1. Impacts of the Tech Act Created by: Petress Scott EDU620: Meeting Individual Student Needs With Technology (MRC1414C) Prof. Hom April 7, 2014

2. What is Assistive Technology Act? The Assistive Technology Act was first passed by Congress and signed by the President as the Technology-Related Assistance Act of 1988. The Tech Act is intended to promote people’s awareness of, and access to, assistive technology (AT) devices and services. The Act seeks to provide AT to persons with disabilities, so they can more fully participate in education, employment, and daily activities on a level playing field with other members of their communities. The Act covers people with disabilities of all ages, all disabilities, in all environments (early intervention, K-12, post-secondary, vocational rehabilitation, community living, aging services, etc.)

3. Continuation Assistive technology (AT) is any tool that helps students with disabilities do things more quickly, easily or independently. It can be elaborate and expensive or simple and low-cost. Assistive technology services are supports for using assistive technology devices, such as assistive technology evaluations, equipment maintenance, technical assistance, demonstration or training.

4. It’s Impact on Education A student with poor vision might use enlarged text. A student with motor difficulties might use an enlarged, simplified computer keyboard. A non-verbal student can be the “caller” for a game of “Red Light/Green Light” by using a talking switch. A student who can comprehend history at the 6th grade level, but can read only at the 3rd grade level, might read a textbook with the help of a computer that scans and reads text. The flexibility of assistive technology allows a teacher to build tools and materials that address students’ strengths as well as their weaknesses.

5. Benefits All Students Assistive technology or educational technology access features help students with many different learning styles or needs. Preschool students without the motor skills required to use a regular keyboard are helped by other input devices, such as a simplified keyboard or a switch. Students with limited reading skills of all ages can benefit from a computer program that reads and highlights text on the screen.

6. Impact on Teaching Methods Teachers benefit from effective use of assistive technology. Assistive technology can provide a teacher more options to use in addressing different learning styles for individual students using visual, auditory and tactile approaches. By making a student more independent, assistive technology allows teachers to spend more time on group activities and to give students more one-on- one attention.

7. Current State of the Assistive Technology Act The current state of the Assistive Technology Act “provides a far more optimistic future for assistive technology (AT) and modifies the primary purpose of the previous law.” Individuals with special needs are now covered under this act from “birth to death,” which allows them to receive the services they require to help them as much as possible. It has influence many places to accommodate individuals with special needs of all ages.

8. Influences on Disabled Students A student who is more fully integrated into the classroom is less of a distraction to other students, interacting with other students and facilitating a more positive classroom atmosphere. Being in a classroom with a special needs student who is fully integrated and using assistive technology effectively is an important educational experience for other students.

9. My position on Education I will make sure that the appropriate devices are available in my classroom so that all students can be involved in the learning process regardless of their learning abilities. I will also make sure that the students interact with each other so that they can grow and learn side by side so that they can gain knowledge using different types of equipment that display educational information.

10. My position on Employment By providing the necessary equipment, people with disabilities are allowed the same opportunities and experiences as others. This means that they don’t have to feel left out or not a part of the big picture. Employers have to make sure that they are equipped and trained to handle certain situations that allows everyone to work regardless of their disability.

11. My position on Daily Activities I will implement different tools into each interest area so that students are allowed to learn about an how to work each device so that they can become helpers to others or strengthen areas that they may need improvement on.

12. My position on Communities I will research different programs within the community that provides services that implement different assistive technology tools that are hands-on and accessible to parents an students that may not be able to afford them on their own. I will also find programs that are available to families to teach them how to use and purchase equipment that they need to help with their disability.

13. Impact on my Teaching The Tech Act will impact my teaching style by allowing me to implement different teaching methods within my classroom. By following the act that was passed by Congress, I am allowed to give every student a chance regardless of their disability or learning level. Students will be able to work side by side an accomplish tasks that are set forth for them to gain the require knowledge needed to progress further towards their dreams and aspirations.

14. Impact on my Learning This Act has allowed me to look at my educational process in a different light. I now see that tools and modifications are being put into place that will allow all students to involved an engaged in the classroom an learning environment. I will look at future assignments with a better understanding as to why they were created an why I should continue research and follow the required steps to complete the assignment properly with a full understanding of its contents.

15. Assistive Technology Tools and Devices

17. Assistive Technology Device: The Mouse Electronic pointing devices are devices used to control the cursor on the screen without use of hands. Devices used include ultrasound, head movements, infrared beams, eye movements, nerve signals, or brain waves. The history of electronic pointing devices: The first known pointing device that was used along with the computer is called the mouse. This device was created by Douglas Engelbart during World War II while teamed up with Bill English. This device became famous because of its speed and accuracy. It received its name because it looked like a “mouse” with a long tail which was the cord that was attached to the back of the device. This device transformed over the years from a wooden block to an oval shaped object that displayed a roller ball at the bottom to allow the user to glide the computer arrow across the screen to an optical device that eliminated the user having to clean out the inside of the device as it collected dust and other unwanted particles. to more advanced version that are used for different reasons. (Ex.: gaming systems)

18. The Mouse: Continuation Electronic pointing devices today: There are many different devices that are used to assist students with disabilities so that they can operate and use the computer. One of those devices is called SmartNAV Hands Free Mouse. This Device is used to allow people to control the computer through the movements of their head, instead of using a mouse in their hands. This device is helpful in musculoskeletal, Quadriplegia, Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, ALS, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and other motor disabilities. The future of electronic pointing devices: “A number of research labs are examining the use of devices such as robotic arms, which can help individuals who are physically disabled accomplish such daily activities as eating, retrieving objects, turning pages in books and magazines, and even playing cards.”

19. YouTube Video: Assistive Technology in Action - Meet Elle While searching through different videos on YouTube for students that used assistive devices, I found a video that was very interesting and I wanted to share them. In this video, you'll meet Elle, a teenage girl with cerebral palsy who, with the help of AT, is able to communicate with family, friends, and teachers.

20. YouTube Video: Assistive Technology Makes a Difference for Lukas Bratcher In this video you meet a high school student that didn't let a disability from a birth condition stop his passion for music. He played euphonium in his school's award- winning marching band from his wheelchair.

21. YouTube Video: Lilly's Story Story of a family who found out their baby was deaf and turned to CID - Central Institute for the Deaf in St. Louis, Missouri for help. This story was very touching because I have children of my own an I couldn’t imagine how to handle a situation like theirs to make sure that my baby received the services an support needed to live a fullfilled life.

22. References (2014). www.microsoft.com/enable/at/types.aspx‎ (2014). The Trustees of Princeton University. The Future of Children: A Collaboration of The Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University andThe Brookings Institution. www.futureofchildren.org The Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International AffairsPrinceton UniversityThe Brookings Institution (2014). www.youtube.com (2012). www.sc.edu/scatp/cdrom/atused.html‎ Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania. (2008). Assistive technology for persons with disabilities: An overview. Retrieved December 15, 2009, from: http://drnpa.org/File/publications/assistive- technology-for-persons-with-disabilities—an-overview.pdfhttp://drnpa.org/File/publications/assistive- technology-for-persons-with-disabilities—an-overview.pdf Bausch, M. E., Mittler, J.E, Hasselbring, T. S., & Cross, D. P. (2005). The Assistive Technology Act of 2004: What Does It Say and What Does It Mean?, Physical Disabilities: Education And Related Services, 23 (2), 59 – 67.