1. Impacts of the Tech Act Stephanie Budziak EDU 620: Meeting Individual Student Needs with Technology Instructor: Angelise Rouse 25 April 2014

2. “The Assistive Technology Act was first passed by Congress and signed by the President as the Technology-Related Assistance Act of 1988.” (http://nichcy.org/laws/ata)http://nichcy.org/laws/ata As the need for more support for those living with physical and cognitive challenges arose, lawmakers made the move to improve the tools and accessibility to those tools. The Tech Act has been updated over time to change with the times and needs of those the act protects.

3. The Tech Act The “Tech Act” as it commonly referred to, was designed to provide services and assistive tech products to individuals with various needs, in order to be more fully engage and participate in education, employment and social settings.

4. Devices A device is defined as “…any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. (29 U.S.C. Sec 2202(2))”

5. Services An assistive technology service is defined as “…any service that directly assists an individual with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device.” (http://nichcy.org /laws/ata)http://nichcy.org /laws/ata

6. Currently, many programs are underway to improve the quality of devices and the accessibility to them.

7. http://assistivetech.net /webresources/techAct Projects.phphttp://assistivetech.net /webresources/techAct Projects.php provides information on programs that provide training, funding and exchange of used devices for those who are in need.

8. The latest two- way radios for hearing impaired individuals

9. Jamboxx Hands Free Musical Instruments

10. Snow 7 HD Portable Video Magnifier Provides accessible reading for the visually impaired.

11. In Education: Students who could not previously participate in classroom activities now have the abilities to be fully included in most aspects of daily classroom life. Students can utilize any technology device to enhance their learning, even without special needs.

12. The students who are not inclined to certain activities, but who will partake in activities that engage them in technological aspects can be successful alongside their peers in a format that suits them.

13. Employment Assistive technology provides adults the opportunity to provide for themselves, be a contributing member of society and have the freedom and independence many others take for granted. Assistive tech devices and services have paved the way for individuals to be immersed in the working world and use their best assets and skills in ways that were not possible decades ago.

14. Daily Activities ◦As technology and assistive tech have evolved, children and adults are able to participate independently in many activities such as reading, playing music, speaking, listening and maneuvering their bodies without the need of another person’s assistance. Something as simple as reading a book has been made possible for individuals with visual impairments thanks to the support of devices like the Snow 7HD portable video magnifier.

15. Community Something such as a handicapped parking space has provided a convenience for individuals with physical challenges within the community, as well as the more advanced conveniences such as the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority, who provides public transportation with wheelchair lifts and trained drivers who specialize in transporting and assisting persons with physical challenges. (http://www.ripta.com/ripta- bus-accessibility).http://www.ripta.com/ripta- bus-accessibility

16. References National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities. (2009). Assistive Technology Act. Retrieved from http://nichcy.org/laws/ataAssistive Technology Acthttp://nichcy.org/laws/ata South Carolina Assistive Technology Program. (2012). SC curriculum access through AT. Retrieved from http://www.sc.edu/scatp/cdrom/atused.htmlSC curriculum access through AThttp://www.sc.edu/scatp/cdrom/atused.html assistivetech.net: National Public Website on Assistive Technology; (2014) Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access (CATEA); Georgia Institute of Technology (GT) College of Architecture (COA). RITA Bus Accessibility: http://www.ripta.com/ripta-bus-accessibility