Assistive Technology

Kimberly Lewis

Explanation of Assistive Technology

• Assistive technology is any assistance, service, or device that helps a disabled student. The assistance can vary based on the need of the student and his or her Individual Education Program (IEP). Student goals will be written in his or her IEP to help the student participate in the general education classroom. The assistive technology will help the disabled student’s performance in the classroom (Roblyer & Doering, 2013, p. 400).

Laws in Regard to Assistive Technology

• “The Technology-Related Assistance Act for Individuals with Disabilities (Public Law 100-407), passed in 1988,” (Roblyer & Doering, 2013, p. 400). This law provides funds needed to provide assistive technology devices for people with disabilities.

• “Reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1997 (Public Law 105-17),” (Roblyer & Doering, 2013, p. 400) mandates that assistive technology be considered when an IEP (Individual Education Program) is written for people with disabilities.

Assistive Technology for Hearing Impaired

Hearing impaired students often wear cochlear implants. These implants stimulate the auditory nerve and create sounds for profoundly deaf individuals (NIDCD Fact Sheet Cochlear Implants, 2001). Teachers that have students that wear cochlear implants need to also use a FM amplification system in the classroom. The teacher will wear a wireless microphone and his or her voice is then amplified in the classroom.

Assistive Technology for Seeing Impaired

Optical character recognition (OCR) assists blind or visual impaired individuals by scanning text and then reading it back to the individual, (American Foundation for the Blind, 2013). The OCR uses a camera to scan the printed text, then the software converts the image, and a synthesized voice reads the material to the individual.

Assistive Technology for Learning Disabled

Students that read below grade level or struggle reading text can listen to audio books. Students can listen to audio books on iPods, MP3 players, and CDs, (Raskind & Stanberry, 2013). Students are able to follow along as the test is being read to them.

Assistive Technology for Physically Disabled

Keyguards, adjustable keyboards, programmable keyboards, miniature keyboards, and joysticks can help physically disabled individuals utilize computers, (Torreno, 2012). These adaptations help physically disabled students type on computers. Individuals may also be able to use a pointer attached to their head to tap the keys on the keyboard. The joystick is easier to grasp and use than a standard mouse.

Bibliography American Foundation for the Blind. (2013). Retrieved from Living with Vision Loss - Optical Character

Recognition: http://www.afb.org/info/living-with-vision-loss/using-technology/assistive-technology/optical-character-recognition-systems/1235

NIDCD Fact Sheet Cochlear Implants. (2001, March). NIH.

Raskind, M., & Stanberry, K. (2013, February). Assistive technology for kids with LD: An overview. Retrieved from Great Schools: http://www.greatschools.org/special-education/assistive-technology/702-assistive-technology-for-kids-with-learning-disabilities-an-overview.gs?page=2

Roblyer, M., & Doering, A. (2013). In Integrating Educational Technology Into Teaching (pp. 214-216). Boston: Pearson.

Torreno, S. (2012, July 12). Assistive Technology for Children with Physcial Disabilities. Retrieved from Bright Hub Education: http://www.brighthubeducation.com/special-ed-inclusion-strategies/47379-mouse-and-keyboard-assisstive-technology-options/