Assistive technology enables individuals with disabilities to be more independent, self-confident, and productive. It redefines what is possible for people with cognitive, learning, print, and physical disabilities in classrooms. There are over 4,000 assistive technologies designed for students and teachers, including hearing aids, screen magnifiers, Braille devices, voice recognition software, and technologies that allow disabled students to control computers with their eyes. Companies are developing new assistive technologies, and online resources can help teachers find the right devices to help students with special needs reach their full potential.

1. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY INASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY IN
CLASSROOMCLASSROOM
UNICDAUNICDA
TechnologyTechnology
Marcos Alexander Mateo ValdezMarcos Alexander Mateo Valdez
2012-30-3-00562012-30-3-0056

2. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY IN CLASSROOMASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY IN CLASSROOM
 Assistive Technology is redefining what is possible for people with a various range ofAssistive Technology is redefining what is possible for people with a various range of
cognitive/ learning, print, and physical abilities and disabilities, be it in the home,cognitive/ learning, print, and physical abilities and disabilities, be it in the home,
classroom, workplace and/or community.classroom, workplace and/or community.
 Assistive Technology is enabling all individuals, of all ages, including those withAssistive Technology is enabling all individuals, of all ages, including those with
disabilities, to be more Independent, Self-Confident, Productive and better includeddisabilities, to be more Independent, Self-Confident, Productive and better included
in every day life, education, employment and living.in every day life, education, employment and living.

3. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY IN CLASSROOMASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY IN CLASSROOM
Assistive devices include any device that disabled children (or adults) might use to helpAssistive devices include any device that disabled children (or adults) might use to help
them learn and function more effectively. By current estimates, more than 4,000them learn and function more effectively. By current estimates, more than 4,000
assistive technologies have been designed for students and teachers.assistive technologies have been designed for students and teachers.
Those devices include everything from wheelchairs to a wide assortment of high-techThose devices include everything from wheelchairs to a wide assortment of high-tech
tools, includingtools, including
 hearing aids and amplification devices that enable hearing-impaired students to hearhearing aids and amplification devices that enable hearing-impaired students to hear
what's going on in the classroom.what's going on in the classroom.
 glare-reduction screens, screen magnifiers, and Braille note-taking devices that enableglare-reduction screens, screen magnifiers, and Braille note-taking devices that enable
visually impaired students to participate more fullyvisually impaired students to participate more fully

4. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY IN CLASSROOMASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY IN CLASSROOM
Read and WriteRead and Write
Comprehensive Literacy support tools with features such as Text-to-Speech withComprehensive Literacy support tools with features such as Text-to-Speech with
highlighting while reading on the internet or a doc, Word Prediction while typing,highlighting while reading on the internet or a doc, Word Prediction while typing,
Study skills for organization and research, Scanning Documents & Books with OCR,Study skills for organization and research, Scanning Documents & Books with OCR,
highlighting and study skills, Fact-Mapping and Brainstorming, Simplifying readinghighlighting and study skills, Fact-Mapping and Brainstorming, Simplifying reading
passages, dictionary and vocabulary support, and more. Read and Write Gold literacypassages, dictionary and vocabulary support, and more. Read and Write Gold literacy
support tools are offered as an extension in the Chrome browser, as well as softwaresupport tools are offered as an extension in the Chrome browser, as well as software
for the computer.for the computer.

5. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY IN CLASSROOMASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY IN CLASSROOM
E-Books and AppsE-Books and Apps
There are Apps for accessing digital books such as Voice Dream Reader and iBooks, asThere are Apps for accessing digital books such as Voice Dream Reader and iBooks, as
well as many free e-book and audiobook options. Read textbooks for school or bookswell as many free e-book and audiobook options. Read textbooks for school or books
for pleasure. Apps can be utilized with accessibility features such as Voice-Over, textfor pleasure. Apps can be utilized with accessibility features such as Voice-Over, text
to speech, Zoom/ Magnification, Highlighting, Definitions, Annotations, Font styleto speech, Zoom/ Magnification, Highlighting, Definitions, Annotations, Font style
and color selection, large text, etc. There are iPad andand color selection, large text, etc. There are iPad and iPhone Apps for all Abilities andiPhone Apps for all Abilities and
Disabilities, to support all Subjects of Learning/ Instruction (Math, Reading, Writing,Disabilities, to support all Subjects of Learning/ Instruction (Math, Reading, Writing,
Social Studies, Science), as well as Literacy, AAC (communication), mobility (GPS),Social Studies, Science), as well as Literacy, AAC (communication), mobility (GPS),
Studying, Organization and Time Management, Reminders, Scheduling, etc.Studying, Organization and Time Management, Reminders, Scheduling, etc.

6. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY IN CLASSROOMASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY IN CLASSROOM
Free Text-To-Speech SoftwareFree Text-To-Speech Software
If you simply need just Text-to-Speech while navigating online or typing a paper, thereIf you simply need just Text-to-Speech while navigating online or typing a paper, there
are MANY free options, such as Natural Reader and Chrome extensions.are MANY free options, such as Natural Reader and Chrome extensions.

7. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY IN CLASSROOMASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY IN CLASSROOM
 voice-recognition software that turnsvoice-recognition software that turns
the spoken word into type on athe spoken word into type on a
computer screen so students unable tocomputer screen so students unable to
move their limbs can take part.move their limbs can take part.
 technologies that enable severelytechnologies that enable severely
disabled students to control theirdisabled students to control their
computers simply by following letterscomputers simply by following letters
and commands on the computerand commands on the computer
screen with their eyesscreen with their eyes
Many companies today are turningMany companies today are turning
their research and development totheir research and development to
assistive technologies.assistive technologies.

8. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY IN CLASSROOMASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY IN CLASSROOM
 Assistive Technologies, Inc., located in Naperville, Ill., provides assistive devices toAssistive Technologies, Inc., located in Naperville, Ill., provides assistive devices to
schools and individuals. "The technologies we provide most often to school systemsschools and individuals. "The technologies we provide most often to school systems
are voice recognition, including products such as DragonDictate andare voice recognition, including products such as DragonDictate and
NaturallySpeaking.NaturallySpeaking.
 Don Dalton, president of the company, told Education World. Other products forDon Dalton, president of the company, told Education World. Other products for
people who have learning disabilities, such as Wordsmith, WYNN, and textHELP, arepeople who have learning disabilities, such as Wordsmith, WYNN, and textHELP, are
very popular too. Those products help people with learning disabilities read and writevery popular too. Those products help people with learning disabilities read and write
more efficiently and productively.more efficiently and productively.

9. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY IN CLASSROOMASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY IN CLASSROOM
 Many on-line resources are available to help teachers and school districtsMany on-line resources are available to help teachers and school districts
locate the right devices for any student in need. Assistive Technology forlocate the right devices for any student in need. Assistive Technology for
Students With Disabilities is one such resource.Students With Disabilities is one such resource.
 New and improved assistive devices are being developed all the time. With aNew and improved assistive devices are being developed all the time. With a
little online research, teachers and parents can find a device to help studentslittle online research, teachers and parents can find a device to help students
with special needs reach every bit of their potential. Spend a little timewith special needs reach every bit of their potential. Spend a little time
searching the resources and links below, and see if you can't find the perfectsearching the resources and links below, and see if you can't find the perfect
device to meet your students' special needs.device to meet your students' special needs.
Some links:Some links:
 http://specialed.about.com/education/specialed/mbody.htmhttp://specialed.about.com/education/specialed/mbody.htm
 http://www.nasdse.com/AAATE%20Paper.htmlhttp://www.nasdse.com/AAATE%20Paper.html

http://www.teach-nology.com/teachers/special_ed/asstive_tech/http://www.teach-nology.com/teachers/special_ed/asstive_tech/

10. Thank youThank you