Assistive technology refers to devices that help students with disabilities function and communicate better. There are many types of assistive technologies that help those with learning and attention issues. The Assistive Technology Act of 1998 provides funding for assistive technology demonstration centers, protection and advocacy services, and low-interest loans to help people with disabilities purchase assistive devices. Examples of assistive technologies discussed include hearing aids, Braille note-takers, reading pens, voice recognition software, and other tools that help those with physical, vision, hearing, and learning disabilities.

1. Assistive Technology
ED 505 – Kevin Everett

2. Assistive Technology
• Assistive Technology is any device or equipment that
assist students with disabilities work around his or her
challenges to communicate and/or function better.
• There are many kinds of Assistive Technology that help
kids with learning and attention issues. These tools can
help them work around their challenges while playing to
their strengths. This helps them become more
successful, productive students. At the same time, their
confidence and independence can grow.

3. Tech Act – Assistive Technology
Act of 1998
• Assistive Technology Act of 1998
Public Law 105-394 [29 USC 2201]
The Assistive Technology Act, also known as the “Tech Act”
provides funds to states to support three types of programs:
• the establishment of assistive technology (AT) demonstration
centers, information centers, equipment loan facilities, referral
services, and other consumer-oriented programs;
• protection and advocacy services to help people with disabilities and
their families, as they attempt to access the services for which they
are eligible;
• Federal/state programs to provide low interest loans and other
alternative financing options to help people with disabilities
purchase needed assistive technology.
• http://www.fctd.info/resources/techlaws.php

4. Hearing Impaired
• The assistive technology
hearing aid is designed to
clarify voice and reduce
background noise and
feedback. The more modern
devices are quite small and
maybe worn on a shirt collar.
• The devices usually come with
batteries and a clip. Some
devices require earphones to
be purchased separately and
have Table TV kits as well.

5. Vision Impaired
• Braille Note taker - are
personal digital assistants
for individuals who are
blind or visually impaired.
Input is through a
Perkins-style Braille
keyboard or a standard
QWERTY keyboard.

6. Learning Disabled
• Reading pens can be used to
scan a word or a sentence, and
the pen will read the text aloud so
your child never has to guess
when reading.
• As assistive technology, reading
pens are particularly useful for
older children who prefer to work
independently, but are still working
on learning basic reading skills. A
reading pen allows your child to
work with grade-level books in
science, math, history, and
literature because it reads those
difficult words to your child.

7. Physically Disabled
• Voice recognition software turns
speech into text without needing to
use a keyboard or mouse.
• This allows students to dictate to
the computer what they would like
to say and watch their words turn
to text.
• Students can use this software to
compose documents, letters,
emails, and collaborate with others
in remote locations.
• This technology can help students
with limited mobility and also
allows them to control computer
functions such as opening files
and saving documents.

8. Reference
• Assistive Technology: Tools That Help With
Learning. (2014, June 1). Retrieved March 27, 2015,
from https://www.understood.org/en/school-
learning/assistive-technology/assistive-technologies-
basics/assistive-technology-tools-that-help-with-
learning
• The Family Center on Technology and Disability.
(n.d.). Retrieved March 27, 2015, from
http://www.fctd.info/resources/techlaws.php
• 5173 Assistive Technology for Hearing Impaired.
(n.d.). Retrieved March 27, 2015, from
http://moleary31.blogspot.com

9. • Braille Notetakers. (n.d.). Retrieved March 27, 2015,
from
http://www.boundlessat.com/Blindness/Notetakers
• Assistive Technology Archives - Learning Abled
Kids. (n.d.). Retrieved March 27, 2015, from
http://learningabledkids.info/tag/assistive-
technology/
• The Adventures of An Evolving Educator. (n.d.).
Retrieved March 27, 2015, from
https://evolvingeducator.wordpress.com/category/uti
lization/3-3-implementation-and-institutionalization

10. • Braille Notetakers. (n.d.). Retrieved March 27, 2015,
from
http://www.boundlessat.com/Blindness/Notetakers
• Assistive Technology Archives - Learning Abled
Kids. (n.d.). Retrieved March 27, 2015, from
http://learningabledkids.info/tag/assistive-
technology/
• The Adventures of An Evolving Educator. (n.d.).
Retrieved March 27, 2015, from
https://evolvingeducator.wordpress.com/category/uti
lization/3-3-implementation-and-institutionalization