Assistive TechnologiesIn

Educational Settings

Wolff ZilbermanImage retrieved from: http://bringingaba.blogspot.com/2012/02/bring-aba-into-inclusive-classrooms.html

Definitions

Assistive technology device• (A) In general.--The term `assistive technology device' means 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 a child with a disability.

• (B) Exception.--The term does not include a medical device that is surgically implanted, or the replacement of such device. ("IDEA - Building The Legacy of IDEA 2004", n.d., p. xx-xx)

• According to the United States Assistive Technology Act of 1998, assistive technology (also called adaptive technology) refers to any "product, device, or equipment, whether acquired commercially, modified or customized, that is used to maintain, increase, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities." Common computer-related assistive technology products include screen magnifiers, large-key keyboards, alternative input devices such as touch screen displays, over-sized trackball(s) and joystick(s), speech recognition programs, and text reader(s). (Rouse, 2011, p. xx-xx)

• What is Assistive Technology (A.T.) (Kino-studios.com, 2013, p. xx-xx)

Video

Video On

Assistive Technology

Assistive Technology Conference (run by students) (Surabian, 2013, p. xx-xx) • Video length 2:36:02 hours• 11:04 presents an 8th grade student

with cerebral palsy communicating using his iPad

• The event, Inclusion Requires Participation, consisted of student-run demonstrations on effective technology solutions for addressing learning, communication, and physical challenges in the classroom.

HistoryOf

Assistive Technology

History of Assistive Technology (Stevens, n.d., p. xx-xx) • Timeline• Notable events

• 7th Jul, 1991: First Smart Board. Smart Board Smart Technologies was founded in 1987 by David Martin and Nancy Knowlton as a spin-off from a company that sold 3M projectors. The first Smart Board came to market by 1991. This Canadian company has revolutionized how all children learn, but this technology is especially helpful for children with behavioural difficulties and autism spectrum disorders.

• 1st Sep, 2012: Perkins Smart Brailler introduced - digitalized Brailler. First truly digital Brailler that allows people with visual impairments to leap into the digital world. This device has USB interface and text-to-speech capability along with the typical braille interface. For the first time, a person with visual impairments does not have to learn the analog version of Braille to manipulate written documents.

HistoryOf

Assistive Technology (cont.)

Assistive technology for classroom use was practically unknown in 1975, the year of landmark legislation establishing equal educational rights for students with disabilities. Personal technology tools for education were in their infancy. In 1975, Public Law 94-142, the Education for Handicapped Children Act (now revised as the Individual with Disabilities Education Act [IDEA]), established the framework for free and appropriate public education for all children, specifically including those with disabilities. The use of technology to support persons with disabilities was barely evident in society, and assistive technology was an unfamiliar term to most educators. Fifteen years later, the federal government includes the definition of assistive technology (AT) devices and services in the 1990 IDEA, a major special education law, and in other federal laws. (Dalton, n.d., p. xx-xx)

HistoryOf

Assistive Technology (cont.)

The Federal government recognized the potential of assistive technology for students in the 1997 reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which mandates that assistive technology devices and services be considered for each child with a disability. The 1997 amendments reflect a shift in focus about the use of assistive technology. Rather than being perceived as just a rehabilitative or remedial tool, assistive technology is reflected in the student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) as a method for general curriculum access. Other federal laws support the use of assistive technology. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act require schools to provide assistive technology for students with disabilities, if it is needed to assure equal access or remove barriers to programs and services. ("What is assistive technology and how is it used in schools?", 2012, p. xx-xx)

Video On

Assistive Technology

Assistive Technology For The Blind JAWS For Windows And College (Garzya, 2010, p. xx-xx)• Video length: 8:18 minutes• This video demonstrates how JAWS allows a

blind student/individual, Anna Garzya, to succeed in the school setting and everyday life activities.

The Importance of

Providing Assistive Technologies for Students

Image retrieved from: http://atclassroom.blogspot.com/2011/01/computers-vs-ipads-in-special-education.html

The Benefits of

Providing Assistive Technologies for Students

This is a list of iPad pros, from a student’s point of view (this list may be applicable to users of other tablet computers)• Speed: I am faster. I am independent. I am the student I can be with the iPad. With the computer I

was a student. But I am not independent. I have to wait for someone to assist me. I worked three times as hard with ¼ of the result.

