ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR

DISABLED STUDENTS

Holli Chambers

Introduction

This slide show will introduce assistive technology to help disabled students. There are many types of technologies that are available to help students learn.

I have focused on the most used technologies in schools today.

There are many types of assistive technologies available to help students and they are not limited to this presentation.

It is important to keep in mind the needs of the students when picking out technologies to help students succeed.

Assistive Technology Definition

Assistive Technology : 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 functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities

Assistive Technology to Assist:

Learning disabled Reading, writing, math

Visually Impaired Hearing Impaired Autistic

Assistive Technology for Learning Disabled Students

Writing – abbreviation expanders, alternative keyboards, graphic organizer software

Math – talking calculators, computer based pen

Reading – audio books available on tape, CD or download, optical character recognition (printed material scanned into a computer and read aloud to student)

http://images.usatoday.com/tech/_photos/2005/10/30/pentop180.jpg

Assistive Technology for Visually Impaired Students

Computer Assistive Technology – screen readers and magnifiers

Braille – computer keyboards with Braille

http://www.schoolitsupplies.com/catalog/images/sen/misc/lcd_screen_magnifier.jpg

Assistive Technology for Autistic Students

Low Technology (non battery operated) – clip boards, three ring binders, clip boards

Medium Technology (battery operated and simple technologies) – simple voice outputs, calculators, timers, tape recorders

High Technology - (computer and non computer) Computer – adaptive hardware i.e. touch screen monitors,

trackball/alternative keyboard Non Computer – video camera, digital camera, scanner

Assistive Technology for Hearing Impaired Students

Sound Field System – teacher wears microphone and speakers are strategically placed throughout classroom

Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf (TDD) – type of texting device for students who are deaf so they can communicate to other students/adults TDD’s also have shortcuts so the student can

type faster

What Educators Need To Know:

When developing an IEP (Individualized Educational Plan) assistive technology MUST be considered for every student.

Assistive Technology can be used at home if it is determined in the IEP and the family is at no cost.

Microsoft Office Since many schools have Microsoft Office,

there are many types of resources that Microsoft offers in regards to assistive technology that are built into Windows: Ease of Access Center Narration of typing Voice operated keys and controls

For More Information… Please visit or read these citations to learn more about

assistive technology for disabled students: Batchellor, Lori. "Assistive Technology For The Blind." Information and Resources For People With Disablities:

Disaboom. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Feb 2012. <http://www.disaboom.com/blind-and-visual-impairment/assistive-technology-for-the-blind>.

Bragam, Ruth. "Integrating Technology Into A Students IEP." National Rural Development Institute and the American Council on Rural Special Education. (2006

Behrmann, Michael. "Assistive Technology for Young Children in Special Education." (2001) "Guide For Individuals with Learning Impairments." Microsoft Assessibility, Technology For Everyone. Microsoft,

2012. Web. 25 Feb 2012. <http://www.microsoft.com/enable/guides/learning.asp&xgt;. Hager, Ronald. "Funding of Assistive Technology." (2003): n. page. Web. 21 Feb. 2012.

<http://atto.buffalo.edu/registered/ATBasics/Foundation/inro/funding.pdf>. National Center for Education Statistics. 2008. Chart. Digest of Education Web. 22 Feb 2012. Lartz, Maribeth, and Julia Stoner. "Perspectives of Assistive Technology." Assistive Technology Outcomes and

Benefits. 5.1 (2008): Web. 25 Feb. 2012. <http://www.atia.org/files/public/ATOBV5N1ArticleSEVEN.pdf>. Raskind, Marshall, and Kristen Stanberry. "Assistive Technology for Kids With LD: An Overview." Great Schools.,

2009. Web. 24 Feb 2012. <http://www.greatschools.org/special-education/assistive-technology/702-assistive-technology-for-kids-with-learning-disabilities-an-overview.gs>.

Stoden, Robert. "Diversifying Instruction." Technology Voices. 2011: http://www.fctd.info/assets/newsletters/pdfs/296/FCTD-TechVoices-nov11.pdf?1325708799

Stokes, Susan. "Assistive Technology For Children With Autism." Autism Interventions and Strategies. Special Education Services, n.d. Web. 25 Feb 2012. <http://www.specialed.us/autism/assist/asst10.htm>.

Hager, Ronald. "Funding of Assistive Technology." (2003): n. page. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://atto.buffalo.edu/registered/ATBasics/Foundation/inro/funding.pdf>.

**All pictures in this presentation were from Microsoft Office PowerPoint unless a website is listed below the picture.