Use of Assistive Technology in the classroom with students on IEP'S.

1. Exploration of Assistive
Technology

2. Legal Definitions
Assistive Technology Devices
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal
law enacted in 1990 and reauthorized in 1997 and 2004. In
Section 300.5, it states, “Assistive technology device means 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 the functional capabilities of
children with disabilities.” (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1401(1))

3. Legal Definitions
Assistive Technology Services
In IDEA Section 300.6, it states , “Assistive technology service means any service
that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an
assistive technology device.” (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1401(2))
This term includes:
• The evaluation of the needs of a child with a disability
• Purchasing, leasing, or otherwise providing for the acquisition of assistive technology
devices
• Selecting, Designing, Fitting, Customizing, Adapting assistive technology devices
• Maintaining, Repairing, or replacing assistive technology devices
• Coordinating and using other therapies, interventions, or services with assistive technology
devices
• Training or technical assistance for a child with a disability or, if appropriate, that child's
family
• Training or technical assistance for professionals

4. IDEA Facts
• Almost 30 years of research and experience has demonstrated that the education of children
with disabilities can be made more effective by supporting the development and use of
technology, including assistive technology devices and assistive technology services, to
maximize accessibility for children with disabilities. (Section 601 (H)).
• To support the use of technology, including technology with universal design principles and
assistive technology devices, to maximize accessibility to the general education curriculum
for children with disabilities. (Section 611 (v)).
• Encouraging and supporting the training of special education and regular education teachers
and administrators to effectively use and integrate technology into curricula and instruction,
including training to improve the ability to collect, manage, and analyze data to improve
teaching, decisionmaking, school improvement efforts, and accountability. (Section 654 (2)).

5. IEPS and AT
• The IEP team must consider whether the child needs assistive technology
devices and services. (Section 614 (B)).
• Students receive assistive technology through their IEP.
• If assistive technology is suggested through the IEP, the school must
provide a student with it according to the law.
• Multiple perspectives from a number of disciplines will ensure that the
needs of the student will be addressed and services are provided across
all school environments.
• Members of the team may include the following:
Student, Parent(s), Assistive Technology Specialist, Intervention
Specialist, Regular Education Teacher, Special Education
Coordinator, Occupational Therapist, Speech and Language
Pathologist, Physical Therapist, School Psychologist and Classroom
Assistant(s).

6. Assistive Technology Continuum
A continuum of tools and strategies that match a student’s needs and abilities.
They are used to improve or increase functional capabilities of our students.
Assistive technology devices and services help individuals with disabilities:
See, hear, communicate, read, write use a computer, study and remember.
Mid Tech Tools High Tech Tools
• Books on tape • Computer
• Word processor • Smartphones
• Adapted keyboard • Smartpens
• Adapted mouse • Switch, joystick access
• E-books • Augmentative
• Talking spell checker, communication devices
dictionary • Scanning access
• Adaptive eating • Environmental control
utensils devices
• Adaptive scissors • Voice recognition
• iPads
• iPods

7. AT and Inclusion
Why Assistive Technology? What does Assistive Technology
• Increases independence Provide Access to in the Curriculum?
• Increases productivity • Motor aspect of writing
• Promotes self esteem • Communication
• Enhances performance • Composing written work
• Improves quality of life • Reading
• Helps students with disabilities • Math
learn material at a level they • Activities of daily living
understand • Positioning
• Eliminates barriers students may • Learning and studying
face that prevent them from being • Organization
at the same level as their peers
• Needs of students with deficits in
hearing or vision
• Physical access to classroom tools
and computers

8. Types of AT in the Classroom
AT Category- Reading
Examples-
• Read the Words www.readthewords.com
Converts anything to speech.
• Book share www.bookshare.org
Accessible books and periodicals for readers.
• Read Outloud: Don Johnston
http://www.donjohnston.com/products/read_
outloud/
Provides access to electronic books.

9. Explore Assistive
Technology Access
to Reading in the
Lab for 20 Minutes

10. Types of AT in the Classroom
Type of AT Category- Writing
Examples-
• https://bubbl.us/
Brainstorming online
• Kidspiration
http://www.inspiration.com/Kidspiration
Strengthen Writing skills
• Custom Typing www.customtyping.com
Learn to type online

11. Explore Assistive
Technology Access to
Writing in the Lab for 20
Minutes

12. Types of AT in the Classroom
Type of AT Category- Reading and Writing
Examples-
• Word Talk http://www.wordtalk.org.uk/Home/
A free text-to-speech plugin
• Exploratree http://www.exploratree.org.uk/
Online library of thinking guides
• Read and Write Gold www.mayer-johnson.com
Provides reading and writing support for students
• Classroom Suite www.store.cambiullearning.com
Software intervention tool to help students achieve mastery
mastery in reading and writing.
• Dragon Naturally Speaking www.nuance.com
Control your PC by talking into it

13. Reading and Writing Devices
• Neo (www.alphasmart.com)
• Livescribe Smart Pen (www.livescribe.com)
• iPad (www.apple.com)
• iPod www.apple.com)
Explore Assistive Technology Access
and Devices to Reading and Writing in
the Lab for 30 minutes

14. Assistive Technology Solutions
Online
Online Resources- Literacy
• Tar Heel Reader (www.tarheelreader.org)
• Tumble books (www.tumblebooks.com)
• Story Place (www.storyplace.org)
• Star Fall (www.starfall.com)
• Magic Keys (www.magickeys.com)
• Woodlands Junior School
(www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk)

15. Online Resources: Games and Activities
• Priory Woods
(http://www.priorywoods.middlesbrough.sch.u
k/)
• Do 2 Learn (www.do2learn.com)
• Help Kidz learn
(http://www.helpkidzlearn.com/)
• Hooda Math (www.hoodamath.com)
• Learning games for kids
(www.learninggamesforkids.com)

16. Explore Online Assistive
Technology Solutions
and Resources in the Lab
for 20 Minutes

17. AT Evolves Over Time
• As a student’s work gets more difficult, their
technology needs may change and new strategies
and tools may be required.
• New technology becomes available that may be
better suited to meet the student’s diverse learning
needs.
• The IEP team or another professional may decide
that another piece of assistive technology will be
better for a student to meet their needs in the
school environment.

18. Tips For Teachers
• Use Assistive Technology!
• Learn how to use the Assistive Technology in your classroom and why a
student or students are using it in your class.
• Incorporate Assistive Technology throughout the school day.
• Sit in on IEP meeting when it is possible to attend.
• Work with the special education team to provide the greatest benefit to the
student using the assistive technology.
• Ask for HELP when you need it!

19. References
U. S. Department of Education. Retrieved from http://idea.ed.gov/
Family Center on Technology and Disability. Retrieved from www.fctd.info
Education World. Retrieved from www.educationworld.com
South Carolina Assistive Technology Program. Retrieved from http://www.sc.edu/scatp/ld.htm