Assistive Technology The Keys to Success
Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed. Booker T. Washington* *Taken from Famous Quotes retrieved from
Any technological aid that a student requires to: 1.Be successful on their IEP goals and objectives 2.Access their current curriculum
Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) 1995 Intended to improve the education of special education students and to move them to greater independence Provided for a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment
IDEA ’97 Amended original IDEA Requires teachers to consider assistive technology for all special education students during the IEP process
IDEA 2004 IDEA ’97 Amended Requires special education students to spend as much time as possible in the regular classroom
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Allows only the most severely disabled to be exempt from standardized testing Special education students need access to the regular curriculum if they are to be tested on it Certain types of A.T. can be used during testing if it does not change the nature of the test
Assistive technology helps to “level the playing field” for the special education student. It helps the student to overcome his/her disability so that he/she can concentrate on the content of the curriculum.
Audio recorders Hand held spellcheckers Talking spellcheckers Portable word processors Laptop and mini laptop computers Software programs with word prediction Reading pens
Software programs that scan and read any text out loud Voice recognition software Software programs addressing phonics, spelling, reading comprehension, etc. Calculators with large keys, voice output, etc. Voice to text software Personal listening systems or amplifiers
Three ways to locate assistive technology for your specific needs: Special Education Assistive Technology Website “Google” concerning your specific need and A. T. Contact GCPS Assistive Technology Department
When requesting assistive technology, write the type of technology you need. Do not write the specific device. –Example: You could write that you need a talking spellchecker, but not specifically the Franklin spellchecker. There must be goals and objectives that support the need for the device.
Request for Services : Technical support for device or software Student consultation (A.T. specialist will give an overall picture of what may be useful in supporting specific goals) Request for training on a specific device or program (Can be done as a group or individually.)
Low Tech Request: One page form Allows you to request one device for one student costing less than $150 If the student needs more than one device, an A. T. Report must be completed
A. T. Report: Six page report Allows the team of service providers to recommend any A. T. the student may need Revised this year to make it easier to use
I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free. Michaelangelo Michelangelo
We are going to take a few minutes to work with the A. T. website and answer any questions you may have concerning assistive technology.