This document provides an introduction to assistive technology (AT). It defines AT and gives examples for various purposes including listening, math, organization/memory, reading, and writing. The objectives are to describe AT, list examples, identify appropriate AT for needs, and recognize benefits. Advantages of AT include individualized learning support, availability to all students, aid across subjects, and independence promotion. Tips for teachers include using AT as supplements, having computers set up for AT, collaborating with other professionals, and familiarizing all students with AT.

2. 6-Dec-12 Assistive Technology
 Objectives
 Introduction to Assistive Technology
 Examples of Assistive Technology
 Advantages of Assistive Technology
 Tips for Teachers
D.E.T. , S.N.D.T. Women’s University
2

3. 6-Dec-12 Assistive Technology
 At the end of the session, you will be able to:
 Describe what assistive technology in your own
words.
 List examples of assistive technology.
 Use appropriate assistive technology according to
the need of the learner.
 Identify the benefits of AT
D.E.T. , S.N.D.T. Women’s University
3

4. 6-Dec-12 Assistive Technology
 Video
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DB9pKkZoJDc
D.E.T. , S.N.D.T. Women’s University
4

5. 6-Dec-12 Assistive Technology
 Assistive technology in special education refers
to any devices or services that are necessary for
a child to benefit from special education or
related services or to enable the child to be
educated in the least restrictive environment.
 Used to enhance the functional independence of
a person with a disability.
 Helps people with disabilities to overcome
various challenges they face.
D.E.T. , S.N.D.T. Women’s University
5

6. 6-Dec-12 Assistive Technology
 The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
(IDEA) defines AT as both a device and a
service:
Assistive Technology
Device
Assistive Technology
Any item, piece of
Service
equipment, or product
Any service that directly
system, whether acquired
assists a child with a
commercially off the shelf,
disability in the selection,
modified, or customize, that
acquisition, or use of an
is used to increase, maintain,
assistive technology device.
or improve functional
capabilities of a child with a
disability.
D.E.T. , S.N.D.T. Women’s University
6

7. 6-Dec-12 Assistive Technology
 The term Assistive Technology Service includes:
a. The evaluation of the needs of a child with a
disability, including a functional evaluation of the
child in the child’s customary environment;
b. Purchasing, leasing, or otherwise providing for the
acquisition of assistive technology devices by
children with disabilities;
c. Selecting, designing, fitting, customizing, adapting,
applying, retaining, repairing, or replacing assistive
technology devices;
D.E.T. , S.N.D.T. Women’s University
7

8. 6-Dec-12 Assistive Technology
 The term Assistive Technology Service includes:
d. Coordinating and using other
therapies, interventions, or services with assistive
technology devices, such as those associated with
existing education and rehabilitation plans and
programs;
e. Training or technical assistance for a child with a
disability or, if appropriate, that child’s family; and
f. Training or technical assistance for
professionals, who are otherwise substantially
involved in the major life functions of children with
disabilities.
D.E.T. , S.N.D.T. Women’s University
8

9. 6-Dec-12 Assistive Technology
 A tremendous types of assistive technology
available today.
 AT available for almost all learning difficulties.
 There are AT tools to help students who struggle
with
Listening Writing
Math Reading
Organisation &
Memory
D.E.T. , S.N.D.T. Women’s University
9

10. 6-Dec-12 Assistive Technology
Listening
 Assistive technology (AT) tools for listening are
designed to help people who have difficulty in
hearing, processing and remembering spoken
language.
 Few examples of AT for listening are:
› Personal FM learning Systems
› Variable Speed Tape Recorders
D.E.T. , S.N.D.T. Women’s University
10

11. 6-Dec-12 Assistive Technology
Listening
 Personal FM learning Systems:
A personal FM listening system transmits a speaker's
voice directly to the user's ear.
This may help the listener focus on what the speaker
is saying.
The unit consists of a wireless transmitter (with
microphone) worn by the speaker and a receiver (with
earphone) worn by the listener.
D.E.T. , S.N.D.T. Women’s University
11

12. 6-Dec-12 Assistive Technology
Listening
 Video
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4lBkdRereE
D.E.T. , S.N.D.T. Women’s University
12

13. 6-Dec-12 Assistive Technology
Listening
 Variable Speed Tape Recorders:
Tape recorders/players allow a user to listen to pre-
recorded text or to capture spoken information and
play it back later.
This tape recorders speed up or slow down the
playback rate without distorting the "speaker's" voice.
D.E.T. , S.N.D.T. Women’s University
13

14. 6-Dec-12 Assistive Technology
Math
 Assistive technology (AT) tools for math are
designed to help people who struggle with
computing, organizing, aligning, and copying
math problems down on paper.
 With the help of visual and/or audio
support, learners can better set up and calculate
basic math problems.
 Few examples of AT for Math are:
› Electronic Math Worksheet
› Talking Calculator
D.E.T. , S.N.D.T. Women’s University
14

15. 6-Dec-12 Assistive Technology
Math
 Electronic Math Worksheet:
Electronic math worksheets are software programs
that can help a user organize, align, and work through
math problems on a computer screen.
Numbers that appear onscreen can also be read aloud
via a speech synthesizer.
This is helpful to people who have trouble aligning
math problems with pencil and paper.
D.E.T. , S.N.D.T. Women’s University
15

16. 6-Dec-12 Assistive Technology
Math
 Talking Calculator
A talking calculator has a built-in speech synthesizer
that reads aloud each number, symbol, or operation
key a user presses and vocalizes the answer to the
problem.
This auditory feedback helps the learner to check the
accuracy of the keys he/she presses and verify the
answer before he/she transfers it to paper.
D.E.T. , S.N.D.T. Women’s University
16

