This document discusses assistive technology and its uses for students with special needs. It defines special needs as a broad term that can include various disabilities and conditions. Assistive technology promotes independence by enabling tasks that were difficult or impossible. There are three main types of assistive technology: high-tech uses computers and software; low-tech is electronic but without advanced components; and no-tech uses non-electronic devices. Examples of assistive technology include using webcams for remote learning, text-to-speech software, and study carrels. For students with mild disabilities, word processing and writing support tools can help with motivation, mechanics, and recalling words. The document also discusses inclusion in classrooms and communities,

1. Abram Scott Using Assistive Technology to Work with Student who have Special Needs

2. What Does Special Needs Mean?? “Special Needs" is an umbrella underneath which a staggering array of diagnoses can be wedged. Children with special needs may have mild learning disabilities or profound mental retardation; food allergies or terminal illness; developmental delays that catch up quickly or remain entrenched; occasional panic attacks or serious psychiatric problems. The designation is useful for getting needed services, setting appropriate goals, and gaining understanding for a child and stressed family.

3. What is Assistive Technology AT promotes greater independence by enabling people to perform tasks that they were formerly unable to accomplish, or had great difficulty accomplishing, by providing enhancements to or changed methods of interacting with the technology needed to accomplish such tasks.

4. Three Different Types of Assistive Technology includes: High Technology Low Technology No Technology

5. High-Tech High-technology devices utilize complex, multifunction technology and usually include a computer and associated software Examples: Sending web-cam photography across the Internet to allow students to see and hear what is happening in class (for students who are unable to attend class). Translating print-based notes to voice by using optical character recognition (OCR) software with a voice synthesizer.

6. Low-Tech Low-technology devices are electronic but do not include highly sophisticated computer components, such as an electronic voice-recording device or a talking watch Examples: Videotaping class sessions for visual learners or those who are unable to attend class for extended periods of time. Sending class notes or presentations to students via e-mail.

7. No-Tech No-technology refers to any assistive device that is not electronic. Examples: No-tech items range from a piece of foam glued onto the corners of book pages to make turning easier to a study carrel to reduce distraction.

8. Others Students with Mild Disabilities can be helped by: Word processing may be the most important application of assistive technology for students with mild disabilities Examples: Motivation- what they are interested in writing. is often increased through the desktop publishing and multimedia capabilities of computers. A variety of fonts and styles allow students to customize their writing and highlight important features

9. Mechanics: spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. Grammar and spell-checkers, dictionaries, and thesaurus programs assist in the mechanics of writing. Word prediction software helps students recall or spell words

10. Inclusion Inclusion is part of a much larger picture then just placement in the regular class within school. It is being included in life and participating using one's abilities in day to day activities as a member of the community.

11. Least Restrictive Environment Least restrictive environment means that a student who has a disability should have the opportunity to be educated with non-disabled peers, to the greatest extent appropriate.

12. Works cited http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assistive_technology http://www.edutopia.org/assistivetechnology http://specialchildren.about.com/od/gettingadiagnosis/p/whatare.htm http://www.ericdigests.org/2003-1/assistive.htm http://www.kidstogether.org/inclusion.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Least_Restrictive_Environment