Assistive technology (AT) refers to devices and services that enhance the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities, both in educational settings and daily life. It includes a range of tools, from low-tech items like magnifiers to high-tech equipment such as digital hearing aids, aimed at improving independence and skill maintenance. The Assistive Technology Act ensures access to these technologies for people of all ages, while various laws mandate their consideration in educational plans for students with disabilities.

1. Assistive Technology
Created by: Amber Keith
ED 505
June 14, 2015

2. What is assistive technology?
▪ According to the U.S. Department of Education (2015), an assistive
technology device is defined as “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” (para. 1).

3. So what does that mean?
▪ Assistive technology device
- Any device or tool used to help
a disabled person academically
and/or functionally.
- Example: a text reader
▪ Assistive technology service
- A service or program to help an
individual acquire, use, and
maintain an assistive
technology device
- Example: training on how to use
an AT device
Carpenter &Wright, 2009

4. Is AT just for school?
▪ Assistive technology is not limited to the classroom. AT is and can be
used for individuals at home, at work, and at school, and AT can help
improve the independence of a person with disabilities by allowing
them to perform tasks or do things they wouldn’t otherwise be able
to do. It can also help maintain skills and abilities a person already
has, or it can help someone overcome obstacles and situations that
previously impaired the person’s abilities.
Carpenter &Wright, 2009

5. Assistive Technology Video
▪ To understand assistive technology a little better:
▪ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DB9pKkZoJDc

6. Types of AT
LowTech:
- magnifiers
- pencil grips
- reachers/grabbers
HighTech:
- digital hearing aid
- power wheelchair
- voice recognition software
MediumTech:
- audio books
- manual wheelchair
- alternate mouse or keyboard
“What is,” 2015

7. What assistive technology is NOT…
▪ It is NOT… a surgically implanted device.
▪ It is NOT… technology used for fun in the classroom.
▪ It is NOT… required for students without a disability.
▪ It is NOT… just the responsibility of the special education teacher.
▪ It is NOT… just a device given to the student to meet a federal law.
▪ It is NOT… just an expensive tool or device.
▪ It is NOT… to be overlooked because of expense or difficulty
understanding how to use it.
The Iris Center, 2010

8. The Assistive Technology Act
▪ Was first signed into law in 1988 as theTechnology-Related
Assistance Act of 1988. It has been reauthorized in 1994, 1998, and
2004.
▪ The purpose of the law is for all persons with disabilities to have
access to AT that can help them maintain or improve their
independence, their academics, how they live, etc. It enables AT to
be available to all persons with disabilities and covers people of all
ages, from birth through the elderly.
▪ The law also provides grants to fund states with an Assistive
Technology Act Project; this enables states to fund these services and
devices.
“Assistive Technology
Act,” 2015

9. AT in Education…
AssistiveTechnology is discussed in multiple laws and federal acts.
▪ The reauthorization of IDEA in 1997 requires technology services and
devices to be considered for every single child with a disability and
such devices used will be a part of the IEP process (
▪ The Americans with Disabilities Act, along with Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act, also requires AT to be provided to a student with
disabilities if it will help a student have equal opportunities and
access or if it removes barriers that otherwise existed.
Each of these require that a device be considered based on what the
device does for the person.
“SC Curriculum,” 2015

10. What kinds of devices might
be used in education?
AT devices used to help a student with disabilities

11. Hearing Impaired Assistive Technology
Device: Assistive Listening Device
▪ An Assistive Listening Device
(ALD), particularly an FM
system, uses a transmitter
connected to a microphone
used by the teacher to
wirelessly transmit the
teacher’s voice to a receiver
connected to the student’s
personal hearing aid.This often
omits background noises and
other loud sounds, allowing the
student to more clearly hear
and understand the teacher.
Clark, 2015

12. Visually impaired assistive technology
devices: Screen readers
▪ Screen readers offer students
the ability to interact with and
use a computer through braille
or a speech synthesizer.
Basically, the user gives
commands to the computer, or
has settings for the program to
automatically follow.The
program can read or spell
words, screens of texts,
highlight, describe an image,
etc. Students are able to use
and interact with a computer
through this software.
Afb.org

13. Learning Disabled assistive technology
device: Audio books
▪ Audio books primarily assist
learning disabled students who
struggle with reading, dyslexia,
etc. (blind students also use
these programs). Students can
hear what they are reading and
can bookmark pages, interact
with the text, and find
definitions for words
immediately.These devices
help provide support to
students so they can learn to
read and comprehend texts
independently.
Stanberry, n.d.

