1. ASSISTIVE
TECHNOLOGY
Ways to enhance students
educational experiences
Leanne M. Sylvia

2. STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
As teachers, we continually strive to be the best educators we can be in our classroom.
Students with disabilities may need additional support in order to achieve their
academic potential.
Type of Disabilities include:
 Learning
 Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
 Emotional disorders
 Cognitive challenges
 Autism
 Hearing/Visual impairments
 Speech or language impairments
 Developmental delays
Each of these varying disabilities may require individualized learning plans to
accommodate each student.

3. STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
According to the National Center for Technology Innovation and Center for
Implementing Technology in Education (2006), six steps have been identified to
finding solutions for students who need assistive technology (AT).
Steps for Solutions to Assistive Technology
1.
Collect child and family information to determine child’s strengths
2.
Identify activities for participation that work best within child's
environment
3.
Observe the child’s interactions and behaviors to determine if the
intervention is successful. What makes it successful? What does not?
4.
Brainstorm AT solutions. Discuss with family members the needs of the
child
5.
Take action. Determine when the AT intervention will begin
6.
Identify what worked and what did not. Recognize the changes that
should be made and select new AT’s if necessary

4. STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Parents and Educators alike can help students with disabilities achieve
excellence in the classroom through assistive technology
Assistive Technology
Assistive technology is a term that is used to describe assistive, adaptive, and
rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities.
Assistive Technology Can:
 minimize the extent to which individuals with learning disabilities (LD) need
to ask for help (enabling them to be more independent learners)
 improve the speed and accuracy of work
 reinforce effective classroom instruction and strengthen skill development
 help students to 'fit in' with classroom learning and routines
 motivate students with LD to set high goals for themselves and to
persevere

5. STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Over the last decade, a number of
research studies have demonstrated
the efficacy of assistive technology
for individuals with learning
disabilities. Assistive technology
tools can help student who struggle
in the following areas:
 Listening
 Math
 Organization and Memory
 Reading
 Writing

6. STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
There are a wealth of assistive technology tools that can be incorporated
into the classroom to create solutions for students.
Assistive Technology Tools:
• Abbreviation expanders
• Alternative keyboards
• Audio books and publications
• Electronic math worksheets
• Free-form database software
• Graphic organizers and outlining
• Information/data managers
• Optical character recognition
• Personal FM listening systems
• Portable word processors
• Proofreading programs
• Speech recognition programs
• Speech synthesizers/Screen readers
• Talking calculators
• Talking spell-checkers and electronic
dictionaries
• Variable speed tape recorders
• Word prediction programs

7. STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
According to PubMed Health (2013) Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a
problem of not being able to focus, being overactive, not being able control behavior, or a
combination of these.
Assistive Technology Solutions for ADHD
Technology enhanced
 Text to speech programs: Great for students who are audible learners or struggle with reading
 iPads: A very mobile tool that allows a student to access many different apps that can support the student
in whatever content or skill where support is needed. It’s also a great tool for teachers
 Electronic timers/clocks: Help keep a student remain engage in learning and teaches them how long they
need to focus on a lesson.
Non-technologically enhanced
 Stress balls: For students who needs something tangible to keep them focused lessons
 Highlighters: For students who have slow writing skills, this helps them stay with the pace of the class by
outlining important ideas (with copied teachers notes)
 Use of color: Color coding creates a positive effect on a students environment. Making use of colored
folders, index tabs, or post it notes help a s/he stay organized and focused

8. STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Auditory Disabilities can range from students who have very little to no functional
hearing, mild hearing loss, or difficulty processing verbal information.
Assistive Technology Solutions for Auditory Disabilities
Technology enhanced
 FM systems: These are radio stations that operate on special frequencies through a
receiver. The receiver transmits the sound to your ears by the use of a microphone.
 Live speech captioning: a stenographer or teachers aid would type the spoken
language. As the teach talks the text is displayed on a computer monitor.
 Dragon Speech recognition software might also be a cheaper solution when
resources are limited.
Non-technologically enhanced
 Placement: Placing the student closest to the lecturer allows for more effective
communication and comprehension.
 Instruction: When speaking, make sure the student can see your face, lips and avoid
unnecessary pacing and moving.

9. STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Students with mild disabilities may have a combination of learning disabilities,
communication disorders, or emotional or behavioral disorders.
Assistive Technology Solutions for Mild Disabilities
Technology enhanced
 Multimedia-based tools: Use of graphics, pictures, audio, and video in reference-based
software is especially effective in meeting student learning needs
 Computers: The assistive technology that computers can provide is limitless. Access
to word processing software allow students to engage in their ideas without the fuss
of pencil and paper
 Productivity tools: Calculators, PDA’s, spreadsheets and database software can help
students who struggle with math calculations
Non-technologically enhanced
 Note taking: A simple approach is for the teacher to provide copies of structured
outlines for students to use in filling in information.

10. STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Additional Resources and Solutions
MEMORY
iPing http://www.iping.com

A service that sends reminders via email, pager, phone, or fax)
READING
ReadPlease http://www.readplease.com

Free software; teach students to copy and paste text so they can listen
Key to Access http://www.premier-programming.com

Accessibility software on a pocket-size USB drive goes everywhere
WRITING
Assignment Calculator http://www.lib.umn.edu/help/calculator/

An innovative tool to break a large project into manageable daily tasks)
So You Have to... http://www.ri.net/schools/East_Greenwich/research.html

A teacher created web site with step by step guidance and resources)
MATH
WebMath http://www.webmath.com

Free calculating tool that supports math from grade to graduate school
Interactive Math http://matti.usu.edu/nlvm/nav/vlibrary.html

Free online virtual math manipulates, makes the abstract concrete