Assistive Technology By: Sarah Chandler ED 505 By: Sarah Chandler ED 505

What is assistive technology?  “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.” (The Iris Center, n.d.)  “Assistive Technology improves the functional performance of an individual with a disability.” (The Iris Center, n.d.)  Students can use assistive technology for a variety of uses. Assistive technology can be used to perform academic or extracurricular activities, communicate and socialize with others, access different materials and information, assist with mobility, and even to ensure proper positioning and seating.  “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.” (The Iris Center, n.d.)  “Assistive Technology improves the functional performance of an individual with a disability.” (The Iris Center, n.d.)  Students can use assistive technology for a variety of uses. Assistive technology can be used to perform academic or extracurricular activities, communicate and socialize with others, access different materials and information, assist with mobility, and even to ensure proper positioning and seating.

The Law Regarding Assistive Technology  Students are guaranteed a free appropriate public education (FAPE) and school personnel has to ensure that all students have access to any assistive technology that they need to be successful.  IDEA 2004 mandates that IEP teams consider whether or not assistive technology devices or services are needed to accomplish the goals outlined in either their IEP or 504 Plan.  Currently, there is no federally designated process in place to follow when determining if a student needs access to assistive technology.  Students are guaranteed a free appropriate public education (FAPE) and school personnel has to ensure that all students have access to any assistive technology that they need to be successful.  IDEA 2004 mandates that IEP teams consider whether or not assistive technology devices or services are needed to accomplish the goals outlined in either their IEP or 504 Plan.  Currently, there is no federally designated process in place to follow when determining if a student needs access to assistive technology.

Assistive Technology for Students with Hearing Impairments  A popular assistive technology being used in classrooms for students with hearing impairments is frequency modulation(FM) systems.  Frequency modulation systems have a transmitter microphone that the speaker wears and a receiver that the student uses. The receiver can transmit the sound to the student through headphones or it can transmit the sound directly to a hearing aide if the student wears them.  Frequency modulation systems can be used in a variety of settings and work very well in classroom settings. They can even be used when the student is working with a group of peers, as the transmitter microphone can be placed in a central location within the group.  This form of assistive technology is great for school use because it can easily be transported from one location to another and is simple to use.  A popular assistive technology being used in classrooms for students with hearing impairments is frequency modulation(FM) systems.  Frequency modulation systems have a transmitter microphone that the speaker wears and a receiver that the student uses. The receiver can transmit the sound to the student through headphones or it can transmit the sound directly to a hearing aide if the student wears them.  Frequency modulation systems can be used in a variety of settings and work very well in classroom settings. They can even be used when the student is working with a group of peers, as the transmitter microphone can be placed in a central location within the group.  This form of assistive technology is great for school use because it can easily be transported from one location to another and is simple to use. Image retrieved from Google Images

Assistive Technology for Students with Vision Impairments  Screen magnifiers are used regularly in classrooms for students with vision impairments.  Screen magnifiers zoom in on the computer screen and make the content on it easier to see.  This type of assistive technology is one of the easiest to obtain because most computers now have a built in magnifier available in the control panel. It is simple to use and can be turn on and off as needed.  If a computer does not have a screen magnifier built in, there are versions that can be downloaded and used.  Screen magnifiers are used regularly in classrooms for students with vision impairments.  Screen magnifiers zoom in on the computer screen and make the content on it easier to see.  This type of assistive technology is one of the easiest to obtain because most computers now have a built in magnifier available in the control panel. It is simple to use and can be turn on and off as needed.  If a computer does not have a screen magnifier built in, there are versions that can be downloaded and used. Image retrieved from Google Images

Assistive Technology for Students with Learning Disabilities  Variable Speed Tape Recorders are used regularly in classrooms by students with learning disabilities.  Many students that have a learning disability struggle with listening and either taking notes or remembering what they hear in class. With this device, students have the ability to record and replay what was said in class.  The variable speed feature allows students to play the audio in a slower version without contorting the speaker’s voice.  Teachers can also pre-record information on tapes for the students to play back later. Since students with learning disabilities often struggle with reading, this would present the opportunity for teachers to record themselves reading a book and the student could play it and listen to it.  Variable Speed Tape Recorders are used regularly in classrooms by students with learning disabilities.  Many students that have a learning disability struggle with listening and either taking notes or remembering what they hear in class. With this device, students have the ability to record and replay what was said in class.  The variable speed feature allows students to play the audio in a slower version without contorting the speaker’s voice.  Teachers can also pre-record information on tapes for the students to play back later. Since students with learning disabilities often struggle with reading, this would present the opportunity for teachers to record themselves reading a book and the student could play it and listen to it. Image retrieved from Google Images

Assistive Technology for Students with Physical Disabilities  Augmentative communication devices can be used by students with a variety of physical disabilities.  These devices allow students who would otherwise not be able to communicate to have the ability to communicate. These devices contain a number of stored phrases and words that the student can access and put together to express themselves. Some devices contain only a few expressions and others contain hundreds of expressions.  These devices can be controlled by a touchscreen, keyboard, or even an eye gaze.  There are also apps that can be installed on phones and tablets to turn them into augmentative communication devices.  Augmentative communication devices can be used by students with a variety of physical disabilities.  These devices allow students who would otherwise not be able to communicate to have the ability to communicate. These devices contain a number of stored phrases and words that the student can access and put together to express themselves. Some devices contain only a few expressions and others contain hundreds of expressions.  These devices can be controlled by a touchscreen, keyboard, or even an eye gaze.  There are also apps that can be installed on phones and tablets to turn them into augmentative communication devices. Image retrieved from Google Images

References  American Foundation for the Blind. (2014). American Foundation for the Blind:Screen magnification Systems. Retrieved from American Foundation for the Blind:  California Ear Institute. (2014, March 12). California Ear Institute:Classroom Assistive Listening Devices. Retrieved from California Ear Institute: listening-device-classroom-bay-area.php  iCommunicate Therapy. (2014). iCommunicate Therapy:Assistive Communication Devices / AAC. Retrieved from iCommunicate Speech & Communication Therapy: speech-language/children-special-needs-learning-difficulties/assistive-communication-devices-aac/  Stanberry, K., & Raskind, M. (2010, February). Great Schools:Variable Speed Tape Recorders. Retrieved from Great Schools: tape-recorders.gs  The Iris Center. (n.d.). Assistive Technology: An Overview. Retrieved from The Iris Center: technology-and-how-it-is-used-by-students-with-disabilities/at_01/#content  American Foundation for the Blind. (2014). American Foundation for the Blind:Screen magnification Systems. Retrieved from American Foundation for the Blind:  California Ear Institute. (2014, March 12). California Ear Institute:Classroom Assistive Listening Devices. Retrieved from California Ear Institute: listening-device-classroom-bay-area.php  iCommunicate Therapy. (2014). iCommunicate Therapy:Assistive Communication Devices / AAC. Retrieved from iCommunicate Speech & Communication Therapy: speech-language/children-special-needs-learning-difficulties/assistive-communication-devices-aac/  Stanberry, K., & Raskind, M. (2010, February). Great Schools:Variable Speed Tape Recorders. Retrieved from Great Schools: tape-recorders.gs  The Iris Center. (n.d.). Assistive Technology: An Overview. Retrieved from The Iris Center: technology-and-how-it-is-used-by-students-with-disabilities/at_01/#content