What is Assistive Technology and how can I use it in the classroom?

1. Assistive Technology
Heather Henley
ED 505

2. Assistive Technology
What is it?
• Assistive Technology Improves performance of
a student with a disability. It equips students
with different outlets to complete their work.
• Can be low tech (raised lined paper) or high
tech (special purpose computers).
• Can be hardware or software.

3. Assistive Technology
• The goal of assistive technology is to help
students be successful in their learning
environment. It gives them the tools that they
need in order to do so.

4. How do we use it correctly?
• There are multiple laws that relate to
implementing assistive technology in the
classroom.
• These include: Rehabilitation Act, Americans with
Disabilities Act, Telecommunications Act of 1996,
and the Assistive Technology Act of 1998.
• These acts protect the rights of students with
disabilities and require that they receive the tools
that they need in order to be successful in the
classroom.

5. Assistive Technology Act
• This act was signed in 1998 and has been
reauthorized several times.
• The act seeks to provide people with
disabilities the services that they might need
to more fully participate on a level playing field
of those in their community.
• It protects those of all ages in all environments
(including education and the work force).

6. Hearing Impaired
• An FM transmitter, or
Frequency Modulation
system, the sound is
transmitted from a
microphone through a specific
frequency.
• The student will wear
headphones that are
connected to the frequency,
allowing them to better hear
their teacher.
• This can be done for an
individual or a group.
• The amplified sound helps
students with hearing
disabilities to block out
background noise and focus
on what the teacher is saying.
FM Transmitters

7. Seeing Impaired
• Audio Books are
available online, on cds,
or cassette tapes.
• The students can have
the book, magazine, or
educational material read
to them during
independent reading
time.
Audio Books

8. Learning Disabled
• Math worksheets online
are useful for students
who have trouble lining
up and organizing
numbers with pencil and
paper.
• Helps to take students
through the steps of
solving a math problem.
• The numbers can also be
read aloud to students to
help them complete the
problem.
Electronic Math Worksheets

9. Physically Disabled
• Alternative Keyboards
can be used for students
with limited motor skills
who might not have the
ability to write.
• The expanded keyboard
has keys closer together
making it easier for a
student to type.
Expanded Keyboard

10. References
• American Foundation for the Blind. (2015). Retrieved from: http://www.afb.org/info/living-with-vision-loss/reading-and-writing/talking-books-
933/235
• Assistive Technology Industry Association. Retrieved from http://www.atia.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3859#What_is_AT_
• Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania. (2008) Assistive technology for persons with disabilities: an overview. (2009). Retrieved from
http://drnpa.org/File/publications/assistive-technology-for-persons-with-disabilities---an-overview.pdf
• Gateway. Guidance for Assistive Technology in Education. Retrieved from
http://www.gateway2at.org/page.php?page_ID=3&gen_ID=12&mensub_ID=4&submen_ID=1&AtDet_ID=20
• Hearing Loss Association of America. (2005-2015). Retrieved from http://www.hearingloss.org/content/glossary
• National Disability Rights Network. Technology Specific Laws and Regulations. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.ndrn.org/issues/assistive-
technology/292-assistive-technology-federal-law-and-regulations.html
• Image retrieved from: http://www.inov8-ed.com/services/assistive-technology/
• Image retrieved from: http://www.av-iq.com/avcat/ctl1642/index.cfm?manufacturer=lightspeed-technologies&product=les-370
• Image Retrieved from: http://www.salon.com/2010/06/30/kid_audio_books_open2010/
• Image retrieved from http://otswithapps.com/2014/04/03/mod-math-app-free-math-worksheet-app/
• Stanberry, Kristen. Electronic Math Worksheets. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/electronic-math-worksheets/