1. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY ED 505 Roosevelt Moore, Jr.

2. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY  Assistive technology is any device that is used to support the health and activity of a disabled person.  The U.S. Assistive Technology Act of 2004 defined assistive technology device 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.

3. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY ACT OF 1998PUBLIC LAW 105-394 [29 USC 2201]  The Assistive Technology Act, also known as the “Tech Act” provides funds to states to support three types of programs: the establishment of assistive technology (AT) demonstration centers, information centers, equipment loan facilities, referral services, and other consumer-oriented programs; protection and advocacy services to help people with disabilities and their families, as they attempt to access the services for which they are eligible; Federal/state programs to provide low interest loans and other alternative financing options to help people with disabilities purchase needed assistive technology.

4. Technology Specific Laws and Regulations  Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act - In 1998, Congress amended the Rehabilitation Act to require Federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology accessible to people with disabilities. Section 508 was enacted to eliminate barriers in information technology, to make available new opportunities for people with disabilities, and to encourage development of technologies that will help achieve these goals. The law applies to all Federal agencies when they develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and information technology. Under Section 508 (29 U.S.C. ‘ 794d), agencies must give disabled employees and members of the public access to information that is comparable to the access available to others. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act

5. THE REHABILITATION AMENDMENTS  Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is perhaps the most important piece of legislation ever enacted for people with disabilities. The language in Section 504 is almost identical to that of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which applied to racial discrimination, and that of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which addressed discrimination in education on the basis of gender. The enactment of Section 504 reflects the realization that those with disabilities, too, had been subjected to discrimination for many years.  Public Law 99-506 amended the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 by adding Section 508, which ensures access to computers and other electronic office equipment in places of federal employment. The guidelines ensure that users with disabilities can access and use the same computer databases and applications programs as other users. Users with disabilities also must be able to manipulate data and related information sources to attain the same results as other users, and will have the necessary adaptations needed to communicate with others on their system.

6. THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT  Signed into law in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (PL 101-336), broadened the definition of those who are considered to have disabilities. It also broadened the types of agencies and employers covered by Section 508 requirements and mandates additional protections, such as accessible public transportation systems, communication systems, and access to public buildings.  These requirements are opening many avenues of employment for people with disabilities who were heretofore excluded from office work because of inaccessible equipment. There is a need for persons who are aware of technological modifications that can be made to implement the provisions of this law so they can teach others about them and provide consultation assistance to workers with disabilities, parents who may be planning careers for their children with disabilities, and employers who fall under the provisions of this law.

7. THE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT  Special education and related services for students are mandated by federal laws that have their roots in Public Law (94-142), which was passed by Congress in 1975. That law was amended in 1991 (PL 101-476) and again in 1997 (PL 105-17). It is now known as I-D-E-A, which is the acronym for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. IDEA guarantees the right of all children with disabilities to a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment.  Of the numerous mandates of IDEA, perhaps the most important is the development of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for every student who is enrolled in special education. The IEP is developed by a team of professionals, parents, and the student (when appropriate). Among other things, the IEP team identifies the student's strengths and weaknesses and defines long term goals and specific objectives for the student's educational program.

8. THE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT (CONT.)  The legal guarantees for an IEP, originally spelled out in PL 94-142, have since been extended to preschool programs for students who are entitled to an Individualized Family Services Plan (IFSP) and to those who are eligible for rehabilitation services through the development of an Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan (IWRP). IDEA also requires the development of an Individualized Transition Plan (ITP) for all special education students of 14 years of age, or older, to prepare the student for post-school environments. As part of such planning processes, parents, teachers, rehabilitation counselors, related personnel, administrators, and the individual with disabilities are required to consider the technologies that may be helpful in meeting the objectives in the IEP, IFSP, ITP, or IWRP.  As part of the IEP planning process, IDEA mandates that the assistive technology needs of all students be considered [P. L. 105-17, Section 1414 (d)(3)(B)(v)]. Although assistive technologies are frequently thought to be relevant primarily to those with physical disabilities, sensory or health impairments, and communication disorders, it should be noted that this provision applies equally to students with learning disabilities, who may require the use of a device, such as a spelling checker, to assist them with written communication.

9. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR LEARNING DISABLED A talking calculator has a built-in speech synthesizer that reads aloud each number, symbol, or operation key a user presses; it also vocalizes the answer to the problem. This auditory feedback may help him check the accuracy of the keys he presses and verify the answer before he transfers it to paper. Talking Calculator

10. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR SEEING IMPAIRED Video magnifiers, or Closed-circuit televisions (CCTV's), electronically enlarge printed materials on a screen. They can be used for both reading and writing. There are a variety of choices in CCTV's. Some feature a camera that can be toggled to view information presented at near or distance. Video Magnifiers (CCTV's)

11. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR HEARING IMPAIRED A telecoil, also called a t-coil, is a coil of wire that is installed inside many hearing aids and cochlear implants to act as a miniature wireless receiver. It was originally designed to make sounds clearer to a listener over the telephone. It also is used with a variety of other assistive listening devices, such as hearing loop (or induction loop) systems, FM systems, infrared systems, and personal amplifiers. Telecoil

12. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR PHYSICALLY DISABLED The SmartNAV is a hands-free, head operated mouse. The SmartNAV replaces your conventional mouse and lets you take control by moving your head. The SmartNAV device consists of a sophisticated infra-red camera that you place above your screen. This follows a small reflective dot so that you can move the mouse pointer by moving your head. The pointer movement can be adjusted for speed and sensitivity. To operate the SmartNAV, simply place one of the small reflective dots on your forehead or glasses and sit in front of the screen. SmartNAV

14. REFERENCES  "assistive technology." Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica Online Academic Edition. Encyclopedia Britannica Inc., 2014. Web. 22 Jan. 2014..http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1944913/assistive-technology  “assistive technology” The Family Center on Technology and Disability. Retrieved January 22, 2014 from:http://www.fctd.info/resources/techlaws.phphttp://www.fctd.info/resources/techlaws.php  Assistive Technology for Kids with Learning Disabilities: An Overview Retrieved January 22, 2014 from:http://www.readingrockets.org/article/33074  Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania. (2008). Assistive technology for persons with disabilities: An overview. Retrieved January 22, 2014, from: http://drnpa.org/File/publications/assistive-technology-for-persons-with- disabilities—an-overview.pdf http://drnpa.org/File/publications/assistive-technology-for-persons-with- disabilities—an-overview.pdf  “electronic aids” Teaching Students with Visual Impairments. Retrieved January 22, 2014 from:http://www.teachingvisuallyimpaired.com/assistive- technology.htmlhttp://www.teachingvisuallyimpaired.com/assistive- technology.html  http://www.sensorysoftware.com/SmartNAV.html