This document discusses assistive technology tools that can enhance the educational experience for students with special needs. It defines assistive technology as any tool that helps students with disabilities function and learn. Examples of low-tech to high-tech assistive tools are provided, such as communication boards, adjustable workstations, and text-to-speech software. The document specifically highlights how SMART Boards and audio loops can aid students with disabilities like hearing impairments, dyslexia, and ADHD.

1. ASSISTIVE
TECHNOLOGY:
Tools to Enhance the Educational Experience for Students with Special Needs

2. Students with Special Needs
• Individualized Education Programs (IEP)
• Supported by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA 2004)
• For students with difficulties learning and functioning to set goals and make strong academic
progress
• Qualifying students include those with learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder, emotional disorders, cognitive disorders, autism, hearing impairments, visual
impairments, speech/language impairment, or developmental delays
• Classed carried out in general education classroom or resource classroom
• Lease restricted environment
• Referral and Evaluation by multidisciplinary team
• Conference with parents
• Conference with student
• Observation of student
• Analysis of student performance

3. Assistive Technology Overview
• Defined by IDEA: “any service that directly assists an individual with a disability in the
selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device”
• Promotes independence
• Technology solutions
• Movement: body positioning, mobility
• Communicate: receptive, expressive
• Use Materials: utensils, drawing tools
• Can be no-tech, simple and low-tech, or complex and high-tech
• No-tech: pillow
• Low-tech: electronic voice recording device
• High-tech: augmentative communication, computer software

4. Assistive Technology Overview
Cont’d
• Assistive technology commonly used to help students in these areas:
• organization
• note taking
• writing
• academic productivity
• access to reference and general educational materials
• cognitive assistance

5. Examples of Assistive Technology
• Read and Write Gold: text-to-speech software, word prediction
• Voice Dream Reader: text voice-over, magnification, annotation, definitions,
highlighting
• Voice Recognition Software: speech-to-text software, spelling and grammar assistance
• DAISY audio players: for visually impaired students or students with print disabilities, listen
to audiobooks
• Magnification Software: magnify computer screen, invert text color, increase
mouse/cursor size
• LiveScribe SmartPen: record audio and sync notes
• Refreshable Braille Display: instant, real-time, refreshing Braille to access the information
that is presented

6. Examples of Assistive Technology
Cont’d
• Communication boards: behavior management, schedules, organization utilized on a
visual board of symbols or photos
• Environmental controls: for individuals with limited physical mobility to close doors, close
windows, answer phone, turn off lights
• Adjustable monitors and keyboards: move monitors, keyboard trays, large font
keyboards, adjustable tables and chairs
• Trackball Mouse: ergonomic purposes to avoid strain
• Augmentative and Alternative Communication: may be touch-screen, switch
access, or eye-gaze activated for computer access

7. Assistive Technology: SMART Board
• SMART board: large interactive white board placed at
front of the classroom
• Connectable to computer
• Touchscreen capabilities
• Hearing Impaired
• Speakers for videos on screen
• Teachers can wear a microphone to project lectures
• Dyslexia
• Change text color
• Interactive touchscreen phonics activities
• Spotlight feature to block certain areas on screen
• Reading Comprehension Difficulties
• Enlarge text
• Digital highlighter
• Display textbook pages

8. Assistive Technology: SMART Board
Cont’d
• Writing Comprehension Difficulties
• Can write on SMART board with finger, SMART
pen, or other soft objects to practice writing,
constructing letter forms
• Pre-lined paper templates
• ADHD
• Interactive to capture attention
• Activities and games with touchscreen
• Reveal and Spotlight features to prevent too
much information from becoming a distraction
• Autism
• Visual stimuli
• Interactive manipulatives
• Structure and routine

9. Assistive Technology: Audio Loop
• Audio Loop: personal FM units to amplify
teacher’s voice used by individuals with
hearing impairment
• Portably worn on the student with hearing
impairment and teacher
• Allows for movement of both the student and
the teacher
• Small and concealed, less distracting to other
students in classroom
• Background noise cancellation
• Focus on teacher or speaker
• No background distractions
• Student can be in general education
classroom with peers instead of a resource
classroom

10. For Further Information
• SMART Boards:
• http://smarttech.com
• https://www.blossomlearning.com/showresource.aspx?rid=56
• Audio Loops:
• http://www.hearingloop.org