How assistive technology is used in classrooms today.

1. Assistive
Technology
Assistive technology is a term used to describe any
device or service that increases, maintains, or improves
the functional performance of an individual with a
disability.
Morganne Haughton
January 2015

2. What is Assistive Technology?
Students come in all different shapes, sizes, and types. Teaching can be
personalized to fit the many different learning needs of students in the
classroom. Children with more severe disabilities can benefit from
technology or machines designed to help them learn. Assistive technology
(AT) is available to help individuals with many types of disabilities from
cognitive problems to physical impairment. When AT is appropriately
integrated into the general education classroom, students are equipped
with multiple means to complete their work and meet their educational
goals.

3. Assistive Technology Devices
The following is a list of technology devices used in the classroom:
 Electronic worksheets- Students struggling with properly lining up words and
equations using standard pencils and paper sometimes use electronic worksheets when
completing assignments.
 Word prediction software- Those grappling with reading and spelling, such as the
dyslexic, or difficulties writing and typing use these fantastic technologies to help
complete assignments to their satisfaction.
 Alternative keyboards- These programmable keyboards have special overlays that
customize the appearance and function of a standard keyboard. Students who have LD
or have trouble typing may benefit from customization that reduces input choices, groups
keys by color/location, and adds graphics to aid comprehension.
 Speech recognition- These technologies convert talking into typing, making them
ideal for the learning disabled struggling with movement or visual conditions rendering it
very tough to click at the keyboard.
 Audiobooks- Recorded books allow users to listen to text and are available in a variety
of formats, such as audiocassettes, CDs, and MP3 downloads.

4. Assistive technology devices
 Augmentative/Alternative Communication- Supports that
allow a child who cannot speak, or whose speech is not understood
by others, to communicate. This includes picture boards, voice
output communication devices, communication software and
computers.
 Mobility-Equipment that allows a student with a physical or visual
disability to move independently and safely through the community.
This includes wheelchairs, walkers, and adapted bicycles.
 Positioning-Any support that helps a student with a physical
disability remain in a good position for learning without becoming
tired. This includes adjustable chairs, tables, standers, wedges and
straps.
 Visual Aids- Supports that give a student with visual difficulties
access to information. This includes large-print books, books on
tape, magnifiers, talking computer software, and Braillers.

5. Assistive Technology Service
Assistive technology service means any service that directly assists a child with a
disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device. The
term includes--
 (a) The evaluation of the needs of a child with a disability, including a functional
evaluation of the child in the child's customary environment;
 (b) Purchasing, leasing, or otherwise providing for the acquisition of assistive
technology devices by children with disabilities;
 (c) Selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying, maintaining,
repairing, or replacing assistive technology devices;
 (d) Coordinating and using other therapies, interventions, or services with assistive
technology devices, such as those associated with existing education and
rehabilitation plans and programs;
 (e) Training or technical assistance for a child with a disability or, if appropriate,
that child's family; and
 (f) Training or technical assistance for professionals (including individuals
providing education or rehabilitation services), employers, or other individuals who
provide services to, employ, or are otherwise substantially involved in the major life
functions of that child.

6. What the law says about Assistive Technology
There is a wide range of assistive technology (AT) services and devices to which a child
may be entitled. It is important for families to understand how Federal laws affect their
child’s right to AT.
Laws that impact the provision of assistive technology:
*Americans with Disabilities Act ( ADA ) -The ADA prohibits discrimination on
the basis of disability in employment, state and local government, public
accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation, and telecommunications.
*Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)-The Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was initially passed in 1975 as P.L. 94-142. That law,
known as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, or the EHA, guaranteed
that eligible children and youth with disabilities would have a free and appropriate
public education (FAPE) available to them, designed to meet their unique educational
needs.
*Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act -Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act
requires that all electronic and information technologies developed and used by any
Federal government agency must be accessible to people with disabilities.
*Assistive Technology Act of 1998 - protection and advocacy services to help
people with disabilities and their families, as they attempt to access the services for
which they are eligible.
*Click the links for more information on each law

7. Assistive Technology for hearing impaired students
Aids students who are deaf or hard-of-hearing.
Access:
Teachers need to ensure that students with HI are placed towards the
front of the classroom, and that they speak slowly and clearly.
Assistive Technology:
Assistive Listening Devices
Description:
Most Assistive Listening Device systems (ALDs) use a microphone
transmitter positioned close to the instructor’s mouth to send the
instructor’s voice through the air or by cable to the receiver worn by the
student. By placing the microphone close to the instructor’s mouth, ALDs
can provide clear sound over distances, eliminate echoes, and reduce
surrounding noises. Assistive Listening Devices have proven to be an
effective teaching tool for students with hearing loss. Providing a good
listening environment can have a major impact on an individual’s
academic performance.

8. Assistive Technology for hearing impaired students
Assistive Technology:
Assistive Listening Devices
Strategies for using ALDs:
 Become knowledgeable about the ALD system. Request in-service
training from an audiologist and/or manufacturer of the system.
Involve the ALD user in the training.
 Discuss with the student the situations where the ALD will be used.
 Position the ALD’s microphone in locations that will provide the
clearest speech reception. The microphone should not be near a
noise source, e.g. overhead projector. The lapel microphone should
be between three to five inches from the mouth or sound source.
Make sure that the voice intensity or sound source is not too loud.
Loud speech signals can distort or over-amplify the ALD user.

