This presentation discusses assistive technology for students with special needs. It defines special needs as disabilities covered by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, including physical, mental, emotional and learning disabilities. Federal law requires these students have an Individualized Education Plan created by a team to set goals and determine support. The presentation then discusses strategies for teaching special needs students and examples of low-tech and high-tech assistive technologies that can help with tasks or improve functioning for students with disabilities affecting areas like attention, learning, hearing and more. Useful websites for finding more assistive technology resources are also provided.

1. Assistive Technology Presentation
Pam Cummins
ITEC 7530 Summer 2014

2. Students with disabilities or special needs
Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) defines students with
disabilities of special needs as having mental retardation;
impairments such as: orthopedic, visual, hearing, speech, or
language; serious emotional disturbances; autism; traumatic brain
injury; deaf; blindness; specific learning disabilities or multiple
disabilities, and by reasons thereof, needs special education and
related services.
Retrieved from: http://nichcy.org/laws/idea/legacy/module11

3. Federal law, along with IDEA & National Center for Learning
Disabilities (NCLD), mandates a special needs student receiving
educational services, must have an IEP.
This is a team based approach to instructing a student with special
needs. Teams can consist of: teacher, parent, principal, doctor,
specialist. An IEP is created which describes the goals the students
must achieve within the academic year and how the goals will be met.
Any changes to the plan must have parental approval.
Retrieved from: http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/learning/iep.html#cat169
Individualized Education Plan (IEP)

4. Working with special needs students
The Learning Disabilities Association of America suggests teachers apply
strategies to help special needs students.
 Scaffolding
 Break learning into small steps
 Supply regular quality feedback
 Use diagrams, graphics & pictures to support what you are saying
 Provide ample independent, well designed, intensive practice
 Model instruction practices you want students to follow
 Provide prompts of strategies to use
 Engage students in process type questions
Retrieved from: http://ldaamerica.org/accommodations-techniques-and-aids-for-learning/

5. Assistive Technology (AT)
Defined by IDEA, AT is any item, piece of equipment or product
system, modified or customized, that is used to increase, maintain or
improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.
AT allows people with disabilities to preform tasks which were not
possible or were difficult to accomplish.
AT devices can range from no technology (no tech) to high-
technology (high-tech).
AT is basically anything, not necessarily electronic, which enhances
learning
AT used in a learning environment will bring out a new breed of
learners
AT can engage the meekest of learners and empower them for success
Retrieved from: http://ldaamerica.org/accommodations-techniques-and-aids-for-learning/

6. Examples of Assistive Technology
To use for students with ADHD or Learning disabilities:
No Tech possibilities for students with ADHD or learning disabilities –
Structured note taking sheets Outlines Flow Charts Adjustable height
chairs Preferential seating Pointers or Bookmarks to help in following along
High-Tech possibilities for students with ADHD or learning disabilities –
Laptop computers Video-taped class Touchscreen Word processor
Email notes PDAs Spreadsheets

7. Examples of Assistive Technology
To help students with Auditory disability:
No Tech possibilities -
Stay in one place to use speech reading Write important direction on chalk or
white board Use a lot of visual aids Assign the student a “buddy”
High-tech possibilities-
FM systems work like personal radios Fire Alarm paging systems One-to-One
Communication used to amplify sound of voices

8. Calculators Internet Access Books
Access to tutorials, drills and simulations
Multimedia like pictures and videos Alternative Keyboards
NetLibrary gives students access to audio Abbreviation
Expanders Proofreading programs Electronic math work sheets
More Assistive Technology

9. Good websites to try:
The Learning Disabilities of America - learning strategies
http://ldaamerica.org
Georgia Project for Assistive Technology (GPAT) - designed by state to help
http://www.gpat.org/Georgia-Project-for-Assistive-Technology/Pages/default.aspx
Kids Health - information on creating individually
http://classroom.kidshealth.org
Teacher Vision - teaching resources for a lot of subjects
https://www.teachervision.com
CAST- Teaching Every Student
http://www.cast.org/teachingeverystudent/tools/
Edutopia
http://www.edutopia.org/assistive-technology-resources
TechMatrix – AT tools and resources to support learning
http://techmatrix.org
Power Up What Works – be the teacher who empowers students success
http://www.powerupwhatworks.org/
Resources & Links Available