This document discusses assistive technology (AT), which are tools used to help individuals with disabilities. It provides examples of different types of AT devices for various disabilities, including high-tech computers, low-tech hardware like prosthetics, as well as software. Examples are given for hearing impaired, visually impaired, learning disabled, physically disabled, and communication impaired individuals. The document also discusses federal laws regarding provision of AT and links to resources about these laws.

1. Assistive Technology
Tools
Rachel Williams
ED 505 Online Spring Two
Dr. B. Ray

2. Assistive technology (abbreviated as 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.
What is Assistive Technology?

3. ● AT can be high tech such as special purpose computers.
● AT can be hardware such as prosthetics, attachment
devices (mounting systems), and positioning devices.
● AT can be computer hardware, like special switches,
keyboards, and pointing devices.
● AT can be computer software such as screen-readers or
communication software.
● AT can be inclusive or specialized learning materials and
curriculum aids.
● AT can be specialized curricular software.
Examples of AT Devices

4. There is a wide range of assistive technology (AT) services and devices to which
a child may be entitled. It is important for families to understand how Federal
laws affect their child’s right to AT. Provided below are brief summaries of laws
that impact the provision of assistive technology and special education services.
Federal laws are amended regularly.
Therefore, it is important to keep up to date on these changes. Website addresses
have been identified below for government offices and other organizations that
provide current, in-depth information on laws that affect a child’s access to AT.
Laws regarding AT

5. Americans with Disabilities Act ( ADA )
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act
Assistive Technology Act of 1998
Fair Housing Act Amendments of 1988
The Hearing Aid Compatibility Act of 1988
Federal Government Procurement of Accessible Information Technology
Links for Laws

6. There are many devices to use!

7. ● Hearing aids
● Signaling devices
● Vibrotactile switch
● Pictures, photographs, objects
● Communication boards
● Assistive listening devices (e.g., amplified
phone system)
● Phonic ear
● Headphones (to keep the listener focused,
adjust sound, etc.)
Hearing Impaired Device Technology
● FM amplification systems (e.g., auditory
trainer)
● TDD/TTY for phone service
● Closed-captioning television
● Real-time captioning
● CD-based (text)books, electronic books
● Audio-voice amplification device for
teachers
● Telecaption decoders
● Vibrotactile systems

8. Closed captioning displays the audio portion of a television
program as text on the TV screen, providing a critical link to
news, entertainment and information for individuals who are
deaf or hard-of-hearing. Congress requires video programming
distributors (VPDs) - cable operators, broadcasters, satellite
distributors and other multi-channel video programming
distributors - to close caption their TV programs.
An example of hearing impaired
device

9. ● Eyeglasses
● Large-print books
● Books on tape
● Magnifying glass
● Slate and Braille stylus
● Stencil
● Tape recorder
● Cassettes
● Stereo headphones
● Lighting contrasts
● Adapted paper (e.g., raised surfaces, highlighted lines, various colors,
sizes)
● Pen lights
● Calculator with large keys or large display
● Talking calculators
The many Seeing Impaired Device
Technology Items for people
● Self-sticking notes (such as Post-It� notes)
● Highlighters
● Color-blind aides
● Braille writer (to take notes, store information, print in
various formats)
● Braille translation software (translates inputted text that
can be Brailled)
● Braille printer
● Computer with speech output or feedback
● Operating system special-accessibility options (screen
enlargement, adjustment of keyboard, sound, display,
mouse)
● Glare-reduction screens
● Talking electronic dictionary, thesaurus, spell checker
● Video magnifiers
● Voice-output screen-reading software
● Voice amplification or voice projector
● Screen readers

10. The National Association for Visually Handicapped (NAVH) provides the
NAVH Seal of Approval to commercial publishers for books that meet their
large print standards.[3] (Lighthouse International acquired NAVH in 2010).[4]
The standards[5] call for:
● Maximum limits on size, thickness, and weight
● Minimum limits on margins
● Type size at least 16 point, preferably 18 point
● Sans serif or modified serif font recommended
● Adequate letter and word spacing
● Flexible binding recommended to allow open book to lie flat
Seeing impaired device and
image: Large Print books

