Information on various types of Assistive Technology for Classroom purposes.

1. Assistive
Technology
Bo Hartley Warren

2. What is Assistive Technology?
A variety of tools used to help people with
learning disabilities reach their full potential.
These tools are not made to fix specific deficit
but help people work around them. These
tools can range from something as simple as a
tape to recorder to computers that read
certain text out loud.

3. Laws about Assistive
Technology
• IDEA requires that related services be provided when necessary to assist a student with a disability
to benefit from special education.
• Schools may be required to provide assistive technology devices and services under related
services.
• Related services include transportation, and such developmental, corrective, and other supported
services as are required to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education, and
include speech-language pathology and audiology services, interpreting services, psychological
services, physical and occupational therapy, recreation, including therapeutic recreation, early
identification and assessment of disabilities in children, counseling services, including rehabilitation
counseling, orientation and mobility services, and medical services for diagnostic or evaluation
purposes.
• Related services also include school health services and school nurse services, social work services
in schools, and parent counseling and training.
• While the list of related services is long, it is not exhaustive and may include other developmental,
corrective, or support services.
• Related services, however, do not include a medical device that is surgically implanted, or the
maintenance or replacement of such a device.
• In situations where assistive technology may fall under the general category of related services,
school districts are expected to provide the assistive technology. All related services must be
provided to a student with a disability at no cost to the parent or guardian.

4. Assistive Technology for Vision
Impaired
Eyeglasses
Large-Print Books
Books on Tape
Magnifying Glass
Braille Stylus
Stencil
Tape Recorder
Headphones
Lighting Contrast
Adapted Paper (Various Sizes, Shapes, Colors)
Pen Lights
Calculator with Large Keys
Talking Calculators
Post-it Notes
Highlighters
Color Blind Aids
Braille Writer
Braille Printer
Braille Translation Software
Computer with speech
Closed Circuit TV
Letter or Word Magnifiers
Computer Screen Magnifiers
Glare Reduction Screens
Talking Dictionaries, Thesaurus, Spell
Checker
Video Magnifiers
Voice Output Screen Reading
Software
Screen Readers

5. Talking Calculator
A talking calculator has a built-in
speech synthesizer that reads aloud each
number, symbol, or operation key a user
presses; it also vocalizes the answer to
the problem. This auditory feedback may
help a student check the accuracy of the
keys he presses and verify the answer
before he transfers it to paper.

6. Assistive Technology For Hearing
Impaired
Hearing Aids
Signaling Devices
Pictures, Photographs, Object Lessons
Communication Board
Assistive Listening Devices (Amplified Sound Systems
Phonic Ear
Headphones
FM Amplification Systems
TDD/TYY For Phone Services
Closed-Captioning TV
Real-Time Captioning
CD-Based Books
Audio Voice Amplification
Telecaption Decoders
Vibrotactile Systems

7. FM System
The microphone picks up the Teachers
voice, and the transmitter sends it right
to the child’s receiver for amplification in
their hearing aid. This is such a great
example of assistive technology because
it enables the student to pay attention
to what is being taught instead of
straining and trying to focus on if they
can hear the teacher.

8. Assistive Technology for Learning
Disabilities
Highlighting Tape
Post-It Notes
Picture and Written Schedule
Social Stories
Written of Pictorial Supported Directions
Labeling Aids
Editing Devices: White Out, Correction Tape,
Correction Pen, Etc.
Sentence Windows
Graphic Organizers
Single-Word Scanners or Reading Pens
Portable Word Processor
Talking Word Processors
Hand Held Computers
Voice-Recognition Software
Software for Organizing or
Reminding
Electronic Organizers or Reminders
Word-Prediction Software
Multimedia Software for Idea
Production
Talking Electronic Devices or
Software to Pronounce Words
Graphic Organizer Software
Text-Reading Software
Voice Output Measuring Devices
Portable Word Processors

9. Example of Assistive Technology for
Learning Disabilities
For the most part computers, tablets and handheld devices when paired with
headphones can be very useful for students with disabilities because they cut out
distractions, decrease the stress of stimuli and leave more of a student’s brain for
thinking. When using various forms of technology it is always good to have preapproved
learning tools available. It is also good to teach children those with or without learning
disabilities how to search the web.
KidRex is a version of Google but it is Kid friendly. KidRex is a great tool for students
with major or minor learning disabilities because it allows them to explore the internet
world without an abundance of supervision.

10. Assistive Technology for Physical
Disabilities
Big Pencils, Pens, Crayons, Etc.
A Roller-Ball
Adapted Handles
Scotch Tape
Velcro
Adapted Book Turners
Adapted Paper
Built-Up Stylus
T-Bar to Assist with Typing
Switches
Head Pointers
Joysticks
Adapted Mouse
Typewriter
Adaptive Switches
Alternative Keyboards
A Mouth Stick
Foot Pedals
Arm Supports
Slant Board
Tilt Board
Book Holders
Key Guards
On Screen Keyboards
Touch Sensitive Colored Lights
Voice Input and Output Devices
Voice Recognition Software
Eye Controlled Computer Devices
Touch Windows
Portable Word Processor
Word Completion Utilities

11. Example of Assistive Technology
for Physical Disabilities
• http://youtu.be/QrkJN6jLPbc
EyeGaze is a portable camera like computer component that is compatible
with all models computers. EyeGaze allows students to control the mouse,
keyboard, and computer system with their eyes, and if chosen in settings with
their speech. EyeGaze includes lessons, games, learning activities, and more.
There is also an option to upload your own games and worksheets!

12. References
• An Overview of Assistive Technology | Assistive Technology | At School. (n.d.). Retrieved August 27, 2014.
http://www.ncld.org/students-disabilities/assistive-technology-education/overview-assistive-technology
• Definitions and Legal Requirements. (n.d.). Retrieved August 27, 2014.
http://www.atp.ne.gov/techassist/def-legal.html
• Lisa Nielsen: The Innovative Educator: 25 Incredible Assistive Technologies. (n.d.). Retrieved August 28,
2014.
http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com/2011/09/25-incredible-assistive-technologies.html
• Spectronics-Word Prediction Software Comparison Chart. (n.d.). Retrieved August 28, 2014.
http://www.spectronics.com.au/
• HelpKidzLearn EyeGaze. (n.d.). Retrieved August 28, 2014.
http://www.helpkidzlearn.com/shop/eye-gaze/helpkidzlearn-eyegaze