1. Impacts of the Tech Act Sara Garcia-Salgado EDU 620 Dr. Clark Ashford University September 29, 2014

2. Origin of Assistive Technology Act

3.  1988 Congress passed the Original Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act: “Tech Act” as it was later referred to  Reauthorized in 1994, 1998, and 2004  AT devices are defined as items, or equipment regardless of the manner in which obtained, that “ increases, maintains or improves functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities” (Bausch, Mittler, Hassellbring, & Cross, 2004, p.60).

4. The Assistive Technology Act (ATA) 2004

5.  The ATA includes individuals of all ages, all disabilities, and all environments.  Baush, Mittler, Hasselbring and Cross (2004) make clear that eligibility is defined by anyone having a disability that can be ‘enabled’ by an AT device.

6. ATA Continued  Goals:  Increase the use and accessibility  Include family in decision making  increase public agency ability to pay for devices  increase awareness and knowledge of benefits of AT

7. What is Assistive Technology (AT)?  Assistive Technology as Gromisch and Neas (2009) clarify is technology used by individuals with disabilities to assist with performing functions that might have been difficult or impossible to partake in.  As the National Dissemenation Center for Children with Disabilities (2009) explains, the Assitive Technology Act defines AT devices 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))

8. Examples of AT devices  Wheelchairs, canes, smartchairs  Hearing aids  Ramps, flashing smoke detectors  Glasses  Speech-to-text apps

9. AT & Impact on Education

10. Technicalities  Students must meet specific criteria  Have an IEP under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA)  IEP team can request assistive equipment for the specific student  As Torreno and Wistrom (2012) point out, the 1997 Reauthorization of IDEA mandates that AT be implemented into a student’s IEP Plan.

11. Benefits  Levels the playing field for students with disabilities  Fosters independence and increases student’s self-esteem and accessibility to curriculum  Extremely important: Full Inclusion Classrooms

12. Impacts  Interaction  Participation: disabled students experiences “normal” conditions  Likewise, general education students are exposed to individuals with disabilities thus making “their” presence “normal”

13. Impacts Continued  As Edyburn (2013) points out, technology has the capability to extend human’s abilities and make us more effective and efficient.  Edyburn (2013) also mentions that research clearly suggests that students learn more when they are interested and providing options allows for interest to rise.

14. Current State of Assistive Technology Act  The Current Act was reauthorized in 2004 through 2010  The Assistive Technology Act is in need of exposure and advocacy  Many more disabled students and individuals with special needs are being mainstreamed into our society: in the classroom, workplace, and the community.  This is possible with the assistance of assistive technology

15. Influences Act has on students with Disabilities  The ATA has positive influences with students with disabilities  It provides options for students with disabilities in learning school curriculum or day to day life skills  It provides teachers with options in differentiating instruction and with facilitating the learning process  Ex: SMARTboards, computer apps, audiobooks,

16. Ex: AT for Reading Instruction  Dyslexia is one form of a reading disability  Note: Technology does not replace instruction, it supports teaching and learning  As AT tool: Reading Assistant created by Scientific Learning Corporation:  speech recognition program  Child reads aloud and receives assistance when program detects this  Student progress recorded: teachers can use data formatively to determine next best steps

17. My Position on Fostering AT  Assistive technology can be used by all individuals at certain times  Ex: sprained wrist: wrist brace allowing for temporary relief and support to write and/or  I am a proponent for assistive technology since it allows a certain degree of independence and self-esteem

18. Proponent  Full inclusion classroom and saw first hand the benefits  Awareness and acceptance is fostered

19. Evaluation of AI on my teaching and learning  Professional Growth  DI and UDL  Implementing AT which is used by all students foster a full inclusion environment

20. Evaluation Continued  Utmost importance is helping students achieve the highest level of academic success  Technology is instrumental in the 21 st century and plays a key role with assisting disabled students mainstream into society

21. 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.sdce.ct.gov/sde/lib?sde/PDF/DEPS/Special/AT_Guidelines.pdf Edyburn, D.L. (2013) Inclusive Technologies: Tools for helping diverse learners achieve academic success. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc. Gromisch, E.S. & Reinhard Neas, L. M. (Ed.). (2012). Special education: A guide to technology options. Brigh Hub Education. Retrieved from http://www.brughthubeducationcom/special-ed-inclusion-strategies/125659-a-teachers- guide-to-assistive-technologies-in-the-classroom/?cid+parsely_rec

22. References Continued National Dissemenation Center for Children with Disabilities. (2009). Assistive Technology Act. Retrieved from http://nichcy.org/laws/ata Torreno, S., and Wistrom, E., (2012). The Benefits of Assistive Technology in Schools. Brigh Hub Education. Retrieved from http://www.brighthubeducation.com/special-ed-law/ 73643-the-benefits- of-assistive-technology-in-schools/