1. Assistive and Adaptive Technology HALEY SAINE

2. Technology-Related Assistance for Individual with Disabilities Act of 1998 Purposes:  Increase funding for providing assistive technologies and training about such systems and devices  Improve abilities and involvement of all persons with disabilities through adaptive technologies  Increase capacity for public and private agencies to be able to provide technologies to those with disabilities

3. Technology-Related Assistance for Individual with Disabilities Act of 1998 Significances:  Increased public awareness of the benefits available from assistive technologies  Facilitated the change of future laws and practices regarding those with disabilities  Promoted the collaboration of states and local agencies to improve the quality of life of disabled persons

4. Assistive Technology  Assistive Technology Device: “...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 individuals with disabilities.” (Assistive Technology, 2015)  Assistive Technology Service: “...any service that directly assists an individual with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device.” (Assitive Technology, 2015)

5. Types of Assistive Technology Low-tech:  less expensive  less complex devices  require less training Medium-tech:  require slightly more training to learn how to use  slightly more expensive and more complex.  These devices may be electronic or battery powered. High-tech:  most complex of the assistive technologies  more expensive, and hey require more training  May even be computerized.

6. Examples  Low-Tech: Handheld magnifies  Medium-Tech: Books on CD  High-Tech: Electronic hearing aids

7. Assistive Technology Said Simply https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DB9pKkZoJDc  This video gives a short summary of what assistive technology is and why it is essential to incorporate in schools.

8. Adaptive Technology  "Any object or system that is specifically designed for the purpose of increasing or maintaining the capabilities of people with disabilities.”  Examples: Low-Tech: Large Print Books Medium-Tech: Automatic Page Turners High-Tech: Braille Note-Taker

9. So What’s The Difference?  The difference between assistive and adaptive technology is that assistive technologies encompass more devices and systems, ranging from light, mid, and high complexities, that facilitate task for people with disabilities, whereas adaptive technologies refers to different versions of already existing technologies used by persons with disabilities.

10. Accommodations  It is important to provide accommodations for special needs children so that every child has their learning needs met. Fair is not giving everyone the same thing, fair is giving everyone the resources they need to succeed. Accommodations should be given to children who need it, whether for their vision, mobility, or cognition, in order to give them what they need to be successful in the classroom and in life. No child should be deprived of the resources they need to facilitate their learning, when we live in a world with so many assistive technologies available to us.

11. Teacher’s Role  It is the teacher’s role to provide these resources for the student. A teacher must assess their students and determine what tools and technologies will best help children in their classroom be successful. If a teacher notices a student does not have adequate accommodations and the teacher does not do or say anything to get them help, the teacher is not doing their job. It is so imperative that teachers give voice to their students and help them to succeed in every way possible.

12. References Assistive Technology. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/parents/education/learning- disabilities/strategies-for-learning-disabilities/assistive-technology/ Research Autism. (2105, August 24). Retrieved from http://researchautism.net/autism- interventions/types/assistive-and-adaptive-technology Curriculum Access through AT. (2015, August 25). Retrieved from http://www.sc.edu/scatp/CurrAccesthroughAT.htm What are some types of assistive devices & how are they used?. (2012, November 30). Retrieved from https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/rehabtech/conditioninfo/Pages/device.aspxhttps://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/rehabtech/conditioninfo/Pages/device.aspx What is Assistive Technology? How Is It Funded?. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.atia.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3859http://www.atia.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3859 What is Assistive Technology. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/pages/What-is-Assistive-Technologyhttp://www.iidc.indiana.edu/pages/What-is-Assistive-Technology