1. Assistive Technology: Advocating
Present and Future

2. Introduction
1) Survey of types of Assistive Technology
2) Emerging Assistive Technology Trends
3) Advocating for and with Assistive Technology

3. True Story
3

4. 4

5. • Technology & Education
• Education & Communications
• Medicine & Technology
• Medicine & Education
5

6. What is Assistive Technology?
"Any item, piece of equipment, or product, whether
acquired commercially, off the shelf, modified, or
customized, that is used to:
Increase
Maintain
Improve
the functional capabilities of Individuals with
Disabilities."
(Technology Related Assistance Act)

7. Scope of Assistive Technology
No Tech Low Tech Mid Tech High Tech

8. Assistive Technology versus
Instructional Software
• Assistive Technology- used to bypass, work
around, aide in dealing with a specific
disability
• Instructional Software- designed to develop
and improve specific skills

9. Capabilities
• Activities in daily living • Composing written material
• Control of environment • Vision
• Mobility • Hearing
• Position and seating • Reading
• Recreation • Study Skills
• Communication • Math
• Motor aspects of writing • Computer proficiency
-From TAM, 2005

10. More is not always
better
Start from least
restrictive to more
restrictive

11. “AT Survey”

12. Reading
Phonemics – what are letters good for?
Phonics – what sounds do they make?
}
Word Building
Sentence Building Comprehension
Fluency
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13. Word Building

14. Phonemic Awareness

15. Reading Comprehension

16. Screen Readers

17. Adapted Books

18. My Own Bookshelf (So1touch, Inc.)

19. My Own Bookshelf (So1touch, Inc.)
• All so see no‐cost and low‐cost apps for
iPod Touch and iPad.

20. Overlay Maker (IntelliTools, Inc.)

21. Clicker (CrickSo1, Inc.)

22. Clicker (CrickSo1, Inc.)
• Also see low‐cost and no‐cost apps

23. PreWriting Process
Inspiration 7.5
The Diagram view
helps students create
and modify concept
maps, webs, idea
maps, and other
graphical organizers.
Audio support is available for student
to have text read aloud or to record
their own voices.

24. Low tech

26. Write with
Symbols

27. Assistive & Augmentative
Communication
Springboard Vantage Plus
Vanguard II
Plus with IBM
Plus
Dynavox & Dynamite

31. Free Media Publishing Tools
• Blogs: explanation & example 1 & example 2
• Wikis: explanation & example
• PhotoSharing: explanation
• Social Bookmarking: explanation & example
• VoiceThread: explanation & example 28

32. subscribe, read, write, participate

33. subscribe, read, write, participate
AT = Adaptability
Search, Copy, Paste, Voice

34. Constructivist Model of
Professional Development & Ed Tech
1) Create
2) Self-Differentiate
3) Self-Motivate

35. Shared Computing
• Sugata Mitra: Hole in the Wall experiment
showed children learn best at the computer in
groups.
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36. Open Education Safety
1) Keep your personal information secret.
2) Never meet anyone in real life you only met online.
3) No incoming communications from “outsiders.”

37. New Publishing Process
1) Non-linear & Worldwide
2) Must be competitive with what students are doing at home

38. 5 Things You Need
1. Free Media Sources
2. Free Media Editing Tools
3. Free Media Publishing Tools
4. Free Media Collaboration Tools
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39. Media Sources
• United Streaming:
– Video, Stills, Audio
• YouTube,Vimeo, Subject-specific Video Sites:
– Use VPN
– Don’t allow referral videos
– Download using whatever downloader is available (google
“rip youtube videos” for latest version).
• TeacherTube:
– Request school-wide access via SBTS
– Same as YouTube, but vetted
• iTunes, Google, Flickr (Creative Commons) Other:
– Watch your copyright rights
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40. Free Media Editing Tools
• Windows MovieMaker:
– Edits Video
• Windows PhotoStory:
– Edits Photos into a Movie
• Audacity:
– Edits Audio like a Cassette Tape Recorder
• PhotoEditor:
– There are a number of online options, check with
your SBTS.
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41. Social Media
• Blogging in Groups & comments
• Wiki page comments
• VoiceThread
• Twitter in Groups
• Photosharing in Groups
• Social Bookmarking in Groups
• Skype
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42. Parent Productivity Tools
• 25 Digital Things All Teachers Should
Know (Google it!)
– Delicious (tagging)
– Wiki (tagging)
– PhotoSharing (tagging)
– Snagit
– RSS Feeds
– Google.com (Google Sites, Google Reader, Google
Earth)
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43. Parent-centric
AT and the IEP

