This document defines assistive technology and discusses its use for students with disabilities according to IDEA. Assistive technology is any item or equipment that increases functional capabilities for students with disabilities. IDEA requires schools to provide individualized educational programs incorporating assistive technology. Assistive technology can aid communication, academic tasks, and participation. It includes devices like tape recorders, software for reading or writing, and joysticks for physically disabled students. Schools must evaluate needs, acquire devices, and provide training for students, families and teachers on assistive technologies.

1. Assistive Technology
Ed 505

2. Assistive Technology (Legally Defined)
• “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 a child with
a disability.” (Penny Reed,
transcript)

3. IDEA and Assistive Technology
• Individuals with
Disabilities Education
Act (IDEA) requires that
schools provide an IEP
or individualized
educational program for
students with
disabilities.
• “Instructional
technology
documented on an IEP
and incorporated into a
classroom for a student
who has a disability is
referred to as assistive
technology.”

4. IDEA: It’s the Law
• IDEA is federal
legislation that
promotes education for
students who have
disabilities. One part of
the law calls for the use
of assistive technology.

5. Assistive Technology Components
Devices
Tape recorders
Portable keyboards
Spellchecker
Highlighting pens and tape
Pencil grips
Adapted feeding tubes
Services
• Evaluating the student’s
need for the device.
• Buying a device.
• Providing training for the
student, family, and
teachers.

6. Purpose
Communication
Performance of
academic tasks
Participation in
social and
extracurricular
activities
• Travel around the
school
• Accessing materials
• Remember: used to
increase, maintain, or
improve the functional
capabilities of a child
with a disability.”

7. Hearing Impaired
• FM Amplification
System: assistive
technology device used
for hearing impaired
students. Provides
sound amplification and
can be beneficial for all
students.

8. Seeing Impaired
• Screen Readers: It reads
any text that appears on
the screen. This includes
menus, text, or web
pages. Examples are
Super Nova Screen Reader
and JAWS.
• Other AT devices includes
optical character
recognition software and
closed-circuit television.

9. Learning Disabled
• Software that includes
voice recognition and
word prediction.
• Text to speech can be
used for reading
disabilities.
• Calculators and games
can be used for math.

10. Physically Disabled
• Joysticks: These could
be used on a wheelchair
or a computer screen
and allow the user to
manipulate the device.

11. References
Assistive Technology. (n.d.). Retrieved June 9, 2014, from
http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/at/#content
Reed, Penny. (n.d.). Assistive Technology {audio interview file}. Retrieved from The Iris Center
Website: http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/at/cresource/what-should-ms-adelaide-
know-about-assistive-technology-and-how-it-is-used-by-students-with-
disabilities/at_02/at_02_trans_reed/#content
Robyler, M.D. & Doering, A.H. (2013). Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching (6th
ed.) Upper
Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.