2. The Assistive Technology Act Jade M Sawyer

3. What is assistive technology? “Assistive technology is a broad and inclusive term that covers everything from computers to wheelchairs, from hand splints to access ramps.” (Connecticut State Department of Education & The Connecticut Birth to Three System, 1999, p. 1)

4. Provide a description of the Assistive Technology Act and its impact on the field of education. Provide a description of the Assistive Technology Act and its impact on the field of education. The Assistive Technology act was first passed in 1988, but it was known as the Technology- Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act. It provided students with special needs with the ability to receive any and all assistive technology to improve their functional capabilities. It has been reauthorized several times, but continues to assist students with disabilities in furthering their education.

5. Assess the current state of the Assistive Technology Act and what influences the act is having on students with disabilities. 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.” (Bausch, Mittler, Hasselbring & Cross, 2005, p. 59) 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.

6. Explain your position on fostering assistive technology to provide full inclusion of students with disabilities in education, employment, daily activities, and in their communities. I will try to provide students with different assistive technology devices that can help them learn as well as make everything that student can use in class accessible to all students. If I believe that a student would benefit from a certain assistive device. I will work with their parents as best as I can to make sure they get what they need.

7. Evaluate how the Assistive Technology Act will impact changes to your teaching and learning. Assistive Technology Act will impact changes in my teaching and learning because I want to be able to give all my students the chance they deserve. One of the assistive technologies I will utilize are computer-assistive technology. “Computer-assistive technologies provide a wide range of modifications that make it possible for many disabled persons to attend school or college (either traditional brick or click online education) and to secure gainful employment.” (Dove, 2012, p. 24) Some examples of this type of assistive technology are computers and iPads. I will also modify my lessons to accommodate all my students. I will have activities for all students that are appropriate for their level of learning.

8. References 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. Connecticut State Department of Education & The Connecticut Birth to Three System. (1999). Guidelines for assistive technology. Retrieved from http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/lib/sde/PD F/DEPS/Special/AT_Guidelines.pdfGuidelines for assistive technology Dove, M. K. (2012). Advancements in Assistive Technology and AT Laws for the Disabled. Delta Kappa Gamma Bulletin, 78(4), 23-29.