Assistive Technology

1. Assistive Technology
By: Derek Borum

2. Introduction
 This slide show will explain assistive technology and how
it can be beneficial to a classroom.
 It will provide information on the legality of assistive
technology and the proper way for it to be implemented
into a student’s education.
 The slideshow will also display some examples of assistive
technology that is used in a classroom.

3.  According to the Iris Center at Vanderbilt University, “Assistive
Technology is any device or service that helps a student with a
disability to meet his or her individualized education program (IEP)
goals and to participate in the general education setting to the
greatest possible extent.”
 Theses devices are used to allow students with disabilities to be able
to participate and succeed in a regular classroom setting.
 Assistive technology not only includes devices, but also the services
that go along with these devices. The type of services that are offered
to students along with the devices is what allows a student to really
be able to succeed.

4. Legal Aspects of Assistive Technology
 Congress first passed the
Technology-Related Assistance for
Individuals with Disabilities Act in
1988 to ensure that all Americans
are able to receive assistance.
 This established the definition for
what assistance technology
actually is. These definitions were
added to the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA,
in 1997. There were minor changes
made to the wording to allow it to
apply to school children.
 Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act does not have definition for
assistance technology or services.

5. Hearing Assistive Device-
FM System
 An FM system utilizes radio waves
to send a signal from a microphone
to a receiver.
 An FM system allows students to
listen through a microphone or
their own hearing device as the
teacher teaches. Teachers have to
wear a microphone.
 These devices are very portable
and can be used to multiply the
sound not only the teacher’s voice,
but a soundtrack or movie also.

6. Seeing Assistive Device-
Screen Magnifiers
 A screen magnifier takes computer
software and magnifies whatever
type of reading material the
students have.
 This software allows students who
have a visual impairment to be
able to see their textbooks,
novels, or any other type of
material.

7. Learning Disabled Assistive Technology
Word Prediction Technology
 Students who have learning
disabilities can utilize word
prediction technology to help them
quickly communicate with teachers
and other students.
 It can help students who are not
sure how to spell a word type out
the beginning and then select the
word from a list of choices.
 This software allows students to
not get stuck because they are
afraid their word was spelled
wrong.

8. Physically Disabled Assistive Device
Single-Switch Access
 Students who are physically
disabled are able to communicate
with teachers and other aides by
using a single switch that can be
interpreted with software.
 This allows students who do not
have the ability to communicate
effectively to consistently
communicate with their teachers.

9. References
 Allen, S. (n.d.). Assistive Technology: An Overview. Retrieved January 25, 2015,
from http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/at/
 Assistive technologies for people with physical impairments. (n.d.). Retrieved
January 25, 2015, from http://www.gmc-
uk.org/accessibility/assistive_technologies/physical_impairments.asp
 Assistive technology: Visual impairments. (2015, January 1). Retrieved January 25,
2015, from https://www.actionforblindpeople.org.uk/resources/practical-
advice/assistive-technology-resources/types-of-assistive-technology/assistive-
technology-visual-impairments/
 Classroom Assistive Listening Devices. (n.d.). Retrieved January 25, 2015, from
http://www.californiaearinstitute.com/hearing-device-center-listening-device-
classroom-bay-area.php
 Lee, J. (2013, August 3). Assistive Technology. Retrieved January 25, 2015, from
http://jamleeassistivetech.blogspot.com/
 Providing Assistive Technology: A Legal Perspective. (2004, January 1). Retrieved
January 25, 2015, from http://www.texasat.net/users/0011/Legal
Mod/Legal.Persp.Guides.pdf

10. References (Con’t)
 Quick Links. (n.d.). Retrieved January 25, 2015, from
http://www.goqsoftware.com/
 Raskind, M., & Stanberry, K. (2010, January 1). Assistive technology for kids with
LD: An overview. Retrieved January 25, 2015, from
http://www.greatschools.org/special-education/assistive-technology/702-
assistive-technology-for-kids-with-learning-disabilities-an-overview.gs
 Steele-Carlin, S. (2011, June 15). Assistive Technology for Challenged Kids.
Retrieved January 25, 2015, from
http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech086.shtml
 Teach ICT - GCSE ICT - disability and accessibility to ICT. (n.d.). Retrieved January
25, 2015, from http://www.teach-ict.com/gcse_new/computer
systems/disability_accessibility/miniweb/pg7.htm
 Wile, E. (2009, September 24). Assistive Technology for Education. Retrieved
January 25, 2015, from http://www.ehow.com/about_5453640_assistive-
technology-education.html
 Writing Accommodations: What is Word Prediction? (2010, August 19). Retrieved
January 25, 2015, from http://moodleshare.org/mod/page/view.php?id=485