• Enlarging: I don’t have to worry if the photocopier is down or my aide forgot to change font size, I can enlarge text by dragging the content and scrolling.

• Less space: I can have my textbook open and my iPad to take notes. When I used the computer, I had to have my aide take my notes because I couldn’t have both in front of me.

• Independent: because of my fatigue level often I tire out moving the mouse before I am done working. Now I can finish a worksheet because I don’t have to move as much as I did.

• Dictionary at hand: All I have to do is tap on the word and my dictionary opens on the iPad. In the past, I had to highlight the word, open IE (Internet Explorer browser) and then go to dictionary.com and paste my word. Now it is one step instead of 4-5 steps.

• I can lift the iPad myself. When I use the computer I have to have someone set it up for me. My iPad can be tucked into the side of my chair and I can reach it. (Anderson, n.d., p. xx-xx)

The Benefits of

Providing Assistive Technologies for Students

The Cost and Advantages of Implementing the iPad as a Learning Tool for Speech Therapy & Special Education (Fernandes, 2012, p. xx-xx) • “The key to successfully implementing the iPad into

Speech therapy is to remember that you are the therapist, not the iPad. The possibilities are endless, and the apps designed for therapy can do almost everything for you but be the therapist. As you expect apps to become more and more sophisticated it is time to reflect on the importance of the user to take charge of being creative and guiding the learning at all times.”

Video On

Assistive Technology

EdTech 541- Adaptive/Assistive Technologies (Varela, 2012, p. xx-xx) • ESL teacher (qualified for grades 3-5) provided a visual presentation

using Popplet, a presentation software similar to Prezi.• The presentation showcased various assistive technologies with an

emphasis on literacy support.• Dragon NaturallySpeaking – A word processor controlled by voice

commands.

Citations (APA style)Anderson, G. (n.d.). Glenda's Assistive Technology Information and more...: iDevices in the Special Education Classroom . Retrieved March 19, 2014, from

http://atclassroom.blogspot.com/2011/01/computers-vs-ipads-in-special-education.html

Dalton, E. (n.d.). Issues In Teaching and Learning - Assistive Technology In Education. Retrieved March 19, 2014, from http://www.ric.edu/itl/volume_01_dalton.php

Fernandes, B. (2012, February 9). The Cost and Advantages of Implementing the iPad as a Learning Tool for Speech Therapy & Special Education . Retrieved March 19, 2014, from

http://www.scribd.com/doc/80997904/The-Cost-and-Advantages-of-Implementing-the-iPad-as-a-Learning-Tool-for-Speech-Therapy-amp-Special-Education

Garzya, A. (2010, July 17). Assistive Technology For The Blind JAWS For Windows And College [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=si1_iR5lbyg

IDEA - Building The Legacy of IDEA 2004. (n.d.). Retrieved March 19, 2014, from http://idea.ed.gov/explore/view/p/,root,statute,I,A,602,1,

Kino-studios.com (2013, July 30). What is Assistive Technology (A.T.) [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIm2MuJUCTE

Leach, D. (2012, February 15). Elementary-school-students-raising-hands-in-classroom. Retrieved from http://http://bringingaba.blogspot.com/2012/02/bring-aba-into-inclusive-

classrooms.html

Rouse, M. (2011, January). What is assistive technology (adaptive technology)? - Definition from WhatIs.com. Retrieved March 19, 2014, from

http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/assistive-technology-adaptive-technology

Stevens, L. (n.d.). History of Assistive Technology timeline | Timetoast timelines. Retrieved March 19, 2014, from http://www.timetoast.com/timelines/history-of-assistive-technology

Surabian, M. (2013, May 2). Assistive Technology Conference (run by students) [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtBxkbQ1qcY

Varela, C. (2012, December 2). EdTech 541- Adaptive/Assistive Technologies [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ErIkMaaHUUWhat is assistive technology and how is it used in schools? (2012, October 9). Retrieved March 19, 2014, from http://www.sc.edu/scatp/cdrom/atused.html