1. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY IN THE SCHOOLS

2. Coming Attractions Assistive Technology Defined Assistive Technology and the IEP Assistive Technology Devices Defined Examples of Assistive Tech Devices Assistive Technology Services Defined Getting Help

3. What is Assistive Technology? Assistive technologies are devices and services that give students with disabilities access to their school, the curriculum, and the community. Assistive technologies are devices and services that give students with disabilities access to their school, the curriculum, and the community.

4. Assistive Technology and the IEP: Its The Law IEPS Teams are responsible for considering and making decisions about a students possible need for assistive technology devices and services.

5. AT Consideration: A Five-Step Approach 1. R eview present level of performance. 2. D evelop annual goals. 3. I dentify tasks necessary to accomplish goals. 4. D etermine the difficulty of the students tasks. 5. I dentify appropriate supports and service, including AT.

6. IEP Team Decision Making Flow Chart

7. Assistive Technology Devices

8. Assistive Technology Device Defined …any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of children with disabilities. (as defined by IDEA)

9. Technology Devices=Tools for Success

10. Where Do You Start? The least complex solution that will remove barriers to achievement should be a first consideration. Focus on the least restrictive solution from which meaningful benefit can be derived.

11. Why Start with the Least Complex and Least Restrictive Solution? Easier to implement. Easier to implement. Requires less (or no) training. Requires less (or no) training. More likely to be used and therefore more beneficial. More likely to be used and therefore more beneficial. Encourages independence. Encourages independence.

12. Have Accommodations Been Considered? Accommodations involve a wide range of techniques and support systems that help students with a disability work around any limitations that results from their disability. Accommodations involve a wide range of techniques and support systems that help students with a disability work around any limitations that results from their disability. Accommodations can be made to how students learn and how they are tested. Expectations for student achievement do not change. Accommodations can be made to how students learn and how they are tested. Expectations for student achievement do not change.

13. Accommodation Examples Vary instructional methods to appeal to different learning styles. Vary instructional methods to appeal to different learning styles. Repeat and simplify instructions. Repeat and simplify instructions. Provide additional time to complete assignments and tests. Provide additional time to complete assignments and tests. Have the student sit close to the teacher. Have the student sit close to the teacher.

14. Assistive Technology Continuum: Simple to Complex Simple Technology Solutions (Low Tech) Simple Technology Solutions (Low Tech) –Simple Training –Low Maintenance –No Electronics More Complex Technology Solutions (Mid Tech) More Complex Technology Solutions (Mid Tech) –Minimal Training –Basic Maintenance –Simple Electronics Most Complex Technology Solutions (High Tech) Most Complex Technology Solutions (High Tech) –Extensive Training –Ongoing maintenance –Complex electronics

15. Simple Tech Solutions (Low Tech)

16. Complex Technology (Mid and High Tech)

17. Technology for Non-Verbal or Non-Intelligible Students

18. Its Already There! Tech Solutions for the Computer Accessibility Menu Accessibility Menu –Magnifier –Narrator –On-screen Keyboard Control Panel Control Panel –Accessibility Options Sticky Keys Sticky Keys Ignore Repeated Keystrokes Ignore Repeated Keystrokes Use the Numeric Keypad to control mouse movements Use the Numeric Keypad to control mouse movements –Mouse Change pointer speed Change pointer speed Change pointer size or look Change pointer size or look

19. Assistive Technology Services …any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition or use of an assistive technology device. (as defined by IDEA)

20. Services can include: AT evaluation. Acquisition of AT devices. Customizing and maintaining AT devices. Coordinating and using other therapies, interventions, or services with AT devices. Training and technical assistance.

21. Assistive Technology Services are a Team Effort!

22. ATEN: Assistive Technology Educational Network ATEN is a specialized FDLRS center that provides information and resources related to assistive technology within the state of Florida ATEN is a specialized FDLRS center that provides information and resources related to assistive technology within the state of Florida ATEN supports the following: ATEN supports the following: –5 Regional Labs –Local Assistive Technology Technology Specialists Specialists (LATS) (LATS)

23. ATEN Region 4 Lenore Remley, the Region 4 Lab Manager, maintains the assistive technology library and arranges trainings for 13 counties. Lenore Remley, the Region 4 Lab Manager, maintains the assistive technology library and arranges trainings for 13 counties.

24. What are LATS? LATS (Local Assistive Technology Specialist) are a network of professionals appointed by their school district that serve as a front line of support for students with assistive technology needs. LATS (Local Assistive Technology Specialist) are a network of professionals appointed by their school district that serve as a front line of support for students with assistive technology needs.

25. The ACAT Team The Alternative Communication/ Assistive Technology Team provide assistive technology services to students in Hillsborough County Schools Exceptional Student Education Programs.

26. For people with normal abilities, technology makes doing things easier. For people with disabilities technology makes doing things possible. Mary Pat Radabough, RESNA, 1990