2. The Students
Students may have disability ranging from
significant to very minor.
Disability may be visible or not. Some may be
confused with bad behavior or lack of interest.
3. Student Supports
Supports: allow students to do their best in school
(preferred: general education classroom)
Supports may include:
* one-on-one with parapro, learning buddy, or
teacher
* extra time to complete assignments
* frequent breaks
* use computer to type responses instead of
speak/write
* and more, depending on specific child
4. What is Assistive Technology?
Devices that aid those with special needs to be
more independent.
In school setting, allow students to complete
work independently or reduced teacher help.
May include tools to aid speech, hearing,
movement, and more depending on student
needs
5. Assistive Technology and Law
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): primary
governance for students with disabilities
Covers only specific disabilities: specific learning disability,
speech/language impairment, emotional disturbance, hearing
impairment, visual impairment, autism, intellectual disabilities,
orthopedic impairment, other health impairment, deaf/blind, traumatic
brain injury, developmental delay, or multiple disabilities
Mandates that Assistive Technology be considered for any student with
disability.
To use assistive technology, must be written in student’s IEP
(individualized education plan)
6. Assistive Technology and Law
Students with disabilities other than what is covered
by IDEA (example: ADHD) may be covered by
Americans with Disabilities Act (public buildings
offer supports such as wheelchair access)
Or
Section 504 (no government funding, school pays
for supports)
8. Examples of Assistive Technology
• Hearing aids
• Wheelchairs
• Prosthetic limbs
• Graphic textbooks
• Keyboards
• Phrase predicting software
• Computer software that says the word while
showing it on the screen
• So many more examples exist. Selection is based
on student need.
9. References
Assistive technology - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (n.d.).
Retrieved June 13, 2014, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assistive_technology
Friend, M. P. (2005). Understanding Special Education.
In Special education: Contemporary perspectives for school
professionals (4th ed.). Boston: Pearson/A and B.
Stanberry, K., & Raskind, M. (n.d.). Assistive technology for
kids with learning disabilities: An overview - Assistive technology |
GreatSchools. Retrieved from http://www.greatschools.org/special-
education/assistive-technology/702-assistive-technology-for-kids-with-
learning-disabilities-an-overview.gs?page=all
What is assistive technology and how is it used in
schools? (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.sc.edu/scatp/cdrom/atused.html
