This document discusses assistive technology that can be used in classrooms to help students with various disabilities. It defines assistive technology as any equipment or product that is purchased or modified to assist an individual's functional capabilities. Some examples of disabilities that may benefit from assistive technology include ADHD, hearing impairments, and vision impairments. Assistive technologies are broken into three categories: no technology devices, low technology electronic devices, and high technology complex electronic devices. The document provides specific examples of assistive technologies that could help students with mild disabilities or hearing and vision impairments and stresses the importance of selecting technologies as a team to meet students' individual needs.

1. Assistive Technology for use in the Classroom Phillip Thurmond

2. What is Assistive Technology?Assistive Technology (AT) is defined as any piece of equipment, or product that is bought or modified in order to assist in the functional capabilities of an individual.

3. Who needs Assistive Technology?Many students need assistive technology for different disabilities. Some of these include: Mild DisabilitiesADHD Hearing Impairments Vision Impairments

4. Types of Assistive TechnologyThree categories of AT:No technologyAssistive devices that are not electronic. Low TechnologyAssistive devices that are electronic but not highly sophisticated. High Technology Assistive devices that are complex and have multiple functions.

5. Mild Disabilities Study carrel to keep students from becoming distracted.Flow-charting for organizing thoughts.Using notebook computers for note taking assistance.

6. Hearing ImpairmentsFM system for lectures and instructions to amplify sound. Closed captioning while watching videos.Hearing Loops to help amplify sounds and to reduce back ground noises.

7. Visual Impairments Screen enlargement software for the computer.A Braille writerAudio book player Tape recorder

8. How to choose types of ATChoosing a type of assistive technology should be conduct as a team. The team should identify the students areas of needs and try to find accommodations that fit those needs. Use the TAM Technology Fan resource to help aid in the decision process.Remember that the types of AT will be influenced by the class setting. This includes inclusion class where students with disabilities are placed in general education classrooms.

9. Remember assistive technology is there to assist the student as well as the teacher.

10. Sources http://standards.gov/assistivetechnology.cfmhttp://www.ericdigests.org/2003-1/assistive.htmhttp://www.asha.org/public/hearing/treatment/assist_tech.htmhttp://www.axistive.com/assistive-technology-for-hearing-impaired-students.htmlhttp://www.familyconnect.org/parentsite.asp?SectionID=73&DocumentID=3893http://www.ldonline.org/article/8088