1. Jeni Graves EDU 620 David Quinn January 13, 2014

2. The Assistive Technology Act First passed by Congress and signed by the President as the Technology-Related Assistance Act of 1988. It’s often called the Tech Act for short and has been reauthorized in 1994, 1998, and 2004. The most current version of the Act is authorized through 2010. (drnpa.org).

3. Goal of The Tech Act The goal of this act was 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. (drnpa.org).

4. Impact on Education The impact that this act has had on the field of education is amazing! It has become the backbone of advancement and learning for those who previously have been passed over and ignored in traditional classrooms. Students with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities have been given tools which have enhanced their learning abilities.

5. In the past, those students with disabilities have had no way to learn. Though many teachers have tried their best; in many cases that was insufficient in caring for the needs of the disabled student. Technology has changed that! It has greatly enhanced the ability of a disabled student to learn by introducing methods that are more suited to disabled students than a human being is able to provide.

6. Technology has also allowed for disabled students to work alone, something that was not previously possible.

7. Who Is Affected?

8. Disabled Veterans According to the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, an estimated 8.5 million children 21 years old and younger have a disability. The need for assistive technology—technology that assists persons with disabilities—is great. At no time has there been a greater need to provide assistive technologies than to assist the thousands of our military veterans returning home from the Middle East with a range of physical and mental disabilities. Mobility impairment is a significant concern for many returning veterans. Assistive technologies are playing a major role in assisting our war veterans returning with physical limitations through the loss of a limb or, in many cases, several limbs (Katsioloudis, Jones, p.26. 2013).

9. Mobility impairment, though tragic, has helped to enhance the research and science behind prosthetic limbs. This has benefitted the soldiers who are using them as well as those who are born with abnormalities and those who have suffered from accidents.

10. Many Veterans return from war with damage to their body and mind. Technology has allowed them to move on in life and still succeed; even though they are not disabled. Pursuing a future career has been made easier by the advancements in technology that allows them to pursue degrees, and be mobile in ways that Veterans from previous wars were not able to be.

11. Including Student with Disabilities A simple truth of the human experiences is that everyone wants to feel as though they belong somewhere. Part of including students with disabilities in the classroom as well as in other areas of their life is to provide them with the skills necessary to fit in and adapt to society. The classroom is a good place for this to start.

12. Being A Productive Citizen

13. Assistive technologies provide those with disabilities a way to be a productive part of society. It decreases the focus on the disability and refocuses it on the actual person.

14. With assistive technology devices, these individuals are allowed the opportunity to feel like they are normal; which to them means more than most people can comprehend.

15. Success in the Classroom The textbook states that, “we should not think about students as being disabled but should rather consider the curriculum disabled, as it poses barriers to access, engagement, and success, (Edyburn, ch1.4 para 5. 2013). Modifying a lesson plan can create a wholesome environment for a disabled student. Including disabled students does not negatively affect any other student.

16. Disabilities Don’t Make You Strange Students with disabilities are no longer considered a burden; but can contribute to the class in a worthwhile way that helps others to learn; and helps the disabled individual to build confidence and become someone better than they were alone.

17. Pursuing Education 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. Even persons with severe disabilities can now use computers equipped to follow and interpret commands based on eye movement or breath (Dove, p. 24. 2012).

18. How The Tech Act Affects Me The assistive technology act will impact my teaching and learning in a positive way because it not only provides assistance to those with disabilities, but it provides me with the knowledge to understand and use the devices, software, and programs that will assist those who need the help.

19. Providing Knowledge A big part of this act is providing the knowledge that this sort of assistance exists and how to use it. This puts a lot of the responsibility on the shoulders of educators and caregivers to provide the necessary equipment to those who are disabled so that they can have a better quality of life.

20. Final Thoughts The Tech Act has opened doors for those who would previously been overlooked. By providing means by which disabled members of society can become better educated, we as a human race have become better. Technological advances have improved quality of life for many individuals. Technological advances have made teachers better; and teaching more effective.

21. References Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania. (2008). Assistive technology for persons with disabilities: An overview. Retrieved December 15, 2009, from: Drnpa.org/file/publications/assistive-technology-for-persons-with- disablities-an-overview. Dove, M.K. (2012). Advancements in Assistive Technology and AT Laws for the Disabled. Delta Kappa Gamma Bulletin, 78(4), 23-29. Edyburn, D. L. (2013). Inclusive technologies: Tools for helping divers learners achieve academic success. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc. Katsioloudis, P.J., & Jones, M. (2013). ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY: fixing humans. Technolgy & Engineering Teacher, 72(7), 26-3.