This document discusses various assistive technologies that can help students with disabilities access education. It defines assistive technology as any device or method that allows equal access and opportunities for students with physical or mental disabilities. Examples of assistive technologies described include FM systems to help hearing-impaired students, text-to-speech systems for visual impairments, electronic math worksheets for learning disabilities, and oversized trackball mice for physical disabilities. The document also discusses laws like IDEA that require schools to evaluate and provide assistive technologies if needed.

1. Assistive Technologies
Presentation
Kyla Neely
ED505
Summer OL 2015

2. Assistive Technology
O What is Assistive Technology (AT)?
O Any device or method available for students with
physical or mental disabilities that allow them equal
access and opportunities to succeed inside and
outside the classroom.
O Devices
O Any technology ranging from highlighters and sticky
notes to hearing aids and technology software to
wheelchairs and text scanners.
O Services
O Any training offered to students, parents, teachers on
how to use the AT or support for the AT.

3. AT and the Law
O Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement
Act 2004 – IDEA 2004
O “Any item, piece of equipment, or product systems,
that is used to increase, maintain or improve the
functional capabilities of a child”
O Teachers and schools have the responsibility to
evaluate students with any physical and mental
disability to see if the use of an AT would improve
their understanding of curriculum objectives and
socializing within and outside the school setting.
O Evaluate, Monitor, Observe, Collect Data and
Reevaluate.

4. AT and the Law
O Free Appropriate Public Education – IDEA 2004
O A portion of IDEA 2004 that says a student with
disabilities should receive the same learning
opportunities and necessary services as a student
without disabilities without any cost to the family.
O School personnel should make every effort to
accommodate a child with disabilities by providing
appropriate AT devices and services if deemed
beneficial for the child, while at the same time not
inconveniencing the family with cost of the device or
services.

5. Hearing Impaired AT: FM
Systems
O What is it?
O A sound amplifier for personal/private conversations
or used in public settings/lectures without class
interference.
O How does it work?
O Student has a personal amplifier and head set kept
with them that they can adjust the volume for comfort
level.
O Teachers, peers or anyone wanting to communicate
has a microphone that connects to the students
amplifier. This allows the student to hear what needs
to be understood while drowning out background or
distractive sounds.

6. Hearing Impaired AT: FM
Systems
O How does this help?
O Students with hearing impairments are able to focus
and hear what the teacher or classmates are saying
without the “noise” to distract them.
O Students are able to listen and hear only to the
person who is speaking into the microphone that is
connected to the students amplifier.
O With this technology, students are able to participate
in class discussions, ask questions based on content
and complete daily class work more independently
and improve scores through understanding of the
teachers comments.

7. Hearing Impaired AT: FM
Systems

8. Visual Impaired AT: Text-to-
Speech Systems
O What is it?
O A 2 part system that consist of a scanner to read the
text and a computer and computer system that reads
the text to the student.
O How does it work?
O Students, teachers or aides scan the text or
document using the text scanner or text synthesizers
using a preprogramed key combination.
O The computer software program then reads the
information using correct pronunciation as much as
possible.

9. Visually Impaired AT: Text-to-
Speech Systems
O How does this help?
O Visually impaired students able to function more
independently in the classroom.
O Students can stay at the same level or point in
textbooks as other students in the classroom.
O Students can take test and work on projects in the
regular classroom setting.
O Possible Drawbacks…
O Students would need headphones as not to distract
others.
O Students may need a larger work area.

10. Visually Impaired AT: Text-to-
Speech Systems

11. Learning Disabled AT:
Electronic Math Worksheets
O What are they?
O Software programs that help students with identified
math learning disabilities to gain understanding of
math concepts they struggle with on pencil and paper.
O How do they work?
O Mathtalk.com products allow students to voice their
own homework problems and then allows them to talk
through the process of solving the problems.
O Mathtalk.com products also provide problems in all
areas and level of grade school math for practice in
concepts.

12. Learning Disabled AT:
Electronic Math Worksheets
O How do they help?
O Students with learning disabilities in math concepts
may find electronic and specifically voice reading
software useful in allowing them to talk through the
math process or concept instead of writing.

13. Physically Disabled AT:
Oversized Trackball Mouse
O What is it?
O This technology is a mouse that has the trackball on
the top of the mouse. The track ball is also typically
larger and easier and fits the whole palm of the user.
O How does it work?
O Most of the Oversized Trackball Mouses work the
same and have the same functions as a typical
computer mouse.
O Special modifications can be made for specific users
and needs.

14. Physically Disabled AT:
Oversized Trackball Mouse
O How does this help?
O For students with limited mobility or lack of motor
skills, the oversized Trackball Mouse allows them to
use the functions of a computer with expelling a lot of
energy or strain.

15. References
O American Speech-Language-Hearing Association | ASHA. (n.d.).
Retrieved June 10, 2015, from http://www.asha.org/
O Assistive technologies for people with physical impairments. (n.d.).
Retrieved June 10, 2015, from http://www.gmc-
uk.org/accessibility/assistive_technologies/physical_impairments.asp
O Assistive Technology: Tools That Help With Learning. (2014). Retrieved
June 10, 2015, from http://www.understood.org/en/school-
learning/assistive-technology/assistive-technologies-basics/assistive-
technology-tools-that-help-with-learning
O Center for History and New Media. (n.d.). Zotero Quick Start Guide.
Retrieved from http://zotero.org/support/quick_start_guide
O Experiments with Classroom FM Amplification : Ear and Hearing. (n.d.).
Retrieved June 10, 2015, from http://journals.lww.com/ear-
hearing/Fulltext/1998/06000/Experiments_with_Classroom_FM_Amplificat
ion.4.aspx
O Frequency Modulation (FM) Systems for Children with Normal Hearing
Brian M. Kreisman Carl C. Crandell. (n.d.). Retrieved June 10, 2015, from
http://www.audiologyonline.com/articles/frequency-modulation-fm-
systems-for-1166
O IRIS | Assistive Technology: An Overview. (n.d.). Retrieved June 10, 2015,
from http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/at/

16. References
O Northern, J. (2014). Hands & Voices :: Communication Considerations.
Retrieved June 10, 2015, from
http://handsandvoices.org/comcon/articles/FMamplification.htm
O Personal Hearing Amplifiers - Shop Hearing Assistance Devices for
Hearing Impaired - Products for Hearing Loss at Harris Communications
with Free Shipping and Returns. (2015). Retrieved June 10, 2015, from
https://www.harriscomm.com/equipment/personal-listening.html
O Roblyer, M. D. (2013). Integrating Technology into EducationRo (6th
Edition). Pearson Education, Inc.
O Speech Systems - American Foundation for the Blind. (2015). Retrieved
June 10, 2015, from http://www.afb.org/info/living-with-vision-loss/using-
technology/assistive-technology/speech-systems/1235
O Staff, G. (n.d.). Assistive technology for kids with LD: An overview.
Retrieved June 10, 2015, from
http://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/assistive-technology-for-kids-with-
learning-disabilities-an-overview/
O Stanberry, K. (n.d.). Electronic math worksheets. Retrieved June 10,
2015, from http://www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/electronic-math-
worksheets/