Assistive technology is any item, equipment, or system that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional abilities of individuals with disabilities. Assistive technology helps children use their strengths to compensate for weaknesses caused by their disability. Examples described in the document include the VV-Talker device which helps deaf children communicate more effectively, a tactile image enhancer which converts visuals into tactile graphics for visually impaired students, and a talking calculator with audio feedback to help learning impaired students check their work. The IDEA law requires schools to consider and provide assistive technology as needed for students with disabilities.

1. What is
Assistive Technology?
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. Assistive
technology helps children use their
strengths to compensate or "work
around" weaknesses caused by the
disability.
Amy Plunkett
ED 505

2. What does
Assistive Technology
look like?

3. “For people without
disabilities, technology makes things
easier. For people with disabilities,
Dr. Katherine Seelman
wrightslaw.com
technology
makes things
possible.”

4. http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/atech.index.htm and
The IDEA 2004 (Individuals with Disabilities Education
Act) requires IEP teams to consider the assistive
technology needs of all children with disabilities. The
IEP team makes decisions about assistive technology
devices and services based on your child’s unique
needs so that he can be more confident and
independent. The law requires schools to use assistive
technology devices and services "to maximize
accessibility for children with disabilities.” If the IEP
team determines that a child needs assistive technology
devices and services, the school district is responsible
for providing these and cannot use lack of
availability or cost as an excuse.
What does the law say about
Assistive Technology?
Read More @
http://idea.ed.gov/explore/view/p/%2Croot%2

5. VV-Talker is an
electronic device
designed for hearing impaired
children who have difficulty
speaking effectively.
Although the education system
for the deaf has improved
considerably, many deaf
children find it difficult to
communicate fluently or learn
things faster. The VV-Talker
helps deaf children overcome
their problem of
listening.
Assistive Technolgy for the Hearing Impaired Student:
VV-Talker
http://www.tuvie.com/vv-talker-speech-
assistive-device-for-vulnerable-deaf-
children/
To read more about the
VV-Talker, go to this website:

6. http://vimeo.com/22891103
copied onto the capsule paper to swell, resulting in an
instant tactile graphic which the user can feel for alternate
sensory input and recognition of diagrams, charts
and other visual information.
**Watch a video demonstration @
Assistive Technolgy for the Seeing Impaired Student:
Tactile Image Enhancer
Using special
heat sensitive
capsule
paper, the
Tactile Image
Enhancer’s
controlled heat
source causes any
black lines, letters or
shapes that are
drawn, printed or

7. http://www.unifiedav.com/satalight
The satalight® is a highly
adjustable SMART Board
designed for individuals with
disabilities, bringing interactive
learning into the hands of those
who are physically or mentally
challenged. Its innovative
design makes lifting, lowering
and tilting the whiteboard a
snap, while its tip-
resistant, four-wheeled locking
design allows for easy
movement from room to
room.
Assistive Technolgy for the Physically Impaired Student:
Satalight SMART Board
Want to know more?

8. Assistive Technolgy for the Learning Impaired Student:
Talking Calculator
A talking calculator
has a built-in speech
synthesizer that reads
aloud each
number, symbol, or
operation key a user
presses; it also vocalizes
the answer to the problem.
This auditory feedback
may help a student check
the accuracy of the keys
he presses and verify the
answer before he transfers
it to paper.
http://www.greatschools.org/special-education/assistive-
technology/953-talking-calculators.gs
Read more about talking
calculators @

9. References
Assistive Technology. (2013). Wrightslaw. Retrieved March 23, 2014 from
http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/atech.index.htm
Satalight. (2012). Unified AV Systems. Retrieved March 23, 2014 from
http://www.unifiedav.com/satalight
Stanberry, M. (2010). Great Schools. Retrieved March 23, 2014
fromhttp://www.greatschools.org/special-education/assistive-technology/953-talking-
calculators.gs
Tactile Image Enhance. Catsweb. Retrieved March 23, 2104 from
http://www.greatschools.org/special-education/assistive-technology/953-talking-
calculators.gs
Tactile Image Enhance. (2014). Vimeo. Retrieved March 23, 2104 from
http://vimeo.com/22891103
IDEA 2004. (2013). US Department of Education. Retrieved March 23, 2014 from
http://idea.ed.gov/explore/view/p/%2Croot%
VV-Talker. Tuvie-design of the future. Retrieved March 23, 21014 from
http://www.tuvie.com/vv-talker-speech-assistive