44. What does AT Service Include?
“Training or technical assistance for
professionals (including individuals providing
education or rehabilitation services),
employers, or other individuals who provide
services to, employ, or are otherwise
substantially involved in the major life
functions of that child.”
-From IDEA, 2004 Sec. 300/a/300.6/f

45. Why AT and the IEP?
• IDEA requires that every IEP/IFSP committee
“consider whether the child needs
(vs. requires?) assistive technology
devices and services”
-From IDEIA, 2004

46. Why Consider AT?
• IDEA requires schools to provide AT if it
is needed for a student to receive a Free
Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)
• AT shall support a student’s participation
in learning in the LRE
-From IDEA 1997

47. Never Mention Specific AT Devices or
Models in IEP
• Define AT within the IEP by functionality genre
not by make or model.
– One must be able to adapt as much as is required
to teach.
– Trial and Error
– Child Development (Fade the AT)
– Technology Development (Upgrade AT)

48. AT as a Supplementary Aid
• AT may be necessary to maintain the student
in the LRE
• IDEA (300.114/a/2/ii): AT is necessary as a
supplementary aid if its presence (along with
other necessary aids) supports the student
sufficiently to maintain the placement and its
absence requires the student’s removal to a
more restrictive setting.

49. IDEA 2004, FAPE, LRE & AT
Student

50. IDEA 2004, FAPE, LRE & AT
LRE FAPE
Student

51. IDEA 2004, FAPE, LRE & AT
LRE FAPE
AT
Student

52. FAPE as Defined in IDEA
Free appropriate public education or FAPE means
special education and related services that--
(a) Are provided at public expense, under public supervision
and direction, and without charge;
(b) Meet the standards of the SEA, including the
requirements of this part;
(c) Include an appropriate preschool, elementary school, or
secondary school education in the State involved; and
(d) Are provided in conformity with an individualized
education program (IEP) that meets the requirements of
Sec. 300.320 through 300.324.

53. WHEN MUST THE DISTRICT PROVIDE
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY?
If the answer to any of the following questions is YES:
1. AT needed for FAPE? (Free Appropriate Public Education)
2. AT needed for LRE? (Least Restricted Environment)
• AT needed to access school programs and activities?
• AT needed to access related services?

54. WHEN MUST THE DISTRICT PROVIDE
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY?
If the answer to any of the following questions is YES:
1. AT needed for FAPE? (Free Appropriate Public Education)
2. AT needed for LRE? (Least Restricted Environment)
• AT needed to access school programs and activities?
• AT needed to access related services?
Could AT help
the student be
more
independent?

55. AT Goals
• Assistive Technology should NEVER be the
goal itself!
• For instance: Using a VOCA, Sara will click the
correct picture 5 times with 100% accuracy.
BAD
• AT is a tool to complete the goal!

56. Team Training Goal
• Write an IEP goal that entire team is trained
on AT device. Both use and maintenance.

57. Independent Use Goal
• Write IEP Goals for student to independently
care (charge, house, carry, maintain) AT
devices.

58. Outside Caregiver Support Goal
• Write IEP Goals for parents and caregivers to
learn and be trained on use and care of AT
device.

59. Placement Goal in All Environments
• Removal of the student from the classroom or
standard living environment to access assistive
technology for administrative, staff or caregiver
convenience is not appropriate.
– School
– Homes
– After School Caregivers
• Behavior Intervention Plan associated with the AT
for all environments, referenced in the IEP.

60. Who Must Pay for AT?
• It is the responsibility of the school district to
provide for the equipment, services, or programs
identified in the IEP. The school district may pay for
the equipment, service, or program itself, utilize
other resources to provide or pay for the device, or
utilize private insurance funds, Medicaid, or other
sources of funds as long as the device or service
identified in the IEP is provided at no cost to the
parent.
-From: Family Guide to Assistive Technology, 2000

61. Can I Take it Home?
• If it is determined by the IEP team that a
particular AT device or service is necessary
for home use in order for the child to receive
FAPE, the technology must be provided in the
home by the school district to implement the
IEP.
-From IDEIA, 2004

62. Who Owns the AT Device?
• If the school district purchases the equipment,
the equipment belongs to the district. As long
as the student stays in the district, the
equipment may follow them through different
placements.
-From: Family Guide to Assistive Technology, 2000

63. iPad & iPod Touch