9. Assistive technology for hearing impaired students
 Assistive Technology: Assistive Listening Device

10. Assistive technology for visually impaired students
Aids students who are blind or have low vision.
Access:
Students with visual impairments need hands-on experiences. We know that
everyone learns best by active involvement with ideas, and the same is true for
students with visual impairments. Give students as many opportunities as
possible to participate in a hands-on activity through which they can truly
learn the day’s lesson.
Assistive Technology:
Screen Readers
Description:
A Screen Reader, commonly used name for Voice Output Technology, is used
by individuals who experience difficulty reading the standard text displayed
on screen, for example, individuals who are visually impaired or blind. Screen
readers produce synthesized speech output for text displayed on the computer
screen, as well as for keystrokes entered on the keyboard. Screen readers
require the use of keyboard shortcuts, most of which the user has to
memorize.

11. Assistive technology for visually impaired students
Assistive technology:
Screen Readers
Strategies for using screen readers:
 Keep the screen uncluttered. People with low vision impairments may have trouble reading what is on
the web page if it is cluttered, while a blind person using screen reading software may have trouble
because the information on the page could get jumbled if it is not presented in an orderly fashion,
because typically screen readers read the page from left to right.
 Avoid placing multiple hyperlinks on any one line. It is easier for the user to find the links if each one
is on a line of its own. It also makes it easier to click on the right link.
 Avoid having a tiled background. People with low vision may have difficulty reading information on
sites with a tiled background or a background image because the text may become obscured.
 Avoid backgrounds that are dark or light in color. People with low vision or color blindness may have
difficulty reading text if the background and text colors do not contrast well.
 Space out items on the page. Providing space around items will make the site neater and cleaner. This
may help avoid any confusion for the visually impaired user.
 Provide an alternative page that is text-only. Text only v ore accessible to all visitors.
 Include descriptions of graphics and images. If the graphics are critical to the content of the page it is
good to provide a caption for the graphic for those people using screen reading software.

12. Assistive technology for visually impaired students
Assistive technology: Screen Readers

13. Assistive technology for students with
learning disabilities
What is assistive technology for LD?
AT for kids with LD is defined as any device, piece of equipment or
system that helps bypass, work around or compensate for an
individual's specific learning deficits.
Assistive technology:
Paper-based computer pen
Description:
This technology records and links audio to what a person writes
using the pen and special paper. It enables the user to take notes
while simultaneously recording someone( e.g., a teacher) speaking.
The user can later listen to any section of his notes by touching the
pen to his corresponding handwriting or diagrams.

14. Assistive technology for students with
learning disabilities
Assistive technology:
Paper-based computer pen
What type of learning disabilities do these tool
address?
 This type of tool may benefit people who struggle
with: writing, listening, memory and reading.

15. Assistive technology for students with
learning disabilities
Assistive technology:
Paper-based computer pen

16. Assistive technology for students with
physical disabilities
Aids students who have difficulties in accessing communication,
learning tools, or engaging in classroom or home activities.
Assistive technology:
Alternative Keyboard
Description:
Alternative keyboards meet specific needs of individual children. An
adjustable keyboard has three sections that can be positioned close
together or further apart, rotated, and tilted to many angles. A
miniature keyboard has keys spaced close together to allow children
with limited range of motion access all keys. Programmable
keyboards, additionally, can be programmed so that letters, numbers,
words, or phrases can be entered by pressing custom keys.

17. Assistive technology for students with
physical disabilities
Assistive technology:
Alternative keyboard

18. "The [person] who can make hard things
easy is the educator."
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

19. References
Archived: IDEA '97. (n.d.). Retrieved January 1, 2015, from
http://www2.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/Policy/IDEA/index.html
Assistive Technology Devices . Learning Disabilities . Education | PBS Parents. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/learning-disabilities/strategies-for-learning-
disabilities/assistive-technology-devices/
Belson, S. (n.d.). Assistive Technology For Students With Hearing Impairments - The Special Ed
Wiki. Retrieved January 24, 2015, from http://sped.wikidot.com/assistive-technology-
for-students-with-hearing-impairments
Education World. (2015, January 24). Education World: Assistive Technology for Challenged Kids.
Retrieved from http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech086.shtml
FCTD | Assistive Technology Laws. (2015). Retrieved from
http://www.fctd.info/resources/techlaws.php
Microsoft Office. (n.d.). Types of Assistive Technology Products. Retrieved January 24, 2015, from
http://www.microsoft.com/enable/at/types.aspx

20. Nielson, L. (2011, September 5). Lisa Nielsen: The Innovative Educator: 25 Incredible Assistive
Technologies. Retrieved from
http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com/2011/09/25- incredible-assistive-
technologies.html
Northern Essex Community College. (n.d.). Assistive Listening Devices. Retrieved from
http://www.necc.mass.edu/academics/support-services/learning-
accommodations/deaf-and-hard-of-hearing-services/student-
resources/accommodations-tipsheets/assistive-listening-devices/
Raskind, M., & Stanberry, K. (2010, February). Assistive technology for kids with learning
disabilities: An overview. Retrieved from http://www.greatschools.org/special-
education/assistive-technology/702-assistive-technology-for-kids-with-
learning-disabilities-an-overview.gs?page=all
Section 508 Home | Section508.gov. (n.d.). Retrieved January 24, 2015, from
http://www.section508.gov/?FuseAction=Content&ID=12
References

21. References
SNOW. (2013). Screen Readers and Talking Browsers | SNOW. Retrieved from
http://www.snow.idrc.ocad.ca/content/screen-readers-and-talking-browsers
St.Johns Medical Center. (n.d.). Hearing Loss in the Classroom. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBrnvGKLF_Q
Terreno, S. (2012, July 12). Assistive Technology for Children with Physical Disabilities:
Keyboard & Mouse. Retrieved from www.brighthubeducation.com/special-ed-inclusion-
strategies/47379-mouse-and-keyboard-assisstive-technology-options/
University of Illinois. (1999). Visual disabilities. Retrieved January 24, 2015, from
http://education.illinois.edu/wp/original/access/visual.html