This presentation discusses assistive technology and its uses for students with disabilities. It defines assistive technology as any equipment, software, or product that helps individuals with disabilities maintain or improve their functional abilities. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act governs how states provide services to children with disabilities from birth to age 21. Assistive technologies can help students with learning and attention issues, work around challenges while emphasizing strengths, and improve success, confidence, and independence. Examples of assistive technologies that address different learning challenges are also provided.

1. PRESENTER: SALAZEC D. SPRATLING

2. Assistive Technology:
At its core, Assistive Technology (AT) is any item, piece of
equipment, software or product system that is used to
increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of
individuals with disabilities.

3. What Governs students with disabilities?
The Disabilities Education Act 2004
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
(IDEA), is a United States federal law that governs
how states and public agencies provide early
intervention, special education, and related services
to children with disabilities.
Infants and toddlers with disabilities (birth-2) and
their families receive early intervention services
under IDEA Part C. Children and youth (ages 3-21)
receive special education and related services
under IDEA Part B.

4. What can Assistive Technologies do for your
students:
• Helps curtail learning and attention issues
• Helps students work around their challenges while
playing to their strengths
• Helps students to become more successful and
productive - at the same time their, confidence and
independence grows
• Helps students do things more quickly, easily or

5. What types of learning problems does assistive
technology address?
Listening
Math
Organization and Memory
Reading
WritingSources: Ranskind &
Stanberry, 2011

6. Types of Assistive Technology:
• Talking Calculators - Both the visually impaired and the
learning disabled can greatly benefit from these simple
devices, which relay mathematics via audio
• Digital Pens - Different digital pens each feature different
perks, but ones equipped with audio recording and the
ability to convert handwriting seem to be particularly
valuable
• Alternative Keyboards - The learning disabled with specific
visual, ergonomic, spatial and/or other requirements have
plenty of viable options available
Sources: Nielsen, 2011; The Innovative Educator (blog)

7. Types of Assistive Technology:
• Videotaped social skills - Videos are also used to address
linguistic, emotional, academic and self-help issues
• Switches - Usually attached to the head or a hand, switches
allow users remote access to various computers and other
devices with far more ease than a mouse or keyboard
• Alternative Mice - Joysticks, head mice, touchpads,
rollerballs and other options address a plethora of different
movement, spatial and/or cognitive impairments
Sources: Nielsen, 2011; The Innovative Educator (blog)

8. Types of Assistive Technology: Low Tech
• Chair movement/placement in the classroom
• Pencil grips
• Adapted books
• Teacher dedication
• Tape and highlighter
• Magnifiers
• Sign language
• Additional time peer support
• Noise reduction headphones
• Adaptive paper

9. Factors to consider when evaluating AT
products:
• What are her specific needs and challenges?
• What are his/her strengths? AT should utilize your
child's abilities to help compensate for her
disability.
• What is her interest, skill and experience in using
technology?
AT can help a child with LD function better at school
as well as in other settings such as home, work, social

10. Educational online resources:
http://www.internet4classrooms.com/ Provides links for PreK-12 teachers, students and
parents, step-by-step technology tutorials for learning applications commonly used in K-12
classrooms, language and mathematics activities.
http://www.mrcpl.org/literacy/lessons/sight/index.html Flash media for learning Dolch
words.
http://www.kidsknowit.com/ Elementary skill level - games and free websites, science,
social studies, math, reading.
http://www.funbrain.com/ Reading and math games, grades K-8.
http://www.starfall.com/ Games for practicing phonics and phonemic awareness.
https://www.bookshare.org/cms Free electronic text and reader for students with qualifying
print disabilities.

11. Best practices
• Make it ongoing – Schools should offer group and
individual training to teachers and special education
support staff year-round
• Foster peer-to-peer learning - Teachers and resource
personnel will excel if they have access to a community of
practice to share ideas and learn from peers what works
— and what doesn’t
• Go outside - Online research will reveal a wealth of
resources — including lesson plans, templates, digital
reading materials, visual/audio supplements that can help
teachers incorporate AT and applications into classroom

12. Best practices
• Let the students teach - Give them opportunities to play
with, explore and demonstrate what these new devices
can do, she says, and “chances are, they’ll figure out and
show you things you’d never figure out on your own
• Know what works - Whatever technology you choose to
use and however you choose to use it, make sure it has a
purpose and that it truly meets the students’ unique
needs
Sources: Hayes, 2013; Ed Tech

13. References
L Nielsen. (2011). 25 Incredible Assistive Technologies. Retrieved from
http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com/2011/09/25-incredible-
assistive- technologies.html
Raskind, M., & Stanberry K. (2009). Assistive Technology for Kids with
Learning Disabilities: An Overview. Retrieved from
http://www.readingrockets.org/article/assistive-technology-kids-
learning- disabilities-overview
Hayes, H. (2013). How to Help Teachers Integrate Assistive Technology in
the Classroom. Retrieved from
http://www.edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2013/04/how-help-
teachers-integrate-assistive- technology-classroom
IDEA 2004: Building the Legacy. Retrieved from http://idea.ed.gov/part-
c/search/new