11. ● Highlighting tape
● Post-It notes
● Picture schedule
● Written schedule
● Social stories
● Written or picture-supported directions
● Aids to help find materials (e.g., color tabs)
● Editing devices: correction fluid (such as Liquid Paper or Wite
Out) correction tape, correction pen, highlight tape
● Sentence windows
● Graphic organizers to visually help in developing and structuring
ideas
● Single-word scanners (reading pens) or hand held scanners
● Portable word processors
Learning Disabled Device Technology Aids
Students with high-incidence disabilities
(learning, behavior, or cognitive disabilities) to increase, maintain, or improve their functional capabilities.
● Talking word processors
● Hand held computers
● Voice-recognition products
● Software for organizing ideas and studying
● Electronic organizers or reminders
● Word-prediction software (assists in
spelling and sentence construction)
● Multimedia software for production of
ideas (e.g., PowerPoint®)
● Talking electronic device or software to
pronounce challenging words
● Software for concept development,
manipulation of objects, math computations
● Portable word processor to keyboard
instead of write
● Closed-captioning television
● Text-reading software
● Tactile or voice-output measuring devices

12. With Pages™: In word processors such as
MSWord™, OpenOffice™, LibreOffice™ or
Pages™, you can use wordQ’s word
prediction and speech feedback to
find/hear adjectives that describe your
skills on a resume.
Learning disabled device:
Word Prediction Software

13. Recently mobile apps (whether iOS or
Android) have begun adaptation to people with
physical disabilities. One such company that
focuses on this matter is Sesame Enable.
They are offering an iOS document hands-free
reading app, an Android hands-free eBook
app, and a library for other developers to
incorporate hands-free technologies in their
apps.
Physically Disabled Device
Technology: Apps

14. ● Pictures, photographs, objects
● Communication boards
● Communication books
● Eye-gaze or eye-pointing systems
● Simple voice-output devices
● Word cards or word manipulatives
● Word window
● Writing guides
● Voice-output devices with levels
● Voice output with icon sequencing
● Communication software (allows for communication boards and visual displays)
● Augmentative communication devices (visual display, printed or speech output)
Assistive Technology for Communication: Aids students who have difficulty in communicating
effectively (i.e., they are unintelligible, have no or very little verbal skills, or
have limited language proficiency).
● Dedicated augmentative
communication system
● Text-to-voice and voice-to-text
software
● Talking word processing with writing
support
● Word prediction, abbreviation, or
expansion options to reduce
keystrokes
● Software that allows communication
via pictures and symbols
● Head-pointing devices
● Touch screens
● Translating devices: voice language
(e.g., English) to output different
voice language (e.g., Spanish)
● Electronic and software dictionaries

15. AT Devices

16. Ajorquera01. (2012, October 15). Assistive Technology Devices. Retrieved March 25,
2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJ-liIwc82g&feature=youtu.be
Assistive Technology Laws. (2015, January 1). Retrieved March 25, 2015, from
http://www.fctd.info/resources/techlaws.php
Assistive Technology to Meet K12 Needs. (n.d.). Retrieved March 25, 2015, from
http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/methods/technlgy/te7assist.htm
Closed Caption Information. (2013, January 1). Retrieved March 25, 2015, from
http://www.myaccount.charter.com/customers/support.aspx?supportarticleid=1635
Head Tracking and Pointing. (n.d.). Retrieved March 25, 2015, from
http://abilitynet.wikifoundry.com/page/Head Tracking and Pointing
References

17. Large Print. (2014, March 14). Retrieved March 25, 2015, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Large-print
Lofton, K. (2012, August 29). WHAT IS ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY? Retrieved March
25, 2015, from http://www.loftonspace.com/news/kevin/On_08/29/2012/what-is-
assistive-technology/
Roblyer, M., & Doering, A. (2013). Integrating educational technology into Teaching
(2nd ed.). Columbus, Ohio:
Merrill Prentiss Hall.
Touch-Free Smart Phone. (2014, January 1). Retrieved March 25, 2015, from
http://sesame-enable.com/
Quick Links. (n.d.). Retrieved March 25, 2015, from http://www.goqsoftware.com/
References

18. Understanding Assistive Technology: Simply Said. (2010, November 10). Retrieved March 25, 2015, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DB9pKkZoJDc
What is Assistive Technology? How Is It Funded? (n.d.). Retrieved March 25, 2015, from
http://www.atia.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3859
References