IMPACTS OF THE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY ACT RACHELLE RYAN EDU620: MEETING INDIVIDUAL STUDENT NEEDS WITH TECHNOLOGY INSTRUCTOR ROBERT WILLIAMS MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2013

THE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY ACT:

The Assistive Technology Act was passed in 1998 by congress and it is also known as the Tech Act. This act provides assistive technology to students with disabilities, so they can more fully participate in education and daily activities like other members of their community. The act covers people with disabilities of all ages, all disabilities, in all environments. It has been reauthorized several times to continue to assist students with disabilities in furthering their education (NICHCY, 2013).

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY ACT ALSO: Provides funds to states to support three types of programs: 1.Assistive technology (AT) demonstration centers, information centers, equipment loan facilities, referral services, and other consumer-oriented programs. 2.Protection and advocacy services 3.Federal/state programs (FCDT, 2013)

(Edyburn, 2013, sec. 3.1).

MATCHING ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY TOOLS TO INDIVIDUAL NEEDS: (Raskind, 2010)

THREE TYPES OF ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY DEVICES:  Low-Tech Devices  Medium-Tech Devices  High-Tech Devices

LOW-TECH DEVICES: Low tech AT are devices or equipment that do not require much training, may be less expensive and do not have difficult or mechanical features (Georgia Tech, 2013).

Examples of Low-Tech Devices: Talking Calculator

MEDIUM-TECH DEVICES: AT devices or equipment that may have some complex features, may be electronic or battery operated, may require some training to learn how to use and are more expensive than the low-tech devices (Georgia Tech, 2013).

Reading and Scanning Software Examples of Medium-Tech Devices:

HIGH-TECH DEVICES: This type of assistive technology is referred to as the most difficult device or equipment, that have digital or electronic components, may be computerized, will likely require training and effort to learn how to use and cost the most (Georgia Tech, 2013).

Examples of High-Tech Devices: Writing Tool Voice RecognitionWord Prediction Software Augmentative and Alternative Communication

CURRENT STATE OF ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY: The Assistive Technology Act has been reauthorized in 1994, 1998, and The current state of this act provides “birth to death” legislation. Now all states are providing assistive technology programs through the federal funding. With the newest edition of this act, states are required to provide direct aid to individuals with disabilities to ensure they have access to the technology they need. This act has made it much easier for people with disabilities to be able to go to school, participate in daily activities, get employed and be involved in the community (Boehner, 2004).

INFLUENCES THIS ACT HAS ON STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: There are many positive influences that this act has done for students with disabilities. According to Zorigian and Job, “incorporating technology increases students’ motivation to learn and personalizes lessons to a student’s individual needs. Even the students with the most severe and profound disabilities can use assistive technology to join a classroom of typical students, and their potential can be reached in ways we didn’t have before” (2010). Another influence is how the students can have a greater control of their own lives.

(FCTD, 2013)

FOSTERING ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY: It is very important to foster assistive technology to provide full inclusion of students with disabilities in education, employment, daily activities, and in their communities. As an educator it is important to provide students with the appropriate assistive technologies that can help them learn and live as independently as possible. Being able to try and have a variety of different choices can be beneficial. Another position for myself is to make sure that I am up to date with the newest and effective assistive technology devices.

THIS ACT IMPACTS MY TEACHING AND LEARNING: I believe that fully understanding the Assistive Technology Act and learning all the assistive technology devices that are available for students with and without disabilities in the classroom is very important. This act also allows a greater chance of communication between the student and teacher. Some students have a difficult time communicating and cannot tell the teacher how to meet their basic needs, assistive technology allows them to interact and makes learning and everyday life much easier for them. Also, as a teacher I would have to know how to use any device that a child has that would require professional development. Making sure that they use it and any curriculum modifications would have to be made. This would probably would require extra time and work, but if it benefits the child and helps them succeed than it would be worth it.

REFERENCES: Boehner, J. (2004, October 07). Assistive technology act of Retrieved from archive/issues/108th/education/at/billsummary.htmhttp://archives.republicans.edlabor.house.gov/ Edyburn, D. L. (2013). Inclusive technologies: Tools for helping diverse learners achieve academic success. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc. Family Center on Technology and Disability (FCTD). (2013). Assistive technology works! Retrieved from Georgia Tech. (2013). What is assistive technology. Tools for life, Retrieved from Google Images Job, J., & Zorigian, K. (2010). How do special education students benefit from technology? Retrieved from National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY). (2013, April). Assistive technology act. Retrieved from nichcy.org/laws/ata Raskind, M. (2010). Matching assistive technology tools to individual needs. Retrieved from education/legal-rights/968-matching-assistive-technology- tools-to-individual-needs.gs?page=allhttp://