ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY Mitchell Johnston

Many students within our classrooms have difficulties with reading, writing, and /or math. While other students have problems with their vision, hearing, or communicating. Some of our students may also have physical, mobility, and motor problems. Assistive technology helps these students use the strengths that they posses to level the playing field so that they can be as successful as the other students without disabilities in our classroom. Assistive technology includes both "devices" and "services." Some types of AT are high tech while others can be low tech. High tech refers to equipment such as computer software while low tech can be as simple as a pencil grip. Assistive technology can also be equipment that the student needs to get around such as a wheelchair or braces. Lastly, AT could also be hardware or software that the student needs.

Assistive Technology Law There are many laws that center around Assistive Technology. These laws are set in place so that our students will be given every opportunity to be successful within the classroom. Some of the laws that our school systems must follow in order for to ensure our students success are listed below. IDEA 2004 requires IEP teams to consider the assistive technology needs of all children with disabilities. (20 U.S.C. 1414(d)(3)(B)(v)) The law requires schools to use assistive technology devices and services "to maximize accessibility for children with disabilities." (20 U.S.C. 1400(c)(5)(H) If the IEP team determines that your child needs assistive technology devices and services, the school district is responsible for providing these and cannot use lack of availability or cost as an excuse IDEA 2004 also requires schools to provide assistive technology training for the teachers, child, and family. (20 U.S.C. 1400(2)(E) & (F))

Assistive Technology for a Seeing Impaired Student One type of assistive technology that can assist students that are visually impaired are optical character recognition systems. Optical Character recognition systems scan printed material and then speak the text to the student.

Assistive Technology for a Learning Disabled Student A talking calculator can assist a learning disabled student. A talking calculator has a built-in speech synthesizer that reads aloud each number, symbol, or operation key a user presses. A talking calculator can also vocalize the answer to a problem. This auditory feedback may help a student check the accuracy of the keys he presses and verify the answer before he transfers it to paper.

Assistive Technology for a Physically Disabled Student A wheelchair or scooter can be a required assistive technology for a student with a physical disability. Wheelchairs or power scooters may provide these students with more independence. A scooter can add a great deal of independence for a student with limited mobility.

REFERENCES Author Unknown. (2015). Assistive Technology. Retrieved from disabilities/strategies-for-learning-disabilities/assistive-technology/- disabilities/strategies-for-learning-disabilities/assistive-technology/- GreatSchools Staff.(2015). Assistive Technology for Kids with LD:An Overview. Retrieved from Minnesota Department of Children, Families, and Learning. (2001). Assistive technology checklist process. Retrieved November 20, 2002, from