This document discusses assistive technology and provides examples. It defines assistive technology as any device or service that helps a student with a disability reach their IEP goals. Assistive technology allows students to participate in general education as much as possible and improves their functional abilities. Examples of assistive technology provided include iCommunicator for communication needs, a hands-free magnifier for low vision, audio books for reading disabilities, and a keyless keyboard for physical disabilities. The document also notes that student access to assistive technology is mandated by laws such as IDEA and ADA.

1. Assistive Technology
Robin Bryant
ED 505 Technology and Education

2. What is assistive technology?
 Assistive technology is any device or service that assists a disabled
student in reaching goals documented in the IEP (individualized
educational plan).
 Assistive technology allows a student with a diagnosed disability to
participate, to the greatest possible extent, in the general education
setting.
 Assistive technology improves the functional performance of an
individual with a disability.

3. Assistive technology may aid students
with a variety of daily tasks:
 Communication
 Academic tasks
 Social and extracurricular activities
 Mobility
 Seating and positioning
 Accessing materials

4. Student access to assistive technology
is mandated.
STUDENTS
 Diagnosed disability identified
under the law
 Attending an elementary or
secondary school
 Receiving specialized instruction
and related services via an IEP (the
IEP documents the need/type of
assistive technology
accommodations for the student)
PERTINENT LAWS
 IDEA 2004-federal law that
mandates equity, accountability
and excellence in education for
children with disabilities. IDEA also
guarantees FAPE (free and
appropriate public education)
 ADA-a civil rights law that
specifically mentions the obligation
of providing assistive technology
devices, when necessary, to
accommodate an individual with a
disability

5. The following slides show some
examples of assistive technology.

6. icommunicator is assistive
technology for deaf, hard of
hearing, or students with
unique communication
challenges.
 Translates in real-time
 Speech to text, speech/text to
video sign-language, and speech/
text to computer generated voice
 Once translated, user can perform
internet searches, and access the
built in dictionary / thesaurus
 Customizable to individual student
needs

7. A hands-free magnifier is
assistive technology for the
visually impaired student.
 Enhances print / pictures for
students with low vision
 Portable for easy student use when
needed
 This model magnifies and entire
page

8. Many learning disabled students
have access to audio books to
compensate for a reading
disability.
 Recorded books allow users to listen
to text
 Available in a variety of formats,
such as audiocassettes, CDs, and
downloads
 Some units allow users to and search
and bookmark pages and chapters

9. A “keyless” keyboard is
appropriate assistive
technology for a physically
disabled student.
 Enables students with cerebral
palsy, multiple sclerosis, traumatic
brain injury, spinal cord injury,
autism and other physical and
developmental issues communicate
via typing and also navigate their
computer
 Characters can be "typed" by sliding
the two domes into various color-
coded positions
 Requires no finger or wrist motion to
operate

10. References
Definitions and legal requirements. (2008). Retrieved from
http://www.atp.ne.gov/techassist/def-legal.html
Disabilities, opportunities, internetworking, and technology. (2015). Retrieved from
http://www.washington.edu/doit/what-difference-between-iep-and-504-plan
Especial needs. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.especialneeds.com/orbitouch-keyless-
keyboard.html
icommunicator. communicate educate rehabilitate. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.icommunicator.com/productinfo/index.html
Raskind, M. & Stanberry, K. (2010, Feb.). Learn about assistive technology tools called audio
books and publications. Retrieved from http://www.greatschools.org/special-education
/assistive-technology/954-audio-books-publications.gs
The IRIS Center for Training Enhancements. (2010). Assistive Technology: An Overview.
Retrieved on Jan. 21, 2015 from http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/at/