17. 6-Dec-12 Assistive Technology
Math
 Video
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMFreOcVzh0
D.E.T. , S.N.D.T. Women’s University
17

18. 6-Dec-12 Assistive Technology
Organisation &
Memory
 Assistive technology (AT) tools for organisation and
memory are designed to help a person
plan, organize, and keep track of his
calendar, schedule, task list, contact information, and
miscellaneous notes.
 These tools allow him to manage, store, and retrieve
information.
 Few examples of AT for organisation & memory are:
› Information/Data Managers
› Graphic Organisers and Outlining Programs
D.E.T. , S.N.D.T. Women’s University
18

19. 6-Dec-12 Assistive Technology
Organisation &
Memory
 Information/Data Managers:
This tool helps learners to plan, organize, store, and
retrieve his calendar, task list, contact data, and other
information in electronic form.
Personal data managers may be portable, hand-held
devices, computer software, or a combination of
those tools working together to share data.
D.E.T. , S.N.D.T. Women’s University
19

20. 6-Dec-12 Assistive Technology
Organisation &
Memory
 Graphic Organisers and Outlining Programs:
Graphic organizers and outlining programs help users
who have trouble organizing and outlining information
as they begin a writing project.
This type of program lets a user "dump" information in
an unstructured manner and later helps him organize
the information into appropriate categories and order.
D.E.T. , S.N.D.T. Women’s University
20

21. 6-Dec-12 Assistive Technology
Organisation &
Memory
 Video
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nlcc2kc7wEA
Link
D.E.T. , S.N.D.T. Women’s University
21

22. 6-Dec-12 Assistive Technology
Reading
 Assistive technology (AT) for reading help
individuals who struggle with reading.
 These tools help facilitate decoding, reading
fluency, and comprehension.
 While each type of tool works a little
differently, all of these tools help by
presenting text as speech.
 Few examples of AT tools for reading:
› Audio Books and Publications
› Optical Character Recognition
D.E.T. , S.N.D.T. Women’s University
22

23. 6-Dec-12 Assistive Technology
Reading
 Audio Books and Publications:
Recorded books allow users to listen to text and are
available in a variety of formats, such as
audiocassettes, CDs, and MP3 downloads.
Subscription services offer extensive electronic library
collections.
D.E.T. , S.N.D.T. Women’s University
23

24. 6-Dec-12 Assistive Technology
Reading
 Optical Character Recognition:
This technology allows a user to scan printed material
into a computer or handheld unit.
The scanned text is then read aloud via a speech
synthesis/screen reading system.
Optical Character Recognition (OCR) is available as
stand-alone units, computer software, and as
portable, pocket-sized devices.
Portable reading device downloads books and then
reads them out loud in a synthesized voice.
D.E.T. , S.N.D.T. Women’s University
24

25. 6-Dec-12 Assistive Technology
Reading
 Video
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrinGnWOLJs
Link:
D.E.T. , S.N.D.T. Women’s University
25

26. 6-Dec-12 Assistive Technology
Writing
 Assistive technology (AT) tools for writing help
learners who struggle with writing.
 Some of these tools help learners avoid the
actual physical task of writing, while some
facilitate proper spelling, punctuation, grammar,
word usage, and organization.
 Few examples of AT tools for writing:
› Abbreviation expanders
› Alternative keyboards
› Talking spell checkers and electronic dictionaries
D.E.T. , S.N.D.T. Women’s University
26

27. 6-Dec-12 Assistive Technology
Writing
 Abbreviation expanders:
This software program allows a user to
create, store, and re-use abbreviations for frequently-
used words or phrases and it is used with word
processing.
D.E.T. , S.N.D.T. Women’s University
27

28. 6-Dec-12 Assistive Technology
Writing
 Alternative keyboards:
Alternative keyboards have special overlays that
customize the appearance and function of a standard
keyboard.
Students who have trouble typing may benefit from
customization that reduces input choices, groups keys
by colour/location, and adds graphics to aid
comprehension.
D.E.T. , S.N.D.T. Women’s University
28

29. 6-Dec-12 Assistive Technology
Writing
 Talking spell checkers and electronic dictionaries:
Talking spell checkers and electronic dictionaries can
help a poor speller select or identify appropriate words
and correct spelling errors during the process of
writing and proofreading.
Talking devices "read aloud" and display the selected
words onscreen, so the user can see and hear the
words.
D.E.T. , S.N.D.T. Women’s University
29

30. 6-Dec-12 Assistive Technology
Individualized control over learning
Available to everyone, so ‘at-risk’ students can also
benefit
Aids in all of the subject areas
Promotes greater independence
Gives teachers more time with other students and
with group activities
Other students also benefit
D.E.T. , S.N.D.T. Women’s University
30

31. 6-Dec-12 Assistive Technology
Have certain
computers in the
classroom that set up
for the use of the
special learners
Work with the parents Develop more
and/or other comprehensive lesson
professionals working plans, which also have
with the student provision of using AT
Tips for
Teachers
Learn how to use the
Use AT as a AT devices that will be
supplement even if it is present in the
not necessary classroom
Familiarize and
sensitize the other
students
D.E.T. , S.N.D.T. Women’s University 31

32. 6-Dec-12
I would like to end this presentation with a quote:
“Assistive Technology opens up a new
world of learning for students with
disabilities by providing “an enriched
environment to promote their social and
cognitive participation and growth.”
-LD Online: Help for Young Learners: How To Choose?
D.E.T. , S.N.D.T. Women’s University 32