This document provides an overview of assistive technology and how it can help individuals with different disabilities. It discusses technologies that assist those who are hearing impaired, such as amplifiers. It also describes devices that help the visually impaired, such as magnifiers. For learning disabilities, speech recognition software is mentioned. Finally, it notes that wheelchairs, walkers, and other devices help those with physical disabilities move and function in the classroom. Landmark laws like the IDEA and ADA have helped ensure individuals with disabilities have access to assistive technologies.

1. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY
IL 505 – DR. HOCUTT
Renea Richardson-Fikes

2. Contents
• Overview: Assistive Technology
• Hearing Impaired
• Seeing Impaired
• Learning Disabled
• Physically Disabled

3. Overview: Assistive Technology
• Assistive technology is any item, piece
of equipment, software or product
system that is used to increase,
maintain, or improve the functional
capabilities of individuals with
disabilities.
• Assistive technology can be low tech, high
tech, and includes products and services
to help people who have difficulty
speaking, typing, writing, remembering,
pointing, seeing, hearing, learning,
walking, etc.

4. HEARING IMPAIRED

5. Law Covering Assistive Technology
Having a brother whom was profoundly deaf, Senator Tom Harkin supported
the Tech Act of 1988 and ADA 1990. The 2002 amendments to the Elementary
and Secondary Education Act made under the name of the No Child Left Behind
Act, stated that assistive technology systems are to continue to ensure that
individuals with disabilities reap the benefits of the technological revolution and
participate fully in life in their communities” (20 U.S.C. Sec. 3001(a)(8)).

6. Audio Devices
The amplifier allows
the student to adjust
the volume and tones
to their levels to assist
with their hearing
impairment.
Students using an amplifier can sit anywhere in the room instead of the front
of the classroom. They can adjust the different volumes to suit them, and
they can participate in group activities.
There are numerous types of technologies that can be used to enhance
a student’s learning experience.

7. SEEING IMPAIRED

8. Visually Impaired Devices
Assistive technologies used for visual impairment includes some of the above
technologies. For example, the V-Tech allows individuals to read some of the
smallest print by magnifying it and then project it through a television screen. The
Braille ‘n Sound allows the student to type in braille and the machine will repeat it
aloud. The last device helps individuals to write. It enlarges the field of view
allowing them the opportunity to write on a straight line.

9. LEARNING DISABLED

10. Learning Disabled
.
A speech recognition program works in conjunction with a word processor. The
user "dictates" into a microphone, and his spoken words appear on the computer
screen as text. This can help a student whose oral language ability is better than
his writing skills.
Assistive Technology for kids with Learning
Disabilities is defined as any device, piece
of equipment or system that helps bypass,
work around or compensate for an
individual's specific learning deficits.

11. PHYSICALLY DISABLED

12. Physically Disabled
A physical disability
can affect how a
student performs in
the classroom.
Because of the IDEA
and advances in
technology software,
students with physical
disabilities can
succeed in the
classroom.
Wheelchairs and walkers allow individuals with minimum movement and those
who are unable to move at all a chance to enhance their ability to move or walk. A
wheelchair is a combination of a chair and two or more wheels. The individual is
able to roll to different destinations. A walker is used to provide individuals with
stability and allows them to use their upper body strength to help them walk.

13. References
Assistive Technology . (2002, July 18). Retrieved April 20,
2015, from www.calstate.edu/accessibility/workshops
Assistive Technology in Education/Physically Handicapped.
(2009, July 9). retrieved April 16, 2015 from
http://en.wikibooks.org/Assistive_Technology_in_Education/Physi
No Child Left Behind retrieved on April 13, 2015 at
www.ed.gov/nclb