Assistive Technology Assistive technology is a valuable tool to assist students with learning disabilities in gaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities to succeed in life. It is also one of the most under-utilized tools available to educators. This is a failure on the part of educators and in many cases may be a violation of federal law.

What is an Assistive Technology Device?? The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA ’04) defines an assistive technology device as “any item, piece of equipment, or product system, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of a child and specifically excludes a medical device that is surgically implanted or the replacement of such device” (e.g., a cochlear implant).

What is an Assistive Technology Device?? OK!!!!!! Assistive technology, therefore, might be something as complex as a hand-held electronic magnifying instrument or as simple as a specialized rubber pencil grip.

Assistive Technology Service 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.”

Assistive Technology Supports & Services Evaluating the student’s need for a device Buying, leasing, or acquiring the device Selecting, fitting, adapting, repairing, or replacing the device as needed Coordinating the services for a student who uses a device (e.g., therapies, education) Providing training or technical assistance to the student, family, teachers, or others involved in the use of the device Evaluating the student’s need for a device Buying, leasing, or acquiring the device Selecting, fitting, adapting, repairing, or replacing the device as needed Coordinating the services for a student who uses a device (e.g., therapies, education) Providing training or technical assistance to the student, family, teachers, or others involved in the use of the device Assistive technology supports and services that are specified in the federal definition of assistive technology services include:

IEP Team Consideration IDEA ’04 requires IEP teams to consider whether AT devices and services are needed to accomplish the individualized goals and objectives for students with disabilities. Though teams are required to consider AT, unfortunately there is no federally designated process for them to follow.

IEP Guidelines The IEP team uses the AT guidelines established by their state or district to consider whether the student requires AT to meet these goals. The team may conclude that: The current interventions are working and nothing new is needed. The current AT devices or services are appropriate. New AT is required. More information is needed.

Is It Working for the Student As soon as the implementation of AT has begun, it is critical that information be gathered so the team can make informed decisions about what is working for the student. Some of the information that should be collected includes: Student feedback to determine whether the student likes the AT and feels that it is helpful Observations to establish whether the student uses the AT and appears engaged and interested in using the device Performance data to determine whether the AT helps the student to perform the intended task(s) As soon as the implementation of AT has begun, it is critical that information be gathered so the team can make informed decisions about what is working for the student. Some of the information that should be collected includes: Student feedback to determine whether the student likes the AT and feels that it is helpful Observations to establish whether the student uses the AT and appears engaged and interested in using the device Performance data to determine whether the AT helps the student to perform the intended task(s)

Monitoring for Success Ongoing monitoring is necessary to determine whether the assistive technology is working properly and is assisting the student. Monitoring must be performed by everyone involved in the education of the student. This includes all teachers, parents, and teaching assistants

Assistive Technology for the Hearing Impaired HEARING AID The Hearing Aid magnifies sound to allow an individual with limited hearing to hear much better.

Assistive Technology for the Seeing Impaired SCREEN MAGNIFIER The screen magnifier does exactly what its’ name says it does. It magnifies the content of the monitor to allow an individual with limited sight to view items that are much larger than on a normal screen.

Assistive Technology for the Learning Disabled This device allows students with a learning disability to understand simply command and instructions by pushing a large button. I prerecorded message is played when each button is pushed.

Assistive Technology for the Physically Disabled This wheel chair assessable desk allows a student in a wheelchair to comfortably have access to a desk.

Works Cited Attainment Company. (2013). GoTalk 20+ [Photograph]. Retrieved from Infogrip, Inc. (n.d.). Wheelchair accessible desk. [Photograph]. Retrieved from ks/wheelchair-accessible-desk.html

Works Cited Jones, K. (2013). Auditory devices used in the classroom [Photograph]. Retrieved from devices used-classroom.html The IRIS Center. (n.d.). Page 2: Assistive Technology Devices. Vanderbilt University Peabody College. Retrieved August 24, 2013, from should-ms-adelaide-know-about-assistive-technology-and-how-it- is-used-by-students-with-disabilities/at_02/ should-ms-adelaide-know-about-assistive-technology-and-how-it- is-used-by-students-with-disabilities/at_02/

Works Cited The IRIS Center. (n.d.). Page 3: Assistive Technology Services. Vanderbilt University Peabody College. Retrieved August 24, 2013, from about-assistive-technology-and-how-it-is-used-by-students-with-disabilities/at_03/ about-assistive-technology-and-how-it-is-used-by-students-with-disabilities/at_03/ The IRIS Center. (n.d.). Page 4: Considering Assistive Technology. Vanderbilt University Peabody College. Retrieved August 24, 2013, from responsibilities-regarding-assistive-technology/at_04/ responsibilities-regarding-assistive-technology/at_04/

Works Cited The IRIS Center. (n.d.). Page 6: Evaluating and Decision Making. Vanderbilt University Peabody College. Retrieved August 24, 2013, from schools-responsibilities-regarding-assistive-technology/at_06/ schools-responsibilities-regarding-assistive-technology/at_06/ The State University of New York. (2013). Low tech aids [Photograph]. Retrieved from s.php