Examples of assistive technology tools for special education students

1. ASSISTIVE
TECHNOLOGY:
Tools to Enhance the Educational Experience for Students with Special Needs

2. Students with Special Needs
• Individualized Education Programs (IEP)
• Supported by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004)
• For students with difficulties learning and functioning to set goals and make strong academic
progress
• Qualifying students include those with learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder, emotional disorders, cognitive disorders, autism, hearing impairments, visual
impairments, speech/language impairment, or developmental delays
• Classed carried out in general education classroom or resource classroom
• Lease restricted environment
• Referral and Evaluation by multidisciplinary team
• Conference with parents
• Conference with student
• Observation of student
• Analysis of student performance

3. Assistive Technology Overview
• Defined by IDEA: “any service that directly assists an individual with a disability in the
selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device”
• Promotes independence
• Technology solutions
• Movement: body positioning, mobility
• Communicate: receptive, expressive
• Use Materials: utensils, drawing tools
• Can be no-tech, simple and low-tech, or complex and high-tech
• No-tech: pillow
• Low-tech: electronic voice recording device
• High-tech: augmentative communication, computer software

4. Assistive Technology Overview
Cont’d
• Assistive technology commonly used to help students in these areas:
• organization
• note taking
• writing
• academic productivity
• access to reference and general educational materials
• cognitive assistance

5. Examples of Assistive Technology
• Read and Write Gold: text-to-speech software, word prediction
• Voice Dream Reader: text voice-over, magnification, annotation, definitions,
highlighting
• Voice Recognition Software: speech-to-text software, spelling and grammar assistance
• DAISY audio players: for visually impaired students or students with print disabilities, listen
to audiobooks
• Magnification Software: magnify computer screen, invert text color, increase
mouse/cursor size
• LiveScribe SmartPen: record audio and sync notes
• Refreshable Braille Display: instant, real-time, refreshing Braille to access the information
that is presented

6. Examples of Assistive Technology
Cont’d
• Communication boards: behavior management, schedules, organization utilized on a
visual board of symbols or photos
• Environmental controls: for individuals with limited physical mobility to close doors, close
windows, answer phone, turn off lights
• Adjustable monitors and keyboards: move monitors, keyboard trays, large font
keyboards, adjustable tables and chairs
• Trackball Mouse: ergonomic purposes to avoid strain
• Augmentative and Alternative Communication: may be touch-screen, switch
access, or eye-gaze activated for computer access

7. Assistive Technology: SMART Board
• SMART board: large interactive white board placed at
front of the classroom
• Connectable to computer
• Touchscreen capabilities
• Hearing Impaired
• Speakers for videos on screen
• Teachers can wear a microphone to project lectures
• Dyslexia
• Change text color
• Interactive touchscreen phonics activities
• Spotlight feature to block certain areas on screen
• Reading Comprehension Difficulties
• Enlarge text
• Digital highlighter
• Display textbook pages

8. Assistive Technology: SMART Board
Cont’d
• Writing Comprehension Difficulties
• Can write on SMART board with finger, SMART
pen, or other soft objects to practice writing,
constructing letter forms
• Pre-lined paper templates
• ADHD
• Interactive to capture attention
• Activities and games with touchscreen
• Reveal and Spotlight features to prevent too
much information from becoming a distraction
• Autism
• Visual stimuli
• Interactive manipulatives
• Structure and routine

9. Assistive Technology: Audio Loop
• Audio Loop: personal FM units to amplify
teacher’s voice used by individuals with
hearing impairment
• Portably worn on the student with hearing
impairment and teacher
• Allows for movement of both the student and
the teacher
• Small and concealed, less distracting to other
students in classroom
• Background noise cancellation
• Focus on teacher or speaker
• No background distractions
• Student can be in general education
classroom with peers instead of a resource
classroom

10. For Further Information
• SMART Boards:
• http://smarttech.com
• https://www.blossomlearning.com/showresource.aspx?rid=56
• Audio Loops:
• http://www.hearingloop.org