process used in selecting, locating, and using them”. Assistive technology is extremely useful for students who have identified disabilities. Assistive technology needs of a student will be listed on their IEP. An IEP is an individualized Education Plan. IEPs are developed with various educators throughout the school and the students parents. An IEP states exactly what the child needs to best learn and advance their education. Assistive technology is also very useful for students with a diagnosed disability because once they have been diagnosed and have had an IEP developed, they can begin learning in a least restrictive environment. This means that the student will be able to be in a classroom learning alongside peers but will have their work adapted for them so that they can best complete it based on their IEP and disability needs. Wikipedia. (2014, September 19). Assistive Technology. Retrieved September 25, 2014, from Wikipedia The free encyclopedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assistive_technology#Assistive_technology_for_visual_impairment

3. Visually Impaired Visually Impaired students have vision ranging from partial sight to blindness. The students visual impairment may be caused by cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, etc. Having a visual impairment affects a students ability to read, write, and move around in their environment. Through the use of assistive technology, students can use devices such as Screen Readers and Closed Circuit Magnification to enlarge print and make it easier to read. Students may also use a Braille Translation Device which translates text into Braille making reading text easier for those with a visual impairment.

4. Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) According to Merriam- Webster dictionary, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is defined as a “syndrome of disordered learning and disruptive behavior that is not caused by any serious underlying physical or mental disorder”. Attention Deficit Disorder affects every student in varying ways which may make it hard to diagnose. Due to ADD affecting each student differently, not all students will display the same symptoms. Some of the symptoms of ADD are not being able to concentrate or sit still. Assistive technology and instructional technology can help a student with ADD by allowing them to more frequently take breaks, have shorter assignments so that they are able to concentrate on that assignment better. Another way to adapt a lesson so that a student with ADD will be able to concentrate and follow along is by acting out books. Acting out books will keep the student with ADD and all other students in the class engaged longer and more interested in the story. (2014, January 1). Retrieved September 24, 2014, from http://www.merriam- webster.com/medical/attention deficit disorder

5. Wheelchair Bound Students Wheelchair bound students are students who require the use of a wheelchair to move about and perform daily tasks. Students can be in wheelchairs for varying reasons from a broken leg to quadriplegia to neurological disorders. Having a wheelchair can affect a students academics in various ways. One big way being that they are unable to fit their wheelchair at a desk. This can make the student feel different than the rest of the class and could impact their academic performance. In a classroom with a student in a wheelchair, the teacher needs to ensure that there is ample room for the movement of the wheelchair. The teacher needs to make sure that the child is able to move about freely without bumping into objects about the room. Another way wheelchair bound students could have trouble with academics is due to not having muscle control in their arms which would result in them not being able to write or hold anything. Assistive technology is great support for children in wheelchairs. With the use of a voice-text device, students could speak into the device and the device will type out what they are saying. For students with neurological disorders, there is an adaptive desk they can use.

6. Conclusion Assistive Technology is defined as “an umbrella term that includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities and also includes the process used in selecting, locating, and using them”. Assistive technology is extremely useful for students who have identified disabilities. Assistive technology needs of a student will be listed on their IEP. An IEP is an individualized Education Plan. IEPs are developed with various educators throughout the school and the students parents. An IEP states exactly what the child needs to best learn and advance their education. Assistive technology is also very useful for students with a diagnosed disability because once they have been diagnosed and have had an IEP developed, they can begin learning in a least restrictive environment. This means that the student will be able to be in a classroom learning alongside peers but will have their work adapted for them so that they can best complete it based on their IEP and disability needs. I believe that assistive technology is a wonderful and useful tool that educators can use to help students with diagnosed disabilities learn and excel in their school work. Without the use of assistive technology, students with disabilities would be unable to complete all of the course work that a teacher gives out because they would be unable to complete it to the best of their ability. Also, before the Individuals with disabilities act was formed in 2004, individuals with disabilities were usually separated from their peers and learned in completely different environments. After IDEA, individuals with disabilities were included into “normal” classrooms and assistive technology was implemented in those classrooms to help the student better complete their coursework and advance their learning. I believe that including students with disabilities into classrooms not only helps those with disabilities but it also helps the teacher become a better teacher because they are forced to develop new ways to teach and advance the learning of the entire classroom.

7. References Bachrach, S. J. (2011, May). Individualized Education Programs. Retrieved September 25, 2014, from KidsHealth: http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/learning/iep.html# Lewjdaddy. (2008, April 15). Assistive Technology. Retrieved September 25, 2014, from YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXchQnJ6PoE&NR=1 Lonestar College System. (2011, February). Students who are wheelchair users. Retrieved September 24, 2014, from Academic Affairs Success: http://lonestar.edu/departments/academicaffairsstusuccess/SP-1357B-8_WheelchairUsers.pdf Merriam-Webster. (2014). attention deficit disorder. Retrieved 9 24, 2014, from Merriam-Webster Dictionary: http://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/attention%20deficit%20disorder Odle, T. (2009, December 23). Visual Impairments. Retrieved September 25, 2014, from Education.com: http://www.education.com/reference/article/visual-impairments1/#A Segal, J., & Smith, M. (2014, June). ADD/ADHD and School. Retrieved September 25, 2014, from Helpguide.org A trusted non-profit resource: http://www.helpguide.org/mental/adhd_add_teaching_strategies.htm Watson, S. (2014). Tips for working with students in wheelchairs. Retrieved September 25, 2014, from About.com: http://specialed.about.com/od/physicaldisabilities/p/wheelchair.htm Wikipedia. (2014, September 19). Assistive Technology. Retrieved September 25, 2014, from Wikipedia The free encyclopedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assistive_technology#Assistive_technology_for_visual_impairment