Special Needs Students & Technology By Kristen Lebeda, Jacquie O’Neill & Angie Moss

Who are Special Needs Students? u Behavioral and Emotional Disorders u Communication Disorders u Intellectual (Gifted and slow learners) u Physical Disabilities and Health Impairments (Blind and Deaf) u Learning Disabilities (Mental Retardation)

What does Assistive Technology Do for Special needs Students? u It is any device or piece of equipment that will increase independence for special needs students

Technology for Special Needs Students ] Computers ] Assistive Technology ] The Law

Computers Help Special Needs Students \ Cooperative learning \ Social Development \ Skills Development \ Motivation and Self Confidence \ Integrated Disciplines

Cooperative Learning ] Students learn from each other ] Individual explanations help to absorb the acquired information

Social Development How Cooperative Learning enhances Social Development: § Positive Interactions § Develop a sense of interdependence § Heightens self-esteem

Skills Development Y Cause and effect relationships Y Recognition and recall Y Learn about the computer (typing, mouse use and keyboarding skills)

Motivation and Self Confidence Y Programs build confidence to talk Y Provides a mean for discussion

Integrated Disciplines Z Reading Z Science Z Social Studies Z Math

Types of Assistive Technology v No hands mouse v Eye tech digital system v Braille notetaker v Intellitools

No hands mouse n Allows use of standard desktop mouse at the same time. n One pedal controls cursor movement, the other is for mouse clicks.

Eye tech digital system ] What is Quick Glance? ] How does Quick Glance work? ] Who can benefit?

Braille notetaker X What is it? X What does it do? X What does the user need to be able to do?

Intellitools n n

The ATRC Types of Assistive technology H Screen Magnifiers H Screen Readers H Alternative Keyboards H Alternative Mouse Systems

SCREEN MAGNIFIER n Screen magnification software helps visually impaired persons to use computers by enlarging the picture on the screen by any factor they choose.

Alternative Keyboards n Alternative keyboard layouts and other enhancements allow people who experience difficulty with conventional keyboard designs to use computers.

Screen Readers n Screen reader is the commonly used name for the Voice Output Technology.

Alternative Mouse Systems n Alternative mouse systems allow people who experience difficulty with conventional mouse designs to use computers.

IT’S THE LAW! ] Technology Act PL ] IDEA 97 ] Assistive Technology Act 1998 ] Rule 51

IDEA 97 ] Major emphasis placed on integrating special education materials and techniques into regular classes. ] Adaptive and assistive technologies must be considered for every special education student. ] School systems must conduct a transition plan.

Assistive Technology Act of 1998 ] Passed by Congress - Waiting for President Clinton’s Signature ] Three main purposes of the Act ] Title I, II, and III authorizations

RULE 51 ] Nebraska’s Regulations and Standards for Special Education Programs ] Declaration of Responsibility ] Assistive Technology

Requirements for Schools ] LEA must obtain and provide a full continuum of services ] Determine need of student ] Determine appropriate device and/or service ] Obtain device ] Train student and all involved ] Maintenance and repair of device

Assistive Technology Teams ] General education teacher ] Parent ] Speech/language pathologist ] Physical and occupational therapists ] School’s computer coordinator

TEAM TOGETHER EVERYONE ACHIEVES MORE!!

THE END Thank you!