Instructional Technology M4

1. Assistive Technology
Presentation
By: Jen Welch

3. IEP: Individualized Education Programs
• The Individualized Education Program
• Designed for students who have disabilities or delayed skills that provide a roadblock in
their educational learning.
• Describes goals set for a child during the school year and the assistive resources needed
• The plan is developed as a collaborative effort between educators and parent
(Lyness)

4. Evaluation of Students for IEP
Students who may Qualify for IEPs may include:
• Learning Disabilities
• ADHD
• Impairments: hearing, visual, speech, or language
• Emotional Disorders
• Autism
• Cognitive Challenges
How can students obtain IEP:
• Gather Data
• Conferences with parent(s) and student
• Observation
• Evaluation of student’s testing and daily work

5. What is Assistive Technology
• “Assistive technology 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.” (Blackhurst)

6. ADHD
• Instructional Approach:
• Avoid Seating Distractions
• Homework Folder for Parent-Teacher Communication
• Break Down Assignments
• Give Positive Reinforcements
• Be Mindful of Self-Esteem Issues
(Hasan)

7. Assistive Listening Devices for Auditory Disabilities
• Hearing Assistive Technology Systems Solutions (HATS):
• Personal Frequency Modulation (FM) Systems
• Allows the student to better hear the teacher through special frequencies on radio wave
length
• Computerized Speech Recognition
• Translates speech to readable document

8. No Tech Assistive Listening Methods
• No Tech
• Trained Note Taker
• Allows students to focus on speaker
• Place student closer to front of room/teacher
• Limit competing noise in the classroom

9. Mild Learning Disability
• Organization: teaching students how to use flow charts and outlines
• Note Taking: providing students with handout of notes with fill in the blanks
• Writing: Students with mild learning disabilities may have trouble with writing due to mechanics, process,
or motivation. The use of a computer based word processor or macros can help.
• Productivity
• Access to Reference and General Educational Materials: use of internet communications and multimedia
allows students to interact with people outside of their classroom environment and makes education
more engaged.
• Cognitive Assistance: use of software to help students work through lesson practices, send reminders,
note taking, etc. (Behrmann/Jerome)

10. Assistive Technology Products
• Abbreviation Expanders
• Alternative Keyboards
• Audio Books
• Electronic Work Sheets
• Freeform Database Software
• Graphic Organizers
• Optical Character Recognition
• FM Listening Systems
• Portable Word Processor
• Proof Reading Programs
• Speech-Recognition Programs
• Screen Readers
• Talking Electronic Devices
• Tape Recorders
• Word Prediction Programs
(Raskind and Stanberry)

11. Georgia Project for Assistive Technology
The Georgia Project for Assistive Technology (GPAT) has been
funded since 1991, and strives to increase student performance
increasing teacher’s knowledge of assistive technology and allowing
greater access to students for devices and services.
Contact Info
• Gina Gelinas, Program Manager
• 470-218-1382
• ggelinas@doe.k12.ga.us

12. Resources:
• Dehrmann, Miichael and Jerome, Marci. (2008, December 16). Assistive Technology for Students with
Mild Disabilities. Retrieved from
http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_Assistive_Technology/
• Blackhurst, Edward. (2006, April 19). What is Assistive Technology. Retrieved from
http://natri.uky.edu/resources/fundamentals/defined.html#definition
• Hasan, Shirin. (2014, July). What is ADHD. Retrieved from
http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/learning/adhd.html#
• Lyness, D’Arcy. (2014, Setptember). Individualized Education Programs. Retrieved from
http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/learning/iep.html#
• Raskind, Marshall and Stanberry, Kristin. (2009). Assistive Technology for Kids with Learning
Disabilities: An Overview. Retrieved from
http://www.readingrockets.org/article/assistive-technology-kids-learning-disabilities-overview