Presentation on Assistive Technology which includes an explanation of assisted technology, information on the law in regard to assistive technology, and examples of assistive technology for the hearing impaired, visual impaired, learning disabled, and physically disabled to use in the classroom setting.

1. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY
By Amber Bowling- University of West Alabama
ED 505-Spring 1 2015

2. According to IDEA 2004
http://idea.ed.gov/explore/view/p/%2Croot%2Cstatute%2CI%2CA%2C602%2C1%2C
Statute: TITLE I / A / 602 / 1
(1) Assistive technology device.--
(A) In general.--The term `assistive technology device' 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 functional capabilities of a child
with a disability.
(B) Exception.--The term does not include a medical device that is surgically implanted, or
the replacement of such device.

3. IT CAN BE AS SIMPLE AS
-Raised Line Paper
-Pencil Grips
-Highlighters

4. IT CAN BE AS COMPLEX AS
-Specialized
Computers
-Software
-Keyboards

5. WHAT’S THE LAW IN REGARD TO
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY?
In general, the legal support for providing assistive technology devices and services to
students in the schools is rooted in IDEA, the federal law that governs the provision of
special education in the United States. The provision of assistive technology is also
covered by other laws governing the civil rights of people with disabilities, such as the
Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Assistive technology devices and services are a required component of the free,
appropriate public education (FAPE) guaranteed by IDEA. Specifically, assistive
technology is included in the section of IDEA devoted to special factors that must be
considered when developing the Individualized Education Program (IEP) for each
student (IDEA Sec. 614(d)(3)(B)(v)). Moreover, assistive technology is also included
in the list of early intervention services that must be considered even for infants and
toddlers with disabilities (IDEA Sec. 632(4)(E)(xiii)).
http://www.afb.org/assistivetechnology/book.asp?ch=appA

6. THERE ARE SEVERAL ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY
DEVICES TO HELP STUDENTS. DON’T LIMIT YOUR
STUDENT TO JUST ONE, OR ONE NAME BRAND.
TRY THEM ALL!

7. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR THE
HEARING IMPAIREDPersonal frequency modulation (FM) systems are like
miniature radio stations operating on special
frequencies. The personal FM system consists of a
transmitter microphone used by the speaker (such as
the teacher in the classroom, or the speaker at a
lecture) and a receiver used by you, the listener. The
receiver transmits the sound to your ears or, if you
wear a hearing aid, directly to the hearing aid.
http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/FM-Systems/

8. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR
THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED
In your classroom, you can use a page magnifier for the visually impaired
in some of the following situations:
•Students need to read small print in a text book to follow along while their
classmates' read or to read when it's their turn.
•Students are involved in peer editing each other's writing. Students with
visual impairments can use a page magnifier to see their peer editing
partners' work and suggest revisions or help with edits.
•Students are doing a reader's theater performance or another oral reading
(such as poetry or a speech). Page magnifiers can help visually impaired
students to see their script just as well as their other classmates.
Many students with visual impairments can be mainstreamed into a
regular classroom setting with the help of page magnifiers, and several
different options exist to fit your school's budget.
http://www.brighthubeducation.com/special-ed-visual-
impairments/61701-use-page-magnifiers-in-your-classroom/

9. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR STUDENTS
WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES
A talking calculator has a built-in speech
synthesizer that reads aloud each number,
symbol, or operation key a user presses; it also
vocalizes the answer to the problem. This
auditory feedback may help a student check
the accuracy of the keys he presses and verify
the answer before he transfers it to paper.

10. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR THE
PHYSICALLY IMPAIRED
• Click-N-Type is an on-screen virtual
keyboard designed to provide computer
accessibility to anyone with a disability that
prevents him or her from typing on a
physical computer keyboard. As long as the
physically challenged person can control a
mouse, trackball, touch screen or other
pointing device, this adaptive software
keyboard allows you to send keystrokes to
virtually any Windows application or DOS
application that can run within a window.
• http://cnt.lakefolks.com/

11. REFERENCES
• American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. FM Stations. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/FM-Systems/
• Assistive Technology for Students Who are Blind or Visually Impaired. (n.d). Retrieved from
http://www.afb.org/assistivetechnology/book.asp?ch=appA
• Click-N-Type Virtual Keyboard. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://cnt.lakefolks.com/
• Dill, M., Wistrom, E. (2012). Using Page Magnifiers in Your Classroom for the Visually Impaired. Retrieved from Bright Hub Education
website: http://www.brighthubeducation.com/special-ed-visual-impairments/61701-use-page-magnifiers-in-your-classroom/
• Stanberry, M.R. PhD. (2010). Talking Calculators. Retrieved from Great Schools website: http://www.greatschools.org/special-
education/assistive-technology/953-talking-calculators.gs
• U.S. Department of Education. Building the Legacy: IDEA 2004. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://idea.ed.gov/explore/view/p/%2Croot%Cstatue%2Cl%2CA%2C602%2C1%2C