2. What is assistive technology?
Assistive technology is any device or service that helps an individual
with special needs participate successfully in their daily lives.
Assistive devices can be simple things like pencil grips, highlighter
pens, or sticky notes. They can also be much more complicated
devices such as text readers, digital recorders, computers, or
wheelchairs.
Assistive services include training on how to use devices, support
for problems that might arise, evaluation of effectiveness, and
ongoing discussions about what is working, what is not working, and
other possible options.
3. Assistive Technology and the
Law
Here’s what the law states about assistive technology.
•The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) states
all eligible children are entitled to a free appropriate public
education (FAPE).
•Individual Education Plans (IEP’s) are required for students
that qualify for special education services.
•IEP teams are required by state and federal law to consider a
child’s need for assistive technology.
4. Assistive Technology for Hearing
Impaired Students
One device available for hearing impaired students is the Frequency
Modulation or FM system. This device consists of a transmitter and
microphone that the teacher wears and a receiver that the student
wears. The teacher speaks into the microphone and the student can
hear even if the teacher has his or her back to the student.
The FM system is portable which
makes it a good option for a
classroom setting. The system can
move from classroom to classroom
with the student.
5. Assistive Technology for Seeing
Impaired Students
Video magnifiers can help visually impaired students read text or view
images more easily. A camera, that can be mounted on a stand or
hand held, magnifies the image or text and displays it on a video
monitor, television screen, or computer monitor.
6. Assistive Technology for
Learning Disabled Students
Students with learning disabilities can face a variety of struggles.
Written assignments can be challenging for students with learning
disabilities. Talking spell checkers can help children that have
difficulty spelling words. The student types in the word the way
they think it is spelled. The spell checker gives the correct spelling
and pronounces it.
7. Assistive Technology for
Physically Disabled Students
Using a computer can be challenging for students with physical
disabilities. Face Mouse is a free program that users can download
on their computers. It uses the computer’s webcam to capture the
student’s facial movements which are synchronized with the actions
of the mouse. Turning one’s head left or right can move the cursor
or click on an item.
8. References
Crandell, C.C. & Kreisman, B.M. (2002, July 29). Frequency
Modulation (FM) Systems for Children with Normal Hearing
Retrieved from http://audiologyonline.com
Rooney, J. (2013, April 26). 8 Online Tools to Help Educate
Students with Disabilities Retrieved from http://teachthought.com
Raskind, M. &Stanberry, K. (2015). Assistive technology for kids
with LD: An overview Retrieved from http://greatschools.org
Alabama Disability Advocacy Program (2014, March 4). Assistive
Technology: AT Retrieved from http://adap.net
The Family Center on Technology and Disabilities (2015).
Assistive Technology and the IEP Retrieved from http://fctd.info
