Assistive Technology in LPS Presenter: Rachel Kuberry LPS AT Specialist

Agenda Topic Time What is AT? The low to high tech continuum 15 minutes AT in our district/special education programs AT Assessment Process What AT is NOT… and other instructional technology Apps and iPads Q&A

What is AT? 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 the functional capabilities of a child with a disability. IDEA section 300.5

What about AT services? Assistive technology service means any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device. The term includes-- (a) The evaluation of the needs of a child with a disability… (b) Purchasing, leasing, or otherwise providing AT… (c) Selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting, applying, maintaining, repairing, or replacing AT… (d) Coordinating and using other therapies, interventions, or services with AT… (e) Training or technical assistance for a child with a disability and their family… (f) Training or technical assistance for professionals, employers, or other individuals who provide services to that child… summarized from IDEA section 300.6

Low-tech to High-tech Continuum Check out the AT Pocket Mod Image from www.pocketmod.com Create your own here: www.pocketmod.com

Low-tech to High-tech Continuum LPS specific AT Continuums: Look at AT Continuums specific to LPS here: lps.lexingtonma.org/Page/2062

Low-tech to High-tech Continuum The simplest assistive technology alternative that successfully assists the student should always be selected Many low, mid, and high-tech tools are already available within the district and students can use these tools right away More information can be found within the Assessing Students Needs for Assistive Technology (ASNAT) resource manual by the Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative (WATI) which can be downloaded here: www.tinyurl.com/WATIguide

Low-tech tools available in all schools via the LoTTIE kits: AT in our district Low-tech tools available in all schools via the LoTTIE kits: Image from: http://www.dati.org Learn more about our LoTTIE kits here: lps.lexingtonma.org/Page/2058

Mid-tech tools available in all schools include: AT in our district Mid-tech tools available in all schools include: A variety of portable word processors Computer word processing and spell checker Digital graphic organizing software (Inspiration and Kidspiration) Digital text projects within our libraries Text to speech tools

High-tech tools available in some schools include: AT in our district High-tech tools available in some schools include: Generic Name Specific Name Speech to text software Dragon Scan and read text to speech software Kurzweil Word prediction software Co:Writer Mulitmedia, customizable word processor Clicker 6 Onscreen keyboard Keystrokes List is not exhaustive

AT in our district – How do we decide? We use the SETT Framework to decide what AT should support the district, special education programs in our district, and individual students Student Environment Tasks Tools More information on SETT can be found here: www.joyzabala.com

Let’s talk about AT Assessments: AT assessments are assessments that make recommendations for a specific problem AT assessment should begin with a specific reason for referral and referral question AT assessments are NOT standardized assessments and do NOT measure academic skills AT assessments are completed within the standard 30 day testing period, but may include recommendations for extended trials after the testing period AT assessments should include involvement of all Team members, including the student and parents

AT Assessments include: Background information: special education testing general education testing previous and current AT/IT classroom/environment special education services tasks including IEP goals/objectives Interviews: Parent Teachers/therapists Student

AT Assessments include: Observations: classroom observation work sample review assistive technology trials additional applicable measures (ex. Written Productivity Profile) Discussion/Summary Recommendations

Programmatic AT Assessments: Focus on a group of student or special education program Use the same process as the process for individual assessments Recommended AT is placed within the classroom/program for use by all students within the classroom/program

What AT is NOT… Instructional Technology Instructional technology is the incorporation of technology- based devices and strategies, in support of curriculum and instruction, in order to improve student learning.  The integration of Instructional technology allows teachers to provide: rich content resources student exploration opportunities tools to help students organize their thinking and analyze information multiple formats for students' demonstration of understanding

Instructional Technology Our district is currently supported by a team of Instructional Technology Specialists These specialists work with all teachers, including special educators, to facilitate the use of instructional technology Examples of instructional technology in our district include: iPads in lower elementary classrooms iPad pilot at Lexington High School FASTT Math Type to Learn Teacher websites “Clicker” technology

Collaboration between AT and IT Special education technology committee meets biweekly. This committee includes special education faculty and technology faculty. Assistive technology specialist attends weekly instructional technology meeting. Technology and special education faculty collaborate to plan (and sometimes teach) district-wide professional development. Educational technology department makes decisions regarding instructional technology, but seeks collaboration from the special education department when applicable.

Apps and iPads Start by asking… is it about the app or the iPad or both? The process for organizations to buy apps is different than it is for individuals… Let’s talk about it! Image from: http://mashable.com Check out our website on iPads lps.lexingtonma.org/page/2163 for resources including sites to use to find apps

Additional Resources: Website with all materials from this presentation: lps.lexingtonma.org/Page/3049 Massachusetts’ newly updated AT guide called Access to Learning: www.doe.mass.edu/odl/assistive/ Pocket Mod: www.pocketmod.com AT Continuums by WATI: www.tinyurl.com/WATIguide AT Continuums by Lexington: lps.lexingtonma.org/Page/2062 LoTTIE Kit information: lps.lexingtonma.org/Page/2058 SETT Framework: www.joyzabala.com