ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY IS ANY DEVICE OR SERVICE THAT HELPS A STUDENT WITH A DISABILITY TO MEET HIS OR HER INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAM (IEP) GOALS AND TO PARTICIPATE IN THE GENERAL EDUCATION SETTING TO THE GREATEST POSSIBLE EXTENT

MORE SIMPLY, AT IMPROVES THE FUNCTIONAL PERFORMANCE OF AN INDIVIDUAL WITH A DISABILITY. STUDENTS CAN UTILIZE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY TO: COMMUNICATE PERFORM ACADEMIC TASKS PARTICIPATE IN SOCIAL AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES MOVE OR TRAVEL AROUND THE SCHOOL USE PROPER SEATING AND POSITIONING ACCESS MATERIALS Did You Know? Not all AT devices have to be purchased from specialty AT catalogs. Many can be purchased from local stores, purchased and modified, or easily made from common items (e.g., a three-ring binder can be turned sideways and used as a slant board).

Assistive Technology Services Can You Find Any?

AT Whether a student is able to succeed using assistive technology depends not only on the student’s having access to a device but also on having access to the necessary supports or services. These supports or services are referred to as AT services. IDEA ’04 defines an assistive technology service as “any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device.”

MR. MCINTOSH, THE SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER, AND TERRY MEET TO DISCUSS GRADE ISSUES. TERRY HAS DIFFICULTY WITH READING AND WRITING DUE TO HIS LEARNING DISABILITY. TERRY TELLS MR. MCINTOSH ABOUT SOME OF THE AT DEVICES HE CURRENTLY USES AND HOW THEY HELP HIM. TERRY MAKES USE OF: A PORTABLE DAISY READER TO READ HIS TEXTBOOKS AND OTHER READINGS INDEPENDENTLY A HANDHELD RECORDER TO DICTATE HIS ANSWERS RATHER THAN WRITING THEM OUT PAPER-BASED ORGANIZERS TO TAKE AND ORGANIZE NOTES AND SCHEDULE A PORTABLE KEYBOARD TO TYPE HIS ASSIGNMENTS Terry's AT Devices

A portable DAISY reader Terry's AT Devices: Seeing impaired

A portable DAISY reader Terry's AT Devices: Seeing impaired Personal data managers are software packages for computer or electronic hand-held device to help with memory and organization. They provide a way to store and retrieve large amounts of personal information easily. You can keep phone numbers, addresses, important dates, appointments, assignments, and reminders in a personal data manager. You enter information using a keyboard or stylus and retrieve it the same way. The information is then displayed on a computer monitor or small liquid crystal display (LCD).

A handheld recorder Terry's AT Devices: Hearing impaired

A handheld recorder Terry's AT Devices: Hearing impaired Digital Voice Recorders and Memo Recorders Digital Voice Recorders and Memo Recorders allow for voice recording and playback as well as transcribing features with some voice recognition programs. Date and time stamps and alarms and playback speed are feature to consider. Recording times. Consider Voice It Voice recording organizers ranging from simple recording devices to complex ones with alarms. Voice Diary Various models are also available from Sony, Olympus, and other manufacturers. Stationary/office supply retailers carry a variety of digital recorders.

Sticky notes and index cards (Paper-based organizers) Terry's AT Devices: Learning disabled

Paper-Based Organizers Terry's AT Devices: Learning disabled Paper-based organizers, such as "Day Runner" and "Day Planner," can be found in local stationery stores. Notebook style homework planners and schedulers designed for middle and high school kids. If used correctly, a planner becomes a one- stop record of all assignments you need to work on outside the classroom. Planners are compact, easy to carry, and simple to use and come in different sizes. Space is provided to write down the subject, description of the assignment, and the due date. Additional spaces allow for other information. Daily and monthly planners are sold in stationery and office supply stores. Some organizers are designed specifically for student use and are available online.

A portable keyboard Terry's AT Devices: Physically disabled

A portable keyboard Terry's AT Devices: Physically disabled A portable word processor (Keyboard) is lightweight device that is easy to transport. It can be helpful to kids who may have trouble writing by hand and prefer to use a keyboard. Word processing allows the user to edit and correct his written work more efficiently than doing so by hand.