Assistive Technology is a device or service that helps a student with a disability to meet his or her Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals and to participate in the general education setting to the greatest possible extent.

1. Assistive Technology (AT)
By: Jessica Adams

2. What is Assistive Technology (AT)?
• AT is any device or service that helps a student with a
disability to meet his or her Individualized Education
Program (IEP) goals and to participate in the general
education setting to the greatest possible extent.
• AT improves the functional performance of an
individual with a disability.
-IRIS Center for Training Enhancements (2010)

3. Students Use AT To:
• Communicate
• Perform academic tasks
• Participate in school and extra curricular
activities
• Move or travel around the school
• Use proper seating and positioning
• Access materials
-IRIS Center for Training Enhancements (2010)

4. List of AT Examples
• Slant board
• Magnifier
• Reacher
• Calculator
• Computer
• Amplification system
• Alternative keyboard
• Raised line paper
• Highlighting pens and tape
• Non-slip material
• Adapted feeding tools
• Tape recorders
• Manual wheelchair
• Portable keyboard
• Timer
• Spellcheckers
• Audio books
• Communication devices
• Pen (Evo)

5. Individuals with Disabilities Education
Improvement Act (IDEA) of 2004
• AT is any item, piece of equipment, or product
system, that is used to increase, maintain, or
improve the functional capabilities of a child and
specifically excludes a medical device that is
surgically implanted or the replacement of such
device, such as a cochlear implant.
-IRIS Center for Training Enhancements (2010)

6. Legal Definition of
Assistive Technology
• AT is 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 the
functional capabilities of a child with a
disability.
-Penny Reed, PhD

7. IDEA made it law that AT services
include the following:
• Evaluating the student’s need for a device
• Buying, leasing, or acquiring the device
• Selecting, fitting, adapting, repairing, or replacing
device as needed
• Coordinating the services for a student who uses
a device (therapy)
• Provide training or technical assistance to
student, family, teachers, or others involved in
the use of the device
-IRIS Center for Training Enhancements (2010)

8. IEP teams
• IEP teams must determine whether a student’s needs
can be met through assistive technology or through
other accommodations. This is the Consideration
Process required by IDEA.
• The IEP team comes up with the a plan after the
Consideration Process. This is called Implementing AT.
• After Implementing AT, decision making is made and
Evaluating begins.
• AT= devices and services that are considered,
implemented, and evaluated.
-IRIS Center for Training Enhancements (2010)

9. Pocketalker Ultra Personal Amplifier
(AT for the hearing impaired)
• The pocketalker amplifies sounds closest to you while reducing background noise.
• Ideal for one-on-one instruction and small-group instruction.
• Easy to use: simply plug in earpiece, position the microphone near the preferred
sound, adjust tone and volume to your comfort and start listening.
• Can be used with neck loops and telecoil-equipped hearing aids.
• Up to 200 hours of battery life ensures long-lasting performance.
-enablemart.com

10. Magnisight Explorer LCD CCTV
(AT for vision impaired)
• Perfect for low vision and visually impaired people
• Simple controls and one piece designs for all ages to
use
• Magnification from 4x to 70x depending on monitor
size
• Wide range contrast
– enablemart.com

11. Crocodile Gait Trainer
(AT for physically disabled)
• The Crocodile Gait Trainer is a walking aid for children with special needs
who need supplementary assistance with their daily walking.
• For ages 18 months to teenage
• Placed behind the child, the frame allows freedom of movement and
facilitates walking in the upright position. The adjustable handles can be
individually adapted to position conveniently close to the child’s body
providing maximum support and stability.
-enablemart.com

12. Dynavox
(AT for learning disabled)
• The Dynavox helps individuals that have limited or no speech due to
learning disabilities such as Autism.
• Students develop language and literacy skills with use of a Dynavox by
relating sound, word, and picture recognition together.
• Students make choices by remembering pictures and words presented on
the Dynavox screen.
– tobiidynavox.com

13. References
• The IRIS Center for Training Enhancements.
(2010). “Assistive Technology: An Overview.”
Retrieved on 06/11/2015 from
http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/at/
• http://www.enablemart.com
• http://www.tobiidynavox.com