Assistive technology is defined by IDEA as any item or piece of equipment that helps individuals with disabilities improve their functional abilities. Assistive technology can be no-tech, low-tech, or high-tech devices. Studies have shown assistive technology significantly improves educational and social outcomes for those with disabilities. Schools are required to consider assistive technology needs in students' IEPs annually. Common types of assistive technology include communication devices, adapted keyboards/mice, and mobility aids. Selection of assistive technology involves understanding a person's needs and abilities before trialing and modifying devices.

1. Assistive
Technology
Tuyet Nguyen
October 5, 2014

2. What is Assistive
Technology?
“The guidelines for service delivery of assistive technology (AT) are
found in the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA). IDEA defines AT in
terms of "devices" and "services." 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 the functional capabilities of individuals
with disabilities" (IDEA 300.5) (McSorley, 2000).“

3. NO-Technology (No-Tech)
No-Tech devices are no technology
related that can aide in the learning
process. For example, a piece of foam
glued onto the corners of book pages to
make turning pages easy.
Low tech devices help organize students’
thoughts or work using flow charting.

4. High-Technology (high-tech)
Devices that use complex
multifunction technology. For
example, computer or software.

5. IDEA
“Also described in IDEA, is an Assistive Technology
Service. This is defined as "...any service that directly assists
an individual with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or
use of an assistive technology device" (IDEA 300.6). Studies
have shown that assistive technology can significantly improve
the educational, vocational, and social performance of
individuals with disabilities. Federal law mandates that schools
annually consider assistive technology accommodations in the
Individual Education Program (IEP) of all eligible students”
(McSorley, 2000).

6. Assistive Technology
Wikipedia defines assistive technology as
“any item, piece of equipment, or product
system, whether acquired commercially,
modified, or customized, that is used to
increase, maintain, or improve functional
capabilities of individuals with disabilities,
while adaptive technology covers items that
are specifically designed for person with
disabilities and would seldom be used b non-disabled
persons.”
Examples
• Mobility impairment &
wheelchairs &Walkers
• Personal Emergency
Response Systems
• Accessibility software
• Assistive technology for
visual impairment
• Augmentative and
Alternative
Communication
Wikipedia, 2014

7. Wheelchair
Hearing aide
Touchscreen head dauber
Wikipedia, 2014

8. How to Chose Assistive Technology (AT)?
•Step 1: Collect child and family information. Begin the discussion about the child’s
strengths, abilities, preferences and needs. What strategies have been found to work
best?
•Step 2: Identify activities for participation. Discuss the various activities within the
environments that a child encounters throughout the day. What is preventing him/her from
participating more?
•Step 3: What can be observed that indicates the intervention is successful? What is
his/her current level of participation and what observable behaviors will reflect an increase
in independent interactions? What changes (e.g., number of initiations, expression
attempts, responses, reactions, etc.) will you look for?
•Step 4: Brainstorm AT solutions. Do the child’s needs include supports for movement,
communication and/or use of materials?
•Step 5: Try it out. Determine when the AT intervention will begin and create an
observation plan to record how the child participates with the AT supports.
•Step 6: Identify what worked. Selecting AT interventions is a continuous learning
opportunity. Reflect on your plan and discuss what worked. What didn’t work? What should
be done differently? Make modifications as needed and try again. Only by trying the AT
can certain factors such as technology placement, amount of force, mounting, number of
choices, etc. be determined and adjusted.
CITEAD, 2010

9. Individualized Education
Programs (IEPS)
IEP are programs that helps kids with delayed skills or other disabilities
Kids struggling in school may qualify for support services, allowing them to be taught in
a special way, for reasons such as:
• learning disabilities
• attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• emotional disorders
• cognitive challenges
• autism
• hearing impairment
• visual impairment
• speech or language impairment
• developmental delay
KidsHealth, 2014

10. Overview
- Assistive Technology Service any service that directly
assists an individual with a disability in the selection,
acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device (IDEA
300.6).
- Assistive technology can significantly improve the
educational, vocational, and social performance of individuals
with disabilities.
-Federal law mandates that schools annually consider
assistive technology accommodations in the Individual
Education Program (IEP) of all eligible students.
(McSorley, 2000)

11. Hearing Assistive Technology
System (HATS)
HATS are devices that helps communication be better with or
without hearing aids or cochle implants to make hearing easier.
Obstacles that affects or creates hearing problems are listed
below:
Distance between the listener and the sound source.
Competing noise in the environment.
Poor room acoustics/reverberation
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2014

12. AT Devices
Computer/laptop, tablets, iPads, AAC devices
FREE Built-In Accessibility Features in everyday technologies, Chrome Apps &
Extensions, adjustable Furniture/ desks, adaptive keyboards and mice, adapted
writing tools.
Walking assistance, ramps, grab bars, environmental controls, eye gaze, switches,
and so much more!
Voice Recognition Software: Speech-to-text Software
QR Codes and Bar Codes
Refreshable Braille Displays
Communication Boards and among other devices!
Assistive Technology for Education, LLC, 2014

13. Assistive Technology
Devices
E-Books and Apps
Word Prediction while typing
Refreshable Braille Displays

14. Types of Learning
Disabilities
Reading disabilities
Writing disabilities
Dyslexia
Math disabilities
Attention and ADHD
PBS, 2014

15. Attention and ADHD
Attention and ADHD can affect a person’s
attention and affects one’s success.
Attention is important because it can leads
to behavioral and social problems.
PBS, 2014

16. What is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder (ADHD, ADD)?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most
common childhood disorders and can continue through adolescence and
adulthood. Symptoms include difficulty staying focused and paying
attention, difficulty controlling behavior, and hyperactivity (over-activity).
ADHD 3 Subtypes
1. Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive
2. Predominantly inattention
3. Combined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive
National Institute of Mental Health. 2014

17. Attention and
ADHD Strategies
Allow loner breaks
Use a variety of instruction methods
Be a coach, mentor, or check-in person
Keep track of time
Encourage scheduling and tracking of assignments
Whenever possible, give children homework choices
PBS, 2014

18. Reference
2014. “Assistive Technology”. www.wikipedia.com.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2014. “Hearing Assistive Technology”.
Assistive Technology for Education, LLC. 2014.
Berhrmann, Michael & Jerome, Marci Kindas. 2002. Assistive Technology for Students with
Mild Disabilities 2002. Eric Digest.
Georgia Project for Assistive Technology. Georgia Project for Assistive Technology.
Individualized Education Program.1995. Kidshealth. What’s an IEP”. National Center For
Technology Innovation and Implementing Technology in Education (CITED). 2010.
McSorley, Jane & Wilbur, Judythe. 2000. Assistive Technology.
National Institute of Mental Health. 2014. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/attention-deficit-
hyperactivity- disorder-adhd/index.shtml. Access date October 4, 2014.
PBS Parents, 2014. “Types of Learning Disabilities”. http://www.pbs.org/parents/
educationlearning-disabilities/types/. Access date October 4, 2014.