ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY PRESENTATION EMILY PATE UNIVERSITY OF WEST ALABAMA SPRING 2 TERM 2014

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY: WHAT IS IT? Assistive technology is defined as any device, service, or technology that aides those with physical or learning disabilities (Roblyer, 2013). These types of assistance allow the disabled to move through life with more independence when completing tasks, especially in the classroom. Each state and territory in the United States has a grant from the U.S. Department of Education for the procurement and service of assistive technologies for disabled students (Assistive Technology Act, 2013). Assistive Technology In the Classroom: Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) need to include what assistive technology is required for the student and how that technology is to be used in the classroom. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is the concept that interventions need to be made for diverse learners which would include all students, not just those with disabilities (Roblyer, 2013).

THE LAW REGARDING ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY Originally called the Technology-Related Assistance Act, the Assistive Technology Act was passed in1998. From that time forward, The United States was required to award grants to each state that allowed them to acquire and maintain assistive technology for their citizens with disabilities. This Act extends into the classroom with provisions in the law for education. There have been multiple amendments and required reauthorizations of this act. The most recent took place in Additional laws that deal with assistive technology include the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), The Hearing Aid Compatibility Act of 1988, Telecommunications Act of 1996, and the Federal Government Procurement of Accessible Information Technology (Assistive Technology Laws, 2014).

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED The FM System is a type of assistive technology used by the hearing impaired. In the classroom teachers wear a microphone that is connected to the student’s hearing aid via FM transmission. No matter where the teacher moves around the room, the student is able to hear the teacher at a constant level. Various types of hearing aides employ the FM System so the student has flexibility in choosing what type of aid works best without sacrificing the use of the FM system ( Guidelines, 2002 ). Photo from

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) is a type of assistive technology that can be used to help the visually impaired. The CCTV device couples a magnifier with a camera that is then projected onto a television screen. This allows the user to magnify documents, images, and other printed material. This type of technology allows those with low vision to complete reading assignments and activities (Assistive technology for students, 1999). Photo from

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR THOSE WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES The technology behind eText allows people with learning disabilities such as dyslexia to read with modifications to the text. eText is electronic text of a book or textbook that has capabilities such as text to speech and text/background color variation. Many students that suffer from a learning disability can gain confidence and efficiency in their reading skills by using eText. Many of the eText resources that are available are free of charge so all students have the ability to read using certain modifications (eText, 2014). Photo from

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR THOSE WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES Touch screens allow some physically disabled students the chance to use technologies that would otherwise be impossible to use. Students with physical disabilities such as reduced hand or upper body function or quadriplegic paralysis can use touch screens on the computer instead of a keyboard and mouse combination. By removing obstacles for students with physical disabilities, they are able to use the same technology as their classmates with very little modification. Full video demonstrating the touch screen can be seen at (Products overview, 2014). Photo and video from

THE FUTURE: ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY IN ALABAMA Early in March of this year, the Alabama Senate passed the Alabama Ahead Act. This new legislation allows the state to move from traditional hard copy textbooks to electronic versions on devices such as tablets with touchscreen capabilities. This will allow many students that have physical and learning disabilities to now possess educational tools that were once only available through accommodations and an Individualized Education Plan. This across-the-board move to electronic textbooks will also eliminate much of the social stigma many disabled students faced when using their modified educational material in class. More information on this legislation can be found at

ADDITIONAL ONLINE RESOURCES ABOUT ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY Assistive Technology Products and Information: Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs Education Accommodations: Hearing Impaired Resources: technologyhttp:// technology Vision Impaired and Learning Disabilities (i.e. Dyslexia): and

REFERENCE PAGE Assistive technology act. (2013, April). In National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities. Retrieved March 26, 2014, from Assistive technology for students with low vision closed circuit television (CCTV). (1999, May 18). In Visually Impaired Resource Guide. Retrieved March 26, 2014, from Assistive technology laws. (2014). In Family Center on Technology and Disability. Retrieved March 29, 2014, from eText and students with disabilities. (2014). In NCSeT. Retrieved March 28, 2014, from students-with-disabilities students-with-disabilities Guidelines for fitting and monitoring FM systems. (2002). In American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Retrieved March 27, 2014, from Products overview. (2014). In KEYTEC, INC. Retrieved March 27, 2014, from Roblyer, M.D., & Doering, A.H. (2013). Integrating education technology into teaching (6th ed., pp ). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.