The document discusses the Assistive Technology Act of 1998 and how it has improved access to assistive technologies for students with disabilities. It outlines that the Act aims to ensure individuals with disabilities can participate fully in life through access to technological programs and devices. Examples are given of different assistive technologies that support students with various disabilities, such as hearing aids, braille keyboards, and software that signs lessons for the deaf. The Act is said to provide opportunities for inclusive education and social interaction by giving students the tools to learn and express themselves.

1. Week 1 Assignment
I-Esha Rivera
EDU620: Meeting Individual Student Needs With
Technology (MRC1417B)
Instructor: Angelise Rouse
April, 28th 2014

2. Impacts of the Tech Act
I-Esha E. Rivera

3. What is the Assistive Technology act of 1998
The Assistive Technology act of 1998 was created to assist the current programs and
technology needed to help individuals with disabilities “State assistive technology systems
to continue to ensure that individuals with disabilities reap the benefits of the
technological revolution and participate fully in life in their communities” (Assistive
Technology, 1998).

4. How is Assistive
Technology Assisting
Today’s Students?
Assistive technology is creating
many new opportunities for
students young and old.
Whether the student has
cognitive, sensory, physical or
other disability, assistive
technology is helping them to
improve their learning
experience “When assistive
technology is appropriately
integrated into the classroom,
students are provided with
multiple means to complete
their work and focus on
achieving academic standards”
(SC Assistive Technology,
2014).

5. What Forms of
Assistive Technology
are there?
Assistive Technology comes in many forms
to assist the specific types of disability
that a person may have. A person could
be deaf and the assistive technology they
may use could come in the form of a
hearing aid, to various forms of software
that sign the lessons for them. In
addition, the hearing impaired may use
the FM systems, these systems consist of
a teacher wearing a transmitter to
broadcast a signal and the hearing
impaired student wears a receiver and he
can hear clearly what the teacher is
saying. This technology is assisting the
hearing impaired students greatly
(California Inst., 2014).

6. Assistive
Technology for
the Blind
The Braille 'n Speak 640 is a
small computer with a Perkins
style keyboard. It allows the
student to write in Grade 1 or 2
braille. This technology also
has a spellchecker and is able
to print. The Vtouch is
technology the allows the
visually impaired student to put
on gloves and “feel” what the
artwork looks when visiting a
museum.

7. The Associative Technology Act of 1998
The Associative Technology Act has improved the
lives of disabled students by allowing them the
access to learning that they did not have before
“For students with disabilities that interfere with
their communication, learning, social relationships
or active participation, assistive technology
supports their participation in learning
experiences in the least restrictive environment.
Assistive technology can be the lifeline that
increases a student’s opportunities for education,
social interactions, and meaningful employment”
(SC Assistive Technology, 2014).

8. Fostering Assistive Technology
Assistive Technology is becoming readily available and some of this
technology is inexpensive, which means there is a broader range of people
that will have access to it.
These students have increased potential and are able to learn more and
express themselves in ways they had not been able to.
Assistive technology should be available to those students with disabilities
in order for them to succeed, where they would not have had a chance
without this technology.
“As technology has come to play an increasingly important role in the lives
of all persons in the United States, in the conduct of business, in the
functioning of government, in the fostering of communication, in the
conduct of commerce, and in the provision of education, its impact upon
the lives of individuals with disabilities in the United States has been
comparable to its impact upon the remainder of the citizens of the United
States” (Assistive Technology, 201).

9. Fostering Assistive
Technology
Assistive Technology enables
futures, that result in a higher
level of “normalcy” some may
seek employment, or to be
active in their communities
because they now have the
ability to communicate and
interact better than before.
They can do this confidently
with the technology that has
enabled them to do so.

10. Assistive
Technology and
Teaching
The Assistive Technology Act
has provided the means to
reach students with disabilities
and afford them the same
learning opportunities as those
without. In the classroom, I will
be able to utilize that
technology to reach the
students the students that have
a physical or other disability
that may prevent them learning
on a certain level. Knowing
and learning about the types of
Assistive Technology is a very
important part of teaching.
This knowledge will help me to
find the right types of
equipment or software that
may be able to help a student.
As a teacher, the quest for
knowledge never stops,
especially when it comes to
learning how to educate one’s
students.

11. Assistive Technology
Everyday Assistive Technology is improving and
providing a myriad of ways to reach and allow
disabled students to participate and increase their
learning potential.
The Assistive Technology Act, sets in place guidelines
state and otherwise that have to be followed,
ensuring that the disabled community have access to
programs that will improve the quality of life
“supporting State efforts to improve the provision of
assistive technology to individuals with disabilities
through comprehensive statewide programs of
technology-related assistance, for individuals with
disabilities of all ages, that are designed to provide
access in many different ways with technological
assistance.

12. No matter what the disability, the Assistive Technology Act is designed to
help. There are many free and affordable pieces of equipment, software
and more that will enable a student to become more involved in learning
“increase the ability of individuals with disabilities of all ages to secure and
maintain possession of assistive technology devices as such individuals
make the transition between services offered by educational or human
service agencies or between settings of daily living” (Assistive Technology)
2014). This act is in constant flux, improving and providing more access to
needed programs and funding, for those that need these services.

13. Reference List
Assistive Technology Act of 1998. (n.d.). Assistive Technology Act of 1998.
Retrieved April 27, 2014, from http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-
108publ364/html/PLAW-108publ364.htm
Florida Charter Schools Failing Students with Disabilities
http://stateimpact.npr.org/florida/2011/12/14/no-choice-florida-charter-
schools-failing-to-serve-students-with-disabilities/
Assistive Technology Helping Deaf Students Succeed
http://kidsthesedays.org/podcast/show-39-excerpt-assistive-technology-
helping-deaf-students-succeed
Assistive Technology for Students who use Braille 'n Speak 640
http://www.setbc.org/setbc/vision/virg/p2_08.html
Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs
http://www.ataporg.org
Edyburn, D. L. (2013). Inclusive technologies: Tools for helping diverse
learners achieve academic success. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint
Education, Inc.