The document discusses assistive technology, which refers to devices and services that help people with disabilities function independently. It defines assistive technology and explains that devices promote greater independence by enabling tasks that were formerly difficult or impossible. The document also outlines different types of assistive technologies for communication, learning, daily living, and more. It emphasizes that assistive technologies should be identified through each student's Individualized Education Program to determine the accommodations needed.

1. S
Assistive Technology
Presented to you by:
Caitlin Bailey

2. Overview-
S According to Wikipedia’s Definition, Assistive Technology is
defined as….
“ An umbrella term that includes assistive, adaptive, and
rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities and also
included the process used in selecting, locating, and using
them.”
Assistive Technology promotes greater independence by
enabling people to perform tasks that they were formerly(or had
great difficulty) unable to accomplish, by providing
enhancements to the technology needed to accomplish tasks.

3. Difference Between AT
Device and Service
Assistive Technology Devices are identified in the Individuals
with Disabilities Act (IDEA) 2004 as,
- Any item, piece of equipment or product system that is used to
increase, maintain or improve the functional capabilities of
children with disabilities.
As defined in IDEA as well, an assistive technology service
is..
- Any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the
selection, acquisition, and use of an assistive technology device.

4. Why is Assistive Technology
Important?
Because…
- Young children with disabilities need an
enriched environment to promote their
social and cognitive participation and
technologies can play a role in this.
- Assistive Technology tools make it easier for
young children with disabilities not only
participate in day-to-day activities, but also
to do so independently.

5. Background of Importance
A national sample of service providers agreed that a significant
numbers of young children (45 percent) who may need
AT are not receiving it at present.
Therefore, Assistive Technology devices are not being used to
their fullest extent.
These devices and tools can make it easier:
- for children to move (supports for both body positioning and
mobility)
- Communicate (Both receptive and expressive modes)
- Use materials to participate (Utensils for meal times,
drawing tools for creative expression, and storybooks for

6. What is an IEP?
S Kids with delayed skills or other disabilities might be eligible for
special services that provide Individualized Education Programs
in public schools, free of charge.
S A child who has difficulty learning and functioning and has been
identified as a special needs student is a candidate for an IEP.
S Kids struggling in school may qualify for support services, for
reasons such as:
- Learning disabilities -Emotional disorders
- ADHD - Cognitive Challenges
- Autism - Visual impairment
- Hearing Impairment - Developmental Delay

7. Identifying the Needs
If your child has an Individualized Education Program (IEP), the
IDEA requires your child’s IEP team to determine whether AT is
needed for your child to receive a “free and appropriate public
education”…
S Therefore, identifying AT solutions to support a child’s
participation is best done as a team and includes Six Steps:
- Step 1: Collect child and family information.
- Step 2: Identify activities for participation.
- Step 3: Identify an observable change in behavior that can indicate when
intervention is successful?
- Step 4: Brainstorm AT solutions. (easily the hardest step!)
- Step 5: Try it out.
- Step 6: Identify what worked and what may need adjusting.

8. Types of Assistive
Technologies
- Academic and Learning Aids
- Aids for Daily Living
- Assistive Listening Devices and
Environmental Aids
- Augmentative Communication
- Computer Access and
Instruction
- Environmental Control
- Mobility Aids
- Pre-vocational and Vocational
Aids
- Recreation and Leisure Aids
- Seating and Positioning
- Visual Aids
Devices are available in a variety of
categories to address functional capabilities of students
with disabilities:

9. AT for Mild Disabilities
S Includes:
- No-Tech solutions include devices that are not electronic.
For instance it could be as simple as items that help a
student turn a book page.
- Low Tech devices are electronic but do not include
highly sophisticated computer components, such as voice
recording.
- High Tech devices utilize complex multifunction
technology and usually include a computer or software.

10. Assistive
Listening Devices
S Hearing Assistive Technology Systems (HATS) are devices
that can help students function better in day-to-day
communication situations.
S Examples include:
- Personal Frequency Modulation Systems
- Infrared Systems
- Induction Loop Systems
- One-to-One Communications

11. AT for Educational
Purposes
S Many students with disabilities use AT to enhance their
participation and achievement in their educational
programs.
S AT solutions address student needs in all academic
areas including reading, writing, and spelling, math
and study and organization.
S For examples of Assistive Technology for Educational
Purposes, please visit this link:
http://atfored.com/examples-of-assistive-technology/

12. For more information….
Please click the following picture, which will redirect
you to the GA Department of Education Georgia
Project for Assistive Technology Site

13. References
S American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (2015). Retrieved from
http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/treatment/assist_tech.htm
S Behrmann, M. (2002). Assistive Technology for Students with Mild Disabilities.
ERIC Clearinghouse on Disabilities and Gifted Education. Retrieved
fromhttp://www.ericdigests.org/2003-1/assistive.htm
S McSorley J. & Wilbur J. (2000). Assistive Tech. Retrieved from
http://uts.cc.utexas.edu/~wilbur/access/assistive.html
S National Joint Committee for Technology Innovation and Center for
Implementing Technology in Education (2015). Retrieved from
http://www.ldonline.org/article/8088
S Nemours Foundation (2015). Individualized Education Programs. Retrieved
from http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/learning/iep.html
S Wikipedia’s Definition of Assistive Technology. Retrieved from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assistive_technology