Presentation given at NRCP 2018 Conference by Katie Olson and Levi Benner

1. Bridging Quality Education through
Assistive Technology
Presenters:
Katie Archer Olson MAT ECE, Faculty Chair of
Paraprofessional Education
Levi Benner Soldotna High School

2. Bridging the School District, students, Post Secondary and Life Skills with Assistive
Technology

3. What is Assistive Technology?
● Assistive Technology is any item, or type of equipment,
software, or system that is used to improve the
functional capabilities of someone with disabilities.
● AT can be low-tech: Pencil Grips, different types of
paper, Different Textures of devices, communication
boards made of cardboard or fuzzy felt.
● AT can be high-tech: special-purpose computers.
● AT can be computer software: screen readers and
communication programs.
● AT can be specialized curricular software.
Resource Link

4. Laws that support Assistive Technology
● Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
● Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
● Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act
● Assistive Technology Act 1998
● Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act
Amendments of 1998
● Federal Government Procurement of Accessible Information
Technology
Center on Technology and Disability

5. How is Assistive Technology Assigned to Students?
1. IEP team meets and indicates there is a need for a
specific tool (try to encourage general need instead of a
specific tool)
2. Assistive Technology Person or Access Specialist meets
with the child and interviews them to see what tools
might work best for their specific needs
3. Assistive Technology Specialist makes recommendations to
the team for the parents, child and ed team to decide
what they will adopt
4. They try it
5. Modify as the needs of the student changes or needs
supported

6. What Qualifies as Assistive Technology?
Student Needs
Assistive Technology
Related Medical
Device
Wheel Chair Hearing Aid Word Prediction
Software
Dragon SpeakCochlear Implants Special Keyboards
Buttons
Board Maker
FM SystemsInsulin pumps Orthopedic Devices

7. Examples of
Commonly used AT
in Public Spaces

9. Top 5 Assistive Tech
in our area

10. Word Prediction Devices

11. Dragon Speak and SMART Pens

12. Augmented Communication

13. Buttons

14. High Tech Devices

15. 3-D Printing

16. Future of AT
Mobility
Biomechanics Robotics

17. Funding and grants to support AT
● Retention grants
● Mental Health Trust Foundation for individual grants up to 3 a year
● Wish lists
● Title 3
● ABEL Account ($100K tax free)
● RUS Grant (Rural Utility Services)
● DTI Grant (Digital Teaching Initiative)

18. Virtually Looking at
Soltona
Contact Katie @ kolson@alaskacc.edu or Facebook Katie
Archer Olson
Or
Levi @ levibenner01@gmail.com