This document discusses assistive technology and how it can help students with disabilities. It defines assistive technology as any device that helps students with special needs meet the requirements of regular education. Examples of assistive technology for different disabilities are provided, such as cochlear implants for hearing impairments, optical character readers for seeing impairments, audio books for learning disabilities, and walkers for physical disabilities. The document also discusses how assistive technology is supported by law to improve the functional capabilities of students with disabilities.

1. Assistive Technology
Ronda Bynon
Technology And Education
ED5059
August 30, 2014

2. What is Assistive Technology?
Assistive technology is devices that aid
students with special needs meet the
requirements of regular education
classes. AT can be anything from a
rubber grip on a pencil to a laptop
computer assigned to a student.

3. Assistive Technology and
the Law
“Assistive technology device means any item, piece of
equipment, or product system, whether acquired
commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized,
that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the
functional capabilities of a child with a disability. The
term does not include a medical device that is
surgically implanted, or the replacement of such
device.” (Assistive, 2008).

4. AT and the Hearing
Impaired
Cochlear Implants are just one
form of AT that may be used to help
students that have a hearing
impairment. A Cochlear Implant is
implanted under the skin behind
the ear. “Once sound is captured by
the processor and converted into
digital information, it is
transmitted to the internal implant
which converts that information
into electrical signals.” (The
Necleus, 2014). The implant sends
sound signals to the brain which
the brain converts into speech or
sound.

5. AT and the Seeing Impaired
One device for the seeing
impaired are optical characters
readers. OPCs have the capability
to not only enlarge text but also
read text aloud (sometimes in
multiple languages). One
drawback to this type of device for
the seeing impaired is that often
there may be a mobility issue
depending on the age of the
device.

6. AT for the Learning
Disabled
Audio books are one AT
modification that can be used with
students that have a learning
disability in reading
comprehension. Audio books come
in several formats. Traditionally,
audio books were recorded on tapes
or cds. With advances in
technology, audio books are now
available on small mp3 type devices
that can be checked out to students.
Another option for audio books is
web based subscription services
that offer wide selections of audio
books.

7. Assistive Technology and the
Physically Disabled
AT devices for the physically disabled
are dependent upon the disability of
the individual that needs the
assistance. A walker is just one type
of AT mobility device that can be used
to assist individuals. The use of a
walker often gives the physically
disabled a sense of confidence and
independence. The ability to self-propel
oneself is often all that needed
to help a child with a physical
disability excel.

8. References
Assistive Technology. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/module/at/#content
Assistive Technology in Education. (2008). Retrieved from
http://www.atp.ne.gov/techassistdoc.html
Goebel, Gerald (author). (n.d.). Funding Adaptive Mobility Equipment for Young Children with Disabilities
[electronic image]. Retrieved August 30, 2014, from http://www.rifton.com
Kerr, Michael (educator). (2014). MOBILE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLGY
FOR LEARNING IN A DIGITAL WORLD [electronic image].
Retrieved August 30, 2014, from: http://ldatschool.ca/pro-learning/ articles/mobile-assistive-technology-for-learning-
in-a-digital-world
Kugler, Sean (author). (2012). Welcome to Assistive Technology [electronic image]. Retrieved August 30,
2014 from http://www.fusd1.org
Nielson, Lisa (author). (2011). 25 Incredible Assistive Technologies [electronic image]. Retrieved August 30,
2014 from http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com/2011/09/25-incredible-assistive-technologies.html
Optical Character Readers. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.christal-vision.com/default.htm
The Necleus System. Everything we’ve learned over 30 years makes
it simply smarter. (2014). Retrieved at http://www.cochlear.com