14. Physically disabled assistive technology
device: positioning chair
▪ The Rifton positioning chair
can be used with a wide range
of physical disabilities. The
chair’s intent is to help
students learn and improve
posture and sitting skills while
still allowing them to
participate in activities, daily
routines, and completing
everyday tasks.The chair helps
build strength to sit and to
participate in the activities of
the classroom.
“Rifton,” n.d.

15. To conclude
▪ Assistive Technologies are vital to the success of students with
disabilities. These technologies allow students to be successful both
inside and outside the classroom; many help students become
stronger and more independent learners. It is important for all
educators to be familiar with AT and the laws concerningAT so that
all students’ needs are being met.

16. Picture and Image websites
▪ What is AT? http://integrating-tech.weebly.com/uploads/1/0/9/5/10959546/7006625.jpg?666
▪ Assistive technology devices: http://www.loftonspace.com/wp-
content/uploads/2012/08/blogAssistiveTechnology.jpg
▪ Accessibility: http://www.sa.sc.edu/sds/files/2012/07/accessibility_sm.png
▪ Magnifying glass: http://www.gatfl.org/images/magnifying-glass.jpg
▪ Powerchair : http://www.gatfl.org/images/power-wheelchair.jpg
▪ Mouse: http://students.depaul.edu/~rwise1/RR_Web/track.jpg
▪ Hearing: http://www.tecear.com/images/at216.jpg
▪ Vision: http://www.ucntn.umk.pl/en/www/gfx/main/handi/jaws-03.jpg
▪ LD: http://specialedpost.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/child-with-headphones.jpg
▪ Physical: http://www.rifton.com/~/media/images/rifton/blog/blog-images/2014/feb-14/positioning-chair-
special-needs.jpg?h=194&la=en&mw=205&w=205

17. References
Assistive Technology Act. (2009, December 1). Retrieved June 15, 2015, from http://www.parentcenterhub.org/repository/ata/
Carpenter, L. B., Dyal, A., & Wright, J. V. (2009). Assistive technology: what every school leader should know. Education, 129(3), 556+. Retrieved from
http://go.galegroup.com.ezproxy.uwa.edu:2048/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA196151549&v=2.1&u=naal_uwa&it=r&p=PROF&sw=w&asid=e662f2
5434ce5d9c7f7212a055eaaf77
Clark, C. (2015). Assistive Listening Devices. Retrieved June 14, 2015, from https://www.necc.mass.edu/academics/support-services/learning-
accommodations/deaf-and-hard-of-hearing-services/student-resources/accommodations-tipsheets/assistive-listening-devices/
IDEA - Building The Legacy of IDEA 2004. (2015). Retrieved June 13, 2015.
Rifton Activity Chair. (n.d.). Retrieved June 14, 2015, from http://www.especialneeds.com/seating-positioning-adaptive-seating-seating-system-rifton-
activity-chair-hi-lo-base-small.html
SC Curriculum Access through AT. (2015, May 19). Retrieved June 14, 2015 from http://www.sc.edu/scatp/cdrom/atused.html
Screen Readers. (2014). Retrieved June 14, 2015, from http://www.afb.org/prodbrowsecatresults.asp?catid=49
Stanberry, K. (n.d.). Audio Books & Publications. Retrieved June 13, 2015, from http://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/audio-books-publications/
The IRIS Center for Training Enhancements. (2010). Assistive Technology: An Overview. Retrieved on [month, day, year] from
http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/at/
What is assistive technology. (n.d.). Retrieved June 13, 2015, from http://www.gatfl.org/assistive.php