This document defines key terms related to assistive technology and inclusion of students with disabilities. It discusses assistive technologies and instructional practices for students with ADHD, auditory disabilities, and learning disabilities. Examples of assistive technologies include notebook organizers, hearing aids, reading aids, and math manipulatives. The document provides resources for further information.

1. ITEC 7530 Assistive Technology WebQuest By Ashley Kane

2. Terms to Know: Inclusion - a classroom model in which students with special needs spend most or all of their time with non-disabled peers Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA )- a law ensuring services to children without disabilities throughout the nation. Children receiving services under IDEA must fit into one of thirteen categories of disabilities Individualized Education Plan (IEP) - a plan set in place by a team of educators and parents that describes the goals the team sets for a student receiving services through IDEA, including any special support and/or devices that would benefit the student Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) - a student who has a disability should have the opportunity to be educated with non-disabled peers, to the greatest extent appropriate. They should also have access to the general education curriculum, extracurricular activities, or any other program that non-disabled peers would be able to access.

3. More Terms to Know: Differentiation- the process of ensuring that what a student learns, how he/she learns it, and how the student demonstrates what he/she has learned is a match for that student’s readiness level, interests, and preferred mode of learning Assistive Technology- an umbrella term that includes assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities. These devices promote greater independence by enabling people to perform tasks that they were formerly unable to accomplish, or had great difficulty accomplishing, by providing enhancements to or changed methods of interacting with the technology needed to accomplish such tasks. Paraprofessional- a person trained to assist teachers in providing support and services to children in special education

4. Assistive Technology used for Student with ADHD Resources: Notebook organizers (note taking aids) Checklists for self-monitoring Assignment notebook Written/typed lesson outlines Focused, interactive computer lessons Instructional Practices : Reduce distractions (visual, auditory, movement, etc.) Provide daily structure Use hands-on interesting activities Teach note taking Encourage self-monitoring

5. Assistive Technology used for Students with Auditory Disabilities Resources: Hearing aids Television captioning Microphones Visuals (illustrations, diagrams, pictures, models) Language cards (vocabulary and illustrations of concepts) SmartBoard/interactive board (display visuals/directions during lessons) Use of an interpreter (sign language) Instructional Practices : Reiterate major points in a lesson Write out assignments Write down questions Use hand signals Sequence steps/procedures on written cards

6. Assistive Technology used for Students with Learning Disabilities Resources: Reading/Writing Math Positional aids (book stands, clipboards) Manipulatives Page turner Charts /study guides (virtual and paper) Reading window Calculators Highlighter Measuring devices Word identification aids (talking dictionary) Writing guides General Portable word processor Tape recorder Concept map/webbing applications Instructional Practices : Provide advance notice of written assignments (encourage students to start early) Clarify instructions on assignments Give instructions verbally and in writing Provide the student with “checkpoints” to stop reading and summarize Have students write down steps to solve a math problem (study aid/reminder)

7. Resources: http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/learning/iep.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assistive_technology http://www.edutopia.org/assistive-technology-enabling-dreams-video http://www.ldonline.org/article/8088 http://uts.cc.utexas.edu/~wilbur/access/assistive.html

8. Resources Continued: http://www.ericdigests.org/2003-1/assistive.htm http://www.synapseadaptive.com/edmark/prod/tw/default.htm http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/treatment/assist_tech.htm http://www.gpat.org/resources.aspx?PageReq=GPATImp http://idea.ed.gov/ Kennesaw State University. (2010). Pearson Custom Education: INED 3304. Boston, MA: Pearson Learning Solutions.